News

The Woodlands Township Board receives Update on Grogan’s Mill Intersection, reviews Study for Meeting Space & Hotel Demand

By The Woodlands Township | February 3, 2026

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors held a regular meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2026. During the meeting, the board recognized Arbor Day in The Woodlands and the Neighborhood Services team for being awarded for The Woodlands Township’s National Night Out campaign. The board received a quarterly update from Law Enforcement, an update on Intersection Improvements and Related Art Structure at Woodlands Parkway & Grogan’s Mill Road, reviews market study for meeting space and hotel demand in The Woodlands, and more.

January 22 Regular Meeting

PROCLAMATIONS

Proclamation Recognizing Arbor Day in The Woodlands
Board Secretary Linda Nelson read a proclamation recognizing Arbor Day in The Woodlands, highlighting the community’s tradition of giving away trees since 1977 and its commitment to George Mitchell’s vision of living in harmony with nature. The proclamation emphasized the environmental benefits of native trees—such as cooling cities, improving air quality, and supporting local wildlife—and encouraged residents to help create a beautiful, sustainable future by planting trees. Over the years, The Woodlands has given away more than 1.5 million trees to residents through these events. The 50th Arbor Day celebration was held at Rob Fleming Park on January 31, 2026.

Arbor Day Proclamation; Pictured from left to right: Vice Chairman Craig Eissler, Director Adam Lamb, Director Cindy Heiser, Environmental Services Manager Amber Barnes, Environmental Education Coordinator Meghan Burnell, Secretary Linda Nelson, Chairman Brad Bailey, Treasurer Richard Franks, Director Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs; Photo Credit: The Woodlands Township

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President and CEO Monique Sharp recognized the Neighborhood Services team for being awarded first place for the 11th time in their population category by the National Association of Town Watch for The Woodlands Township’s National Night Out campaign. She commended the team’s ongoing commitment to fostering community engagement and public safety, noting that the Township’s National Night Out program has consistently ranked in the top three nationally for 26 years. Sharp highlighted the extensive planning and collaboration that goes into the event each year, as well as the dedication of staff and volunteers, who work to strengthen relationships between residents, law enforcement and local officials. This recognition reflects the Township’s leadership in crime prevention and its ongoing efforts to keep The Woodlands one of the safest communities in the nation.

*National Night Out; The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, Neighborhood Services Department and Local Law Enforcement; Photo Credit: The Woodlands Township*

Hello Woodlands Haley Garcia Group January 2026

REGULAR AGENDA

ACCEPTED REPORT – Quarterly Update on Law Enforcement
Representatives of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County Constable Precinct 4 and Montgomery County Precinct 3, provided a quarterly law enforcement update that also included select year-end 2025 data. The report reviewed calls for service, crimes of note, traffic enforcement and accident trends, noting a 10.83% increase in calls for service, a decrease in crimes of note and a 9.34% reduction in injury-related accidents compared to the prior year. Staff highlighted increased proactive enforcement efforts, including a 34% increase in traffic stops, the use of crime reduction units focused on organized retail theft, vehicle burglaries and package theft, and targeted holiday operations that resulted in a significant decrease in jugging incidents. Representatives also provided an update on Precinct 3 Safe Harbor and child exploitation investigations, arrests and coordinated regional operations. The Board unanimously accepted the report.

ACCEPTED REPORT – Update on Intersection Improvements and Related Art Structure at Woodlands Parkway & Grogan’s Mill Road
Introduced by Director of Intergovernmental Relations Todd Stephens, representatives from LANDology updated the Board on enhancements at the intersection of Woodlands Parkway and Grogan’s Mill Road. The project includes restoring natural green space, installing commemorative art, adding new landscaping and lighting and planting 423 additional trees to enhance both beauty and safety. These improvements are designed to improve traffic flow, increase pedestrian safety and elevate the aesthetics of one of the busiest gateways in the community. A centerpiece of the project is the “First Fifty” commemorative art installation, celebrating The Woodlands’ 50-year history and symbolizing community and time. Led by The Woodlands Road Utility District #1, the initiative is supported by The Woodlands Township, Howard Hughes and the Town Center Owners Association. The sculpture is complete, and the full intersection project is expected to be finished by April 2026.

