MINUTES

REGION H WATER PLANNING GROUP MEETING

10:00 A.M.

JANUARY 6, 1999

CITY HALL, CONROE, TEXAS

 

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

James Morrison, Danny Vance.

 

PRESIDING: James Adams,Chairman

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 4, 1998 MEETING:

Motioned by Roosevelt Alexander. Motioned to accept minutes.

Seconded by Marvin Marcell. Vote taken. Motion carried.

 

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 1999.

Election of officers required 30 day notice. Mr. Neighbors motioned to waive 30 day notice and moved to re-elect the three officers and two members at large on the Executive Committee.

Seconded by Judge Harris. Vote taken. Motion carried.

 

NURSERYMEN REPRESENTATION AS NON-VOTING MEMBER:

David Jenkins moved to add a nurseryman as a non-voting member. Mr. Robert Bruner nominated Sterling Cornelius.

Seconded by Ron Neighbors. Vote taken. Motion carried.

 

DISCUSS AND ACT ON INSURANCE COVERAGE:

Chairman Adams stated cost is $1443.75. Attorney General’s opinion stated group is not liable. John Bartos suggested checking homeowner’s policy umbrella. Jack Searcy asked if insurance is date of event or date of lawsuit filed. Bartos added policy says claims made, if the claim is made during the policy period. Searcy pointed out as opposed to when the event occurs leaves individuals liable when no longer member of group before suit is filed and suggested verification.

Judge Harris asked if cost would come from the administrative budget. Chairman Adams said that’s where it should come from.

Judge Harris also asked if a member can be carried after they leave the group. Bartos commented that it’s a continuing policy that would be paid yearly and would probably cover the situation.

David Jenkins moved to table the motion. Seconded by James Morrison. Vote taken. Motion carried to table vote.

 

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS - ESTABLISH SUBCOMMITTEE TO REVIEW PROPOSED LEGISLATION FOR DISCUSSION WITH RHWPG:

Legislative Subcommittee chaired by Judge Mark Evans to consist of nine total members.

Concern was expressed regarding potential conflict of interest for members of this subcommittee. Consensus was to limit subcommittee’s activities to gathering pertinent information and communicating that information to group.

Motion to form subcommittee by Carolyn Johnson. Seconded by Mary Alice Gonzalez. Vote taken. Motion carried.

 

UPDATE STATUS OF GRANT APPLICATION AND ACT AS NECESSARY:

Michael Sullivan asked for update from Jeff Taylor of Brown & Root.

 

PRESENTATION BY GORDON MEYERS, GULF COAST WATER AUTHORITY:

Presentation was made regarding history and current activities of the Gulf Coast Water Authority.

Chairman Adams noted February’s presentation would be by Danny Vance of the Trinity River Authority.

 

GENERAL DISCUSSION:

The Chair recognized Denise Cameron, assistant to Senator Nixon.

Chairman Adams referred to inquiries regarding area flooding and the impact on these events by the operations of the river authorities. He pointed out that area reservoirs were water supply, not flood control reservoirs. Therefore, there was very little, from an operational mode,that could be done to alleviate the flooding.

Additional comments were made that the damage from flooding was exacerbated by construction within the flood plain.

Brown & Root’s contract could be executed until the contract with the Texas Water Development Board was executed. B&R projected a full 20 months to complete their scope of work.

Concern was expressed that these planning efforts were designed to encourage public participation. The time frame puts a severe limitation on amount of public participation.

Michael Sullivan: The Texas Water Development Board, legislators, everybody in this group wanted public participation.

Frederick Perrenot: State Bill 1 put a year 2000 deadline for the regional plan, 2001 for the state plan.

Marvin Marcell moved that this group resolve to call to the attention of the Texas Water Development Board time line concerns for Senate Bill 1 being fulfilled and take action to ensure public participation.

Seconded by Frederick Perrenot. Vote Taken. Motion carried.

Michael Sullivan noted receipt of a contribution from Hollywood Marine for $1,000, made out to the San Jacinto River Authority.

 

TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD COMMUNICATION:

TWDB authorized contracts on December 17, 1998, and 20 day comment period ended today. They should be finalized soon and submitted to group.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Frederick Perrenot mentioned the formation of an alliance called the Lower Brazos River Water Alliance to ensure that the reservoir site for the Allen’s Creek Reservoir was preserved. Members so far included: City of Houston, Sugar Land, Richmond, Rosenberg, Missouri City, Stafford, WCID #2, and the Brazos River Authority.

 

The meeting was adjourned.

 

NEXT MEETING:

February 3, 1999

10:00 a.m.

Conroe City Hall, 6th Floor

Conroe, Texas