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Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors met March 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
PUBLIC HEARING ON PERMIT APPLICATIONS
The Board of Directors of the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District (“District") met in regular session, open to the public held in person in the Lone Star GCD - James B. "Jim" Wesley Board Room located at 655 Conroe Park North Drive, Conroe, Texas, and remotely via the publicly accessible webinar/telephone conference call within the boundaries of the District on April 12, 2022.
CALL TO ORDER:
President Hardman called to order the Public Hearing on Permit Applications at 6:00 PM announcing the meeting open to the public.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called of the members of the Board of Directors, to wit:
Jon Paul Bouché Harry Hardman Larry Rogers Jonathan Prykryl Janice Thigpen Stuart Traylor Jim Spigener
Seven members of the Board were present, thus constituting a quorum of the Board of Directors. Also, in attendance at said meeting were Samantha Reiter, General Manager; Stacey V. Reese, District Counsel; District staff; and members of the public. Copies of the public sign-in sheets and comment cards received are attached hereto as Exhibit "A" to the Regular Board of Directors Meeting minutes.
PRAYER AND PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE:
President Hardman called on Director Bouche for the opening prayer and Treasurer Spigener to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge of Allegiance to the state flag.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
No comments were received.
Ms. Reiter briefed the Board on permit applications received for the month. Applications for consideration and recommended for possible approval included the below:
1. W&J Investments Inc. DBA Easy Lane Food Mart # 6 Applicant is requesting an amendment to an Operating Permit for an increase in production in the amount of 500,000 gallons for 2022 and annually thereafter. Based on technical review of the information supplied, it is the General Manager's recommendation to approve that which is requested and
2. SCI, Texas Funeral Services, Inc. dba Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home and Cemetery Applicant is requesting an amendment to an Operating Permit for an increase in production in the amount of 1,500,000 gallons for 2022 and annually thereafter, Based on technical review of the information supplied, it is the General Manager's recommendation to approve that which is requested.
Ms. Reiter reported that there were two applications for this month. Following Ms. Reiter's report, Treasurer Spigener motioned to approve items #1-#2, as recommended by the General Manager, Director Prykryl seconded. Motion passed.
President Hardman adjourned the public hearing on permit applications at 6:01 PM.
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
The Board of Directors of the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District (“District") met in regular session, open to the public, held in person in the Lone Star GCD - James B. "Jim" Wesley Board Room located at 655 Conroe Park North Drive, Conroe, Texas, and remotely via the publicly accessible webinar/telephone conference call within the boundaries of the District on March 08, 2022.
CALL TO ORDER:
President Hardman presided and called to order the regular Board of Directors meeting at 6:01 PM, announcing that it was open to the public.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called of the members of the Board of Directors, to wit:
Jon Paul Bouché Harry Hardman Larry Rogers Jonathan Prykryl Janice Thigpen Stuart Traylor Jim Spigener
Seven members of the Board were present, thus constituting a quorum of the Board of Directors. In attendance at said meeting were Samantha Reiter, General Manager; Stacey V. Reese (virtual), District Counsel; District staff; and members of the public. Copies of the public sign-in sheets and comment cards received are attached hereto as Exhibit "A".
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
No comments received
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
President Hardman announced Executive Session would be held at the end of the Board Meeting
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
President Hardman stated the Board would consider the meeting minutes as listed for approval on today's agenda. Without further discussion, upon a motion by Director Prykryl to approve as amended and seconded by Secretary Rogers, the Board approved the meeting minutes as presented.
a) February 08, 2021, Public Hearing on Permit Applications b) February 08, 2021, Regular Board of Directors Meeting
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Budget & Finance Committee - Jim Spigener, Chair
1) Brief the Board on the Committee's activities since the last regular Board meeting – No new business.
