Houston Daily

Harris-Galveston Subsidence District Board of Directors met May 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD PRESENT: Bill Alcorn, Rosa Alvarez, Emily Anderson, Pete Côté, Brian Freedman, Steve Gillett, Don Johnson, Jason Long, Shannon Lucas, Katherine Mears, Lindy Murff, Alan Petrov, Kyle Sears, Shaun Smith

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ABSENT: Susan Baird, Sarah Benavides, Chris Canonico

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. ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO BOARD MEMBERS. The Oath of Office was administered to John Bowen (Galveston County Commissioners Court), Brian Freedman (Industry Rep-Harris County Commissioners Court), and Gricelda Medrano (MUD Rep-Harris County Commissioners Court).

4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 9, 2025. Mr. Cote moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of April 9, 2025, be approved; It was seconded by Mr. Freedman. Chairman Petrov put the question and, after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed.

Ms. Baird and Ms. Benavides are now present.

5. HEARING EXAMINERS REPORT. Ms. Helen Stewart Truscott presented the Hearing Examiner's Report for March 2025 and prior, including for Ernesto Quintanilla. Mr. Cote moved to accept the Hearing Examiner's recommendations as amended; it was seconded by Mr. Freedman. Chairman Petrov called for abstentions. There were no abstentions. Chairman Petrov put the question, and after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed.

Mr. Canonico is now present.

6. EMERGENCY PERMITS. The Board considered the General Manager's action in granting emergency permits to Environmental Design, Deano Merrigan, Esequiel Villarreal, Jose Zavala.

7. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE REGARDING ACCEPTANCE OF THE INDEPENDENT ANNUAL FINANCIAL AUDIT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024. Mr. Turco stated that the Finance Committee met earlier this month and reviewed the audit report and the full annual financial report prepared by staff and unanimously recommended the audit for full Board acceptance. Mr. Daniel Newcomb, Director of Finance and Administration, to introduce the auditors. Mr. Newcomb stated that staff met with the auditors, Mr. Patrick Simmons, CPA, with Whitley Penn, L.L.P, gave an overview of the 2024 Annual Financial Report audit process, and provided the Board of Directors with a copy of the report and independent audit opinion letter. Mr. Côté moved to accept the 2024 Annual Financial Report and audit; it was seconded by Ms. Anderson. Chairman Petrov put the question and, after the vote, announced the motion carried. None opposed.

8. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2024 ANNUAL GROUNDWATER REPORT. Mr. Turco stated that 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 2024 Annual Groundwater Report. Ms. Mears moved to approve Resolution No. 2025-1129, the 2024 Annual Groundwater Report; it was seconded by Mr. Côté. 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. 2025-1129).

9. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH CAROLLO ENGINEERS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY OF ALTERNATE WATER SUPPLIES IN NORTHEAST HARRIS COUNTY. Ms. Ashley Greuter stated that late in 2024 the District released a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the study, that two submissions were received by the January 10, 2025, deadline, and then presented the recommended firm to the Science and Research Committee on Feb 25, 2025. The committee unanimously approved Carollo Engineers, Inc. to be presented to the Board for consideration. Mr. Turco stated that this study will support the regulatory framework objectives described in the Science and Research Plan as well as the District Regulatory Plan. After discussion, Mr. Canonico moved to approve the resolution; it was seconded by Mr. Long. 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. 2025-1130).

10. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH FREESE AND NICHOLS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. Ms. Ashley Greuter stated that this work order is for a review of a model update of the GULF 2023 Groundwater Availability Model. After discussion, Mr. Canonico moved to approve the resolution; it was seconded by Ms. Anderson. 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. 2025-1131).

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. Greg 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 11:45 A.M.

https://hgsubsidence.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-05-14-Minutes-RBM.pdf