ACCEPTED REPORT – Future Opportunities for Meeting Space and Hotels in The Woodlands
Introduced by Visit The Woodlands President Nick Wolda, a representative from REVPAR International reviewed findings from a market study evaluating meeting space and hotel demand in The Woodlands. The study concluded that the Township could support two additional hotels, including one high-end property with approximately 175 to 225 rooms and 10,000 to 20,000 square feet of meeting space and one upscale property with approximately 125 to 175 rooms and 4,000 to 6,000 square feet of meeting space. The analysis identified approximately $175 million in lost meeting and event business between 2021 and 2030 and estimated that additional hotel capacity could generate between $1.9 million and $3.4 million in annual tax revenue. The report noted sustained occupancy levels and periods of unmet demand, emphasizing the opportunity to retain larger meetings and events within the Township. The Board unanimously accepted the report.

NO ACTION TAKEN – Request for Funding for The Woodlands Express Bus Wraps
Director of Transportation Ruthanne Haut reviewed a proposal to allocate $75,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax reserve to design and apply new wraps for up to 14 existing buses in The Woodlands Express fleet. The request was intended to align the appearance of the current buses with the new fleet anticipated for delivery in late 2026, support Visit The Woodlands tourism promotion and maintain a cohesive visual identity for the commuter service. Following discussion, the Board unanimously opted to take no action on the agenda item. Chairman Bailey requested to revisit the discussion in February.

ACCEPTED REPORT – Communications Department Update on the Respect the Path Educational Initiative
Director of Communications LeaAnn Petersen provided an update on the Respect the Path educational initiative. The initiative was officially launched in August and continued through December 2025. The campaign messaging was integrated across Township platforms, with regular social media posts and reels shared every Monday and Friday to reach varied audiences. In 2026, the Communications team will transition to a new phase in partnership with Neighborhood Services through the Project 365 National Night Out program. This next phase will continue pathway safety messaging with a stronger emphasis on storytelling and community perspectives, allowing the message to remain visible without oversaturating audiences. The approach is intended to sustain awareness, maintain engagement and prevent message fatigue while reinforcing shared responsibility for pathway safety. The Board unanimously accepted the report.

ACCEPTED REPORT – Financial Report
Chief Financial Officer Kellan Shaw presented the General Fund financial report for the eleven months ending November 30, 2025. She reported year-to-date revenues of $139.1 million compared to a budget of $135.1 million, resulting in a favorable variance of nearly $4 million. The variance was driven primarily by a $2.1 million increase in sales tax collections, unbudgeted fire department grants, contributions related to Fire Station 5 and additional lease and conveyance agreement revenue. Year-to-date expenditures totaled $117.4 million compared to a budget of $124.8 million, reflecting a favorable variance of $7.4 million, largely due to lower-than-budgeted employee benefits and contracted services. Sales tax collections were approximately 7% higher than in 2024, while Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue was slightly below budget but exceeded $10 million for the year. The Board unanimously accepted the report.

APPROVED – Strategic Planning Session
President and CEO Monique Sharp discussed the option of holding a strategic planning session and reviewed progress on the Board’s existing strategic initiatives. She proposed a May workshop that would focus on the upcoming budget while also reviewing current strategic priorities. Following discussion, the Board unanimously approved holding a budget-focused strategic workshop in May on a date to be determined.

APPOINTMENT MADE – One Water Task Force Update and Appointment
Director of Intergovernmental Relations Todd Stephens provided an update on the One Water Task Force and reviewed the annual appointment. He explained that the task force was reconvened in 2024 to address water related issues affecting the community and continues to focus on major projects, including the Bear Branch and Panther Branch initiatives. The Task Force is now led by Woodlands Water, rather than the Township. Following the discussion, the unanimously Board confirmed the Chairman’s appointment of Director Cindy Heiser to serve as the Township’s representative on the One Water Task Force.

APPOINTMENTS MADE – Extension of Charter for Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee and Appointments
Chief Administrative Officer Karen Dempsey reviewed the annual renewal of the Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee charter and outlined the committee’s purpose and limitations under Board policy. The committee’s scope includes evaluation of a potential performing arts center, the former GE Betz property, corporate relocation efforts, parking needs in Town Center and pedestrian mobility. Following discussion and a motion by Chairman Brad Bailey, the Board unanimously approved extending the committee charter with the removal of Village centers and affirmed the Chairman’s appointments of Chairman Brad Bailey, Secretary Linda Nelson and Vice Chairman Craig Eissler to the Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee.

