Photo Credit: The Woodlands TownshipNews
Township Board honors Fire Department, creates Homelessness Task Force, new Community Park concept
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors held a regular meeting on Thursday, February 22, 2024, and discussed topics including the 2024 Transit Study Fares and Ticketing Policies for The Woodlands Express, the creation of a Homelessness Task Force, the conceptual site-planning for a Community Park at Grogan’s Mill Village, and more.
The Woodlands Township shared a board briefing and review of the regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting held on February 22, 2024 below and here.
The Woodlands Township issued two proclamations in recognition of two groups of Township staff.
- The Woodlands Fire Department successfully extinguished a five-alarm fire taking place from February 7 to February 8, 2024, which was one of the three largest fires to occur in the region this century. At the height of the fire, The Woodlands Fire Department had two ladder trucks, six engines, two Chief Officers, a hazmat truck, a rescue truck and two drones engaged in firefighting operations; additionally, every department in Montgomery County and many from North Harris County had units either at the fire or filling in at stations in The Woodlands and South Montgomery County.
- The Woodlands Township Communications Department was recognized in honor of Government Communicators Day which celebrates the important role that communicators play in creating relationships, building awareness and informing, educating and engaging their communities.
REGULAR AGENDA
At the beginning of the meeting, the Board agreed to move Agenda Item 13 on the Regular Agenda to precede Item 8.
APPROVED – 2024 Transit Study Fares and Ticketing Policies for The Woodlands Express
Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Ruthanne Haut presented the results and recommendations from the 2024 Transit Study alongside representatives from Goodman Corporation, the Township’s Transit Consultant. The findings demonstrated a need for a $2 fare increase for The Woodlands Express, in keeping with rising costs, the cessation of CARES/ARPA emergency funding and the lingering effects of the pandemic on public transit nationally. The Woodlands Express has maintained a $13 round-trip rate since 2016 while neighboring peer communities charge $16 per ticket for similar services. The first step to raising fares is the implementation of a 30-day public comment period.
Additionally, the study demonstrated a need to migrate to a mobile-only ticketing service, which would mean the eventual phaseout of paper tickets. The replacement of paper tickets with Radio Frequency ID (RFID) cards will allow all fare revenue to be collected through the onboard ticketing validation system previously installed on The Woodlands Express buses. This would be accomplished through an agreement amendment with Masabi, the Township’s mobile platform provider for transit. Additional recommendations from the study may be brought forth during the 2025 Budget process. The Board unanimously approved the request to open the mandatory 30-day comment period preceding a fare increase and approved the contract amendment with Masabi for the provision of Radio Frequency ID cards and single-use fare cards.
ACCEPTED – Report from the President/CEO regarding 2023 Summary of Accomplishments
President and CEO Monique Sharp presented the 2023 Summary of Accomplishments which details the many milestones and achievements reached by the Board of Directors and Township staff during the previous year. Among the highlights, the report included the Township’s AA+ Bond Rating, which is the highest bond rating achievable in Texas for an unincorporated community. The Township has also achieved a $62 million reduction in debt since 2014 and holds strong financial reserves ensuring the stability of the organization and its ability to offer world-class amenities and services to residents. In 2023, the Board of Directors implemented the first-ever Homestead Exemption at a savings of $832,600 for taxpayers, while also increasing the exemption for Ages 65+ and Disabled at a savings of $802,900 for qualified taxpayers. In addition to many financial milestones, the Township garnered numerous awards for its programming and facilities, completed capital improvements to parks and spraygrounds, opened dedicated pickleball courts and continued to work collaboratively with its numerous partner agencies and law enforcement. The report was accepted unanimously by the Board.
Chairman Dr. Ann K. Snyder praised the leadership of President and CEO Monique Sharp along with the Executive Management Team and the work of Township staff for another successful year. “You and your leadership team have instilled the vision, professionalism and the expertise to support the goals of this Board, especially during the past year,” she said. “It would not have been achieved without all of you; it’s been a great year.”
