Southwest Management District Board of Directors met Feb. 28

Southwest Management District Board of Directors met Feb. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

DETERMINE QUORUM; CALL MEETING TO ORDER.

The Board of Directors of the Southwest Management District held a regular meeting at 12:00p.m. at the Southwest Management District Office, 6588 Corporate Drive, Suite 168, Houston, Texas 77036, inside the boundaries of the District, open to the public, and open to the public via videoconference, and the roll was called of the duly appointed members of the Board, to-wit:

Position 1 - Kenneth Li, Chairman

Position 2 - Fred Bhandara, Vice-Chairman

Position 3 - David Peters

Position 4 - Harry Shani, Secretary

Position 5 - Don Wang

Position 6 - Peter F. Acquaro, Jr.

Position 7 - John R. Holmes, Jr.

Position 8 - Stephen Le, Jr.

Position 9 - Raj Adnani

and all the above were present, with the exception of Directors Acquaro and Adnani, thus constituting a quorum. Also present were Alice Lee, Annie Trinh, Victor Beserra, and Linda Clayton, all with Hawes Hill & Associates, LLP; Tim Austin, Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP; Jack Roland, Governmental Financial Reporting; and Pat Hall, Equi-Tax. Others attending the meeting were Stephanie Leota, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher's Office; Erica Rocha, SEAL Security; Blu Baillo, Memorial Hermann; Frank Donnelly; Paul Gor, Asian Chamber of Commerce; Natalie Victor; and Skip Reeder, Chairman Li called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m.

RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS.

Public comments were received from Paul Gor with Asian Chamber of Commerce; and Stephanie Leota with Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher's office.

APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD JANUARY 24, 2022.

Upon a motion made by Director Holmes, and seconded by Director Bhandara, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of the January 24, 2022, Board meeting, as presented.

ACCEPT ANNUAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS FROM BOOKKEEPER AND INVESTMENT OFFICER.

Mr. Austin reviewed the annual disclosure statements from the investment officer and bookkeeper. He stated the Investment Officer and Bookkeeper are required to annually disclosure any relationships with entities or individuals engaged in an investment transaction with the District and the investment officer and bookkeeper are reporting none.

CONDUCT ANNUAL REVIEW OF INVESTMENT POLICY AND ADOPT RESOLUTION REGARDING ANNUAL REVIEW OF INVESTMENT POLICY.

Mr. Austin reported the District is required to annually review its Investment Policy and amend the Policy when required by any legislative changes to the investment laws. He reported he has reviewed the Investment Policy and no legislative laws have been enacted affecting the current Policy and is recommending no changes be made.

ADOPT RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE AUTHORIZED DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS AND ADOPTING LIST OF QUALIFIED BROKER/DEALERS WITH WHOM THE DISTRICT MAY ENGAGE IN INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS.

Mr. Austin reviewed the Resolution and list of Qualified Broker/Dealers with whom the District may engage in investment transactions. He reported the list was provided by the Investment Officer and may be amended at any time by the Board by a resolution.

Upon a motion made by Director Bhandara, and seconded by Director Holmes, the Board voted unanimously to (a) accept the Annual Disclosure Statements from the Bookkeeper and Investment Officer; (b) adopt the Resolution regarding Annual Review of Investment Policy; and (c) adopt the Resolution Establishing the Authorized Depository Institutions and Adopting List of Qualified Broker/Dealers with Whom the District May Engage in Investment Transactions.

RECEIVE ASSESSMENT COLLECTION REPORT.

Ms. Hall presented the Assessment Collection Report, included in the Board materials. She reported as of today a collection rate of 92% on the 2021 assessments, and $3,784,075 in uncertified values for 2021. No action from the Board was required.

12:11 p.m. Director Adnani arrived meeting.

RECEIVE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT AND APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES.

Mr. Roland presented the Bookkeeper's Report and went over invoices, included in the Board materials. Upon a motion made by Director Shani, and seconded by Director Bhandara, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Bookkeeper's Report and approved payment of invoices, as presented.

a. Consider Resolution Appointing Investment Officer.

Mr. Austin reviewed the Resolution Appointing Jack Roland as the District's Investment Officer, included in the Board materials. Upon a motion made by Director Bhandara, and seconded by Director Shani, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Resolution Appointing Investment Officer, as presented.

RECEIVE UPDATE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Ms. Lee reported the Committee met on February 14, a copy of the Committee Minutes is included in the Board materials.

a. Consider sponsorship request from Sharpstown Park Alliance for marketing opportunities.

Ms. Lee reported the Committee reviewed the sponsorship request from Sharpstown Parks Alliance for mailings that will include the District's logo and marketing message and is recommending approval in the amount of $1,000.00. Upon a motion made by Director Shani, and seconded by Director Holmes, the Board voted unanimously to approve the request from Sharpstown Parks Alliance to sponsor its postcard marketing in the amount of $1,000.00.

b. Consider sponsorship request from Asian Chamber of Commerce for 2022 events.