APPOINTMENTS MADE – Ad Hoc South Gosling Tract & Public Golf Committee Appointments
Chief Operating Officer Chris Nunes reviewed the renewal of the Ad Hoc South Gosling Tract and Public Golf Committee, noting the committee’s role in evaluating potential golf-related amenities and its pending involvement in reviewing responses to the recently issued request for proposals. He explained that the committee would provide advisory input to staff as proposals are evaluated, with recommendations ultimately presented to the full Board. Following discussion, the Board unanimously approved extending the committee and affirmed the Chairman’s appointments of Chairman Brad Bailey, Secretary Linda Nelson and Vice Chairman Craig Eissler, along with public members Kyle Watson, Scott Lyle and Will Murphy, to the Ad Hoc South Gosling Tract and Public Golf Committee.

APPOINTMENTS MADE – Appointments to the Audit Committee
Chairman Brad Bailey reviewed appointments to the Audit Committee, which assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its fiduciary oversight responsibilities by reviewing the Township’s financial information, systems and internal controls and facilitating communication with the Township’s independent auditors. He affirmed the appointments of President and CEO Monique Sharp, Secretary Linda Nelson and Treasurer Richard Franks, and the Board unanimously approved the appointments.

APPOINTMENTS MADE – Appointment to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Council
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Council serves as a sounding board for programs, activities, services and policies and functions under the Parks and Recreation Department, with the Director serving as chairman, and includes representatives from Village Associations, The Woodlands Development Company, The Woodlands Township, and a Director-appointed member. Chairman Brad Bailey appointed Director Adam Lamb to serve on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council, and the Board unanimously approved the appointment.

APPOINTMENTS MADE – Appointments to the Village Presidents’ Council
Chairman Brad Bailey affirmed the appointment of Treasurer Richard Franks to serve on the Village Presidents’ Council and Director Cindy Heiser as the alternate. The Village Presidents’ Council meets monthly and is composed of the presidents of the eight Village Associations, an assigned Township Director and a Board alternate. Meetings are held at Township Town Hall and include an established agenda with updates reported back to the full Board of Directors. The Board unanimously approved the appointments.

ACCEPTED REPORT – Update Regarding the Village Presidents’ Council
Treasurer Richard Franks provided an update on the Village Presidents’ Council, noting that the Council did not meet in January. He reported that during the December meeting, President and CEO Monique Sharp presented information related to the 2026 budget.

Chairman Brad Bailey requested that Consent Agenda Item 9h (Agreement for lobbying services with Williams Public Affairs) be pulled and discussed at a future meeting date.

The following items were unanimously approved by the Board of Directors:

Receive, consider and act upon approval of the minutes of the November 14, 2025 Special Meeting, November 19, 2025 Regular Meeting, and the December 4, 2025 Regular Meeting for the Board of Directors for The Woodlands Township;
Receive, consider and act upon Administrative Reports for Community Services;
Receive, consider and act upon the Communications Metrics Monthly Reports;
Receive, consider, and act upon Administrative Reports for Law Enforcement and Community Policing for December 2025;
Receive, consider and act upon Administrative Reports for The Woodlands Fire Department;
Receive, consider and act upon Resolution No. 001-26 for Adoption of a Prevailing Wage Rate Scale for Construction Projects;
Receive, consider and act upon renewal of the Township’s Property, Liability and Workers’ Compensation Insurance for the policy period January 1, 2026 through January 1, 2027;
Receive, consider and act upon an electricity services agreement (C-2026-0276) with the selected provider for services at various Township locations within ERCOT’s coverage territory;
Receive, consider, and act upon the proposal(s) from Caldwell Country Chevrolet (BuyBoard #724-23) for the purchase of Parks and Recreation Department vehicles;
Receive, consider and act upon an award of proposal under BuyBoard Contract No. 701-23 for the replaster and deck refurbishment of Windvale Pool (C-2026-0268) and Harper’s Landing Pool (C-2026-0269), and deck refurbishment of Creekwood Pool (C-2026-0270);
Receive, consider, and act upon the First Amendment to the Park and Ride Lease Agreement with Montgomery County for the Sawdust Park and Ride (C-2016-0091A1);

VILLAGE ASSOCIATION REPORTS

Village association presidents present reports to the Board each month regarding activities and news from the villages. The following gave reports for their respective village associations: