Volunteer Fire Dept and the 2012 Election

The Dept of Inner City Emergency Response (DICER) presented an interlocal agreement to the Board for furnishing fire protection, fire fighting rescue, search and rescue, high water rescue, crime prevention, neighborhood protection, and emergency medical services to the WCID #89 District. If you'd like to know more about DICER, click here.

The term of the agreement is from December 1, 2011 to November 30, 2014 unless terminated by either party. However, the agreement has no instructions on how such termination would be effected. The vote was 4 for and 1 against to accept this agreement. I was the 1 against.

The reason I voted against this agreement was because I didn't think it necessary. We are serviced by the Houston Fire Department, from the 55 Station House on Cullen. I prefer professional fire fighters to volunteer fire fighters if my house is ablaze. Another reason I voted against this agreement was because DICER has no experience engaging in such an agreement with any other MUD. Finally, there seemed to be some agreement that land within Brunswick Lakes had been promised to DICER to build a facility for their operation within the District. When I asked more pointed questions about that, the answers were vague. Director Smalls said that there would be no cost to the District for any construction costs. Yet the DICER representative was not forthcoming with any details on how the facility would be paid for -- I can only presume that the interlocal agreement was some sort of first step toward gaining grant funds.

The other major decision undertaken at the last Board meeting was when/how to conduct the 2012 election for three of the seats on the Board. Those of you who voted in the 2010 election may recall that it was held at a woman's house in Morningside in May. Because of changes in the federal law, the state of Texas has allowed local government entities to choose to have their elections in May, move them to November to be a part of the regular general election, or not hold them at all in 2012. The Harris County Clerk had advised that any local government would not be allowed to rent the voting equipment in May due to the changes in the law that were creating havoc for them in the primary election process.

The Board chose to move the 2012 election to November to be a part of the general election. This automatically added 6 months to the terms of office of every member of the Board. The positions currently held by Directors Sharyn Smalls, Byron Watson, and Arthur Washington are up for re-election. The positions held by AK Babers and me will not be up for re-election until November 2014.

The advantage of having the election in November is that it will be held at the regular polling places that people will go to vote for the president and other elected officials. The District will only pay a pro-rated fee to be on the ballot (about half the cost of holding the election on our own in May) and the only real downside is that the candidates for our District Board will be at the very end of the ballot. Because Texas elects so many state and local officials, it will take quite some time in the voting booth before you see our election slate.

Security Report for September 2011

At the request of a constituent, I will be posting a summary of the monthly security report provided by the Constable so that everyone can see the numbers of actual (rather than perceived) crimes taking place in the District. If you watched the news a few weeks ago you might have been misled into believing that the Brunswick neighborhoods have hundreds of home burglaries. That reporter wasn't careful in what he was saying, as these numbers make clear. Double click on the image to enlarge.

Tax Rate Will Remain the Same

The Board was advised to raise the debt service tax rate by a penny to keep the budget balanced. We all know the economy has tanked and nearly everyone's house value has gone down considerably in the last 3 years. However, because the Brunswick neighborhoods continue to expand our tax base through the ongoing development we have not been affected as much as other taxing entities.

In addition, the final sections of Brunswick Meadows have already added infrastructure in the way of sewer and water lines as well as additional streets, lights, and sidewalks. Slowly, but steadily, homes are being built on the lots in these final sections.The District will soon be issuing bonds to cover this development. Knowing that we must issue bonds and not taking fiscal responsibility for them is wrong in my mind. That is why I voted to raise our debt service tax rate by the penny recommended by our financial advisor. It would have meant less than $35 per household and would have kept us in the black. AK also voted for the penny raise in taxes.

Directors Smalls, Watson, and Washington all voted against raising the District taxes. Personally I would much rather pay the extra in taxes, which I can then take as a deduction on my income taxes.

Water Plant #2

The District has awarded a contract to begin construction on Water Plant #2 which will help with water pressure issues on the north side of the Beltway. We should start seeing construction begin before the end of September. The site for #2 is on the triangular plot of land between the fences and the older little houses on the east side of Furman at the edge of Brunswick Meadows.


