Harris-Galveston Subsidence District Board of Directors met May 8

Harris-Galveston Subsidence District Board of Directors met May 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD PRESENT: Bill Alcorn, Emily Anderson, Susan Baird, Sarah Benavides, Augustus Campbell, Chris Canonico, Pete Cite, Steve Gillett, Don Johnson, Jason Long, Craig Lovell, Shannon Lucas, Katherine Mears, Lindy Murff, Alan Petrov, Shaun Theriot-Smith

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ABSENT: Rosa Alvarez, Melinda Salazar, Kyle Sears PRESIDING: Alan Petrov, Chairman

1 . CALL TO ORDER OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Chairman Petrov called the regular meeting of the Board of Directors to order at 10:03 a.m. and noted the presence of a quorum. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

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

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 10, 2024. Mr. Cite moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of April 10, 2024, be approved; it was seconded by Ms. Mears. Chairman Petrov put the question and, affer the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed.

4. HEARING EXAMINERS REPORT. Mr. Canonico is now present. Ms. Helen Stewart Truscott presented the Hearing Examiner's Report for April 2024 and prior, including those for Petronilo Flores, Victor Arnoldo Parada, and Nalini Ranasinghe. Mr. Cite moved to accept the Hearing Examiner's recommendations; it was seconded by Ms. Baird. Chairman Petrov called for abstentions. Ms. Lucas abstained from Harris County MUD No. 544 and Harris County MUD No. 586. Mr. Petrov put the question and, after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed.

5. EMERGENCY PERMITS. The Board considered the General Manager's action in granting emergency permits to Anthony Carrington, Sanjeet Chauhan, Deshazer Arabians, John Duran, East Houston Utilities, Inc., Manuel Garcia, and ILP Huffman, L.L.C.

6. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE REGARDING ACCEPTANCE OF THE INDEPENDENT ANNUAL FINANCIAL AUDIT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023. Mr. Patrick Simmons, CPA, with Whitley Penn, L.L.P, gave an overview of the 2023 Annual Financial Report audit process, and provided the Board of Directors with a copy of the report and independent audit opinion letter. Mr. Canonico moved to accept the 2023 Annual Financial Report and audit; it was seconded by Mr. Cite. Chairman Petrov put the question and, after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed.

7. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2023 ANNUAL GROUNDWATER REPORT. This report is the primary product of the District, is produced annually, and includes data on climate, groundwater use, groundwater levels and subsidence to determine the effects of groundwater withdrawal on subsidence within the District during the preceding calendar year. Ms. Ashley Greuter, Director of Research and Water Conservation for the District, presented the Executive Summary of the 2023 Annual Groundwater Report. Mr. Campbell moved to approve Resolution No. 2024-1113, the 2023 Annual Groundwater Report; it was seconded by Ms. Anderson. Mr. Petrov put the question and, after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed. (This resolution is in full in the official records of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District being resolution No. 2024-1113)

8. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS TO AWARD FUNDING GRANTS FROM THE WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM TO SELECTED APPLICANTS. Mr. Turco stated that at the beginning of 2024, through discussions with the Water Conservation Committee, the Water Conservation Grant Program became an open application process, and that some applications were received. The applications were presented to the Water Conservation Committee. Ms. Ashley Greuter, Director of Research and Water Conservation for the District, presented a summary of the applications that were submitted for consideration. Ms. Mears moved to approve Resolution No. 2024-1114 authorizing the expenditure of funds for water conservation grants for selected applicants; it was seconded by Mr. Cite. Chairman Petrov abstained from the vote. Chairman Petrov put the question, and after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed. (This resolution is in full in the officia( records of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District being resolution No. 2024-1114)

9. RECEIVEBRIEFINGFROMSTAFFONTHESTATUSOFTHEJOINTREGULATORY PLAN. Ms. Benavides is no longer present. Ashley Greuter, Director of Research and Water Conservation, briefed the Board on the status of the Joint Regulatory Plan Review.

10. 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.)

11. LEGAL & LEGISLAT(VE MATTERS. Mr. Ellis updated the Board on recent litigation on groundwater issues and legislative matters.

12. EXECUTIVE SESSION. None.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 11 :13 A.M.

https://hgsubsidence.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240508-Minutes-RBM.pdf