MEMBERS PRESENT: James Adams, Chairman, Roosevelt Alexander, Frederick Perrenot, James Murray, John Bartos, Mary Ann Gonzalez, Michael Sullivan, Mark Evans, Tom Manison, Carolyn Johnson, Steve Tyler, Cynthia Schmidt, Jack Searcy, Jr., Harold Wallace, Ernest Rebuck, Robert Bruner, Tom Ray, Ron Neighbors, David Jenkins, Marvin Marcell.

PRESIDING: James Adams, Chairman

Alternates: Jim Sims for Danny Vance, John Willy for Jack Harris, Jace Houston for William Teer, Jimmie Schindewolf for Honorable Robert Eckels, and Mark Lowry for James Morrison.

Issue: Are the activities of this planning group included as part of the duties of the members’ positions and thereby covered by insurance under the liability umbrella of the agencies involved? An opinion was rendered by the Office of the Attorney General that these groups have governmental immunity; however, we are subject to liability. Total cost for insurance is approximately $1,200 to $1,500. The proposal to the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) is that the members personally buy the insurance under one member’s name with the other members as co-insurers, if the SJRA cannot provide insurance.

Jimmie Schindewolf asked if that would cover alternates, to which Chairman Adams replied it would; and that permanent alternates would need to participate in the cost. Chairman Adams noted the Lower Colorado River Group has already purchased the insurance through member funding.

Chairman Adams tabled a vote until November 4 meeting.

Group packet contained a printout of the summary of all proposals showing what the different regional planning groups requested. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is presently negotiating with the groups. They removed the contingency portion ($250,000.00) from the Region H grant application. In October the TWDB will approve the negotiated contract amounts, then in January will execute the contracts for the grants, funding 100 percent of the engineering study costs with the regions paying the administrative costs.

A question was raised concerning if funding requests took into account population. Chairman Adams noted that they did.

Packet contained a table showing contributions to date.

Contributions are being held by some funding subcommittees. Chairman Adams requested moneys be sent to be placed in an interest-bearing account called the San Jacinto River Authority Region H Water Planning Fund.

John Bartos announced that there would be a $1,000.00 contribution from the Galveston Bay Foundation.

The funding committee will meet and report back at the next meeting with their recommendations for updating contributors regarding the TWDB changes in the grant funding formula.

Marvin Marcell was added to the funding committee.

Brown & Root commented that the level of grant funding for Region H public participation was low compared to other regional planning groups.

Mr. Perrenot made a presentation summarizing the City of Houston’s past and present efforts to provide drinking water to their residents and many of the communities in the eight counties surrounding Harris County.

There was a general question and answer session centered around Mr. Perrenot’s presentation.

A recommendation was made to include on next month’s agenda an item dealing with legislative affairs.

Robert Naremore, from the audience, asked of the 531 million gallons a day used August 5^th, how much was surface water.

Frederick Perrenot answered that on a normal day the City pumps as much surface water as possible. During peak hours the pumpage of groundwater is increased to keep up with demand.

Robert Naremore asked if the City would try to mix ground with surface water and whether there was a plan to do that.

Frederick Perrenot stated there was no plan, but if a plan was put together it should not allow some to stay 100 percent on groundwater.

November 4, 1998

10:00 a.m.

Conroe City Hall, 6^th Floor

Conroe, Texas