There has been an ongoing discussion between the District's Engineer and the city of Houston regarding where the meter will be attached and on which side of Furman the underground pipe will be laid to hook up #2 to the city of Houston's water supply. A meeting was held between the District and Houston City Departments involved, but nothing was resolved. AK Babers attended this meeting and argued that where the city wants to place the meter was unsafe because of the amount of traffic (including 18 wheelers and other construction vehicles) at the corner of Furman and Almeda-Genoa. As we all know, this intersection has had its fair share of accidents and how difficult it is for big vehicles to turn the corners without running off the road.

Hopefully these issues will be resolved by the time #2 is nearing completion. That is projected to be July 2012.

Payment Options for Water Bill

Drought Contingency Plan & LPAA

Did you know that this year's drought is not the worst one in Texas history? Check this out. As a direct result of the drought from the 1950s, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) was created. TCEQ requires all water suppliers to have drought contingency plans in place. These plans are staged according to the current conditions. We are in stage one (voluntary compliance) while Houston is in stage two (mandatory compliance) of their plan. Across the state, 418 water providers have mandatory restrictions and 268 have voluntary restrictions currently activated.

I tell you all this because at the September 20th meeting the Board will be revising our contingency plan. The current plan was written in 2007 and needs to be updated to reflect the current state of the District. For example, none of the Brunswick neighborhoods are mentioned in the existing plan. In addition, it's quite possible that the Board will take a vote on moving to stage two of our plan - mandatory compliance. You may have seen some of the signs around the neighborhood. TCEQ requires that when a drought contingency plan has been activated. If you've seen these signs you've probably noticed that there are strips hiding other information. Those strips will be removed when we go to stage two of our plan.

If you want to voice a concern about the contingency plan, please be sure to get to the 9/20/11 meeting at 11:30AM when Public Comments are entertained. If you want to see what the Board is doing to the current contingency plan, be prepared to stay through the rest of the meeting. Meetings are held at the office of Strawn & Richardson in the Frost Bank Building. This is near the corner of Bellaire and the West Loop South. The actual address is:
6750 West Loop South, Suite 250
Bellaire TX 77401

The Board voted 3-2 last week to pursue a Limited Purpose Annexation Agreement (LPAA) with the city of Houston. Under such an agreement, we can get a 50% cut of the city sales tax. That additional revenue stream is the up side. The down side, depending on your viewpoint, would be having to abide by Houston ordinances (for example, no fireworks) and that full annexation would not be allowed for a period of 30 years. AK Babers, Arthur Washington and I all voted for the LPAA. Sharyn Smalls and Byron Watson voted against.

National Preparedness Month

Hello again. It's been a long time since I updated the blog. Sorry about that. I had surgery in June and have been recuperating over the summer. I didn't make any of the District Board meetings during my recovery, but will be returning tomorrow and will give you an update on what the Board did in my absence.

Wanted to take this opportunity to give you some information about National Preparedness Month (NPM).


NPM falls on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, inspiring this year’s theme of “A Time to Remember, A Time to Prepare.” For Harris County residents, the past decade brings to mind Tropical Storm Allison and Hurricanes Rita and Ike, the most devastating hurricanes to hit the Texas coast since 1900. But, NPM also recalls the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when Harris County sheltered 230,000 people driven from their homes in New Orleans.

NPM is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which works with thousands of government, corporate and non-profit organizations to promote public emergency preparedness.
For disaster preparedness tips and more information on how you and your family can be prepared, please visit http://www.readyharris.org/ or http://www.ready.gov/ .

Hurricane Preparedness and the Latest on the District Building

Sharyn Smalls, the president of WCID89, has arranged for representatives from Harris County's Office of Emergency Management to come to Morningside Place and educate District residents about hurricane preparedness. She also has arranged a viewing of the huge generator that will keep the water ON in case we have a named storm come through our part of Texas this hurricane season. Please join us on Saturday, June 4th at 11AM at the water tank located at S. President's Drive and the feeder road of Beltway 8 to get ready for hurricane season .


