WEBVTT
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Webcast is now starting.
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All attendees are in listen-only mode.
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(gavel rapping)
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Good morning.
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This meeting of the Texas
Water Development Board
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is hereby called to order.
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Time is 9:34 a.m.
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For the record my name is Peter Lake.
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With me today are Kathleen
Jackson and Brooke Paup.
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Mr. Hardin, first item, please.
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It looks like we may have
some difficulties with Mr. Hardin.
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But,
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nevertheless, I will go
ahead and call the first item
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is considered.
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Huh?
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I can read them if
you'd like me to, sir.
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Sure, go ahead and
lay up the first item for us,
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please, Jeff.
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Actually, we've, woop.
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There he is.
There he is.
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Mr. Chairman, the first item is
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consider approving selected applications
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and authorizing the
Executive Administrator
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to negotiate and execute
contracts for grant funding
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in an amount not to exceed $44,693,945
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from the Flood Infrastructure Fund
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for watershed flood
protection claims studies
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and authorizing the
transfer of $44,693,945
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from the Flood Infrastructure Fund
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to the Research and Planning Fund
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as authorized by Texas Water
Code Section 15.534(a)(8).
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I look forward to, there we go.
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Good morning.
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Chairman Lake, Director
Jackson, and Director Paul,
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for the record, I'm Reem Zoun
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of the Executive Administrator's staff.
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This item for consideration
before you today is to consider
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approving 17 selected
Flood Infrastructure Fund
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Category One applications
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and authorizing the Executive
Administrator to negotiate
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and execute contracts for grant funding
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in an amount not to exceed $44,693,945
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from the 2020 Flood Infrastructure Fund
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for Category One ownership
flood protection planning studies
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and authorizing transfer
of that $44,693,945
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from the Flood Infrastructure Fund
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to the Research and
Planning Fund as authorized
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by Texas Water Code
Section 15.534(a)(8).
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Passed by the 86 Texas legislature
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and approved by voters through
a constitutional amendment,
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the Flood Infrastructure Fund
was created to provide funding
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for flood mitigation projects.
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The purpose of the FIF as
applied in Senate Bill Seven
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is to assist in financing
drainage, flood mitigation,
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and flood control projects.
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These projects and studies
presented for consideration
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have been scored and ranked
using prioritization criteria
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applied in the 31 Texas
Administrative Code
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Number 363.404
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and further specified in
the Flood Intended Use Plan.
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The prioritized list of the projects
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and the studies was approved
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by the Board on September 17th of 2020.
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These are studies who
present those eligible
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under Category One flood
protection planning for watersheds
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of the 2020 Flood Intended Use Plan.
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This category of funding was
designed to support studies
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that contact planning
of entire watersheds,
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newer, smaller than
hydrology code 10-digit
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to better inform the
development of strategies
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using a structural and
non-structural measures
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before a flood event, such
as evaluating flooding locations
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and impacts,
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identifying and planning
solutions to flooding problems,
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and estimating the benefits
and costs of these solutions.
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Category One studies
are potentially eligible
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to receive a maximum of 100% grant funds
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based on criteria outlined in
the Flood Intended Use Plan.
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Recipients of financial
assistance may either use
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their own local owned
funds or borrow FIF funds
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at 0% interest for any portion
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of the remaining project cost.
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The 17 applicants before
you today are Austin,
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Caldwell County,
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Cameron County Drainage
District Number Three,
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Chambers County, Dallas County,
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Harlingen, Hayes County,
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Iowa Colony, Jackson County,
Countywide Drainage District,
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Jefferson County Drainage
District Number Six,
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Gaines County, City of
Laredo, Lower Rio Grande Valley
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Development Council, Midland
County, City of Stephenville,
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Wharton County, and Williamson County.
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These applicants have submitted
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complete financial
assistance applications
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and are eligible to
receive grant funding
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through the FIF for a portion
of their total project cost.
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We have presented in the
Table One in the Board memo
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a summary of funding
sources for these 17 studies.
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The total requested grant
amounts are $44,693,945
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with a total project cost
of just over $64 million
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for the 17 entities.
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One entity will also
be using federal funds
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of a $1.2 million.
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All entities are matching
with local contribution
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or in-kind services.
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The total amount of local contribution
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is just over $17 million and total local
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in-kind contribution amount
is $1.1 to two million dollars.
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The Executive Administrator
recommends approval
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to provide funding to these applicants
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and requests authorization to negotiate
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and execute contracts with
the FIF Cat One applicants.
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I would also like to
take this opportunity to
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acknowledge the reviewers
of these client applications,
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Alexander Varner, Isa
McDaniel, Kevin Smith,
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Lan (mumbles) Brown, Richard
Bugg, and Robin Williams.
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The OGC staff,
especially Kendall Cowell,
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the office, the staff of the
finance office, the WSI admins,
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specifically, Cindy Dupredo
and Anna Gonzales,
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and my staff, specifically,
James Frankowski,
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for providing support
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to both internal and external personnel
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regarding Category One projects.
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We look forward to
working with these entities
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during the next phase of
FIF Category One projects.
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This concludes my presentation
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and I'm happy to take questions.
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Thank you, Reem.
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Do we have any questions?
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Mr. Chairman, we do
have a visitor registration card
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on this item as well
from Mr. Kevin Shunk,
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who's the Floodplain
Administrator for the City of Austin.
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All right, thank
you, Mr. Darden.
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Well, we'll do Board comments
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and then recognize public comments.
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Questions or comments from the Board?
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Well, I think it's
tremendously exciting
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that we're moving forward
with Category One projects
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and I mean, what a great list
and what a great commitment
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by the communities that
are investing in planning.
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And of course, I think
the vision of the legislature
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and putting together the
FIF was to recognize that,
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you know, planning
and doing it in the way
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that Reem described, which
is a basin-wide approach,
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a collaborative approach,
was really kind of starting out
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with the way we should
be doing flood planning,
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which is, again, a collaborative effort
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recognizing that a flood
knows no boundaries
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and that people needed to
work together collaboratively
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and use the best data
and science that's available.
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This, I guess, group of projects
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is investing their own resources
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through in-kind contributions
as well as, you know,
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making a financial commitment.
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But I think for the state
this is a great investment
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because we've heard so many times
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that those communities
that are successful
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have invested in basin-wide planning.
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They've gotten their plan in place.
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And then as resources become available
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either through the federal government
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or communities coming together
and deciding to move forward
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with the flood infrastructure projects,
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the planning is the first
important key element
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in all of this.
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So it's really exciting to see
these Category One projects
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moving forward.
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The fact that, you know, it's, you know,
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they're drainage
districts, they're cities,
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they're large areas, and they're
also some small communities
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that are kind of taking up
the torch and moving forward.
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So it's great to see the diversity.
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It's great to see the
fact that, you know, the,
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and I think you even put together a map,
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it's out there in the
Board packet that shows
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that this is all over the state.
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So great to see communities,
you know, taking advantage
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of the FIF and just wanted
to thank you so much.
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I mean, you mentioned before
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in your kind of entering remarks,
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everybody from the agency
kind of came together,
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pitched in, just a
great effort by the staff,
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and so exciting to see
this project moving forward
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and just really, really
appreciate the work on this.
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Again, you know,
Director Jackson says it all.
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We have 17 great projects
and, you know, data and science
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are really the backbone of this agency.
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And these 17 projects
will facilitate that process
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and get it started.
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So we are really thrilled about that.
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Yes, planning is
where it all begins.
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At this point, we'll
take public comment.
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Who do we have first Mr. Hardin?
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You're on mute.
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We have Mr. Kevin Shunk.
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He's the Floodplain
Administrator for the City of Austin.
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And he's indicated that he
would like to address the Board
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on this item.
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Thank you, Chairman Lake,
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Directors Jackson and Paup.
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My name is Kevin Shunk and
I'm the Floodplain Administrator
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for the City of Austin.
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Thanks to the legislature,
the Board, and the staff
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for approving, managing,
and assembling this program
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that will flood risks statewide.
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Our flood control planning project
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that will be partially funded
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by the Flood Infrastructure
Fund will benefit
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not only the City of Austin,
but 17 other communities
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in the Central Texas area.
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Your staff has done an amazing job
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at assembling this program,
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in communicating with the
applicants in a timely manner.
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They have, and will continue
to be a significant part
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of the success of this program.
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Thank you.
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Thank you for
your, for being here
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and thank you for your kind comments.
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I appreciate our local partners.
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Couldn't do it without them.
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Any the other public
comment on this item?
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If not, is there a motion?
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Chairman, I move we
approve the selected applications
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and authorize the
Executive Administrator
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to negotiate and execute
contracts for grant funding
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from the Flood Infrastructure Fund
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for watershed flood
protection planning studies,
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Category One, and authorize the transfer
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from the Flood Infrastructure Fund
00:11:50.430 --> 00:11:52.300
to the Research and Planning Fund
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as authorized by Texas Water
Codes, Section 15.534(a)(8)
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and as recommended by
our Executive Administrator.
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Is there a second?
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I second.
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All in favor say aye.
00:12:07.172 --> 00:12:08.640
Aye.
Aye.
00:12:08.640 --> 00:12:10.190
Motion passes, thank you, Reem.
00:12:11.350 --> 00:12:12.183
Thank you.
00:12:12.183 --> 00:12:14.160
Next item, please.
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Mr. Chairman, the next item
00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:17.440
is consider approving an application
00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:19.040
from the City of Lyford
00:12:19.040 --> 00:12:22.030
and authorizing the Executive
Administrator to negotiate
00:12:22.030 --> 00:12:24.150
and execute a contract for grant funding
00:12:24.150 --> 00:12:28.880
in an amount not to exceed $146,470
00:12:28.880 --> 00:12:31.120
from the Flood Infrastructure Fund
00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:34.870
for a federal grant award
matching funds project.
00:12:34.870 --> 00:12:37.793
Kathy Hopkins will present
to the Board on this item.
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Chairman, I'll be
presenting on this item,
00:12:41.230 --> 00:12:42.683
if you don't mind.
00:12:42.683 --> 00:12:44.520
So good morning Chairman
Lake, Director Jackson,
00:12:44.520 --> 00:12:45.353
Director Paup.
00:12:45.353 --> 00:12:47.060
For the record, my name is Jeff Walker,
00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:49.410
the Executive Administer-,
your Executive Administrator.
00:12:49.410 --> 00:12:51.730
The City of Lyford has
applied for financial assistance
00:12:51.730 --> 00:12:54.530
from the Flood Infrastructure
Fund under Category Three
00:12:54.530 --> 00:12:57.040
seeking assistance with meeting
the local match requirement
00:12:57.040 --> 00:12:58.790
of a federal grant program.
00:12:58.790 --> 00:13:00.380
This category of funding was designed
00:13:00.380 --> 00:13:02.080
to leverage federal funds by assisting
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with the regional local
match, required local match.
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The city has been selected
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by the Texas Division of
Emergency Management
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and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency
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for $562,000 in federal funding
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under the Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program
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to construct a detention pond
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that will retain floodwater
and prevent flooding
00:13:19.340 --> 00:13:22.520
of residential structures,
schools, and streets.
00:13:22.520 --> 00:13:24.770
The Hazard Mitigation
Grant Program can provide
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up to 75% federal funding
with the remainder of the project
00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:29.770
costs covered by local match.
00:13:29.770 --> 00:13:30.737
The Executive Administrator recommends
00:13:30.737 --> 00:13:35.737
the Board approve $146,470
in matching funds for the FIF
00:13:36.400 --> 00:13:38.930
in the form of a grant for the city.
00:13:38.930 --> 00:13:40.273
That concludes my presentation.
00:13:40.273 --> 00:13:42.183
I can answer your
questions if you have them.
00:13:43.560 --> 00:13:44.393
Thank you, Jeff.
00:13:44.393 --> 00:13:45.226
Questions, comments?
00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:50.700
Other than a proven, I
guess, way to mitigate flood,
00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:52.230
put in detention facilities
00:13:52.230 --> 00:13:56.890
so that you can hold the high
rate storm event floodwaters
00:13:56.890 --> 00:13:58.710
until the system can accommodate it.
00:13:58.710 --> 00:14:03.093
And then also looking
to increase their ability to,
00:14:05.667 --> 00:14:09.400
to pump floodwaters away
from, from neighborhoods.
00:14:09.400 --> 00:14:14.400
So a proven project and
great that we're able to come in
00:14:14.930 --> 00:14:16.670
because that was one of
the things that we heard
00:14:16.670 --> 00:14:19.810
across the state was that
we have the federal money
00:14:19.810 --> 00:14:23.010
but we don't have enough
of the local community
00:14:23.010 --> 00:14:25.410
just can't afford the
rest of the cost share.
00:14:25.410 --> 00:14:28.051
So a great utilization of the FIF funds.
00:14:28.051 --> 00:14:29.810
Thank you.
00:14:29.810 --> 00:14:32.290
I said it last meeting,
but it's always great
00:14:32.290 --> 00:14:34.980
when we can leverage a
small amount of grant funding
00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:37.380
to unlock a larger
portion of federal funds.