APPROVED – Creation of Homelessness Task Force and Appointments
At the request of Director Cindy Heiser, the Board agreed at a previous meeting to direct Township staff to draft a Charter for a Homelessness Task Force. The Board unanimously approved the Charter and appointed Director Heiser and Secretary Linda Nelson to the task force.
APPROVED – Conceptual Site Planning for a Community Park at Grogan’s Mill Village Center
Chief Operating Officer Chris Nunes presented the scope of work to engage Halff Associates to develop a conceptual plan for a community park in Grogan’s Mill at a cost of $52,000 to be used from the 2023 Undesignated Fund Balance. Howard Hughes and Montgomery County previously asked the Township to discuss possibly partnering to provide a community park that could support the local Farmers Market. The conceptual site planning would serve as a feasibility study to determine what is possible for the site. Halff was selected by the Board of Directors at their July 21, 2022, Board of Directors meeting to provide civil engineering and landscape architecture services for The Woodlands Township. The Board approved the conceptual site planning with Director Sekula-Gibbs voting against.
Vice Chairman Kyle Watson noted that it was the desire of many Board members to assist with the revitalization of village centers wherever possible. “The Board is trying to determine how we can partner with those who are revitalizing the centers, and those who ultimately own the centers, in a manner that increases the amenity for the surrounding village and residents,” he said. “In order for us to do that, this conceptual site planning is the first step to determine what is viable. I think there is a lot of opportunity there to ensure there is a space for residents to gather and congregate.”
APPROVED – Items related to the Bear Branch Sportsfields Restroom Renovation and Playground
Director of Parks and Recreation John McGowan presented the Board with two items relating to the ongoing renovations and improvements at Bear Branch sportsfields as identified through the 2022 Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment.
- $138,805 for construction drawing, bid management, and construction administration by Halff
- $295,962 for a playground from Lonestar Recreation
The scope of work for Halff includes, but is not limited to, a site grading plan, water/sanitary sewer design, erosion control plan, construction drawings, electrical engineering, structural engineering services, geotechnical engineering, permitting and construction management. Lonestar Recreation would incorporate resident survey data into their design and would approach the project attuned to the need for uniqueness, play value, creative design and use of space, number of play components and user capacity. The Board unanimously approved the Task Order for Halff and the proposal from Lonestar Recreation.
APPROVED – Amendment to Agreement with First Class Transportation for Commuter Bus Services
Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Ruthanne Haut presented an amendment to the agreement with First Class Transportation, which operates The Woodlands Express commuter bus service. She noted that one of the top requests from riders was for better and unlimited Wi-Fi to facilitate working while riding. These improvements come at a one-time cost of $18,750 for hardware and a recurring monthly cost of $1,875 ($75 per bus), which totals $22,500 for 12 months.
Haut also requested a one-year contract extension with First Class Transportation, which includes a 3.75% hourly operating rate increase, citing that Township costs remain on par with peer agencies and the service is efficiently operated. The Board unanimously approved the request to extend the contract with First Class Transportation and accepted the rate adjustment and public Wi-Fi proposal for the buses.
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:
- Approved the minutes of the January 18, 2024, Regular Meeting and the January 24, 2024, Regular Meeting for the Board of Directors.
- Accepted Administrative Reports for The Woodlands Fire Department.
- Approved the Interlocal Agreement with Harris County regarding reciprocal purchasing and authorized the President/Chief Executive Officer to execute the agreement.
- Accepted the BuyBoard proposals for playground equipment replacement and improvements from McKenna Contracting, Inc., in the amount of $125,000 for Tallowberry Park Playground, and from Fun Abounds, Inc., in the amount of $124,898 for Hayden’s Run Park Playground and authorized the President/Chief Executive Officer to execute any necessary contracts as approved to final form by Township legal counsel.
Read more on The Woodlands Township website here.
Source: The Woodlands Township
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