Construction of the District Building was delayed because the County determined the drainage on Fellows Road was insufficient. Our engineer, Troy Bordelon, offered a solution. Something called a "STORMTROOPER" device that would allow the proper drainage and the County has accepted this as adequate. Now, bidding process should commence within a month and construction should start by September (assuming it's a tame hurricane season) and if all goes according to plan we'll have a nice new building for the new year.

Burn Ban in Effect Through July

Didn't make it to the first meeting of the month, but was able to make the 2nd one. There's not anything new to report other than a constiuent whose back yard fence abuts Scott Street is having some issues with the maintenance of the grassy area undermining his fence. I took his concern to the Board because I wasn't sure if the Water District, HOA, or Harris County was responsible. Our engineer is looking into the matter.

Harris County Commissioners Court has instituted a burn ban for all unincorporated areas of the County (yep, that's us!) for the next 90 days. That means no shooting of fireworks this 4th of July or you face heavy fines.

Meetings Will Remain Over the "Lunchtime" Hour

A couple from Morningside appeared at the District Meeting today to state their preference to keep the meeting schedule at 11:30AM. They said, as senior citizens, it would be difficult to drive to the attorney's office in the evening. Johanna Williams of Brunswick Lakes also attended and said she would like to have the meetings changed to the evening hours so that more people who couldn't take off work could be involved in having a say in how District business was conducted. Or at the very least be able to attend and watch the discussions and decisions being made by the Directors. Michelle Radcliffe, also of Brunswick Lakes, sent an e-mail message to me also supporting a change to the evening time, which I forwarded on to all the Board of Directors.

Director Smalls said that she did not want the meeting time to change and that the meeting time had been set over the lunch hour so that more people could attend. I moved that we change the meeting time to 6:30PM and AK Babers seconded my motion. It was then promptly voted down 2-3, with all the Morningside-resident Directors voting against. I suggested that we allow one meeting each month to be at lunch time and the other meeting to be in the evening. That also was voted down. Finally I suggested that we move the lunch time meeting to 1PM so that I could at least attend the entire meeting but Director Smalls said that would defeat the purpose of it being held at the lunch hour. I pointed out that we rarely had meetings that lasted just from 11:30-12:30 and she responded that "we used to have meetings that short all the time" implicating that the length of the meetings was due to the presence of AK and me on the Board. 


I was unsuccessful in getting any change at all to the meeting time, and although I may be late to many meetings, I will continue to attend. I can't speak for AK, but I gotta tell you...it's frustrating to serve on such a divided Board of Directors. And the divide is marked quite clearly by Beltway 8. The 3 who live on the south side of Beltway 8  vs. the 2 who live on the north side.

Brunswick Meadows currently has 896 occupied homes and 915 that are completely built (bought but not moved into yet) with 10 more homes under construction. In addition, the final sections of Brunswick Meadows are being developed for home construction - over 250 lots in all - for a potential of at least 1175 homeowners in Brunswick Meadows.

Brunswick Place has 268 occupied homes and 204 vacant lots where construction continues. Brunswick Lakes has 347 occupied homes and 18 vacant lots. No further home construction is planned in Brunswick Lakes. So, using the most conservative figures, the total number of homes within the District that are currently occupied on the north side of Beltway 8 is 1511.

Morningside I, which has 357 occupied homes, and Morningside II, which has 103 occupied homes, combined make up a whopping total of 460 homes within the District that are currently occupied on the south side of Beltway 8. Neither of the Morningside neighborhoods have any more development planned.

So, do you think it's fair that less than one-fourth of the population of the District has the majority voting power on the Board? I am so pleased that 4 people from the north side of the Beltway have talked of running for Director positions in the 2012 election. If even 1 of them should win a seat on the Board, the democratic concept of majority rule will be restored. In the meantime, AK and I will continue to be the vocal minority  and no matter how much the other Board members try to squelch our voices, we will continue to speak!

Want to Change the Board Meeting Time?