00:14:37.380 --> 00:14:40.230
We pay a lot of taxes to
the federal government
00:14:40.230 --> 00:14:42.623
and it's good to get those
dollars back to the state.
00:14:43.810 --> 00:14:45.910
Hard to get a better
bang for your buck.
00:14:46.870 --> 00:14:48.840
Is there a motion?
00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:51.410
Mr. Chairman, I move
we approve the application
00:14:51.410 --> 00:14:52.650
from the City of Lyford
00:14:52.650 --> 00:14:55.200
and authorize the
Executive Administrator
00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:58.220
to negotiate and execute
a contract for grant funding
00:14:58.220 --> 00:15:00.600
from the Flood
Infrastructure Fund from a,
00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:03.530
for a federal grant award
matching funds project
00:15:03.530 --> 00:15:06.670
as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.
00:15:06.670 --> 00:15:08.000
Is there a second?
00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.310
I second.
00:15:09.310 --> 00:15:10.776
All in favor say aye.
00:15:10.776 --> 00:15:11.609
Aye.
00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.813
Motion passes.
00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:16.083
Next item please.
00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:18.950
Mr. Chairman, the
next item on the agenda
00:15:18.950 --> 00:15:21.090
is considered approving
the City of Bryan
00:15:21.090 --> 00:15:23.350
and Sabine River
Authority's applications
00:15:23.350 --> 00:15:25.490
by authorizing the
Executive Administrator
00:15:25.490 --> 00:15:28.940
to negotiate and execute
contracts for grant funding
00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:32.440
in an amount not to exceed $354,000
00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:34.040
from the Flood Infrastructure Fund
00:15:34.040 --> 00:15:37.013
for flood early warning
system-related projects.
00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:40.020
Thank you, again, good morning.
00:15:40.020 --> 00:15:41.560
For the record, my name is Jeff Walker,
00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:43.160
your Executive Administrator.
00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:45.550
The City of Bryan and the
Sabine River Authority apply
00:15:45.550 --> 00:15:47.940
for financial assistance from
the Flood Infrastructure Fund
00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:50.990
under Category Four
seeking funding assistance
00:15:50.990 --> 00:15:53.430
for flood early warning system projects.
00:15:53.430 --> 00:15:55.510
This category of funding
was designed for projects
00:15:55.510 --> 00:15:57.080
that can be implemented quickly
00:15:57.080 --> 00:15:58.720
and are understood to
be immediately effective
00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:00.720
in protecting life and property.
00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:02.310
Proposed flood early warning projects
00:16:02.310 --> 00:16:04.730
consist of installation of
high-water alerts sensors
00:16:04.730 --> 00:16:06.720
at flood-prone roadways,
00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:09.080
installation of automatic
flasher beacons,
00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:11.740
development of texts, email
subscriptions to warn drivers
00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:13.350
turn around, don't drown,
00:16:13.350 --> 00:16:14.540
and the addition of stream gauges
00:16:14.540 --> 00:16:17.430
to eliminate existing data
gaps to better warn the public
00:16:17.430 --> 00:16:18.263
of flooding risks.
00:16:18.263 --> 00:16:20.350
The Executive Administrator
recommends the Board
00:16:20.350 --> 00:16:23.800
approve grant funding
in the amount of $354,000
00:16:23.800 --> 00:16:25.040
from the Flood Infrastructure Fund
00:16:25.040 --> 00:16:27.430
to assist the City of Bryan
and the Sabine River Authority
00:16:27.430 --> 00:16:29.130
in implementation of these projects.
00:16:29.130 --> 00:16:30.680
That concludes my presentation.
00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.073
Thank you, Jeff
00:16:33.073 --> 00:16:33.906
Questions, comments?
00:16:35.290 --> 00:16:37.490
I think what we heard
from emergency management
00:16:37.490 --> 00:16:41.490
officials that participated,
and again, the process
00:16:41.490 --> 00:16:44.000
when we were, you
know, out kind of finding out
00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:46.330
what do we need to move
forward and concentrate on
00:16:46.330 --> 00:16:47.163
for the FIF?
00:16:47.163 --> 00:16:50.110
And it was definitely
early warning systems
00:16:51.707 --> 00:16:55.013
and putting in additional stream gauges
00:16:56.210 --> 00:16:58.813
and also assisting with road closure,
00:17:00.150 --> 00:17:03.910
particularly for the Sabine River Basin
00:17:03.910 --> 00:17:05.157
that I think he shared with me
00:17:05.157 --> 00:17:08.560
it was the second largest
average watershed yield
00:17:08.560 --> 00:17:11.110
of any major river basin in Texas
00:17:11.110 --> 00:17:16.010
because of its hyper-precipitation,
00:17:16.010 --> 00:17:18.890
high rainfall, as well as
the lowest average rate.
00:17:18.890 --> 00:17:20.950
So definitely something that's needed.
00:17:20.950 --> 00:17:24.370
And it builds on their existing system
00:17:24.370 --> 00:17:25.660
which is the Southeast Texas
00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:30.000
Regional Alerting
Information Network, or RAIN.
00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:33.430
So good to see that
we're putting in resources
00:17:35.100 --> 00:17:37.870
to start up some new
early warning systems
00:17:37.870 --> 00:17:40.610
as well as to build on
some past successes
00:17:40.610 --> 00:17:42.460
in these particular areas.
00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:44.013
So thanks for the work on this.
00:17:45.800 --> 00:17:48.140
As Sabine River
Authority is a great customer
00:17:48.140 --> 00:17:50.960
of the Board and we're
happy to see them come in.
00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:52.660
And of course, as a proud Aggie,
00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:56.770
I'm always thrilled to see
Bryan on the list of applicants
00:17:56.770 --> 00:18:00.183
and anything that helps our
first responders is a win-win.
00:18:02.786 --> 00:18:05.630
Yeah, these kind of projects
are all about saving lives.
00:18:05.630 --> 00:18:06.530
Is there a motion?
00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:10.080
Chairman, I move we
approve the City of Bryan
00:18:10.080 --> 00:18:12.340
and Sabine River
Authority's applications
00:18:12.340 --> 00:18:14.300
and authorize the
Executive Administrator
00:18:14.300 --> 00:18:17.286
to negotiate and execute
contracts for grant funding
00:18:17.286 --> 00:18:19.530
from the Flood Infrastructure Fund
00:18:19.530 --> 00:18:22.380
for flood early warning
system-related projects
00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:24.713
as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.
00:18:25.590 --> 00:18:27.040
Is there a second?
00:18:27.040 --> 00:18:28.590
I second.
00:18:28.590 --> 00:18:30.131
All in favor say aye.
00:18:30.131 --> 00:18:31.620
Aye.
Aye.
00:18:31.620 --> 00:18:32.773
Motion passes.
00:18:34.300 --> 00:18:35.693
Next item, please.
00:18:37.040 --> 00:18:39.250
Mr. Chairman, the
next item on the agenda
00:18:39.250 --> 00:18:42.550
is approved by resolution a
requests from Val Verde County
00:18:42.550 --> 00:18:45.870
for $500,000 from financial
assistance consisting
00:18:45.870 --> 00:18:51.630
of $210,000 in financing
and $290,000 in grant
00:18:51.630 --> 00:18:52.930
from the Flood Infrastructure Fund
00:18:52.930 --> 00:18:55.763
for a flood early warning
system-related project.
00:18:57.560 --> 00:18:58.393
Thank you.
00:18:58.393 --> 00:18:59.973
Again, for the record,
my name is Jeff Walker,
00:18:59.973 --> 00:19:02.010
your Executive Administrator.
00:19:02.010 --> 00:19:03.910
Val Verde County applied
for financial assistance
00:19:03.910 --> 00:19:05.080
from the Flood Infrastructure Fund
00:19:05.080 --> 00:19:07.710
under Category Four
seeking funding assistance
00:19:07.710 --> 00:19:09.760
for a flood early
warning system project.
00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:14.100
This project proposes to
create an early warning system
00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:16.080
for the county by installing
flood monitoring equipment
00:19:16.080 --> 00:19:18.230
at eight sites and a
communication tower.
00:19:18.230 --> 00:19:20.230
Upon completion of this
project, the county will be able
00:19:20.230 --> 00:19:21.930
to disseminate messages to the public
00:19:21.930 --> 00:19:23.769
using multiple communication methods
00:19:23.769 --> 00:19:25.520
pertaining to the health, safety,
00:19:25.520 --> 00:19:26.600
and welfare of its citizens
00:19:26.600 --> 00:19:28.150
when a flood event is imminent.
00:19:29.020 --> 00:19:31.040
The Executive Administrator
recommends $500,000
00:19:31.040 --> 00:19:33.940
in financial assistance from
the Flood Infrastructure Fund
00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:35.660
for through the county to develop
00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:38.000
a early flood warning system.
00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.550
That concludes my presentation.
00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:42.013
Thank you, Jeff.
00:19:42.013 --> 00:19:42.846
Questions, comments?
00:19:44.028 --> 00:19:46.420
A great example of
the flexibility of the fund
00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:48.700
to be able to not only
provide grant financing
00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:51.150
but also the 0% interest.
00:19:51.150 --> 00:19:54.640
And I think commendable
that the leadership
00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:57.040
in Val Verde County stepped to the plate
00:19:57.040 --> 00:19:58.230
and took advantage of this.
00:19:58.230 --> 00:20:01.095
And again, something
that's going to, you know,
00:20:01.095 --> 00:20:03.360
Mr. Chairman, as you
said many times, you know,
00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:05.723
save lives, so great project.
00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:08.840
Absolutely.
00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:10.390
I think the title says it all,
00:20:10.390 --> 00:20:12.300
measures that are immediately effective
00:20:12.300 --> 00:20:14.460
in protecting life and property.
00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:18.323
So we were very happy to have
this item on the agenda today.
00:20:19.810 --> 00:20:20.643
Indeed.
00:20:20.643 --> 00:20:22.330
Is there a motion?
00:20:22.330 --> 00:20:25.070
Mr. Chairman, I move we
approve the proposed resolution
00:20:25.070 --> 00:20:28.530
from Val Verde County from
financing and grant assistance
00:20:28.530 --> 00:20:30.400
from the Flood Infrastructure Fund
00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:32.860
for a flood early warning
system-related project
00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:36.030
as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.
00:20:36.030 --> 00:20:37.150
Is there a second?
00:20:37.150 --> 00:20:38.140
I second.
00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:39.500
All in favor say aye.
00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:41.280
Aye.
Aye.
00:20:41.280 --> 00:20:43.170
Motion passes.
00:20:43.170 --> 00:20:44.553
Next item, please.
00:20:45.730 --> 00:20:48.050
Mr. Chairman, the next
item on the agenda is approved
00:20:48.050 --> 00:20:51.650
by resolution a request from
the City of Fredericksburg
00:20:51.650 --> 00:20:55.960
for $745,750 in
financial assistance
00:20:55.960 --> 00:21:00.083
consisting of $633,000
in financing and $111,750
00:21:01.243 --> 00:21:04.630
in grant from the Flood
Infrastructure Fund
00:21:04.630 --> 00:21:08.582
for a flood early
warning system project.
00:21:08.582 --> 00:21:09.415
Thank you.
00:21:09.415 --> 00:21:10.719
Again, for the record,
my name is Jeff Walker,
00:21:10.719 --> 00:21:12.479
your Executive Administrator.
00:21:12.479 --> 00:21:14.399
The City of Fredericksburg
applied for financial assistance
00:21:14.399 --> 00:21:17.386
from the, from the FIF under
Category Four seeking funding
00:21:17.386 --> 00:21:20.410
for flood early warning system projects.
00:21:20.410 --> 00:21:22.670
To prevent both vehicular
and pedestrian traffic
00:21:22.670 --> 00:21:24.590
from attempting to
cross a flooded roadway,
00:21:24.590 --> 00:21:26.020
this project proposes to install
00:21:26.020 --> 00:21:28.310
a flood early warning system
with automatic flood gates
00:21:28.310 --> 00:21:30.240
and warning flashers
at low water crossings
00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:32.680
that are overtop during storm events.
00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.930
Additionally, the proposed system
00:21:33.930 --> 00:21:35.940
will improve overall public safety
00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:37.860
by providing real-time flood information
00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:40.710
and allowing for advanced
notice of flooding conditions
00:21:40.710 --> 00:21:41.960
in the upper end of the watershed
00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:44.290
and a more immediate response.
00:21:44.290 --> 00:21:46.167
Executive Administrator
recommends the Board approve
00:21:46.167 --> 00:21:50.490
$745,750 in financial
assistance from flood,
00:21:50.490 --> 00:21:52.690
from the Flood Infrastructure
Fund to assist the city
00:21:52.690 --> 00:21:54.940
with developing a flood
early warning system.
00:21:57.610 --> 00:21:58.903
Thank you, Jeff.
00:21:58.903 --> 00:22:00.353
Questions or comments?
00:22:00.353 --> 00:22:03.400
You can see another
Category Four project, again,
00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:07.480
not only grant funding
available to this community
00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:10.430
but also the opportunity
to use a 0% loan.
00:22:10.430 --> 00:22:14.760
And for the City of
Fredericksburg, again,
00:22:14.760 --> 00:22:18.140
commend their leadership
for putting together
00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:21.090
and now executing their
master drainage plan.
