Photo Credit: The Woodlands TownshipNews
The Woodlands Township Board discusses community topics: Law Enforcement, Water, and Residential Survey Results
The Board of Directors held a regular board meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, and discussed several community topics. The Board unanimously accepted Reports for Law Enforcement and Community Policing for 2025, in response to last week’s incident at a local pub. The Board also received an update from Woodlands Water, accepted the 2024 Residential Survey Results. President and CEO Monique Sharp presented the 2024 Summary of Accomplishments highlighting financial strength, public safety investments, park improvements and the 50th Anniversary celebrations.
Theatre in Schools Month
Director Dr. Ann K. Snyder read a proclamation recognizing March 2025 as Theatre in Our Schools Month. The proclamation highlighted the importance of theatre education and its role in student development. It acknowledged the contributions of the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, the Educational Theatre Association and the International Thespian Society in promoting awareness of theatre programs. The proclamation emphasized that theatre fosters creativity, enhances communication skills and builds confidence in students. It also recognized the impact of theatre programs in The Woodlands shaping future leaders and providing students with valuable life skills.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President and CEO Monique Sharp recognized Sue Martin, Neighborhood Services Coordinator, for receiving the Public Service Award from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office during the annual Vehicular Crimes Award ceremony. The award honored Martin’s contributions to impaired driving prevention, particularly in educating minors about the dangers of impaired and reckless driving. Last year, she organized multiple speaking events for minors and helped coordinate a summer safety press conference with law enforcement, the hospital district, the fire department, Children’s Safe Harbor and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Sharp commended Martin for her dedication to community safety and her impactful work with National Night Out.
REGULAR AGENDA
Consent Agenda Item 9.a. Administrative Reports for Law Enforcement and Community Policing for January 2025 and Item 9.k Roof Replacement for Fire Station No. 8 were both pulled from the Consent Agenda and placed on the Regular Agenda for discussion, consideration and action.
ACCEPTED REPORT – Administrative Reports for Law Enforcement and Community Policing for January 2025
Board Chairman Brad Bailey moved this item from the Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda to address an incident that occurred at The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub on Saturday, February 22. Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jonathan Zitzmann provided details on the incident and answered questions from the Board. He stated that the shooting was an isolated act of violence resulting from an altercation between two patrons. Other patrons quickly intervened, and law enforcement officers from multiple agencies arrived within three minutes. While there were injuries, none were fatal. Chief Zitzmann also discussed ongoing public safety initiatives and emphasized the Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to maintaining safety in Montgomery County. The Board reaffirmed its dedication to working with law enforcement to enhance public safety in The Woodlands.
The Board unanimously accepted the report.
Chairman Brad Bailey highlighted the increased law enforcement presence in The Woodlands, sharing a personal encounter with a sheriff’s deputy on patrol. “I have personally seen so many more police officers on the streets,” Bailey said. “These are boots on the ground. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate that. It means a lot to our community.” He credited new leadership for the visible uptick in patrols, emphasizing the importance of proactive policing for public safety.
APPROVED – Roof Replacement for Fire Station 8
Director Cindy Heiser requested to move the discussion of the Fire Station No. 8 roof replacement from the Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda to gain further details on the need for replacement and the type of roof to be installed. Fire Chief Palmer Buck explained that the station, built in 2011, has experienced persistent leaks and structural issues since Hurricane Harvey. Despite multiple repair attempts, the roof system has continued to deteriorate. The original roofing company is no longer in business, and damage from Hurricane Beryl has further exacerbated the issues. The replacement will be a metal roof, providing a more durable and long-term solution.
The Board unanimously approved the roof replacement purchase.
ACCEPTED REPORT – Update from Woodlands Water
Woodlands Water Agency General Manager Erich Peterson provided an update on leadership transitions, facility improvements and infrastructure planning. He highlighted recent renovations to the agency’s building, including a new learning area to educate residents on water infrastructure. The Woodlands Water Agency manages the day-to-day operations for 10 Municipal Utility Districts in The Woodlands. The Township does not have authority over water or drainage matters.
Peterson emphasized the efficiency of The Woodlands’ shared water and sewer system, which has saved millions in costs. As the community’s infrastructure nears 50 years, the agency is conducting assessments on aging water lines, wastewater treatment plants and drainage systems.
