Woodlands Township Meeting - 8/26/2009

First, since I did not report on the July 22nd Township Board Meeting, I want to bring to your attention a statistic of which I was not aware and that was presented by Jim Stiffler (a father whose daughter committed suicide). He said that Montgomery County is at the top for suicide in our State and nation per capita. That's sad and definitely important to know. He attributed it to intense peer pressure, etc. See Mr. Stiffler's report at http://video.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ and click on this meeting date.

It seems the hottest topic at any Township meeting lately is "The Budget". And the hottest budget item is "Security" and how to fund additional police protection. Residents have made many suggestions and so have members of the Township Board including: 1) wait to update existing parks, 2) reduce lights on trees at Town Center, 3) privatize water taxis, 4) no new waterway songs (use old ones), 5) wait to build additions to Creekside Park, 6) wait to install new Town Center paths, 7) no ice rink next Christmas, 8) no horseback security at Mall (use real patrol personnel), 9) no tax abatements to 7 large companies now grandfathered, etc. Several residents have commented on the downturn in the economy and that the 3% increase in next year's budget is probably not realistic. So, the "Budget" was also the hottest topic at the August 26th Township Meeting. It will be interesting to see what gets left out and what gets left in. From what the Board Members stated in this meeting, they plan to find the money to fund the additional security needed to make citizens feel safe by cutting budget items and not increasing it. There were suggestions to lower and to raise the proposed tax rate, and it appears the Township Board has settled on a tax rate of $.328 per $100 of valuation. To view the entire meeting, go to http://video.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ and click on this meeting date.

The Woodlands Township Meeting - June 24, 2009

These are exciting times for The Woodlands. The Woodlands Township Board of Directors is working with The Community Associations of The Woodlands to transition into the governance role effective January 1, 2010, according to The Transition Agreement and their Vision Plan. At that time, resident's assessments will be levied as property tax and become deductible. Currently, The Township has 11 Directors: Nelda Blair-Chairwoman, Lloyd Matthews and Bruce Tough-Vice Chairmen, Alex Sutton-Secretary, Vicki Richmond-Treasurer and Assistant Secretary, and Directors - Tom Campbell, Kemba DeGroot, Peggy Hausman, Claude, Hunter, Bob Kinnear and Rev. Ed Robb. In May 2010, The Township Board will change to 7 Directors with 4 being elected by residents of The Woodlands.

This was a very well run and interesting meeting with a lengthy agenda. The "Public Comment" section of the agenda gives residents a chance to voice their opinions. Some highlights of this meeting were residents speaking about their concerns and suggestions including objections to: 1) the $432,000 payment authorized by The Woodlands to be paid to Shenandoah and Oak Ridge for law enforcement services; 2) actions by the Development Standards Committee, 3) the possible lack of life-saving medical equipment at a 2008 triathalon event, and 4) the VillaSports complex. Points of view about the noise level of VillaSports Athletic Club & Spa were presented by a Panther Creek resident, The Woodlands Association, The Woodlands Commercial Owners Association, and VillaSports. A committee is working to resolve these issues and to avoid future similar issues. Here's a highlight of other topics. TXDOT gave a presentation on the proposed widening of Highway 242 to 6 lanes in 2011, and the Board passed a resolution in support of this expansion project. There is no specific construction schedule and no funding at this time. The Board approved a resolution to remove the Township from the boundaries and taxing jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Transit Authority. New summer programs are in the works for The Waterway Square Fountain area, in addition to the "Live at 5" and "Live at Lunch" events. Check out the new patriotic music at the Waterway Square Fountains. The Board appointed 4 members to The Woodlands Convention and Vistors Bureau. They established future Town Hall meetings to be held in July and January and will add more as needed. The next Town Hall Meeting is July 29, 2009. The 2009 legislative update includes a Pavillion event admissions tax of 5% to fund cultural events, and a Supplemental Hotel Occupancy tax of 1% in 2011, and an additional 1% in 2012.

See archived video of meeting
See meeting minutes

Willis City Council Meeting - 6-16-2009

Background

The Willis City Council is composed of a mayor and five alderman. The mayor is Leonard Reed. The Aldermen are Tamara Young (Place 1), John Lovelady (Place 2), Josey Billnoske (Place 3), Anna Ross (Place 4), and Bill Van Alstyne (Place 5). The City Manager is Jim McAlister and the City Attorney is Larry Forester. The City of Willis web site is http://www.ci.willis.tx.us.

Meeting

Leonard Reed, Tamara Young, John Lovelady, Josey Billnoske, Bill Van Alstyne, and Larry Forester were present. The main item on the agenda was a public hearing on a proposed zoning ordinance for the city. A copy of the ordinance may be found here. In addition, the council approved the drafting of a “solicitation” ordinance to enable the police department to better deal with parties who attempt to purchase drugs within the city. The City Police Chief and the City Attorney will draw up a proposed ordinance and submit it to the Council. Bill Van Alstyne was selected as Mayor Pro-Tem before the council went into executive session to assess and evaluate applicants for the position of City Manager.

Reflection

The city council was businesslike and professional. City employees testified on items concerning their departments and public comment was accepted. Mayor Reed ran the meeting efficiently.

Conroe City Council Meeting 5/28/09

The Conroe City Council held their meeting tonight at 6:00pm.

Proclamations

• Councilman Jim Gentry read a proclamation honoring the Texas Confederation of Clubs, a motorcyclist club in the Houston area. The proclamation also declares May 2009 Motorcycle Safety Month.
• Councilman Jay Ross Martin read a proclamation honoring the Texas Young Artists Competition.

Discussion

• The Conroe Fire Chief Ken Kreger recently graduated from West Texas A&M with a Bachelors' Degree in Emergency Management.
• Citizen David Burns reported the deterioration of Live Oak Creek near his home on Greenway. Mayor Melder instructed the City Engineer to inspect the situation.
• Jimmy Johnson with Jazz & More announced the group's yearly Conroe Music Festival which will occur on July 4th and asked for the City's participation in the event.

South Conroe Gateway
The Mayor announced that the proposed $464,700 Gateway for South Conroe would honor the Moore Family of Conroe, which includes former Mayor Carter Moore. Mayor Melder acknowledged the "recent attention" that the proposal has gotten and reported that the city was taking action to reduce the cost of the gateway. Attaching such a popular figure to the project will only make it more difficult for council members to reject this extravagant expenditure.

I agree with The Courier's assessment of this situation.

Knox Building
The Council voted 3-2 to purchase the Knox Building from Montgomery County for $125,000. Councilmembers Porter and Gentry dissenting.

Banquet Room Fee
A $200 fee was charged to Conroe Tower tenant Terri Mendez for use of the banquet room on site. Ms. Mendez provides free yoga classes to City employees. All but $50 of the fee was relieved by the Council.

Gladstell Speed Limit
An ordinance was passed to decrease the speed limit from 45 mph to 40 mph on Gladstell Street between I-45 and Sgt. Ed Holcomb Blvd.


Meeting Minutes (PDF)