00:22:21.090 --> 00:22:25.220
So this was actually part of,
00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:27.700
I guess they had seven weighted criteria
00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.940
that they evaluated.
00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:31.310
And so this was a project
that was an outcome of that.
00:22:31.310 --> 00:22:35.280
So great to be able to see
the FIF actually moving forward
00:22:35.280 --> 00:22:38.130
and executing things
that are in the community's
00:22:38.130 --> 00:22:39.453
master drainage plan.
00:22:41.310 --> 00:22:44.420
Yeah, Fredericksburg
has been growing rapidly
00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:46.930
in the past few years
and they also have like
00:22:46.930 --> 00:22:48.950
a high tourist volume.
00:22:48.950 --> 00:22:53.310
So making sure that we have
the flood early warning systems
00:22:53.310 --> 00:22:56.700
in place will help those
individuals who might not
00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:59.130
be super familiar with the terrain
00:22:59.130 --> 00:23:01.890
and the actual inhabitants
of Fredericksburg.
00:23:01.890 --> 00:23:03.090
So it's a great project.
00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:06.103
Very good point.
00:23:06.103 --> 00:23:08.690
And there's all of these
projects are the realization
00:23:08.690 --> 00:23:10.770
of the vision from the
legislature and the Governor
00:23:10.770 --> 00:23:13.830
last session on SB7 and SB8.
00:23:13.830 --> 00:23:17.470
It's just extraordinary to be
able to put them into action.
00:23:17.470 --> 00:23:18.503
Is there a motion?
00:23:19.490 --> 00:23:21.890
Chairman, I move we
approve the proposed resolution
00:23:21.890 --> 00:23:24.077
from the City of
Fredericksburg for financing
00:23:24.077 --> 00:23:27.460
and grant assistance from
the Flood Infrastructure Fund
00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:30.180
for a flood early warning system project
00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:32.480
as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.
00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:35.300
Is there a second?
00:23:35.300 --> 00:23:36.880
I second.
00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:38.586
All in favor say aye.
00:23:38.586 --> 00:23:39.419
Aye.
Aye.
00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.330
Motion passes.
00:23:41.330 --> 00:23:45.450
Jeff, thank you for handling
those on the, on the fly.
00:23:45.450 --> 00:23:46.363
I appreciate that.
00:23:47.260 --> 00:23:48.473
The next item, please.
00:23:49.990 --> 00:23:51.790
Mr. Chairman, the
next item is consider
00:23:51.790 --> 00:23:54.300
amending by resolution
the previously adopted
00:23:54.300 --> 00:23:58.070
Texas Water Development
Board Resolution Number 16-123
00:23:58.070 --> 00:24:01.450
for Jefferson County Water
Control and Improvement District
00:24:01.450 --> 00:24:04.330
Number 10 to amend
the scope of its clean water
00:24:04.330 --> 00:24:06.530
state-revolving fund project.
00:24:06.530 --> 00:24:09.610
We have Jeff Taylor here
today to present to the Board
00:24:09.610 --> 00:24:10.513
on this item.
00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:13.290
Good morning.
00:24:13.290 --> 00:24:16.720
My name is Jeff Taylor of the
Executive Administrator staff.
00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:19.300
Jefferson County Water
Control and Improvement District
00:24:19.300 --> 00:24:22.500
Number 10 requests that
the Board allow the district
00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:26.070
to modify its clean water
state-revolving fund project scope
00:24:26.070 --> 00:24:30.827
by amending the previously
adopted TWDB Resolution 16-123.
00:24:32.410 --> 00:24:34.540
On November 30th of 2016,
00:24:34.540 --> 00:24:37.330
the Board approved one
million dollars in financing
00:24:37.330 --> 00:24:39.560
for the district to design and construct
00:24:39.560 --> 00:24:41.680
a chlorine disinfection system
00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:43.900
and to perform a study of the district's
00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:47.490
wastewater treatment plants,
Rock Reed Filter System.
00:24:47.490 --> 00:24:50.250
Both items addressed
wastewater treatment plant
00:24:50.250 --> 00:24:52.550
outfall discharge contaminant limits
00:24:52.550 --> 00:24:54.473
as required by TCEQ.
00:24:55.320 --> 00:24:56.790
The district completed the study
00:24:56.790 --> 00:24:58.290
and determined that the best option
00:24:58.290 --> 00:25:01.170
for addressing it's
affluent discharge limits
00:25:01.170 --> 00:25:03.610
was to move its
existing discharge outfall
00:25:03.610 --> 00:25:05.240
to the Naches River.
00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:07.890
The requested amendment
to the project scope
00:25:07.890 --> 00:25:09.700
will allow the district to use funds
00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:12.570
remaining from the original
commitment for planning,
00:25:12.570 --> 00:25:15.070
acquisition, and design of improvements
00:25:15.070 --> 00:25:18.820
to relocate it's discharge
outfall to the Naches River.
00:25:18.820 --> 00:25:21.750
The Executive Administrator
recommends approval
00:25:21.750 --> 00:25:22.950
of this item.
00:25:22.950 --> 00:25:24.900
This concludes my presentation
00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:27.400
and I am available for any
questions you may have.
00:25:29.285 --> 00:25:31.643
All right, questions,
comments, or a motion?
00:25:34.190 --> 00:25:37.160
I would just say that I think
this is a great example of,
00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:40.280
you know, the communities
kind of working on
00:25:40.280 --> 00:25:42.440
a Board project and, you know,
00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.750
during the course of the project,
00:25:43.750 --> 00:25:45.770
determining what is, you know,
00:25:45.770 --> 00:25:48.790
the best in terms of
water quality for the area.
00:25:48.790 --> 00:25:52.230
And so, you know, this
is a result of the study
00:25:52.230 --> 00:25:55.430
that was done as a as a
consequence of moving forward
00:25:55.430 --> 00:25:57.160
with this wastewater
treatment plant project.
00:25:57.160 --> 00:26:00.010
So definitely moving the
discharge from previously
00:26:00.010 --> 00:26:04.240
where it had been for years
to to have a direct discharge
00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:07.350
into the Naches is
tremendously important
00:26:07.350 --> 00:26:09.500
in terms of securing
overall water quality
00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:12.520
for the area and a
direct result of, I think,
00:26:12.520 --> 00:26:16.060
the work that the community did as a,
00:26:16.060 --> 00:26:18.080
as a consequence of this project.
00:26:18.080 --> 00:26:20.080
So I think it's, again,
it's just a great example
00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:22.430
of good projects even getting better
00:26:22.430 --> 00:26:25.030
as they move forward and
then having the opportunity
00:26:25.030 --> 00:26:29.050
of using the Board's
resources to modify that scope,
00:26:29.050 --> 00:26:30.550
and in this particular case,
00:26:30.550 --> 00:26:32.903
enhance the overall
water quality for the area.
00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:41.050
Well put, is there a motion?
00:26:41.050 --> 00:26:43.900
Mr. Chairman, I move we
approve the proposed resolution
00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:45.560
amending the previously adopted
00:26:45.560 --> 00:26:50.030
Texas Water Development
Board Resolution Number 16-123
00:26:50.030 --> 00:26:53.120
for Jefferson County Water
Control and Improvement District
00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:55.620
Number 10 to amend
the scope of its clean water
00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:57.030
state-revolving fund project
00:26:57.030 --> 00:26:59.330
as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.
00:27:00.388 --> 00:27:01.766
Is there a second?
00:27:01.766 --> 00:27:02.683
I second.
00:27:04.230 --> 00:27:05.664
All in favor say aye.
00:27:05.664 --> 00:27:06.497
Aye.
Aye.
00:27:07.570 --> 00:27:08.403
Motion passes.
00:27:08.403 --> 00:27:10.030
Thanks, Jeff, good to see you.
00:27:10.030 --> 00:27:10.863
Thank you.
00:27:10.863 --> 00:27:13.340
Next item, please.
00:27:13.340 --> 00:27:15.360
Mr. Chairman, the
next item on the agenda
00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:17.510
is consider amending by resolution
00:27:17.510 --> 00:27:20.150
the previously adopted Texas
Water Development Board
00:27:20.150 --> 00:27:23.180
Resolution Number 19-106
00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:27.270
as amended by Resolution Number 20-053
00:27:27.270 --> 00:27:30.980
to modify the FHLM Regional
Water Supply Corporation's
00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:33.200
drinking water state-revolving
fund commitment
00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:34.850
expiration date.
00:27:34.850 --> 00:27:37.713
Tom Barnett is here to
present to the Board on this item.
00:27:40.790 --> 00:27:43.770
Good morning, Chairman
Lake, Director Jackson,
00:27:43.770 --> 00:27:44.603
Director Paup.
00:27:44.603 --> 00:27:45.810
For the record, I'm Tom Barnett
00:27:45.810 --> 00:27:48.300
with the Executive
Administrator's staff.
00:27:48.300 --> 00:27:50.128
FHLM Regional Water Supply Corporation
00:27:50.128 --> 00:27:53.240
received a commitment for $8.7 million
00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:55.070
in financial assistance
from the drinking water
00:27:55.070 --> 00:27:57.060
state-revolving fund
00:27:57.060 --> 00:27:59.060
for a water system improvements project.
00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:02.670
The proposed project would
decrease arsenic contamination
00:28:02.670 --> 00:28:05.690
in the two member entities'
public water supplies
00:28:05.690 --> 00:28:08.440
by purchasing treated
water from the City of Waco
00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:10.840
and blending it with
their existing groundwater.
00:28:11.830 --> 00:28:13.530
The two FHLM members that would benefit
00:28:13.530 --> 00:28:16.430
from this project Axtell
Water Supply Corporation
00:28:16.430 --> 00:28:19.170
and Elk Oak Lake
Water Supply Corporation
00:28:19.170 --> 00:28:22.540
are both in violation of the
EPA's maximum contaminant level
00:28:22.540 --> 00:28:25.743
for arsenic and are under
enforcement by TCEQ.
00:28:26.970 --> 00:28:30.603
FHLM has already been granted
one extension in June, 2020.
00:28:33.080 --> 00:28:36.250
And since then, Waco
has identified an alternate
00:28:36.250 --> 00:28:38.500
pipeline route to serve this project
00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:41.053
and potentially other
entities northeast the city.
00:28:43.690 --> 00:28:47.460
So they just need more
time to execute that contract
00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.293
with the city.
00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:52.920
This resolution would grant
FHLM an additional six months
00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:54.170
to close on their commitment,
00:28:54.170 --> 00:28:58.043
extending the expiration
date to June 30th, 2021.
00:28:59.110 --> 00:29:02.010
This, the Executive Administrator
recommends approval,
00:29:02.010 --> 00:29:04.060
approval of this item.
00:29:04.060 --> 00:29:05.520
And this concludes my presentation
00:29:05.520 --> 00:29:07.223
and I'm happy to take any questions.
00:29:10.050 --> 00:29:11.680
Questions or comments
00:29:14.810 --> 00:29:15.943
or a motion?
00:29:16.830 --> 00:29:19.140
Chairman, I move we
approve the proposed resolution
00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:20.830
amending the previously adopted
00:29:20.830 --> 00:29:25.268
Texas Water Development
Board Resolution Number 19-106
00:29:25.268 --> 00:29:29.160
as amended by Resolution Number 20-053
00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:34.150
to modify the FHLM Regional
Water Supply Corporation's
00:29:34.150 --> 00:29:36.240
drinking water state-revolving
fund commitment
00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:38.190
expiration date as recommended
00:29:38.190 --> 00:29:40.530
by our Executive Administrator.
00:29:40.530 --> 00:29:42.043
Is there a second?
00:29:43.830 --> 00:29:45.906
All in favor say aye.
00:29:45.906 --> 00:29:47.239
Aye.
Aye.
00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.363
Motion passes.
00:29:50.198 --> 00:29:52.217
Thank you, Tom, good to see you.
00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:54.203
Next item, please.
00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:58.140
Mr. Chairman, the next
item is consider approving
00:29:58.140 --> 00:30:01.360
by resolution a request
from the City of Boyd
00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:03.830
to amend Texas Water
Development Board Resolution
00:30:03.830 --> 00:30:06.570
Number 18-071
00:30:06.570 --> 00:30:09.560
as amended by the Texas Water
Development Board Resolution
00:30:09.560 --> 00:30:14.300
Number 20-057 to
extend the expiration period
00:30:14.300 --> 00:30:16.550
of the existing drinking
water state-revolving
00:30:16.550 --> 00:30:17.710
fund commitment.
00:30:17.710 --> 00:30:19.750
Joe Cohen is here to
present to the Board
00:30:19.750 --> 00:30:20.990
on this item today.
00:30:24.540 --> 00:30:25.373
Good morning.
00:30:25.373 --> 00:30:27.320
For the record, my name is Joe Cohen
00:30:27.320 --> 00:30:30.520
of the Executive Administrator's staff.
00:30:30.520 --> 00:30:33.310
The City of Boyd received
a multi-year commitment
00:30:33.310 --> 00:30:37.460
for the city's Phase One water
System Improvements Project
00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:41.290
in 2018 and closed
on planning acquisition
00:30:41.290 --> 00:30:43.523
and design phases later that year.
