Harris-Galveston Subsidence District Board of Directors met Dec. 11

Harris-Galveston Subsidence District Board of Directors met Dec. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD PRESENT: Bill Alcorn, Rosa Alvarez, Susan Baird, Sarah Benavides, Augustus Campbell, Chris Canonico, Pete Côté, Brian Freedman, Steve Gillett, Don Johnson, Jason Long, Craig Lovell, Katherine Mears, Lindy Murff, Alan Petrov, Kyle Sears, Shaun Theriot-Smith

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ABSENT: Emily Anderson, Shannon Lucas

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 10:04 a.m. and noted the presence of a quorum. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

2. ACCEPT COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. Ms. Melissa Rowell, of the North Harris

County Regional Water Authority, addressed the Board of Directors.

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 13, 2024. Mr. Cote moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of November 13, 2024, be approved; It was seconded by Ms. Mears. Chairman Petrov called for abstentions. There were no abstentions. Chairman Petrov put the question and, after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed.

Ms. Alvarez and Ms. Benavides are now present.

4. HEARING EXAMINERS REPORT. Ms. Helen Stewart Truscott presented the Hearing Examiner's

Report for November 2024 and prior, including for MTI Logistics and Roman Romero. Mr. Cote moved to accept the Hearing Examiner's recommendations as amended; it was seconded by Ms. Mears, Chairman Petrov called for abstentions. Ms. Benavides abstained from City of Pasadena. Chairman 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 Robert Garcia, Masch Branch Properties, Sinia Y Montufar & Manuel Espinoza Romero, Sunrise Holding Company, LLC, and SWIFT International.

6. RESOLUTION REVIEWING THE INVESTMENT POLICY AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE DISTRICT. Mr. Turco stated that the investment policy is unchanged from last year. Chairman Petrov reminded the board that this is an annual requirement by the state of Texas law. Ms. Mears moved to adopt the policy; it was seconded by Mr. Cote. Chairman 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. 2024-1121.)

7. RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2025 - 2026 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. Mr. Turco stated that the Legislative Committee met several times over the fall time period. The committee unanimously approved the Legislative Agenda before the Board today and agreed that it should be presented to the full Board for approval. Mr. Theriot-Smith moved to approve the 2025-2026 Legislative Agenda; it was seconded by Mr. Lovell. After discussion, Chairman 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. 2024-1122.)

8. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE JOINT-FUNDING AGREEMENT (JFA) WITH THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY TO PROVIDE FOR A COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR THE COLLECTION AND PUBLICATION OF WATER RESOURCES AND SUBSIDSENCE DATA FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS. After Board discussion, Ms. Baird moved to approve the resolution authorizing the execution of the JFA and the expenditure of funds; it was seconded by Mr. Cote. Chairman 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- 1123.)

9. RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO INVESTIGATE THE HYDROGEOLOGY OF THE BRAZOS RIVER ALLUVIUM. Mr. Canonico moved to approve the contract as amended for form; It was seconded by Mr. Campbell. Chairman 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. 2024-1124.) Mr. Johnson was not present for the vote on this item.

Mr. Johnson is now present.

10. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH SDC BUILDS, LLC, FOR A SECURITY AND CONTROLLED ACCESS FENCE FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE PARKING LOT AND ENTRANCES. After discussion, Ms. Mears moved to authorize the general manager to execute the contract as amended as to form; It was seconded by Mr. Cote. Chairman 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. 2024-1125.)

11. 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.)

12. LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE MATTERS. Mr. Ellis updated the Board on recent litigation on groundwater issues and legislative matters.

13. PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND COMPENSATION OF THE GENERAL MANAGER.

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION. The Board went into executive session at 11:07 a.m. The Board of Directors returned from executive session at 11:42 a.m. Ms. Mears is no longer present. Mr. Petrov stated that no action was taken in closed session and asked if there were any motions. Mr. Gillett moved to accept the recommendation of the Administrative Committee to approve a 4% salary increase for the general manager; It was seconded by Mr. Lovell. Chairman Petrov put the question, and after the vote, announced the motion carried. Mr. Johnson opposed.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 11:43 A.M.

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