Harris-Galveston Subsidence District Board of Directors met Nov. 10

Harris-Galveston Subsidence District Board of Directors met Nov. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD PRESENT: Emily Anderson, Susan Baird, Sarah Benavides, Augustus Campbell, Chris Canonico, Pete Côté, Steve Gillett, Don Johnson, Ken Keller, William Latimer, Shannon Lucas, Katherine Mears, Lindy Murff Alan Petrov, Kathy Rogers, Melinda Salazar, Kyle Sears

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ABSENT: Rosa Alvarez, Susan Baird, Shaun Theriot Smith

PRESIDING: Alan Petrov, Chairman

1. CALL TO ORDER OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING. Chairman Petrov called the regular meeting of the Board of Directors to Order at 10:04 a.m. and noted the presence of a quorum.

2. ACCEPT COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. None.

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 13, 2021. Mr. Latimer moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of October 13, 2021, be approved; it was seconded by Ms. Mears. Chairman Petrov put the question, and after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed.

4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD WORKSHOP ON OCTOBER 13, 2021. Mr. Côté moved that the minutes of the Board workshop of October 13, 2021, be approved; it was seconded by Ms. Lucas. Chairman Petrov put the question, and after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed.

5. HEARING EXAMINERS REPORT. Ms. Alvarez is now present. Ms. Helen Stewart Truscott presented the Hearing Examiner's Report for October 2021, including the testimony and findings for Maria Perez and Thrifty Car Rental. Mr. Latimer moved to accept the Hearing Examiner's recommendations, as amended; it was seconded by Ms. Mears. Chairman Petrov called for abstentions. Ms. Salazar abstained from West Harris County Regional Water Authority. Chairman Petrov put the question, and after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed. Mr. Theriot-Smith is now present.

6. EMERGENCY PERMITS. The Board considered the General Manager's action in granting emergency permits to Arzell, Inc., David Bohorquez, Gulf Coast Stabilized Materials, L.L.C., Houston Serenity Place, Inc., and Red Hawk Industrial. There were no motions to review the actions of the General Manager.

7 RESOLUTION ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR HARRIS-GALVESTON SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING January 1, 2022 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022. Mr. Latimer moved to approve the 2022 budget; it was seconded by Mr. Canonico. Mr. Turco stated that the budget had no substantive changes, since the budget workshop in October. Chairman Petrov put the question, and after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed.

8. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A JOINT-FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY TO PROVIDE FOR A COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR THE COLLECTION AND PUBLICATION OF WATER RESOURCE AND SUBSIDENCE DATA FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022; AND AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS. Mr. Turco stated that this agreement is the annual agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey, and that it hasn't changed in cost or scope from the previous agreement. Mr. Latimer moved to authorize the joint funding agreement with the USGS; it was seconded by Ms. Rogers; Chairman Petrov put the question, and after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed.

9. RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH KIP AVERITT OF AVERITT & ASSOCIATES TO ASSIST THE DISTRICT WITH LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 2023. Ms. Baird is now present. Mr. Latimer moved to approve the contract; it was seconded by Ms. Mears. Chairman Petrov put the question, and after the vote, announce the motion carried.

10.RECEIVE BRIEFING FROM STAFF ON THE STATUS OF THE JOINT REGULATORY PLAN. Dr. Petersen briefed the Board on the status of the Joint Regulatory Plan Review.

11. GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT. Mr. Turco submitted the General Manager's Report. (The General Manager's Report is in full in the official records of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District as part of the Board's Agenda Packet for this meeting.)

12. LEGAL MATTERS. Mr. Ellis updated the Board on recent litigation on groundwater issues.

13. CONSIDER A COUNTER-OFFER FROM FRANCISCO ALAMILLA (WELL 11087).

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION. On Item 13. The Board went into executive session at

11:00 a.m. The Board of Directors returned from executive session at 11:19. Chairman Petrov asked for any motions from the item discussed in executive session. Mr. Sears made a motion to authorize the General Manager to work with

General Counsel, to negotiate a resolution of the issue involving permittee Francisco Alamilla and groundwater well with No. 11087, consistent with the District's policies followed in the past. Mr. Cote seconded the motion. Chairman Petrov put the question, and after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 10:41 A.M.

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