00:30:44.710 --> 00:30:45.840
In June of this year,
00:30:45.840 --> 00:30:49.340
the Board extended the
construction commitment
00:30:49.340 --> 00:30:53.380
to allow for completion
of the planning activities.
00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:56.120
Later in August, the
city was notified by text
00:30:56.120 --> 00:31:01.120
about the plans to widen
FM 730 through the city limits,
00:31:01.250 --> 00:31:05.240
requiring the city to
relocate several utilities
00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.643
within the right of way.
00:31:07.510 --> 00:31:10.770
The city is requesting another extension
00:31:10.770 --> 00:31:14.120
to close on the
construction phase funding.
00:31:14.120 --> 00:31:16.970
This will allow the city
to evaluate the effects
00:31:16.970 --> 00:31:21.730
of the FM 730 expansion on
the Phase One Water System
00:31:21.730 --> 00:31:23.033
Improvement Project.
00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:26.680
The Executive Administrator recommends
00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:29.500
approval of this request.
00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:32.217
This concludes my
presentation and I'm available
00:31:32.217 --> 00:31:33.807
for any questions.
00:31:37.350 --> 00:31:39.253
Questions,
comments, or a motion?
00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:45.120
Mr. Chairman, I move we
approve the proposed resolution
00:31:45.120 --> 00:31:47.170
amending the Texas
Water Development Board
00:31:47.170 --> 00:31:50.250
Resolution Number 18-071
00:31:50.250 --> 00:31:54.620
as amended by TWDB
Resolution Number 20-057
00:31:54.620 --> 00:31:56.400
to extend the expiration period
00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:58.640
for the City of Boyd's
existing drinking water
00:31:58.640 --> 00:32:00.550
state-revolving fund commitment
00:32:00.550 --> 00:32:03.093
as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.
00:32:03.985 --> 00:32:05.394
Is there a second?
00:32:05.394 --> 00:32:07.000
I second.
00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:08.626
All in favor say aye.
00:32:08.626 --> 00:32:10.240
Aye.
Aye.
00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:11.310
Motion passes.
00:32:11.310 --> 00:32:12.403
Appreciate it, Joe.
00:32:13.620 --> 00:32:14.453
Okay, thank you.
00:32:14.453 --> 00:32:15.373
Next item, please.
00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:18.810
Mr. Chairman, the next
item is consider approving
00:32:18.810 --> 00:32:20.510
by resolution a request
00:32:20.510 --> 00:32:23.360
from the Angelina and
Naches River Authority
00:32:23.360 --> 00:32:25.440
financial assistance
from the clean water
00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:28.560
state-revolving fund
for planning, acquisition,
00:32:28.560 --> 00:32:32.900
design, and construction of
wastewater system improvements.
00:32:32.900 --> 00:32:35.630
Nancy Richards is here
today to present to the Board
00:32:35.630 --> 00:32:36.583
on the item.
00:32:38.114 --> 00:32:40.260
Good morning, Chairman
Lake, Director Jackson,
00:32:40.260 --> 00:32:41.093
and Director Paup.
00:32:41.093 --> 00:32:42.910
For the record, my
name is Nancy Richards
00:32:42.910 --> 00:32:45.650
of the Executive Administrator's staff.
00:32:45.650 --> 00:32:48.760
The Angelina and Naches
River Authorities main office
00:32:48.760 --> 00:32:51.740
is located in Lufkin,
Texas and the authorities'
00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:56.210
territorial jurisdiction
consists of 8,500 square miles
00:32:56.210 --> 00:32:59.650
that lie in 17 East Texas counties.
00:32:59.650 --> 00:33:01.170
The authority provides water
00:33:01.170 --> 00:33:03.760
and wastewater utility
operational assistance
00:33:03.760 --> 00:33:06.140
to cities, industry, school districts,
00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:08.510
and other government
agencies in its region
00:33:08.510 --> 00:33:11.900
including the Angelina County
Freshwater Supply District
00:33:11.900 --> 00:33:13.310
Number One.
00:33:13.310 --> 00:33:15.600
The district's 60,000 gallon per day
00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:18.380
wastewater treatment
facility and collection system
00:33:18.380 --> 00:33:21.130
are part of the assets
that were transferred
00:33:21.130 --> 00:33:24.700
from Angelina County Water
Control and Improvement District
00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:29.700
Number Three to the district
by Senate Bill 2282-85R
00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:32.810
to dissolve a WCID Number Three
00:33:32.810 --> 00:33:37.140
and consolidate its assets,
liabilities, and territory
00:33:37.140 --> 00:33:40.273
to the district for environmental
and public health reasons.
00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:44.020
The condition of the
acquired infrastructure
00:33:44.020 --> 00:33:46.840
does not meet Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality's
00:33:46.840 --> 00:33:49.543
discharge permit
requirements for water quality.
00:33:50.450 --> 00:33:54.583
The authority is requesting
$795,000 in financing
00:33:54.583 --> 00:33:58.000
and $1,820,000 in principal forgiveness
00:33:58.000 --> 00:34:00.560
from the clean water
state-revolving fund
00:34:00.560 --> 00:34:02.280
for planning, acquisition, design,
00:34:02.280 --> 00:34:04.530
and construction to
address compliance issues
00:34:04.530 --> 00:34:07.970
in the former WCID Number Three system.
00:34:07.970 --> 00:34:10.320
The authority intends
to install new lift stations
00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:12.341
and enforce many to
transfer the wastewater flow
00:34:12.341 --> 00:34:15.300
from the previous WCIG
Number Three service area
00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:18.510
to the authorities'
North Angelina County
00:34:18.510 --> 00:34:21.120
regional wastewater facility.
00:34:21.120 --> 00:34:23.560
The Executive Administrator
recommends approval
00:34:23.560 --> 00:34:27.030
of this request and I'm
available to answer any questions.
00:34:27.030 --> 00:34:30.850
And I'd like to thank Jeff
Walker for his assistance
00:34:30.850 --> 00:34:35.257
on this project, as
well as Mike (mumbles)
00:34:35.257 --> 00:34:37.690
who are no longer here but, you know,
00:34:37.690 --> 00:34:39.160
we've all worked really hard
00:34:39.160 --> 00:34:41.030
and they've all worked
really hard on this.
00:34:41.030 --> 00:34:43.860
So I'd like to say thank
you to them as well.
00:34:43.860 --> 00:34:44.693
Absolutely.
00:34:44.693 --> 00:34:47.573
A lot as a lot of heavy
lifting is going into this one.
00:34:48.640 --> 00:34:51.290
Questions, comments, or a motion?
00:34:51.290 --> 00:34:56.040
Nancy, I would just like to
reiterate my thanks to you
00:34:56.040 --> 00:35:00.580
and for the leadership that
you and Jeff and the team
00:35:00.580 --> 00:35:04.570
has shown in looking
at various alternatives
00:35:04.570 --> 00:35:08.270
and coming up with, in
my mind, what is, you know,
00:35:08.270 --> 00:35:12.230
absolutely the best regional
solution moving forward,
00:35:12.230 --> 00:35:13.840
not just for
00:35:14.994 --> 00:35:18.300
the existing district,
the combined district,
00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:21.810
but also for those that,
those 80 customers
00:35:21.810 --> 00:35:24.190
that were in that
original small district.
00:35:24.190 --> 00:35:27.930
This whole concept of
regionalization, we talk about it,
00:35:27.930 --> 00:35:30.690
but I mean this is an example,
00:35:30.690 --> 00:35:33.680
a real life example of how, you know,
00:35:33.680 --> 00:35:38.130
bringing the wastewater
flow from a facility
00:35:38.130 --> 00:35:40.540
that was no longer functioning,
00:35:40.540 --> 00:35:45.540
that was having a massive
issues with maintenance concerns
00:35:45.670 --> 00:35:47.440
and being able to route that flow
00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:50.580
to a larger wastewater treatment plant,
00:35:50.580 --> 00:35:54.250
and then overall being
able to provide longterm
00:35:55.580 --> 00:36:00.580
quality discharge and
also at the same time
00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:05.030
kind of taking care of not
just the existing customers
00:36:05.030 --> 00:36:08.990
within the fresh water
supply District Number One
00:36:08.990 --> 00:36:12.530
but also the customers
that they kind of brought in
00:36:12.530 --> 00:36:15.660
for when the two
districts came together.
00:36:15.660 --> 00:36:19.870
So I think great
leadership from the Board,
00:36:19.870 --> 00:36:23.760
really appreciate the
Angelina County, or ANRA,
00:36:23.760 --> 00:36:26.610
the River Authority, for stepping up
00:36:26.610 --> 00:36:29.330
and also for the for the folks
00:36:29.330 --> 00:36:33.253
that were a part of
the original district.
00:36:34.097 --> 00:36:37.250
I know Mr. Brooks for years
and years was a champion.
00:36:37.250 --> 00:36:38.940
He worked with Mr. Stover
00:36:38.940 --> 00:36:41.180
and sometimes it's really
hard to kind of, you know,
00:36:41.180 --> 00:36:44.440
in your heart, give up, you
know, what you have control over
00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:46.700
for the betterment, but the
overall betterment and good
00:36:46.700 --> 00:36:48.900
of the community and for everyone.
00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:51.560
And I think this has
been a great team effort.
00:36:51.560 --> 00:36:55.900
It's been an effort, I
think of love, which,
00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:57.210
and care and concern,
00:36:57.210 --> 00:36:59.480
which I think at the
end of the day, it's,
00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:00.650
that's what it's really about.
00:37:00.650 --> 00:37:04.060
It's about providing for
people who need the help
00:37:04.060 --> 00:37:08.760
and doing it in such a way
that communities can afford it,
00:37:08.760 --> 00:37:10.500
which of course is
the role of the Board.
00:37:10.500 --> 00:37:13.560
So, you know, a great team
effort by, you know, the Board,
00:37:13.560 --> 00:37:17.360
the River Authority and the
communities that were impacted.
00:37:17.360 --> 00:37:18.380
So thanks for this work.
00:37:18.380 --> 00:37:20.183
It's been a long time coming.
00:37:20.183 --> 00:37:23.690
I mean, this was one
of the first projects that,
00:37:23.690 --> 00:37:26.720
that kind of, I think came
before us as an issue
00:37:26.720 --> 00:37:29.797
back when I first came on
the Board almost six years ago.
00:37:29.797 --> 00:37:32.350
So, great work effort
and looking forward,
00:37:32.350 --> 00:37:34.950
I don't know if Kelly
Health is listening,
00:37:34.950 --> 00:37:37.390
but look looking forward
for this coming in on time
00:37:37.390 --> 00:37:40.293
and on budget, which I think, you know,
00:37:40.293 --> 00:37:41.980
is their vision as well.
00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:44.750
So thanks for this work
and a great, great job.
00:37:44.750 --> 00:37:46.230
Thank you so much.
00:37:46.230 --> 00:37:47.640
Thank you.
00:37:47.640 --> 00:37:49.860
Nancy and Jeff, it was
a huge lift to come up
00:37:49.860 --> 00:37:52.867
with the right size
project, the right fit project
00:37:52.867 --> 00:37:55.780
and the fiscally responsible project
00:37:56.850 --> 00:37:58.870
that made sense for this community.
00:37:58.870 --> 00:38:01.880
And it took a lot of effort,
but we're here today.
00:38:01.880 --> 00:38:03.750
So it's a great day.
00:38:03.750 --> 00:38:04.830
Thank you.
00:38:04.830 --> 00:38:05.780
Thank you
00:38:06.920 --> 00:38:08.060
Well put.
00:38:08.060 --> 00:38:09.760
Is there a motion?
00:38:09.760 --> 00:38:11.990
Chairman, I move we
approve the proposed resolution
00:38:11.990 --> 00:38:14.650
providing the Angelina
and Naches River Authority
00:38:14.650 --> 00:38:16.450
financial assistance
from the clean water
00:38:16.450 --> 00:38:19.030
state-revolving fund
for planning, acquisition,
00:38:19.030 --> 00:38:22.260
design and construction of
wastewater system improvements
00:38:22.260 --> 00:38:25.390
as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.
00:38:25.390 --> 00:38:27.180
Is there a second?
00:38:27.180 --> 00:38:28.013
I second.
00:38:29.190 --> 00:38:31.076
All in favor say aye.
00:38:31.076 --> 00:38:33.110
Aye.
Aye.
00:38:33.110 --> 00:38:34.283
Motion passes.
00:38:35.700 --> 00:38:36.623
Thank you, Nancy.
00:38:38.810 --> 00:38:40.033
Next item, please.
00:38:41.360 --> 00:38:43.160
Mr. Chairman, the
next item on the agenda
00:38:43.160 --> 00:38:45.690
is consider approving by resolution
00:38:45.690 --> 00:38:47.570
a request from the City of Seagraves
00:38:47.570 --> 00:38:49.050
for financial assistance
00:38:49.050 --> 00:38:51.350
from the Texas Water Development Fund
00:38:51.350 --> 00:38:54.070
and from the Water
Infrastructure Improvement,
00:38:54.070 --> 00:38:57.350
Improvements for the Nation
Grant for planning, design,
00:38:57.350 --> 00:39:00.930
and construction of a water
system improvements project.