To improve public engagement, the agency launched a strategic communications plan, expanded outreach through social media and newsletters and introduced a new website, waterrenewalthewoodlands.com. A community working group was also established to enhance transparency and address misinformation.
Peterson finally discussed fire hydrant maintenance, noting that The Woodlands’ 4,800 hydrants undergo annual audits to ensure reliability. He credited The Woodlands’ founder George Mitchell for designing a water system with strong pressure and redundancy, ensuring long-term efficiency and fire safety.
The Board unanimously accepted the report.
Dr. Ann K. Snyder reflected on her past conversations with The Woodlands founder George Mitchell, emphasizing his belief that water is the community’s most precious resource. “His parting words to me were, ‘Please, look to the future and do not forget the infrastructure will not always be what it is today,’” Snyder said. She underscored the importance of long-term planning to ensure sustainable water infrastructure for future generations.
ACCEPTED REPORT – Residential Survey Results
Dr. Lori Mitchell Dixon of Great Lakes Marketing Research presented the 2024 Residential Survey results, highlighting key findings on resident satisfaction and priorities. The survey, conducted through a scientific sample, received 1,443 responses. Results showed high satisfaction with Township services, with 95% of residents rating the value of their money as good or very good and 92% expressing overall satisfaction with Township services. Of particular note were satisfaction ratings of 100% for the fire department, 99% for parks and recreational facilities and swimming pools, 98% for garbage collection services, and 96% for recycling collection and recreation programs. The top reasons residents enjoy living in The Woodlands remained consistent, including green spaces, safety and quality of life. The survey also identified variations in satisfaction levels by village. Communication preferences showed some shifts, with declining reliance on The Villager newspaper and increased engagement through digital platforms. The Woodlands Community Magazine remains the primary source of information for 61% of respondents.
Dr. Dixon emphasized the importance of ongoing outreach efforts to keep residents informed and engaged. The survey results can help improve Township services and guide future planning by identifying community priorities, addressing concerns and shaping strategic initiatives based on resident feedback.
Dr. Lori Dixon noted, “The fact that The Woodlands has carefully tracked community feedback for so many years and continues to sustain high satisfaction scores is what truly matters. You don’t usually see such high numbers across so many different metrics in other communities.”
The full report will be made available on the Township’s website soon. The Board unanimously accepted the report.
APPROVED – Selection of Facilitator for Strategic Planning Session
President and CEO Monique Sharp outlined the selection process for a facilitator for the 2025 Strategic Planning Session. The Township issued a Request for Qualifications on February 3, 2025, received 17 proposals and evaluated candidates based on experience, cost and expertise in local government. Strategic Government Resources (SGR) was selected as the top choice due to its strong background in strategic planning for local governments. The chosen facilitator, a senior vice president at SGR, specializes in leadership development and government operations.
The Board unanimously approved the selection and authorized Sharp to finalize the agreement with SGR. Workshop dates will be set after coordination with Board members and the facilitator.
ACCEPTED REPORT – Financial Report
Chief Financial Officer Kellan Shaw presented the December 2024 financial report. The Township’s year-to-date revenue totaled $137.3 million, exceeding the budgeted $134.4 million by $2.9 million. The positive variance was primarily due to higher-than-expected interest income and grants related to fire department deployments, offset by minor shortfalls in tax revenues. Year-to-date expenditures totaled $127.6 million, coming in $1.6 million under the budgeted $129.8 million. Savings resulted from lower-than-expected costs in contracted services, legal expenses and open staff positions, though these were partially offset by unbudgeted expenses related to Hurricane Beryl cleanup. Sales tax revenue ended the year $1.9 million below budget but showed strong growth in January and February 2025, with record-high deposits. Hotel occupancy tax collections reached $10.3 million, the highest ever recorded for a calendar year, while mixed beverage tax collections exceeded budget expectations by 23.4%. The Board was informed that financial indicators remained strong going into 2025.
The Board unanimously accepted the report.