Because of my new job, I must attend Commissioners Court meetings. These often are the same day as our Board meetings. Commissioners Court meetings start at 10AM and usually are over by noon, but by the time I got out to the Bellaire location, I'd be over an hour late for the WCID #89 meetings. So, I requested that we consider changing our meeting time and it will be considered at the next meeting on March 15th.

If you would like to have meetings in the evenings, when it would be much easier for you to attend and have your voice heard -- or would just like to come and watch your elected officials in action -- PLEASE come to the next meeting at 11:30AM on March 15th. I've asked for this issue to be the first thing on the agenda following public comments so you can just make a quick appearance, state your preference, and depart.

The address where the WCID #89 Board holds meetings is the new office location of the District's law firm, Strawn & Richardson, P.C.

6750 West Loop South, Suite 250

Bellaire, Texas  77401-4111

This is in the Frost Bank building. Free parking is available.

Big Changes in My World & Mid-Winter Conference

I found out right after the holidays that I was being laid off at the County. Talk about a shock! 14 years of dedicated service wasn't enough to overcome the mandate from Commissioners Court that all Departments must make 10% across the board cuts to their budgets.

I was extremely fortunate to be offered a grant-funded position in the County Judge's Office that started the day after my last official day with the Auditor. I am now the Homeland Security Grants Program Manager. The new job is challenging, but very rewarding. I'm still in training and will miss both of the February WCID #89 Board meetings. AK Babers has agreed to keep me informed of any important issues during my absence so that I can keep you updated. 

All of the Directors attended the Association of Water Board Directors' 2011 Mid Winter Conference in Galveston the weekend of February 4th. The most interesting presentation was the luncheon speaker, the director of the special exhibits at Moody Gardens (where the Conference was held) who told about the rescue efforts for all the animals in their pyramids following Hurricane Ike. His advice? You can never have too much duct tape in your possession following a hurricane!

The best presentation in my opinion was "A Preview of the 82nd Texas Legislature" which dealt with new laws being proposed that affect MUDs. The AWBD is posting information about all the laws on their website.  Click here to see it.


HB 725 allows Districts to hold elections without electronic voting machines (unless a qualifed voter within the District demands their use) which would save us a LOT of money for the 2012 election. We didn't realize it, but because AK and I ran for District seats in 2010, the District had to rent those voting machines from the County. The total cost for our election? A little over $15,000! That amount would be greatly reduced if we just had a paper ballot.


HB 725 also allows MUDs to develop recreational facilities on sites used for other purposes and allows bonds to be issued for lighting streets. I know that the street lighting in Brunswick Lakes has been an issue so if this law does pass with that item still in there, I'd be happy to try to get the Board to issue bonds for that purpose.

I was also happy to hear that the Attorney General has been asked to conduct an investigation into the MUD election process and bond elections. As you may recall, AK and I had to be very proactive and persistent to get our names on the ballot in 2010 and if anyone wants to run in 2012 (there will be 3 seats up for re-election: President Sharyn Smalls, Director Arthur Washington, and Director Byron Watson) feel free to contact me for information on how to get on the ballot. 

SB 389 relates to emergency preparedness during an extended power outage of a water service provider with at least 250 connections. We have nearly 2000 connections. Since I am learning a LOT about emergency preparedness in the context of my new job, I should have some valid input if this bill passes.


SB 437 wants to put forward a one year residency requirement within the District to be eligible to vote. I'm not sure how they plan to get around the federal voting rights acts that requires only 30 days residence for eligibility -- but I'll keep you informed. 


SB 18 will limit a MUD's ability to take private property through the power of eminent domain to provide for such things as jogging trails along District-owned ditches.


I'll keep an eye out for anything that actually gets passed that will affect WCID #89 and let you know of the impact.

Official Travel & Expense Reimbursement Policy for the District

Khurram Khan sent a thoughtful e-mail regarding the last post and I had it entered into the minutes of the last meeting. I also provided a copy to all the other Board members. 

I am not 100% satisfied with the new adopted policy because the other Board members refused to set a maximum limit on reimbursement amounts, preferring to just use the word 'reasonable' as a limitation. The argument was made that expenses in one city might be much more than in another city, and therefore the reasonable amount for expenditure would depend on the locale. But at least itemized invoices for more than $25 are required and we are now in compliance with the law on this matter. 