00:39:00.930 --> 00:39:03.890
We have Jesse Milonovich
here to present to the Board
00:39:03.890 --> 00:39:07.900
on this item, and we also
have a registration card
00:39:07.900 --> 00:39:10.060
from State Representative
Dustin Burrows,
00:39:10.060 --> 00:39:11.810
who wishes to voice his support
00:39:11.810 --> 00:39:13.740
for funding agenda item Number 10
00:39:13.740 --> 00:39:16.450
concerning the request
from the City of Seagraves
00:39:16.450 --> 00:39:19.043
but does not wish to
address the Board today.
00:39:21.030 --> 00:39:23.250
Good morning, Chairman
Lake, Director Jackson,
00:39:23.250 --> 00:39:24.083
Director Paup.
00:39:24.083 --> 00:39:25.880
For the record, my
name is Jesse Milonovich
00:39:25.880 --> 00:39:28.660
of the Executive Administrator's staff.
00:39:28.660 --> 00:39:31.330
The City of Seagraves is
located in Gaines County,
00:39:31.330 --> 00:39:34.460
approximately 60 miles
Southwest of Lubbock, Texas.
00:39:34.460 --> 00:39:37.400
That's about halfway
between Lubbock and Odessa.
00:39:37.400 --> 00:39:40.100
The city provides water
and wastewater services
00:39:40.100 --> 00:39:45.100
to a population of
approximately 2,425 residents.
00:39:45.150 --> 00:39:47.610
The city is requesting
financial assistance
00:39:47.610 --> 00:39:50.300
from the Texas Water Development Board
00:39:50.300 --> 00:39:54.040
and a Water Infrastructure
Improvements for the Nation
00:39:54.040 --> 00:39:56.800
grant for the planning,
design, and construction
00:39:56.800 --> 00:39:59.150
of water system improvements.
00:39:59.150 --> 00:40:02.010
The WIIN grant program
00:40:02.010 --> 00:40:04.900
funded through the
Environmental Protection Agency
00:40:04.900 --> 00:40:07.440
is designed to help public water systems
00:40:07.440 --> 00:40:10.650
in underserved,
disadvantaged communities
00:40:10.650 --> 00:40:12.700
to meet and comply with Safe Drinking
00:40:12.700 --> 00:40:14.630
Water Act requirements.
00:40:14.630 --> 00:40:16.650
Funds from the Texas
Water Development Fund
00:40:16.650 --> 00:40:20.310
will fulfill the WIIN grant's
00:40:20.310 --> 00:40:25.190
required cost share of 45%
of the total project costs.
00:40:25.190 --> 00:40:29.463
The proposed project will
allow the city to optimize
00:40:29.463 --> 00:40:32.350
its existing water treatment system
00:40:32.350 --> 00:40:35.090
to consistently remove
arsenic and fluoride
00:40:35.090 --> 00:40:37.600
and comply with the
Safe Drinking Water Act.
00:40:37.600 --> 00:40:41.280
In addition, the city will
replace its chlorination system,
00:40:41.280 --> 00:40:44.550
approximately 1.8 miles of water line,
00:40:44.550 --> 00:40:48.070
and elevated storage tank
and two ground storage tanks
00:40:48.070 --> 00:40:50.830
in addition to making
other improvements.
00:40:50.830 --> 00:40:54.720
These enhancements
will reduce water loss,
00:40:54.720 --> 00:40:57.800
enhance storage capacity
and improve water pressure
00:40:57.800 --> 00:40:59.530
to the service area.
00:40:59.530 --> 00:41:02.270
The Executive Administrator
recommends approval
00:41:02.270 --> 00:41:03.180
of this request.
00:41:03.180 --> 00:41:05.350
This concludes my presentation
00:41:05.350 --> 00:41:08.530
and I'm available if
you have any questions.
00:41:08.530 --> 00:41:13.120
And I would also like to
thank Lee Huntoon for her effort
00:41:13.120 --> 00:41:15.460
coordinating the WIIN grant
00:41:15.460 --> 00:41:19.293
and Kia Caballero, Caballero, excuse me,
00:41:20.150 --> 00:41:21.744
as well.
00:41:21.744 --> 00:41:25.333
They worked very hard to line that up.
00:41:28.490 --> 00:41:29.323
Thank you, Jesse.
00:41:29.323 --> 00:41:30.950
Any questions, comments, or a motion?
00:41:31.810 --> 00:41:34.133
I did want to mention
one thing and that was that
00:41:34.133 --> 00:41:36.660
I think he shared with
me that the community
00:41:36.660 --> 00:41:41.390
is contributing local
funds up to $75,000
00:41:41.390 --> 00:41:44.030
to prepare an asset management plan.
00:41:44.030 --> 00:41:45.940
So I think that is, you know,
00:41:45.940 --> 00:41:48.730
a huge testament by this
community that, you know,
00:41:48.730 --> 00:41:50.430
there's an investment by the state
00:41:50.430 --> 00:41:54.700
through the defund
investment, through the EPA,
00:41:54.700 --> 00:41:56.130
through their grant financing,
00:41:56.130 --> 00:41:58.790
and marvelous job by
the staff in pulling that off,
00:41:58.790 --> 00:41:59.714
by the way.
00:41:59.714 --> 00:42:02.870
But recognizing that they're
addressing the issues today
00:42:02.870 --> 00:42:04.450
but again, that it's all about
00:42:04.450 --> 00:42:06.210
operational integrity moving forward
00:42:06.210 --> 00:42:08.880
and planning for the
future and not waiting
00:42:08.880 --> 00:42:11.090
for things to kind of,
you know, get in disrepair
00:42:11.090 --> 00:42:13.210
but staying on top of
it and being proactive.
00:42:13.210 --> 00:42:16.700
So I did want to
recognize that, in my mind,
00:42:16.700 --> 00:42:20.170
that's a that's a huge
commitment by the community,
00:42:20.170 --> 00:42:22.010
very insightful on their part,
00:42:22.010 --> 00:42:25.410
and I think it's going to
reap rewards in future years.
00:42:25.410 --> 00:42:27.090
So thank you, again,
for working on this.
00:42:27.090 --> 00:42:29.830
Thank you for this very, you know,
00:42:29.830 --> 00:42:33.120
excellent being able to kind of leverage
00:42:33.120 --> 00:42:35.390
some of the federal dollars to help out
00:42:35.390 --> 00:42:36.850
a small community.
00:42:36.850 --> 00:42:40.870
And, again, moving forward,
enhancing their water supply.
00:42:40.870 --> 00:42:42.870
So, thank you, thank you so much, Jesse.
00:42:43.820 --> 00:42:47.480
And Jesse and Lee, just
a great job identifying this
00:42:47.480 --> 00:42:50.270
as a project that would actually qualify
00:42:50.270 --> 00:42:52.736
for the WIIN grant funds.
00:42:52.736 --> 00:42:57.360
It's not always apparent
which projects can draw down
00:42:57.360 --> 00:42:59.160
these federal grant funds.
00:42:59.160 --> 00:43:02.100
So a fantastic job identifying that.
00:43:02.100 --> 00:43:04.423
It'll make a huge difference
in a small community.
00:43:06.030 --> 00:43:07.900
Absolutely and a
good point, Kathleen,
00:43:07.900 --> 00:43:10.900
that the future operational
management of this
00:43:10.900 --> 00:43:13.113
will be a key element of its success.
00:43:14.490 --> 00:43:15.403
Is there a motion?
00:43:16.600 --> 00:43:19.640
Mr. Chairman, I move we
approve the proposed resolution
00:43:19.640 --> 00:43:22.430
providing the City of
Seagraves financial assistance
00:43:22.430 --> 00:43:24.590
from the Texas Water Development Fund
00:43:24.590 --> 00:43:26.780
and from the Water
Infrastructure Improvements
00:43:26.780 --> 00:43:29.230
for the Nation grant
for planning, design,
00:43:29.230 --> 00:43:31.380
and construction of water
system improvements
00:43:31.380 --> 00:43:33.933
as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.
00:43:34.820 --> 00:43:36.130
Is there a second?
00:43:36.130 --> 00:43:36.963
I second.
00:43:38.830 --> 00:43:40.530
All in favor say aye.
00:43:40.530 --> 00:43:41.990
Aye.
Aye.
00:43:41.990 --> 00:43:43.000
Motion passes.
00:43:43.000 --> 00:43:44.063
Well done, Jesse.
00:43:46.610 --> 00:43:47.443
All right.
00:43:48.520 --> 00:43:49.823
Okay,
00:43:50.750 --> 00:43:53.960
next item, please.
00:43:53.960 --> 00:43:55.900
Mr. Chairman, the
next item on the agenda
00:43:55.900 --> 00:43:57.690
is the Executive Administrator's
00:43:57.690 --> 00:44:01.513
presentation of recognition to staff.
00:44:04.050 --> 00:44:05.503
Okay, thank you, sir.
00:44:06.560 --> 00:44:09.543
We're waiting on Carmen
to come on screen.
00:44:10.620 --> 00:44:13.033
Yeah, I was thinking
about just not calling the item.
00:44:14.720 --> 00:44:16.560
Just not going to let it happen.
00:44:16.560 --> 00:44:18.950
Yeah, that, that
would, that would help.
00:44:18.950 --> 00:44:20.380
Okay.
00:44:20.380 --> 00:44:23.410
It's a bittersweet day for
me, the agency, and more so
00:44:23.410 --> 00:44:24.263
for the State of Texas.
00:44:24.263 --> 00:44:26.530
This is more sweet than bitter though.
00:44:26.530 --> 00:44:28.750
Our friend and colleague
is hanging up her hat
00:44:28.750 --> 00:44:31.500
and headed to greener
pastures, literally.
00:44:31.500 --> 00:44:33.590
Carmen Lena Cernosek has served Texas
00:44:33.590 --> 00:44:34.960
for more than 30 years.
00:44:34.960 --> 00:44:38.190
During her career, Carmen
served in a congressional office,
00:44:38.190 --> 00:44:40.550
both chambers of the Texas legislature,
00:44:40.550 --> 00:44:42.380
the offices of two Lieutenant Governors
00:44:42.380 --> 00:44:44.880
and numerous positions in
four natural resource agencies,
00:44:44.880 --> 00:44:46.870
including Parks and Wildlife,
00:44:46.870 --> 00:44:49.667
Natural Resource Conservation
Commission, now TCQ,
00:44:49.667 --> 00:44:51.930
the General Land Office,
and the best for last,
00:44:51.930 --> 00:44:53.810
the Water Development Board.
00:44:53.810 --> 00:44:55.840
Carmen played a
significant role in every piece
00:44:55.840 --> 00:44:58.300
of landmark water
legislation to be enacted
00:44:58.300 --> 00:45:00.800
by the State of Texas in
the last quarter of a century.
00:45:00.800 --> 00:45:02.860
I do not say significant lightly.
00:45:02.860 --> 00:45:04.390
My favorite and most
enlightening moments
00:45:04.390 --> 00:45:05.520
have been private discussions
00:45:05.520 --> 00:45:08.080
about how legislation has really done.
00:45:08.080 --> 00:45:10.030
These landmark pieces of legislation
00:45:10.030 --> 00:45:13.190
include Senate Bill One
of the 75th Legislature,
00:45:13.190 --> 00:45:15.480
which turned the water
planning process upside down
00:45:15.480 --> 00:45:18.710
by going from top-down to the
regional bottoms-up approach
00:45:18.710 --> 00:45:19.543
we have today.
00:45:20.860 --> 00:45:23.120
Senate Bill Two of the 77th Legislature
00:45:23.120 --> 00:45:25.210
was a major groundwater
and surface water bill
00:45:25.210 --> 00:45:26.840
which created groundwater
management areas,
00:45:26.840 --> 00:45:28.230
groundwater availability models,
00:45:28.230 --> 00:45:30.290
and the in-stream flow programs.
00:45:30.290 --> 00:45:32.400
Senate Bill Three of
the 80th Legislature
00:45:32.400 --> 00:45:34.370
gives the environmental flow standards,
00:45:34.370 --> 00:45:36.320
the Water Conservation Advisory Council,
00:45:36.320 --> 00:45:38.450
and that session's budget
also included funding
00:45:38.450 --> 00:45:40.540
for the Water Infrastructure Fund,
00:45:40.540 --> 00:45:42.500
was a precursor to the SWIFT.
00:45:42.500 --> 00:45:45.310
Which leads us to
House Bill Four, the 83rd,
00:45:45.310 --> 00:45:46.540
which was legislation
00:45:46.540 --> 00:45:47.960
that changed the structure of the Board,
00:45:47.960 --> 00:45:50.950
created SWIFT and swerved,
which has fundamentally changed
00:45:50.950 --> 00:45:54.240
the agency and the water
supply financing in Texas.
00:45:54.240 --> 00:45:57.660
She most recently led the Water
Development Board GR Team
00:45:57.660 --> 00:45:59.360
through the 86th Legislature
00:45:59.360 --> 00:46:01.680
when Senate Bill Seven and
Eight entrusted the agency
00:46:01.680 --> 00:46:04.280
with the new groundbreaking
statewide flood science
00:46:04.280 --> 00:46:06.600
planning and mitigation initiative.
