Southwest Management District Board of Directors met Jan. 27

Southwest Management District Board of Directors met Jan. 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 on January 27, 2025, 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, the roll was called of the duly appointed members of the Board, to-wit:

Position 1 - Kenneth Li, Chairman

Position 2 - Vacant

Position 3 - David Peters

Position 4- Harry Shant, Secretary

Position 5 - Dawn Lin

Position 6- Peter F. Acquaro, Jr., Vice-Chair

Position 7 - Sandra Mooney

Position 8 - Stephen Le, Jr.

Position 9 - Raj Adnani

Position 10 - Blu Baillio

Position 11 - Vacant

and all the above were present with the exception of Director Peters, thus constituting a quorum. Also present were Josh Hawes, Gillian Thomas, Natali Hurtado, Victor Beserra, Susan Hill, and Michele Cardenas, all with Hawes Hill & Associates, LLP. Others attending the meeting were Larry Galvan; Governmental Financial Reporting, Cameron Nguyen, Ronald Rivas, Berzin Bhandara, Mary Buzak; Bracewell LLP, Tabitha Israel, UpStanding Enterprises, Ofc. Robinson, SEAL; Ofc. Tram HPD; Cathy Podell, Sharon Gahunia, Jenny Nguyen, Peng-Tu Cheng, Spenser Hsu, Sam Chang, Vivienne Kwon, Zoe O., Michael, Than Le, Anh Nguyen, Luis Chen, Laura Parker and Shirley Wong, Chairman Li called the meeting to order at 12:02 pm.

RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS.

Public comments were received from Cathy Podell, Sharon Gahunia, Luis Chen, Laura Parker and Shirley Wong.

APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 25, 2024.

Upon a motion duly made by Director Acquaro, and seconded by Director Baillio, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of November 25, 2024, as presented.

CONSIDER AGREEMENT WITH MCCALL GIBSON SWEDLUND BARFOOT PLLC TO PREPARE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT AND AUDIT.

Upon a motion made by Director Acquaro and seconded by Director Adnani, the Board voted unanimously to accept the agreement with McCall Gibson Swedlund Barfoot PLLC to prepare annual financial report and audit.

RECEIVE UPDATE FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE.

a. Receive Assessment Collection Report.

Mr. Hawes presented the Assessment Collection Report; a copy is included in the Board materials. He reported a 17% collection rate on the 2024 assessments. No action from the Board is required.

b. Receive monthly financial reports and approve payment of invoices; ratify payment of December invoices.

Director Shani reported that the Finance Committee reviewed the report and invoices, and recommended approval. Mr. Galvan reviewed the monthly financial report with the Board, a copy is included in the Board materials. Upon a motion duly made by Director Shani, and seconded by Director Le, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Bookkeeper's Report, approve payment of invoices, and ratify payment of December invoices, as presented.

DISCUSS AND CONSIDER BOARD VACANCIES.

The Board discussed the two vacant Board seats. The Board discussed the option to fill the remaining seats or to reduce the number of seats available from 11 to 9. Ms. Buzak of Bracewell LLP advised the Board on proper procedure for filling the vacant seats or reducing the number of seats. She answered questions from the Board. Mr. Hawes addressed the Board and answered questions from the Board. This item will be added to the February agenda for Board action.

RECEIVE UPDATE FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING STUDY.

Mr. Hawes reported a new representative from SWA will be present going forward as Mr. Vick has retired. The committee did not meet in January. No action from the Board was required.

RECEIVE UPDATE FROM PUBLIC SAFETY.

Director Acquaro reported the Committee met on January 8; a copy of the Committee Minutes is included in the Board materials. He noted the March on Crime event is scheduled for March 13 from 11 am- 1 pm at Houston Christian University. He answered questions from the Board. No action from the Board was required.

RECEIVE UPDATES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

Mr. Hawes reported the Committee met on January 13; a copy of the Committee Minutes is included in the Board materials. The committee had the following recommendations:

a. Consider deposit for Liberty Fest Fireworks.

Upon a motion duly made by Director Adnani, and seconded by Director Mooney, the Board voted unanimously to approve the deposit for Liberty Fest Fireworks in the amount of $14,000.00.

b. Consider sponsorship of the 2025 Shandong Fellowship Association of Southern USA Gala.

Upon a motion duly made by Director Li, and seconded by Director Shani, the Board voted to ratify payment for the sponsorship of the 2025 Shandong Fellowship Association of Southern USA Gala, in the amount of $600.00 and approve additional payment of $400.00, for a total of $1000.00. Director Acquaro opposed. The motion passed.

C. Consider sponsorship of the Celebration of Ban Tien's Promotion to Chief of Metro PD Houston.

Upon a motion duly made by Director Adnani, and seconded by Director Lin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the sponsorship of the Celebration of Ban Tien's Promotion to Chief of Metro PD Houston, in the amount of $400.00,

d. Consider sponsorship of the Malaysian Singaporean Association of Houston 35th Anniversary & Lunar New Year Celebration.

Upon a motion duly made by Director Adnani, and seconded by Director Lin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the sponsorship of the Malaysian Singaporean Association of Houston 35th Anniversary & Lunar New Year Celebration, in the amount of $2,500.00.

e. Consider sponsorship for the 2025 AAREA Gala.

Upon a motion duly made by Director Lin, and seconded by Director Le, the Board voted unanimously to approve the sponsorship for the 2025 AAREA Gala, in the amount of $2,500.00.

RECEIVE UPDATES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL & URBAN DESIGN COMMITTEE.

Director Le reported the Committee met on January 13; a copy of the Committee Minutes is included in the Board materials. No action was required from the Board.

RECEIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT.

Mr. Hawes had no additional updates to report.

ADJOURN.

There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Li adjourned the meeting at 1:20 p.m.

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