Southwest Management District Board of Directors met May 22

Southwest Management District Board of Directors met May 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Directors of the Southwest Management District held a regular meeting on Monday, May 22, 2023, 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

Position 3 - David Peters

Position 4 - Harry Shani, Secretary

Position 5 - vacant

Position 6 - Peter F. Acquaro, Jr.

Position 7 - Sandra Mooney

Position 8 - Stephen Le, Jr.

Position 9 - Raj Adnani

Position 10 - Blu Baillio

Position 11 - Frank Donnelly, III, Asst. Secretary

and all the above were present, with the exception of Director Baillio, thus constituting a quorum. A quorum of the Board was present in person, and Director Bhandara attended the meeting via videoconference. Also present were Susan Hill, Josh Hawes, Annie Trinh, Alan Bernstein, Victor Beserra, Linda Clayton, and Sheridyn Moreland, all with Hawes Hill & Associates, LLP; Alex Manautou, Allen Boone Humphries Robinson, LLP; and Caryn Adams, Governmental Financial Reporting. Others attending the meeting were Veronica Hernandez, CoH; Aimee Turney, State Rep. Gene Wu's Office; Lauren Nemeth, Baker Ripley; Dan Giles, Gatesco; Bilal Khan, Smartscaping. Chairman Li called the meeting to order at 12:01 p.m.

RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS.

Public comments were received from Bilal Khan with Smartscaping; and from Veronica Hernandez with the City of Houston providing the District a recognition award.

APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD APRIL 24, 2023.

Upon a motion made by Director Acquaro, and seconded by Director Adnani, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of the April 24, 2023, Board meeting, as presented.

RECEIVE UPDATE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Director Shani reported the Finance Committee met before the Board meeting and reviewed the Assessment Collection Report and Bookkeeper's Report. He reported the Committee discussed a Wells Fargo Grant for Small Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations. Ms. Hill answered questions and reported the District does not qualify or is eligible for the grant.

a. Receive Assessment Collection Report.

Mr. Hawes reviewed the Assessment Collection Report, included in the Board materials. He reported a 96% collection rate on the 2022 assessments, no uncertified values and 510 unsettled accounts. He

reported the preliminary values from HCAD for 2023 shows an approximate 24% increase. No action from the Board was required.

b. Receive monthly financial report and approve payment of invoices.

Director Shani reported the Committee reviewed the report and invoices and is recommending for approval. Upon a motion made by Director Donnelly, and seconded by Director Acquaro, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Bookkeeper's Report and approved payment of invoices, as presented.

RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE AMENded code oF ETHICS AND TRAVEL, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND MANAGEMENT POLICIES.

Ms. Hill reported the Code of Ethics and Travel, Professional Services and Management Policies, included in the Board materials, was provided to the Board for review at the May Board meeting. She reported the document was previously adopted by the Board in 2006, and the District's attorney has updated the document to incorporate changes in statutes. Ms. Manautou reported the document added Section 2.11 Prohibited Communications which Constitute a Quorum and answered questions regarding this section. Ms. Hill answered questions regarding the current Legislation Session and reported ABHR will have an update by June/July regarding the Legislation Session regarding management districts. Upon a motion made by Director Shani, and seconded by Director Peters, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the Amended Code of Ethics and Travel, Professional Services and Management Policies, as presented.

DISCUSS BOARD VACANCIES, APPOINTMENTS, AND REAPPOINTMENTS.

a. Interview and consider appointment of candidate Sandra Mooney, nominated by Houston Christian University, to serve in Position 7 to replace former director John Holmes.

Ms. Hill provided a handout of HCU's correspondence including Ms. Mooney's resume recommending Ms. Mooney be appointed to the position previously held by John Holmes, a representative of HCU. She reported position 7 on the board is an unexpired term position. Ms. Mooney introduced herself and answered questions. Upon a motion made by Director Acquaro, and seconded by Director Donnelly, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Sandra Mooney to the unexpired term position number 7 of the Board of Directors. Upon a motion made by Director Acquaro, and seconded by Director Donnelly, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Oath of Office, Sworn Statement and Bond of newly appointed Director Sandra Mooney.

b. Discuss reappointments of directors serving in Positions 1, 2, 3 and 4 and appointment of new director to vacancy in Position 5.