00:46:06.600 --> 00:46:08.190
Throughout her career, Carmen maintained
00:46:08.190 --> 00:46:11.240
that she's not political
and does not do politics.
00:46:11.240 --> 00:46:13.010
Yet consistently she
demonstrated balance
00:46:13.010 --> 00:46:14.930
and savvy political instincts
that were instrumental
00:46:14.930 --> 00:46:18.550
in water policy that has shaped
the Water Development Board.
00:46:18.550 --> 00:46:20.940
Carmen concludes her
public service at the TWDB,
00:46:20.940 --> 00:46:23.590
an agency and position she
has described as her dream,
00:46:23.590 --> 00:46:25.840
a fairytale ending for
an exceptional career.
00:46:26.750 --> 00:46:28.297
I personally benefited
from her expertise
00:46:28.297 --> 00:46:30.240
and her knowledge of
how things really get done
00:46:30.240 --> 00:46:31.073
at the Capitol.
00:46:31.073 --> 00:46:32.870
Her candor, honesty, and friendship
00:46:32.870 --> 00:46:34.520
are a rare commodity in this world
00:46:34.520 --> 00:46:35.870
and I'll miss them greatly.
00:46:37.620 --> 00:46:38.820
I recently came across a quote
00:46:38.820 --> 00:46:40.437
that I believe captures Carmen.
00:46:40.437 --> 00:46:43.490
"What is a person if not the
marks they leave behind?"
00:46:43.490 --> 00:46:45.380
There's no doubt that
she leaves a lasting legacy
00:46:45.380 --> 00:46:47.340
in Texas and we're all better for it.
00:46:47.340 --> 00:46:48.173
Thank you, Carmen.
00:46:48.173 --> 00:46:50.540
We wish you all well in your adventure.
00:46:50.540 --> 00:46:52.940
Now we have a short
commemorative slideshow this time
00:46:52.940 --> 00:46:54.490
if you'd roll the show, please.
00:47:08.772 --> 00:47:12.189
(energetic string music)
00:47:15.456 --> 00:47:17.926
♪ Bright light city gonna set my soul ♪
00:47:17.926 --> 00:47:21.480
♪ Gonna set my soul on fire ♪
00:47:21.480 --> 00:47:24.541
♪ Got a whole lot of
money that's ready to burn ♪
00:47:24.541 --> 00:47:27.888
♪ So get those stakes up higher ♪
00:47:27.888 --> 00:47:31.834
♪ There's a thousand pretty
women waiting out there ♪
00:47:31.834 --> 00:47:35.009
♪ And they're all living
the devil may care ♪
00:47:35.009 --> 00:47:37.907
♪ And I'm just the
devil with love to spare ♪
00:47:37.907 --> 00:47:41.509
♪ So viva Las Vegas, ♪
00:47:41.509 --> 00:47:45.034
♪ Viva Las Vegas ♪
00:47:45.034 --> 00:47:47.938
♪ How I wish that there were more ♪
00:47:47.938 --> 00:47:51.413
♪ Than the 24 hours in the day ♪
00:47:51.413 --> 00:47:54.350
♪ Even if there were 40 more ♪
00:47:54.350 --> 00:47:57.637
♪ I wouldn't sleep a minute away ♪
00:47:57.637 --> 00:48:01.406
♪ Oh, there's black jack and
poker and the roulette wheel ♪
00:48:01.406 --> 00:48:04.668
♪ A fortune won and lost on every deal ♪
00:48:04.668 --> 00:48:07.577
♪ All you need's a strong
heart and a nerve of steel ♪
00:48:07.577 --> 00:48:11.264
♪ Viva Las Vegas ♪
00:48:11.264 --> 00:48:14.540
♪ Viva Las Vegas ♪
00:48:14.540 --> 00:48:17.352
♪ Viva Las Vegas with
your neon flashing ♪
00:48:17.352 --> 00:48:19.401
♪ And your one-arm bandit's crashing ♪
00:48:19.401 --> 00:48:22.890
♪ All those hopes down the drain ♪
00:48:22.890 --> 00:48:25.919
♪ Viva Las Vegas
turning day into nighttime ♪
00:48:25.919 --> 00:48:27.497
♪ Turning night into daytime ♪
00:48:27.497 --> 00:48:32.497
♪ If you see it once, you'll
never be the same again ♪
00:48:34.494 --> 00:48:35.873
♪ I'm gonna keep on the run ♪
00:48:35.873 --> 00:48:37.576
♪ I'm gonna have me some fun ♪
00:48:37.576 --> 00:48:40.839
♪ If it costs me my very last dime ♪
00:48:40.839 --> 00:48:42.647
♪ If I wind up broke, oh well, ♪
00:48:42.647 --> 00:48:47.514
♪ I'll always remember
that I had a swinging time ♪
00:48:47.514 --> 00:48:51.209
♪ I'm gonna give it
everything I've got ♪
00:48:51.209 --> 00:48:54.527
♪ Lady Luck, please
let the dice stay hot ♪
00:48:54.527 --> 00:48:57.978
♪ Let me shoot a seven
with every shot, ah, ♪
00:48:57.978 --> 00:49:01.128
♪ Viva Las Vegas ♪
00:49:01.128 --> 00:49:04.309
♪ Viva Las Vegas ♪
00:49:04.309 --> 00:49:07.612
♪ Viva Las Vegas ♪
00:49:07.612 --> 00:49:09.491
♪ Viva ♪
00:49:09.491 --> 00:49:10.797
♪ Viva ♪
00:49:10.797 --> 00:49:13.130
♪ Las Vegas ♪
00:49:35.723 --> 00:49:37.280
I think everybody that knows Carmen
00:49:37.280 --> 00:49:40.150
knows why we picked that
background music there.
00:49:40.150 --> 00:49:43.890
So I want to thank Gabby
Garcia for putting that together,
00:49:43.890 --> 00:49:44.920
my assistant.
00:49:44.920 --> 00:49:46.030
I have a couple of resolutions
00:49:46.030 --> 00:49:48.140
I'd like to read some
excerpts from here.
00:49:48.140 --> 00:49:50.090
So the first one is from
the Governor of Texas.
00:49:50.090 --> 00:49:52.617
It says, "Public service is
an honor for its foundation
00:49:52.617 --> 00:49:54.037
"in the public trust.
00:49:54.037 --> 00:49:55.917
"On a daily basis, State
employees earn this trust
00:49:55.917 --> 00:49:57.657
"by demonstrating
dependability, initiative,
00:49:57.657 --> 00:50:00.027
"and wise stewardship
of public resources.
00:50:00.027 --> 00:50:02.117
"Their endless dedication
highlights that this state's
00:50:02.117 --> 00:50:05.237
"greatest assets lies in
the people who call it home.
00:50:05.237 --> 00:50:07.007
"The First Lady Cecilia Abbott joins me
00:50:07.007 --> 00:50:08.657
"in sending best wishes for an enjoyable
00:50:08.657 --> 00:50:09.820
"and fulfilling retirement."
00:50:09.820 --> 00:50:10.870
Governor Greg Abbott.
00:50:12.540 --> 00:50:15.353
And then I have one
from the, from the Senate.
00:50:16.477 --> 00:50:19.027
"Over the years Ms. Cernosek
has collaborated fruitfully
00:50:19.027 --> 00:50:20.937
"with colleagues from
both sides of the aisle
00:50:20.937 --> 00:50:22.770
"and her self-deprecating
humor has often
00:50:22.770 --> 00:50:24.467
"helped put others at ease.
00:50:24.467 --> 00:50:26.227
"Retirement will allow
her to spend more time
00:50:26.227 --> 00:50:28.667
"sharing laughs with friends,
pampering her three cats,
00:50:28.667 --> 00:50:31.230
"and relaxing with family
in her native La Grange."
00:50:31.230 --> 00:50:33.830
It's signed Sir Eckhart,
State Senator, District 14.
00:50:36.970 --> 00:50:39.020
So that's my comments right now
00:50:39.020 --> 00:50:40.760
and I think I'll invite the Board
00:50:40.760 --> 00:50:43.760
if you'd like to have some
comments from Board members.
00:50:43.760 --> 00:50:44.793
Absolutely.
00:50:46.100 --> 00:50:47.873
Tremendous slideshow.
00:50:49.070 --> 00:50:51.060
Love the, love the background music.
00:50:51.060 --> 00:50:53.060
I will do Board comments at this point
00:50:53.060 --> 00:50:54.460
starting with Director Paup.
00:50:56.330 --> 00:50:58.153
Of course you
have to start with me.
00:51:03.060 --> 00:51:07.000
Carmen Cernosek, you have
been the Board whisperer,
00:51:07.000 --> 00:51:12.043
you have kept us
going as a Board.
00:51:14.080 --> 00:51:17.253
You have been my
confidant and my friend,
00:51:18.610 --> 00:51:20.030
my advisor.
00:51:20.030 --> 00:51:23.160
You're never afraid to
tell me when I'm wrong.
00:51:23.160 --> 00:51:27.140
And I think sometimes
you take particular joy
00:51:27.140 --> 00:51:28.963
in telling me when I'm wrong,
00:51:30.040 --> 00:51:35.040
but you have just been a
fantastic mentor and such a friend.
00:51:35.370 --> 00:51:38.000
And one quick note about Carmen.
00:51:38.000 --> 00:51:39.630
You know, I have a very unique son
00:51:39.630 --> 00:51:44.630
and not a lot of people get
Henry and Carmen gets Henry
00:51:44.920 --> 00:51:47.390
and he is always, she
is always the first person
00:51:47.390 --> 00:51:50.260
he comes to visit when
he comes to the agency
00:51:50.260 --> 00:51:51.743
because he just loves her.
00:51:53.150 --> 00:51:54.740
And it's just really special to me.
00:51:54.740 --> 00:51:57.190
You've had a very vaulted career
00:51:57.190 --> 00:52:02.190
and you have a fan club that
just spans years and agencies.
00:52:03.260 --> 00:52:07.440
And I only hope I have that
career and those many people
00:52:07.440 --> 00:52:11.150
that just love me at
the end of my tenure
00:52:11.150 --> 00:52:12.910
at state government.
00:52:12.910 --> 00:52:14.563
I will miss you and.
00:52:18.030 --> 00:52:18.863
I'm muting.
00:52:20.620 --> 00:52:22.780
Well put, we definitely
shouldn't have started with you.
00:52:22.780 --> 00:52:24.590
That was really nice.
00:52:24.590 --> 00:52:25.743
Director Jackson.
00:52:26.810 --> 00:52:30.320
Well, you know, exactly
everything that, that Brooke said.
00:52:30.320 --> 00:52:32.470
She said it so well.
00:52:32.470 --> 00:52:35.010
I think from my standpoint
00:52:35.010 --> 00:52:39.940
and our dealings with Carmen and,
00:52:39.940 --> 00:52:41.770
you know, I'm just really, really glad
00:52:41.770 --> 00:52:45.910
that she came when she did to
the Water Development Board.
00:52:45.910 --> 00:52:48.710
A lot of our success, I
think, is attributable to her,
00:52:48.710 --> 00:52:52.160
to her ability to,
00:52:52.160 --> 00:52:55.660
to kind of reach out
through her relationships,
00:52:55.660 --> 00:52:58.450
her ability to kind of look at issues
00:52:58.450 --> 00:53:01.490
and really narrow them
down into things that are,
00:53:01.490 --> 00:53:03.670
that were very understandable,
00:53:03.670 --> 00:53:06.700
and that we could kind
of get our arms around
00:53:06.700 --> 00:53:10.710
and approach in a very
kind of systematic way.
00:53:10.710 --> 00:53:13.120
The one thing I've kind of
always noticed about Carmen
00:53:13.120 --> 00:53:16.250
is that, you know, she
was the same to everybody.
00:53:16.250 --> 00:53:19.470
I mean, whether she was talking to,
00:53:19.470 --> 00:53:21.400
to the Governor of Texas
00:53:21.400 --> 00:53:23.680
or whether she was talking
to somebody who was
00:53:23.680 --> 00:53:28.400
out in the community who
had a care or a concern,
00:53:28.400 --> 00:53:31.000
any member of our staff,
I mean, everybody felt like
00:53:31.000 --> 00:53:34.120
that Carmen, in my mind,
was the same to everyone.
00:53:34.120 --> 00:53:38.120
And you know, just a
great resource for the Board.
00:53:38.120 --> 00:53:41.140
Somebody that we are
tremendously going to miss
00:53:41.140 --> 00:53:43.090
but we wish you the best.
00:53:43.090 --> 00:53:46.590
And gosh, if there ever
was somebody, in my mind,
00:53:46.590 --> 00:53:49.920
who represented, I mean, the Texas woman
00:53:49.920 --> 00:53:54.260
and what the Texas women
have contributed to Texas
00:53:54.260 --> 00:53:57.220
over time, I mean,
just, just look at Carmen.
