Southwest Management District Board of Directors met June 27

Southwest Management District Board of Directors met June 27.

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 12:00 p.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

Position 10 - Blu Baillio

Position 11. Frank Donnelly, III

and all the above were present, with the exception of Directors Wang, and Le, Jr., thus constituting a quorum. A quorum of the Board was present in person, and Director Peters attended the meeting via videoconference. Also present were Alice Lee, Annie Trinh, Alan Bernstein, 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 Erica Rocha, SEAL Security; Charmaine LeBlanc; Rocio Witte; and Brad Mushinski, Chairman Li called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m.

RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS. Public comments were received from Brad Mushinski with Harris County Precinct 4; and Charmaine LeBlanc.

ACCEPT OATH OF OFFICE, SWORN STATEMENT AND BOND FOR NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Mr. Austin swore in new Board Members Blue Baillio and Frank Donnelly, III. Ms. Clayton reported both Directors have signed the required documents: Oath of Office, Sworn Statement and Bond. Upon a motion made by Director Bhandara, and seconded by Director Shani, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Oath of Office, Sworn Statement and Bond from newly appointed Board Members Blue Baillio and Frank Donnelly, III.

Mr. Austin reported an election of officers will be on the Agenda next month as required pursuant to Section 49 of the Water Code and answered questions pertaining to the requirement. Chairman Li requested a Board Retreat be held before the next regular scheduled Board meeting.

APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD MAY 23, 2022. Upon a motion made by Director Shani, and seconded by Director Acquaro, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of the May 23, 2022, Board meeting, as presented.

RECEIVE ASSESSMENT COLLECTION REPORT. Ms. Hall presented the Assessment Collection Report, included in the Board materials, and answered various questions. She reported a 95% collection rate on the 2021 assessments, $814,137 in uncertified values and 373 unsettled accounts. Director Shani requested a separate report on the recently annexed properties. No action from the Board was required.

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. Director Acquaro requested the Memo on Checks to Bankcard Center to be updated to remove "DRT" in the Memo. Director Shani noted on Check No. 8202 payable to Sharpstown Civic Association in the amount of $53,500.00 the journal entry should reflect $13,500 to Public Safety budget and the remaining balance of $40,000 goes against the Liberty Festival budget. Upon a motion made by Director Shani, and seconded by Director Bhandara, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Bookkeeper's Report, as amended per discussions; and approved payment of invoices, as presented.

RECEIVE UPDATE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. Director Peters reported the Committee met on June 8, 2022, a copy of the Committee Minutes is included in the Board materials. Ms. Lee provided highlights of the Committee meeting and answered questions.

a. Consider support funding request from Houston 80/20 to install U.S. flags.

b. Consider support funding request for SMC to purchase metal poles and dig holes for flags. Ms. Lee reported the Committee reviewed the support funding request from Houston 80/20 for the District to purchase U.S. flags and install metal poles for the installation of the flags along Bellaire and the Harwin Hillcroft area plus additional flags around the PlazAmericas Mall for the Liberty Festival. There was discussion by the Board on why the District continues to purchase flags and installing in the corridor each year. Ms. Lee reported another alternative is to provide small handheld flags at the Festival. Ms. Lee discussed the possibility of installing 60 Liberty Festival banners at every identification marker in the District in the coming years for the Festival. Ms. LeBlanc reported 2,000 small flags to hand out at the event have already been purchase. After full discussion by the Board, no action was taken on this item.

c. Consider additional budget request for July 3, 2022, Liberty Fest signature event. Ms. Lee presented the proposed budget for the July 3, 2022, Liberty Festival event, a copy is included in the Board materials. She reported $13,500 under the Security Detail was previously approved by the Board and is being allocated to public safety budget. She reported at the last board meeting an additional $40,000 was approved for the event's partial budget. Upon a motion made by Director Bhandara, and seconded by Director Adnani, the Board voted unanimously to approve an additional budget for the July 3, 2022, Liberty Festival even in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 with the removal of the following items from the budget presented: (1) remove SMC purchase install flags for 80/20 in the amount of $2,500; and (2) remove $5,000 for oscillating fans and generators.

Director Peters suggested creating a sub-committee for special events. Mr. Austin stated the Committee Chair can create a sub-committee without board action.

RECEIVE UPDATE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE. Director Acquaro reported the Committee met on June 8, a copy of the Committee Minutes is included in the Board materials. He provided highlights of the Committee meeting and answered questions, He reported the next catalytic converter etching event is scheduled for June 30 at Wal-Mart on Beltway 8. Mr. Beserra provided an update on the installation of Flock cameras and reported they are currently starting site visits of locations for installation,

CONSIDER HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S NUISANCE ABATEMENT PROGRAM. Director Acquaro discussed the Board considering starting the County Attorney's Nuisance abatement program again. He reported the cost to the District is approximately $61,000 per year. Director Bhandara stated the program is an effective tool and works well in conjunction with a DRT off-duty proactive law enforcement program. Director Holmes requested to see an analysis of effectiveness compared to the existing feature of the county attorney program. After full discussion by the Board, and upon a motion made by Director Acquaro, and seconded by Director Holmes, the Board voted unanimously to authorize staff to pursue further and provide additional information to the Board for consideration.

CONSIDER OFF-DUTY PROACTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM. The Board discussed an off-duty proactive law enforcement program (DRT). Director Bhandara reported the programs works hand in hand with the nuisance abatement program and works well in other Districts. Pros and Cons were discussed. The Board was in consensus for staff and Committee to explore further.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE - ITEM 10.a.

a. Consider amended S.E.A.L. Security contract for fuel surcharge. Upon a motion made by Director Bhandara, and seconded by Director Donnelly, the Board voted unanimously to approve the SEAL Security Contractual Amendment for a 5% fuel surcharge to each invoice for average pricing of fuel above $3.50, subject to using the Houston Metro Index on fuel prices,

RECEIVE UPDATE FROM ENVIRONMENTAL AND URBAN DESIGN COMMITTEE. Ms. Lee reported the Committee met on June 8, a copy of the Committee Minutes is included in the Board materials. She provided highlights of the Committee meeting and answered questions. No action from the Board was required.

RECEIVE AND CONSIDER TASK ORDER FROM SMC LANDSCAPE SERVICES TO REPAIR THE DAMAGED IRRIGATIONS FROM 8103 BELLAIRE-9705 BELLAIRE. Upon a motion made by Director Bhandara, and seconded by Director Acquaro, the Board voted unanimously to approve SMC Landscape Services task order No. 1312 for irrigation repairs in the amount of $3,655.00, as presented.

RECEIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT. 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 1:54 p.m.

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