2) Review of financials for the month of March 2022 -Samantha Reiter
reported that for the month of February 2022, income was $234,724.17 and expenses were $105,331.95 resulting in a net income of $129,392.22. Year to-date net income is $211,597.66
B. Communications Committee - Harry Hardman, Chair
1) Brief the Board on the Committee's activities since the last regular Board meeting
-President Hardman addressed the renewal of a contract for Mach l's strategic services. Ms. Reiter stated the current contract expires on April 1st, The committee is working on finalizing the contract and it is set to renew April 1st, 2022. The new contract will expire on July 31, 2023. Upon a motion by Director Bouche to approve and seconded by Treasurer Spigener, the Board approved the renewal of Mach I's contract.
C. DFC & Technical Committee – Stuart Traylor, Chair
1) Brief the Board on the Committee's activities since the last regular Board meeting
Vice President Traylor had no updates at this time.
D. Legislative Committee – Harry Hardman, Chair
1) Brief the Board on the Committee's activities since the last regular Board meeting
-- President Hardman stated that the District issued request for proposals for legislative consultant services and received 9 proposals. 2 rounds of interviews were conducted and those with any potential conflict of interest was eliminated. 2 firms were selected with impeccable reputations: Phenix & Saenz and Jay & Sabrina Brown. It is the Board's recommendation to approve the contract beginning April 1, 2022. Upon a motion by President Hardman to approve the above firms on Lone Star GCD's approved vendor list and seconded by Treasurer Spigener, the motion passed
E. Rules, Bylaws & Policies Committee - Larry A. Rogers, Chair
1) Brief the Board on the Committee's activities since the last regular Board meeting
- Secretary Rogers had no updates.
DISCUSION, REVIEW, AND ACTION AS NECESSARY TO APPROVE THE 2021 ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE LONE STAR GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT:
Ms. Jennifer Thayer explained that while the Annual Report draft was approved at February's Board Meeting, she wanted to give the Board the most updated version. The few tables will be filled with updated information within the next few weeks, and she is hopeful the final hard copy will be available by the April meeting,
PRESENTATION TO RECIEVE AND TAKE ACTION AS NECESSARY ON RESOLUTION #22-001 TO PROCLAIM MARCH 6-12, 2022, AS “NATIONAL GROUNDWATER AWARENESS WEEK IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY:
Ms. Thayer updated the Board that this year's theme is Promoting Professional Opportunities in Groundwater Industry with a reminder for well owners to test, tend and treat. Outreach for the week included youth focused conservation items dropped off to over 15 school campuses and public libraries and daily social media post. A motion by Vice President Traylor to approve the resolution was made and seconded by Director Prykryl. Motion passed.
RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM DISTRICT'S TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS REGARDING SUBSIDENCE STUDIES AND/OR DISCUSSION REGARDING THE SAME:
Ms. Reiter stated a copy of the report was included in the Board packets. The public comment period for Phase 2 Task 1 and Task 2 of the Subsidence Study ends Friday, March 25th at 5PM. To date the District has not received any comments.
GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AREA 14 - UPDATE THE BOARD ON THE ISSUES RELATED TO JOINT PLANNING ACTIVITIES AND DEVELOPMENT OF DESIRED FUTURE CONDITIONS IN GMA 14:
Ms. Reiter stated that the Explanatory Report was approved by all of the GMA 14 GCD reps on February 23rd and was sent to TWDB on March 4th. After approval from the TWDB, Districts are required to adopt DFCs in form of a resolution and to update any necessary District Rules and/or Management Plans.
GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT:
Ms. Reiter announced the General Manager's Report was available in the Board packets. Violations went out March 1, 2022, for past due 2022 fees, past due 2021 overproduction reports and past due 2021 pumpage reports.
GENERAL COUNSEL'S REPORT:
Ms. Reese stated the Brazoria Valley GCD case is set for trial March 21, 2022, in Waco.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
The Board will recess for a closed Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code, Sections 551.071, to consult with the District's attorney regarding pending or contemplated litigation, settlement offers, or on matters in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly 10.12.21 Regular Minutes Page 2 of 4 conflict with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code regarding any agenda item on any of the board meetings or hearing posted for today.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION:
Following Executive Session, the Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:19 PM and President Hardman declared no action will be taken
NEW BUSINESS:
No new business.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business, Vice President Traylor motioned to adjourn the meeting and Director Prykryl seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 PM.
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