00:53:57.220 --> 00:54:01.390
And for some of those, you
know, women who are out there
00:54:01.390 --> 00:54:04.650
and are thinking about
their careers, you know,
00:54:04.650 --> 00:54:07.670
certainly somebody
that can be a role model
00:54:07.670 --> 00:54:10.890
and it just so much that
you've done to help the State,
00:54:10.890 --> 00:54:13.030
so much that you have done to help
00:54:13.030 --> 00:54:15.400
the Texas Water
Development Board family,
00:54:15.400 --> 00:54:18.230
and so much that you've
done to help me personally.
00:54:18.230 --> 00:54:19.940
So, thank you, thank you.
00:54:19.940 --> 00:54:22.973
And we wish you the best
on your, on your retirement.
00:54:25.500 --> 00:54:27.153
Oh, nicely, it's nicely said.
00:54:28.640 --> 00:54:31.160
As most of you all know, I've never,
00:54:31.160 --> 00:54:33.270
came to the Board never
having worked in public service
00:54:33.270 --> 00:54:35.740
or in state government
and when I got here,
00:54:35.740 --> 00:54:37.770
holy hell, what a dose
of state government
00:54:37.770 --> 00:54:38.723
I got with Carmen.
00:54:40.760 --> 00:54:42.200
There's, there's nothing I can say
00:54:42.200 --> 00:54:44.167
on top of the kind
words of Director Jackson
00:54:44.167 --> 00:54:45.300
and Director Paup.
00:54:45.300 --> 00:54:50.130
But Carmen, you have been
a joy and absolutely invaluable
00:54:50.130 --> 00:54:51.963
and you will be missed terribly.
00:54:54.040 --> 00:54:57.980
But wish you nothing but the
best and happy, happy trails.
00:54:57.980 --> 00:55:01.890
At this point, we will
open up to public comment.
00:55:01.890 --> 00:55:04.150
We will start with
submitted public comment.
00:55:04.150 --> 00:55:08.270
And then I know we have a
few people who will be present
00:55:08.270 --> 00:55:10.100
for live comment.
00:55:10.100 --> 00:55:13.390
I will start with a
statement from the Senator,
00:55:13.390 --> 00:55:14.423
Charles Perry.
00:55:16.650 --> 00:55:18.097
Senator says, "I wanted to express
00:55:18.097 --> 00:55:21.207
"my heartfelt congratulations
to Carmen on her retirement.
00:55:21.207 --> 00:55:22.617
"Her service to the State of Texas
00:55:22.617 --> 00:55:24.347
"has yielded countless contributions
00:55:24.347 --> 00:55:27.637
"for water and flood
planning for decades to come.
00:55:27.637 --> 00:55:29.767
"I wish her the time to
spend with loved ones
00:55:29.767 --> 00:55:33.047
"and relax but never to be a stranger."
00:55:35.004 --> 00:55:38.650
I know we've got a variety
of other submitted comments.
00:55:38.650 --> 00:55:42.340
I'll turn it over to Jeff to
read those at this point.
00:55:42.340 --> 00:55:44.120
Okay, thank you, sir.
00:55:44.120 --> 00:55:45.100
So the first one I have is from
00:55:45.100 --> 00:55:47.280
the Honorable David
D, David H. Dewhurst,
00:55:47.280 --> 00:55:48.587
former Lieutenant Governor of Texas,
00:55:48.587 --> 00:55:50.730
"Congratulations, Carmen."
00:55:50.730 --> 00:55:52.000
Walt Sears, General Manager
00:55:52.000 --> 00:55:54.150
of Northeast Texas
Municipal Water District
00:55:55.220 --> 00:55:57.067
says, "To acknowledge
the significant contributions
00:55:57.067 --> 00:55:59.267
"Carmen has provided the
Northeast Texas Region.
00:55:59.267 --> 00:56:01.367
"Her years of service
are to be commended.
00:56:02.397 --> 00:56:04.027
"The Water Development
Board is a premier organization
00:56:04.027 --> 00:56:04.860
"and blessed with great leadership
00:56:04.860 --> 00:56:07.377
"and Texas is fortunate
to have dedicated folks
00:56:07.377 --> 00:56:09.697
"who bring energy and focus
to the water topics of Texas.
00:56:09.697 --> 00:56:10.767
"Thank you for enabling Carmen
00:56:10.767 --> 00:56:13.040
"to be recognized in this way."
00:56:13.040 --> 00:56:14.520
Jace Houston representing the Office of
00:56:14.520 --> 00:56:16.717
State Representative Robert Saunders.
00:56:16.717 --> 00:56:19.057
"Carmen, thank you for
introducing me to Texas politics.
00:56:19.057 --> 00:56:20.357
"You're way too young to retire
00:56:20.357 --> 00:56:21.547
"but if you're happy, I'm happy.
00:56:21.547 --> 00:56:22.747
"Congratulations."
00:56:24.330 --> 00:56:27.357
Liz Fazio Hale from
Gulf Coast Authority.
00:56:27.357 --> 00:56:29.417
"Congratulations on your
many years of accomplishments
00:56:29.417 --> 00:56:30.267
"and state service.
00:56:30.267 --> 00:56:31.817
"Our water feature is much brighter
00:56:31.817 --> 00:56:33.327
"because of all that you've done.
00:56:33.327 --> 00:56:35.697
"On a personal note, thank
you for being an amazing mentor
00:56:35.697 --> 00:56:36.530
"and friend.
00:56:36.530 --> 00:56:38.047
"Your friend, Blackjack Liz."
00:56:39.250 --> 00:56:41.650
Gary Westbrook from Post Oak Savannah
00:56:41.650 --> 00:56:43.237
Groundwater Conservation District.
00:56:43.237 --> 00:56:45.277
"It is with greatest,
deepest appreciation
00:56:45.277 --> 00:56:46.877
"and support that I pen this message.
00:56:46.877 --> 00:56:48.463
"Although someone may
be hired to fill the position
00:56:48.463 --> 00:56:52.317
"Carmen will vacate, no one
ever, will ever replace Carmen.
00:56:52.317 --> 00:56:54.667
"Thank you, Carmen, for so
many wonderful acts of service
00:56:54.667 --> 00:56:55.817
"to our great state.
00:56:55.817 --> 00:56:57.857
"Your service at all
levels will be missed.
00:56:57.857 --> 00:56:59.703
"May God's richest
blessings rest upon you
00:56:59.703 --> 00:57:01.320
"and all that you do."
00:57:01.320 --> 00:57:03.483
Gary West, Westbrook, excuse me.
00:57:04.540 --> 00:57:06.937
From former Senator J.E. Buster Brown,
00:57:06.937 --> 00:57:07.887
"Congratulations, Carmen,
00:57:07.887 --> 00:57:09.357
"on a wonderful career at the Capitol.
00:57:09.357 --> 00:57:11.157
"You were so helpful in the
development and passage
00:57:11.157 --> 00:57:13.717
"of the water plan for
Texas, Senate Bill One
00:57:13.717 --> 00:57:14.697
"that I thought you were the member
00:57:14.697 --> 00:57:16.567
"of my staff instead of bullets.
00:57:16.567 --> 00:57:19.460
"Best of luck and
happiness in your retirement."
00:57:19.460 --> 00:57:20.747
From Carol Maghera.
00:57:20.747 --> 00:57:22.427
"Carmen is the best of the best.
00:57:22.427 --> 00:57:23.607
"Texas is a better place today
00:57:23.607 --> 00:57:25.537
"because the Carmen's
30 years of service
00:57:25.537 --> 00:57:26.431
"and I'm a better person
00:57:26.431 --> 00:57:28.507
"because of her 30
years of dear friendship.
00:57:28.507 --> 00:57:29.950
"Thank you."
00:57:29.950 --> 00:57:31.557
And David Montagne.
00:57:31.557 --> 00:57:32.577
"Carmen it has been,
00:57:32.577 --> 00:57:33.787
"it has been my
pleasure to work with you
00:57:33.787 --> 00:57:35.527
"for the past 20 years on water issues
00:57:35.527 --> 00:57:37.037
"that have been vital to
the Sabine River Authority
00:57:37.037 --> 00:57:38.307
"in the State of Texas.
00:57:38.307 --> 00:57:40.107
"On behalf of myself and
Sabine River Authority,
00:57:40.107 --> 00:57:41.767
"thank you for your commitment.
00:57:41.767 --> 00:57:42.947
"Enjoy retirement."
00:57:43.810 --> 00:57:45.137
From Mitchell Page.
00:57:45.137 --> 00:57:47.797
"My friend, my firm would like
to express its sincere thanks
00:57:47.797 --> 00:57:50.937
"to Carmen for decades of
service at the State of Texas
00:57:50.937 --> 00:57:52.537
"and significant
contributions she's made
00:57:52.537 --> 00:57:54.737
"to advance water
policy during her tenure."
00:57:56.200 --> 00:57:57.427
From Hope Wells.
00:57:57.427 --> 00:57:59.217
"In support of the recognition
of Carmen Cernosek
00:57:59.217 --> 00:58:01.367
"in retirement, I have truly
enjoyed working with Carmen
00:58:01.367 --> 00:58:03.267
"over many years and
appreciate all she has done
00:58:03.267 --> 00:58:04.747
"for water policy in Texas."
00:58:05.760 --> 00:58:06.847
Kelly Richardson.
00:58:06.847 --> 00:58:08.537
"Carmen, congratulations
on your retirement.
00:58:08.537 --> 00:58:09.517
"I'm so happy for you.
00:58:09.517 --> 00:58:11.727
"I've always admired your
loyalty, your family, friends,
00:58:11.727 --> 00:58:12.627
"and work.
00:58:12.627 --> 00:58:13.737
"Bravo, Carmen Lena.
00:58:13.737 --> 00:58:15.400
"I love you dearly."
00:58:15.400 --> 00:58:18.487
And from former State
Representative Robert Saunders,
00:58:18.487 --> 00:58:19.807
"Congratulations Carmen.
00:58:20.817 --> 00:58:23.037
"During your 30 years
of Texas government,
00:58:23.037 --> 00:58:25.127
"you left a mark that cannot be matched.
00:58:25.127 --> 00:58:26.277
"Starting out in the Texas House,
00:58:26.277 --> 00:58:27.867
"you worked at the Parks
and Wildlife Commission
00:58:27.867 --> 00:58:30.437
"of Environmental Quality,
General Land Office,
00:58:30.437 --> 00:58:32.157
"Texas Senate, and now
the Water Development Board.
00:58:32.157 --> 00:58:33.767
"That does not include the
years that you worked with me
00:58:33.767 --> 00:58:35.027
"in Congress.
00:58:35.027 --> 00:58:36.907
"I can just imagine that
your resume is too long
00:58:36.907 --> 00:58:38.217
"to read as one-pager.
00:58:38.217 --> 00:58:40.257
"Your experiences are
historic and countless.
00:58:40.257 --> 00:58:41.617
"The best part is that
you've always kept
00:58:41.617 --> 00:58:43.077
"that beautiful smile.
00:58:43.077 --> 00:58:44.417
"Thank you for jobs well done
00:58:44.417 --> 00:58:47.550
"and wishing you the best in
future retirement for Texas."
00:58:47.550 --> 00:58:49.660
We have also congratulations but not,
00:58:49.660 --> 00:58:52.780
nothing no speaking or items.
00:58:52.780 --> 00:58:55.980
Senator Kenneth
Armbrister, Captain Thigpen,
00:58:55.980 --> 00:58:57.220
Committee Director for
the Senate Committee on
00:58:57.220 --> 00:58:58.710
Water and Rural Affairs,
00:58:58.710 --> 00:59:01.014
Aaron Cochang from the
Lieutenant Governor's Office,
00:59:01.014 --> 00:59:04.540
Deb Mamila from the Office
of Lieutenant Governor,
00:59:04.540 --> 00:59:08.623
Barry McBee, former EA,
Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry,
00:59:09.460 --> 00:59:11.940
Janet Adams, the GM of
Fort Davis Water Supply
00:59:11.940 --> 00:59:15.200
and Jeff Davis Underground
Water Conservation District,
00:59:15.200 --> 00:59:19.150
Adeline Fox at TWCA,
Sarah Kirkle of TWCA,
00:59:19.150 --> 00:59:21.240
Jennifer Woodward with AGC,
00:59:21.240 --> 00:59:22.310
Zach Holland with Blue Bonnet
00:59:22.310 --> 00:59:24.090
Groundwater Conservation Districts,
00:59:24.090 --> 00:59:27.830
Matt Phillips with BRA, Wayne
Brunson with Morgan Stanley,
00:59:27.830 --> 00:59:29.750
Richard Weiss with Morgan Stanley,
00:59:29.750 --> 00:59:31.750
Dean Robbins with Robin's Advocacy,
00:59:31.750 --> 00:59:35.190
Brian Hebert with General
Counsel Delisi Communications,
00:59:35.190 --> 00:59:37.370
Blair Parker with SAWS,
00:59:37.370 --> 00:59:39.650
Lisa Craving with the
Comptroller's Office,
00:59:39.650 --> 00:59:41.240
Ripton and Mary Gonzalez,
00:59:41.240 --> 00:59:43.080
former Senator Kip Abrich,
00:59:43.080 --> 00:59:46.310
CJ Treadway, Bailey
Steinhauser, Carolyn Britain,
00:59:46.310 --> 00:59:48.860
Clay Pope, Virginia
Stevens, Maya Ingram,
00:59:48.860 --> 00:59:49.993
and Andrea Sheridan.