Ms. Lee reported the Committee reviewed the request from Asian Chamber of Commerce to sponsor three of its events in 2022, including Business Conference and Expo, Asian Restaurant Month, and ACC Trade Forum and is recommending approval in the amount of $5,000.00 for each event for a total of $15,000.00. Mr. Gor with Asian Chamber of Commerce answered questions regarding the events. Upon a motion made by Director Wang, and seconded by Director Peters, Directors Peters, Shani, Wang, Holmes, Le, Jr. and Adnani voted to approve the request from Asian Chamber of Commerce to sponsor its Business Conference and Expo event in the amount of $5,000.00, Asian Restaurant Month even in the amount of $5,000.00 and the ACC Trade Forum event in the amount of $5,000.00, for a total sponsorship amount for three events of $15,000.00. Chairman Li and Director Bhandara abstained. The motion passed.

RECEIVE UPDATE FROM PUBLIC SAFETY.

Mr. Beserra reported the Committee met on February 9, a copy of the Committee Minutes is included in the Board materials. He provided highlights of the HPD monthly reports and answered questions. He reported the Annual March on Crime event is scheduled for March 29, 2022, at HBU. No action from the Board was required.

RECEIVE UPDATE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL AND URBAN DESIGN COMMITTEE.

Director Le, Jr. reported the Committee met on February 9, a copy of the Committee Minutes is included in the Board materials.

a. Consider support letter to METRO for new bus pads for 20 bus stops in the District.

Director Le, Jr. reported the Committee reviewed the request from METRO to provide a support letter for proposed improvements to 20 bus pads in the District and is recommending for approval. Upon a motion made by Director Le, Jr., and seconded by Director Wang, the Board voted unanimously to approve providing a support letter to METRO regarding the improvements to 20 bus pads/stops in the District.

b. Approve payment of invoice to Williams Architectural Signage and Consulting in the amount of $4,969 for ID marker repair at 6300 Beechnut.

c. Approve payment of invoice to Williams Architectural Signage and Consulting in the amount of $4,667 for ID marker repair at 9500 Bissonnet.

Director Le, Jr.reported the Committee reviewed the invoices for ID marker repairs at 6300 Beechnut and 9500 Bissonnet and is recommending for approval. He reported both invoices have been submitted to the District's insurance company for reimbursement. Upon a motion made by Director Le, Jr., and seconded by Director Peters, the Board voted unanimously to (a) approve payment of Williams Architectural Signage & Consulting Invoice for ID marker repair at 6300 Beechnut in the amount of $4,969.00; and (b) approve payment of Williams Architectural Signage & Consulting Invoice for ID marker repair at 9500 Bissonnet in the amount of $4,667.00.

RECEIVE AND CONSIDER FY2022 BUDGET.

Ms. Lee reported a budget workshop was conducted on February 23, 2022, and the proposed FY2022 Budget being presented is a product of the workshop. She went over each line item and answered questions. She reported the DRT initiative will be revisited near the end of the fiscal year to coincide with the County Attorney program for October, November, and December, She reported the budget is fluid and can be amended at any time. Upon a motion made by Director Shani, and seconded by Director Holmes, Directors Li, Peters, Shani, Wang, Holmes, Le, Jr., and Adnani voted to approve the FY2022 Budget, as presented. Director Bhandara voted against. The motion passed.

Before convening in Executive Session, the District's attorney, Tim Austin, provided information to the Board on subject matters allowed during Executive Sessions. He reported under the item listed on the Agenda, discussions can include employees; however, the District does not have any employees and only has contracted services. He stated the Board can also discuss potential candidates for appointments to the Board of Directors for the District. He reported other executive session items if posted on the agenda include (a) Section 551.071, Texas Government Code, to conduct a private consultation with attorney, with regard to pending or contemplated litigation; (b) Section 551.072, Texas Government Code, to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property; (c) Section 551.087, Texas Government Code, to discuss or deliberate regarding economic development negotiations; and (d) for public safety matters to discuss location of cameras.

CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.074, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, TO DELIBERATE THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, EVALUATION, REASSIGNMENT, DUTIES, DISCIPLINE, OR DISMISSAL OF A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEEE.

The Board convened in Executive Session at 1:37 p.m.

RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION AND AUTHORIZE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, EVALUATION, REASSIGNMENT, DUTIES, DISCIPLINE, OR DISMISSAL OF A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEEE

The Board reconvened in Open Session at 1:52 p.m. Upon reconvening in open session, no action was taken by the Board.

RECEIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT.

Ms. Lee reported the Executive Director's Report is included in the Board materials for review.

ADJOURN.

There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Li adjourned the meeting at 1:53 p.m.

https://southwestmanagementdistrict.org/the-district/more-information/board-agendas-meeting-minutes-and-board-packets/