Photo Credit: The Woodlands TownshipNews
The Woodlands Township Board meets, proclaims Farmers Market Week August 4-10
The Woodlands Township shared the following recap of the regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting held on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
PROCLAMATIONS
Farmers Market Week
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors presented a proclamation to celebrate National Farmers Market Week, August 4-10, 2024, recognizing the vital role area growers play in providing access to locally produced foods through farmers markets. These markets contribute $9 billion annually to the U.S. economy and support the sustainability of family farms, rural revitalization and community health. Established in 2008, The Woodlands Farmer’s Market at Grogan’s Mill revitalizes the local area, supports local farmers and brings residents together while funding community programs through the Grogan’s Mill Village Association. The proclamation was read by Treasurer Richard Franks.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Monique Sharp, President and CEO, acknowledged the Township’s Finance and Budget department for their recent accolades: the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Led by Chief Financial Officer Kellan Shaw, the financial team has earned these prestigious recognitions every year since the Township’s inception in 2010. Sharp also noted that the Board will be reviewing the 2025 Budget in August, commending the team for their consistent excellence in budget preparation.
President Sharp praised the Finance and Budget department for their diligent work on behalf of residents of The Woodlands. “As someone who spent many years in Finance, I know that earning these distinctions does not come easy,” she said. “I would like to commend the entire department for their exemplary efforts in earning these awards.”
In addition to recognizing the Township’s financial excellence, she also praised the efforts of Township staff in response to Hurricane Beryl. Responding to an emergency involves every department, with meetings regarding Beryl starting several days before the hurricane made landfall and continued efforts ongoing to this day.
REGULAR AGENDA
ACCEPT – Report for Lobbying Services with Schwartz, Page & Harding, L.L.P.
Director of Intergovernmental Relations, Todd Stephens, informed the Board that lobbying services from Schwartz, Page, Harding, L.L.P. are not needed at this time. Legal fees incurred in support of legislative activities are covered under the existing contract.
APPROVED – Agreement for Lobbying Services with Williams Public Affairs
Director of Intergovernmental Relations, Todd Stephens, reviewed with the Board a lobbying services agreement with Williams Public Affairs. Since 2004, the Township and its predecessor HOAs have contracted for government relations services, which include advice and counsel on local, state and federal matters, maintaining relationships with elected and appointed officials and representation in venues like the Texas Legislature. During their last meeting, the Board requested a lobbying services agreement to address these needs. The Board unanimously approved the agreement with Williams Public Affairs.
Director Brad Bailey voiced his support for acquiring lobby services as it relates to the Texas Legislature’s investigation into Hurricane Beryl response and recovery. “Having someone on the ground [in Austin] for the months of August through December is critically important,” he said.
Director Sekula-Gibbs echoed those sentiments. “I think that $10,000 a month is not a lot to pay for a potential solution that the people of Creekside Park and parts of Sterling Ridge desperately need. I’m all in on this,” she said.
APPROVED – A letter of support for H.R. 7525, Special District Grant Accessibility Act
Chairman Dr. Ann K. Snyder requested that the Board approve a letter of support for the H.R. 7525 Special District Grant Accessibility Act. The bill currently being considered by the United States Congress would allow for special purpose districts, such as the Township, to be eligible for federal financial assistance, particularly as it relates to weather-related emergencies and natural disasters. Currently, the Township is not eligible for federal assistance and must rely on collaborative partnerships with other agencies in those instances. The Board unanimously approved the letter of support.
Chairman Snyder said that the passage of this legislation would represent a big win for the Township. “It’s very exciting and I am hopeful that this will pass,” she said.
ACCEPTED – June 2024 Financial Report
Chief Financial Officer Kellan Shaw presented the June 2024 Financial Report to the Board. The year-to-date favorable variance for revenues is $1.7 million. The year-to-date budgeted expenditures favorable variance is $5.8 million. The year-to-date (thru July) sales tax deposits reflect an unfavorable variance of $183,000. Hotel occupancy tax revenues are favorable by $316,814. The mixed beverage deposit has a year-to-date (thru July) favorable variance of almost $130,000.
APPROVED – Parks and Recreation Department and Environmental Services Campus Master Plan
Director of Parks and Recreation, John McGowan, reviewed with the Board the Parks and Recreation Department and Environmental Services Campus Master Plan. The original Parks and Recreation Department office building and warehouse were built in 1998, with an office building addition added in 2002. At that time, the Township had only 90 parks and is now on the cusp of opening its 151st park, along with now having 14 pools versus 11 in 2002. As the community has grown, the demand for staffing and services has grown in accordance with those needs.
In July 2023, an adjacent laydown area was conveyed to the Township by Howard Hughes. The campus houses the Environmental Services, Aquatics, Parks Operations, Parks Planning/Construction, and Streetscape Division teams, with 112 full-time and approximately 350 seasonal employees. The facility includes 28 office spaces, two break areas, 150 parking spots, one conference room, three restrooms and one multipurpose/training room.
The facility struggles to meet current needs due to the Township’s growth and increased responsibilities. In June of 2023, discussions were held on how to address these challenges and create additional space consistent with other Township workspaces. The proposed plan includes 4,500 additional square feet, 42 additional parking spaces, temporary facilities and renovations of existing buildings, aiming to enhance staff support and bring teams closer together. Halff Associates was selected in August 2022 to provide civil engineering and landscape architecture services. Construction documents will take six to eight months to complete, with a total project timeline of 12 to 16 months. Funding methods will be discussed during the 2025 Budget process. The Board unanimously approved moving forward with the master plan as presented.
ADOPTED – Order Calling Directors Elections
The Board called The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Election to be held on November 5. This election will determine the at-large positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the Board of Directors. The filing period for candidates is now open. The Board unanimously adopted Order No. 011-24, Order Calling Directors Election.
Agenda item 12. Receive, consider and act upon a budget amendment in accordance with Section 140.0045 of Local Government Code was pulled from the agenda upon adoption of the agenda during item 4.
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 approval of the minutes of the June 20, 2024 Regular Meeting, and the June 26, 2024 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 Administrative Reports for Law Enforcement and Community Policing for June 2024;
Receive, consider and act upon award of proposal to replaster Shadowbend and Ridgewood Pools (Buy Board #701-23)(C-2024-0510);
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:
- Maryann Braid, Alden Bridge Village Association
- CJ Harville, Cochran’s Crossing Village Association
- Nancy Becker, Creekside Village Association
- Aaron Hoffstadter, Grogan’s Mill Village Association
Meeting agendas, videos and more are available online at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.
Source: The Woodlands Township