Here's the policy that was adopted.

HARRIS COUNTY WATER CONTROL & IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 89 BOARD POLICIES

CONFERENCE AND SEMINAR EXPENSES.  It is the Board's intent to pay a Director's reasonable costs and other fees related to District business at conferences and seminars attended by the Director.  A Director is expected to attend to District business at the conference.

A.  REGISTRATION.  Conference registration expenses for a Director shall be reimbursed in full, provided early registration deadlines are met.  Any special circumstances are subject to prior Board approval.

B.  TRANSPORTATION.  Transportation costs by car shall be reimbursed at the rate of the current IRS allowance per mile.  Airfare for a Director shall be reimbursed at the lowest available coach rate, pending Board approval.  Reasonable rental car costs shall be reimbursed.  Additional costs such as the cost of parking at the conference, the cost of parking at the airport, cab fees, including reasonable gratuities, toll road fees and shuttle bus fees shall also be reimbursed.

C.  MEALS.  Reasonable meals for travel dates shall be reimbursed for a Director only.  No bar bills shall be reimbursed.  Reasonable meals not included in the registration fee during the conference period shall be reimbursed for the Director only.  Reasonable gratuities will also be reimbursed.  Other expenses in excess of these guidelines may be reimbursed with Board Approval if receipts are supplied.

D.  HOTEL.  Hotel room rates shall be reimbursed at the conference rate or comparable rate, with Board approval.  Hotel room rates will be paid for the night before the start of the official meeting or conference sessions (to be determined by the Board) through the night of the final meeting. Directors are to be reimbursed for the cost of a hotel room necessary to accommodate only the Director.  Prior to each conference, the Board shall determine the maximum number of nights for which a Director may be reimbursed.

E.  ACCOUNTING OF EXPENSES.  Receipts are to be obtained whenever possible for all reimbursable items that are to be submitted to the District's bookkeeper.  All expenditures incurred during a District-related trip (such as attendance at an approved Association of Water Board Directors Conference) that are eligible for reimbursement and are over the amount of $25.00, must be documented by an ITEMIZED invoice or receipt (non-itemized credit card or other receipts are not acceptable).  Any expenditure below the amount of $25.00 must be documented in writing and sworn to by the Board member seeking reimbursement.  These items must be approved by the Board before payment is made.  Directors expense reports submitted for reimbursement must be signed by the Director with certification that the expenses were incurred on District business.

F.   EXPENSES.  All conference expenses are subject to the approval of the Board.

DIRECTOR FEES OF OFFICE AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.  

It is the Board’s intent to pay fees of office pursuant to Section 49.060, Texas Water Code.  A Director is entitled to receive fees of office for each day the Director actually spends “performing the duties of a director”, which phrase includes substantive performance of the management or business of the District, participation in board or committee meetings, pertinent educational programs, and other activities involving the substantive deliberation of District business.  The phrase does not include routine or ministerial activities such as the execution of documents, self-preparation for meetings, or other activities requiring a minimal amount of time.  A Director is limited to the receipt of  fees of office which do not exceed an amount fixed by the applicable statute of the State of Texas.

In order to receive fees of office and reimbursement for expenses, each Director shall file with the District a verified statement showing the number of days actually spent in the service of the District and a general description of the duties performed for each day of service.

A.  CONFERENCE/SEMINARS.  Fees of office will be paid to a Director for each day of attendance at an approved conference or seminar. Prior to each conference, the Board shall determine the maximum number of days for which fees of office will be paid.

 

B.  BID OPENINGS.  Fees of office will be paid to a Director selected to attend a bid opening for the District, with Board approval.

C.  MEETINGS.  Fees of office will be paid to each Director in attendance at a called Board meeting.

D.  ADDITIONAL FEES OF OFFICE.  Any additional fees of office must have prior Board approval.

E.  EXPENSES.  All other expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred while engaging in activities on behalf of the Board will be reimbursed, subject to the approval of the Board.