APPROVED – Holiday Light Program Along The Woodlands Waterway and Purchase of an Artificial Christmas Tree for Waterway Square
Chief Operating Officer Chris Nunes requested the Board to consider the expansion of the holiday lighting program along The Woodlands Waterway, known as The Waterway Wonderland. The current program, launched in 2024, received strong community engagement, with an estimated 120,000 visitors in December alone. Nunes proposed enhancements to complete the initial loop (Town Green Park to Waterway Square), and adding a second loop (Town Green Park to Grogan’s Mill) including illuminated arches, additional tree lighting and activation of the Koi Pond area to improve the overall experience. He also suggested adding interactive elements such as caroling at Waterway Square and expanding concessions to include holiday-themed food and beverages. The original agreement for the holiday lights includes 10% of the decorations being replaced each year to ensure the program remains relevant.
Long-term considerations include introducing seasonal kiosks along The Waterway for holiday vendors. Nunes also recommended replacing the aging Christmas tree at Waterway Square with a modern, interactive tree featuring synchronized lights and music. The request was presented early to allow sufficient time for procurement and installation before the 2025 holiday season.
Following discussion, the Board unanimously approved the holiday light programming enhancements and the purchase of a replacement Christmas Tree for Waterway Square.
Vice Chairman Craig Eissler expressed enthusiasm for the Waterway holiday light enhancements, stating, “I love the vision—driving the economic impact, driving more people here, and the numbers with minimal marketing. Can’t wait to see what we can do with more time.”
ACCEPTED REPORT – 2024 Summary of Accomplishments
President and CEO Monique Sharp presented the 2024 Summary of Accomplishments highlighting financial strength, public safety investments, park improvements and the 50th Anniversary celebrations. She emphasized the Township’s AA+ bond rating, significant debt reduction and record-breaking sales tax and hotel occupancy tax revenue. The Fire Department maintained its top-tier ISO rating while law enforcement investments expanded with additional personnel in Montgomery and Harris counties. The Township’s transportation initiatives included securing federal funding for bus replacements, increasing ridership in The Woodlands Express and Trolley programs and expanding service for the popular Rodeo Express. Communications’ efforts focused on the redesign of The Woodlands Community Magazine, email outreach and a website redesign project which will launch later this spring. Parks and Recreation saw record participation, new facility openings and continued reforestation efforts.
Looking ahead, Sharp outlined major projects including Fire Station 5 completion, Town Hall renovations, intersection and pathway improvements and the development of the newly acquired 208-acre South Gosling parcel. She noted ongoing discussions with Brookfield regarding The Woodlands Mall expansion and continued evaluation of the Performing Arts Center. Strategic planning remains a priority with an upcoming Board workshop to align goals and initiatives for 2025 and beyond. The presentation reinforced The Woodlands Township’s commitment to maintaining financial responsibility, enhancing quality of life and ensuring long-term sustainability for residents and businesses.
The Board unanimously accepted the report.
Director Dr. Shelly Sekula-Gibbs praised Monique Sharp and her team, stating, “You bring so much experience, love and understanding to this job. It is a beautiful thing.”
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda consists of non-controversial, or “housekeeping” items required by law. One motion with modifications, if applicable, approves for action, all items contained within the Consent Agenda. Items may be moved from the Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda by a Board Member making such a request prior to a motion and vote. To view more information about each item, please review the Meeting Agenda online.
The following items were unanimously approved by the Board of Directors:
- Receive, consider and act upon Administrative Reports for Community Services;
- Receive, consider and act upon Resolution No. 004-25 authorizing the filing of applications with the Federal Transit Administration for federal transportation assistance;
- Receive, consider and act upon Resolution No. 006-25 supporting the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program Mitigation application;
- Receive, consider and act upon network equipment purchases;
- Receive, consider and act upon firewall replacements;
- Receive, consider and act upon an annual network license and support payment;
- Receive, consider and act upon a phone system licensing purchasing agreement (C-2025-0198);
- Receive, consider and act upon a budget amendment for the Town Hall fountain replacement;
- Consent Agenda Item 9.j. Request for Proposal for a Vehicle Tracking System for The Woodlands Express Commuter Bus Services was deferred from the agenda at the request of President and CEO Monquie Sharp and will be discussed at a future meeting.
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:
- President Maryann Braid, Alden Bridge Village Association
- President JC Harville, Cochran’s Crossing Village Association
- President Nancy Becker, Creekside Park Village Association
- President Aaron Hoffstadter, Grogan’s Mill Village Association
Source: The Woodlands Township