Ms. Hill reported current Board Members in positions 1, 2, 3 and 4 desire to be reappointed. She reported she has received one application to fill position 5 from Dawn Lin who has been recommended by Chairman Li. After full discussion by the Board, and upon a motion made by Director Le, Jr., and seconded by Director Shani, the Board voted unanimously to approve the reappointments for positions 1, 2, 3 and 4, and for new appointment to position 5, Dawn Lin, and authorized the slated be submitted to the City of Houston for approval.

RECEIVE UPDATE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

Director Peters reported the Committee met on May 8, a copy of the Committee Minutes is included in the Board materials. He provided an update on the Liberty Fest event and reported a social media blast regarding the event is being sent every day. He reported the Environmental and Urban Design Committee reviewed a proposal for ten Liberty Fest panels for the District's ID Markers to promote the event. This item will be discussed and considered under the EUD Committee agenda items.

b. Consider sponsorship request from AREAA for its 2023 Strategic Partner and Gala.

Director Peters reported the Committee reviewed the request from Asian Real Estate Association of America - Houston (AREAA) to sponsor events and is recommending approval at the Annual Gold Sponsor level in the amount of $5,000.00, which will include the 2023 Gala event. Upon a motion made by Director Shani, and seconded by Director Le, Jr., Directors Bhandara, Peters, Shani, Acquaro, Mooney, Le, Jr., Adnani and Donnelly voted to approve sponsoring AREAA at the annual gold sponsor level in the amount of $5,000.00. Chairman Li abstained. The motion passed.

a. Consider sponsorship request from The Alliance for its Back-to-School Event.

Director Peters reported the Committee reviewed the request from The Alliance to sponsor its 16th Annual Back-to-School Drive, Health Fair and Business Expo event and is recommending approval in the amount of $5,000.00. Upon a motion made by Director Adnani, and seconded by Director Le, Jr., the Board voted unanimously to approve the request from The Alliance to sponsor its 16th Annual Back to School Drive in the amount of $5,000.00.

c. Consider purchasing a Directory List for the District.

Director Peters reported the Committee discussed purchasing a business directory list. Mr. Hawes reported Council Member Pollard's Office requested assistance in receiving current contacts of the local businesses in the area. He answered questions, and reported the list is not allowed to be shared and is for District use only. He reviewed the pricing list from InfoUSA included in the Board materials and recommended approval in an amount not to exceed $2,000.00. Upon a motion made by Director Adnani, and seconded by Director Donnelly, the Board voted unanimously to approve the purchase of a business directory list for the District in an amount not to exceed $2,000.00.

RECEIVE UPDATE FROM COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING COMMITTEE.

Mr. Hawes reported the Committee met on May 8, a copy of the Committee Minutes and reports are included in the Board materials for review. No action from the Board was required.

RECEIVE UPDATE FROM PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

Director Acquaro reported the Committee met on May 10, a copy of the Committee Minutes is included in the Board materials for review. He reported the Crimestoppers Back-to-School Drive will be held in August. He reported provided an update on the camera program and reported three of the cameras on Richmond have been installed. 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 May 10, a copy of the Committee Minutes is included in the Board materials. He provided an update on the responses to the request for proposals for landscape maintenance in the District and stated the Committee will be interviewing three contractors for consideration.

a. Consider Task Order from Price Wagener to repair the damaged irrigations.

Upon a motion made by Director Le, Jr., and seconded by Director Adnani, the Board voted unanimously to approve work order #3174 from Price Wagener in the amount of $745.00 for irrigation repairs.

b. Consider Williams Architectural Signage & Consulting task order to fabricate panels for the ID Markers to promote Liberty Fest.

Director Le, Jr. reported the Committee discussed fabricating ten panels for the District ID Markers to promote Liberty Fest at entry points of the District. He reviewed the proposal from Price Wagener in the amount of $9,450.00 and provided samples of the material to be used. Upon a motion made by Director Acquaro, and seconded by Director Le, Jr., Directors Li, Bhandara, Peters, Shani, Acquaro, Mooney, Le, Jr., and Donnelly voted to approve the proposal from Williams Architectural Signage & Consulting for ten Liberty Fest panels for the ID Markers at the entry points of the District in the amount of $9,450.00. Director Adnani opposed. The motion passed.

RECEIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT.

The Executive Director's Report is included in the Board materials for review. No action from the Board was required.

ADJOURN.

There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Li adjourned the meeting at 1:33 p.m.

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