00:59:54.924 --> 00:59:57.020
That's quite, quite a list.
00:59:57.890 --> 01:00:00.600
At this point, I think we've covered
01:00:00.600 --> 01:00:02.680
all the submitted comment.
01:00:02.680 --> 01:00:04.920
We will now move to
01:00:06.070 --> 01:00:08.860
live comment from the public
01:00:08.860 --> 01:00:12.290
starting with, I'll call Stacy Steinbach
01:00:12.290 --> 01:00:13.340
to address the Board.
01:00:17.737 --> 01:00:18.913
Can y'all hear me?
01:00:19.860 --> 01:00:21.050
Yep.
01:00:21.050 --> 01:00:22.827
Thank you, Chairman
Lake, Director Jackson,
01:00:22.827 --> 01:00:23.830
and Director Paup.
01:00:23.830 --> 01:00:25.740
For the record, my
name is Stacey Steinbach
01:00:25.740 --> 01:00:26.920
and I'm the General Manager
01:00:26.920 --> 01:00:30.240
of the Texas Water
Conservation Association.
01:00:30.240 --> 01:00:32.700
On behalf of TWCA,
I just, I want to echo
01:00:32.700 --> 01:00:34.097
what's already been said about Carmen.
01:00:34.097 --> 01:00:36.250
I want to thank her for her leadership,
01:00:36.250 --> 01:00:38.460
her wisdom, and her
dedication to Texas water
01:00:38.460 --> 01:00:41.930
over the course of a very,
very successful career.
01:00:41.930 --> 01:00:45.870
As you all know, Carmen
is a light in this industry
01:00:45.870 --> 01:00:48.110
and whether you found
her at a TWCA meeting
01:00:48.110 --> 01:00:51.050
or at the Capitol, she
has always been a helpful,
01:00:51.050 --> 01:00:53.400
insightful, and talented
voice who is passionate
01:00:53.400 --> 01:00:55.220
about water for the state.
01:00:55.220 --> 01:00:57.420
She leaves an important
legacy in the many bills
01:00:57.420 --> 01:00:58.570
she helped to craft,
01:00:58.570 --> 01:01:01.360
in many relationships
she helped to forge.
01:01:01.360 --> 01:01:02.210
On a personal level,
01:01:02.210 --> 01:01:04.650
I'd like to thank Carmen for
her friendship and mentorship
01:01:04.650 --> 01:01:06.360
for over the past 10 years.
01:01:06.360 --> 01:01:08.334
Her retirement leaves a huge void
01:01:08.334 --> 01:01:10.000
but I know she won't be a stranger.
01:01:10.000 --> 01:01:12.000
We will not let her be.
01:01:12.000 --> 01:01:14.240
Carmen, we are wishing
you all the health, fun,
01:01:14.240 --> 01:01:16.590
and travel in your
well-earned retirement.
01:01:16.590 --> 01:01:17.750
As Director Paup said,
01:01:17.750 --> 01:01:20.573
we are all huge
members of your fan club.
01:01:21.440 --> 01:01:23.240
Thank you for the opportunity
to speak on this item.
01:01:23.240 --> 01:01:25.850
And more generally, to the
three of you Board members
01:01:25.850 --> 01:01:27.710
and to Jeff Walker as well as the staff
01:01:27.710 --> 01:01:28.910
of the Water Development Board.
01:01:28.910 --> 01:01:31.090
Carmen is a shining example of the many,
01:01:31.090 --> 01:01:34.100
many talented people and
strong leadership at this agency.
01:01:34.100 --> 01:01:36.660
And we are so proud and
happy to work with all of you.
01:01:36.660 --> 01:01:38.650
Thank you.
01:01:38.650 --> 01:01:39.483
Thank you, Stacey.
01:01:39.483 --> 01:01:42.970
And I think it's safe to say
that TWCA conferences
01:01:42.970 --> 01:01:44.423
will never quite be the same.
01:01:45.600 --> 01:01:47.549
Unless we can get Carmen to show up.
01:01:47.549 --> 01:01:48.823
Your place is (mumbles).
01:01:48.823 --> 01:01:50.241
Next up.
01:01:50.241 --> 01:01:51.074
Good!
01:01:52.430 --> 01:01:55.073
Next up, the Board will
call Mr. Robert Fuente.
01:02:08.177 --> 01:02:09.400
Hey there, Robert,
01:02:09.400 --> 01:02:11.333
you can go ahead and
unmute your mic now.
01:02:16.600 --> 01:02:18.750
I'm sorry, technology.
01:02:18.750 --> 01:02:20.300
Chairman Lake, can you hear me?
01:02:21.710 --> 01:02:23.510
Yes sir, yes
sir, we've got you.
01:02:23.510 --> 01:02:26.070
Chairman Lake,
Director Jackson, Director Paup,
01:02:26.070 --> 01:02:29.760
thank you for the opportunity
to address you this morning.
01:02:29.760 --> 01:02:32.020
I am so honored to be part of a group
01:02:32.020 --> 01:02:35.880
that has a feeling about
what's going on today
01:02:35.880 --> 01:02:37.863
and that is Carmen's retirement.
01:02:38.995 --> 01:02:40.880
All the way back from my early career
01:02:40.880 --> 01:02:43.550
as a state legislature, legislator,
01:02:43.550 --> 01:02:46.220
I remember Carmen just being there,
01:02:46.220 --> 01:02:49.490
always around these water issues,
01:02:49.490 --> 01:02:54.490
providing valuable advice,
providing valuable work product
01:02:54.620 --> 01:02:57.140
to whatever agency did, she worked for
01:02:57.140 --> 01:02:58.380
throughout these years.
01:02:58.380 --> 01:03:00.760
And not just the agencies,
not just her employer,
01:03:00.760 --> 01:03:02.350
but the other individuals.
01:03:02.350 --> 01:03:04.840
I never had the opportunity to hire her.
01:03:04.840 --> 01:03:07.040
I never had the opportunity
for her to work for me,
01:03:07.040 --> 01:03:10.510
but I still was the beneficiary
of that type of advice,
01:03:10.510 --> 01:03:12.540
of that type of work product.
01:03:12.540 --> 01:03:15.030
What I can say is that I did employ
01:03:15.030 --> 01:03:16.560
one of the water witches.
01:03:16.560 --> 01:03:18.500
Nobody has mentioned
the water witches yet,
01:03:18.500 --> 01:03:21.690
but I think she was one
of the charter members.
01:03:21.690 --> 01:03:23.250
And I don't know if they still exist,
01:03:23.250 --> 01:03:26.910
but they are just a group of women
01:03:26.910 --> 01:03:29.140
that this state would not
be in the position it's in
01:03:29.140 --> 01:03:32.870
on water policy if it
was not for their input.
01:03:32.870 --> 01:03:35.430
And Carmen was right
there in the thick of this.
01:03:35.430 --> 01:03:39.600
So Carmen, I thank you for
the advice you've given me.
01:03:39.600 --> 01:03:41.820
I thank you for being part of this.
01:03:41.820 --> 01:03:44.870
We in the State of Texas
are going to be at a loss
01:03:44.870 --> 01:03:46.540
in not being able to count on you
01:03:46.540 --> 01:03:48.080
for what you've done for us.
01:03:48.080 --> 01:03:49.930
On a personal level, thank you very much
01:03:49.930 --> 01:03:52.860
for being part of the
group that advised me
01:03:52.860 --> 01:03:54.730
throughout my career.
01:03:54.730 --> 01:03:57.930
Good trails and I hope you
have an enjoyable afterlife
01:03:57.930 --> 01:04:00.330
after this development,
Water Development Board.
01:04:01.360 --> 01:04:02.193
Thank you.
01:04:03.806 --> 01:04:04.720
Thank you, Mr. Fuente.
01:04:04.720 --> 01:04:06.743
Next we'll call Michelle Wittenberg.
01:04:10.050 --> 01:04:12.560
Hi, Carmen, quit crying.
01:04:12.560 --> 01:04:13.990
It's gonna make me cry.
01:04:13.990 --> 01:04:15.246
I, you know, at this point,
01:04:15.246 --> 01:04:17.570
I've listened to what
everybody's had to say
01:04:18.676 --> 01:04:22.401
and all I can really
mostly do is echo it.
01:04:22.401 --> 01:04:25.510
Carmen, you're an amazing woman.
01:04:25.510 --> 01:04:27.900
You're an amazing professional.
01:04:27.900 --> 01:04:29.070
You're an amazing human.
01:04:29.070 --> 01:04:30.493
You're an amazing friend.
01:04:31.440 --> 01:04:34.160
Everybody doesn't
touch people personally
01:04:34.160 --> 01:04:35.960
that they work with.
01:04:35.960 --> 01:04:38.250
There is no place that you have gone,
01:04:38.250 --> 01:04:40.270
not a day in your life
01:04:40.270 --> 01:04:43.490
that you have not made
such an impression,
01:04:43.490 --> 01:04:46.420
definitely professionally,
but also personally.
01:04:46.420 --> 01:04:47.790
And I'm one of those people, too,
01:04:47.790 --> 01:04:51.320
and I'm fortunate for
it and I'm better for it.
01:04:51.320 --> 01:04:54.933
And I, as much as I
envy your retirement,
01:04:54.933 --> 01:04:59.103
because I cannot be right
there alongside with you retiring,
01:05:00.326 --> 01:05:04.830
I'm so excited to see what
this phase brings to you.
01:05:04.830 --> 01:05:07.160
And I know that
you're not really retiring.
01:05:07.160 --> 01:05:08.420
It's impossible.
01:05:08.420 --> 01:05:11.840
You will still be giving
because you're a giver
01:05:11.840 --> 01:05:14.530
to your friends and your
family and your community
01:05:14.530 --> 01:05:17.250
and your state and
anywhere that you are needed.
01:05:17.250 --> 01:05:19.050
So I know we're all free to call on you
01:05:19.050 --> 01:05:21.633
anytime that we need something, right?
01:05:22.500 --> 01:05:24.020
And I want to leave you with one thing
01:05:24.020 --> 01:05:25.940
and you'll know where this comes from,
01:05:25.940 --> 01:05:28.360
but it's a quote from
someone that we both think
01:05:28.360 --> 01:05:29.860
is very quotable.
01:05:29.860 --> 01:05:32.867
And it says, and I
think this emulates you,
01:05:32.867 --> 01:05:37.157
"I'm waking up thankful that
from the tiniest seed of faith,
01:05:37.157 --> 01:05:40.847
"I can grow an orchard of
hope and spend my days
01:05:40.847 --> 01:05:43.477
"swinging from the
branches of all the good
01:05:43.477 --> 01:05:44.950
"that is to come."
01:05:44.950 --> 01:05:46.380
Happy Thursday.
01:05:46.380 --> 01:05:48.580
I hope your spirits are light today.
01:05:48.580 --> 01:05:51.350
And Carmen, I hope your
spirits are light every day.
01:05:51.350 --> 01:05:52.200
I'm proud of you.
01:05:54.630 --> 01:05:55.623
Wow, thank you.
01:05:56.985 --> 01:06:01.985
Next we'll call C.E. Williams.
01:06:05.700 --> 01:06:07.610
Well, Carmen, I
want to congratulate you
01:06:07.610 --> 01:06:11.010
on your retirement but I
also want to tell everybody
01:06:11.010 --> 01:06:14.380
she's got a little bit of
a ornery streak in her.
01:06:14.380 --> 01:06:17.520
And she's been known to flash some stuff
01:06:17.520 --> 01:06:21.520
from the dies to some
of us out in the audience
01:06:21.520 --> 01:06:23.970
could be a little compromising.
01:06:23.970 --> 01:06:26.150
But I want to wish you the best, Carmen,
01:06:26.150 --> 01:06:28.383
and hopefully our paths will cross soon.
01:06:33.040 --> 01:06:34.103
Thank you, CE.
01:06:35.570 --> 01:06:37.220
Next, we'll call Heather Harward.
01:06:53.670 --> 01:06:55.780
Hi, there, Heather,
I've unmuted you just now.
01:06:55.780 --> 01:06:57.613
So you can unmute yourself.
01:07:13.260 --> 01:07:16.620
Sounds like Heather's
having a few technical difficulties
01:07:16.620 --> 01:07:19.220
so we'll come back to her
once those are sorted out.
01:07:20.460 --> 01:07:22.223
Next we'll call Sabrina Brown.
01:07:31.500 --> 01:07:33.350
Hello, can y'all hear me?
01:07:34.670 --> 01:07:35.880
Hi, Carmen.
01:07:35.880 --> 01:07:37.240
I'm so proud of you.
01:07:37.240 --> 01:07:40.150
I'm so sad, obviously,
for your retirement.
01:07:40.150 --> 01:07:43.230
You're going to be missed
so much, but you know,
01:07:43.230 --> 01:07:44.960
I felt like everything
that they've talked about
01:07:44.960 --> 01:07:47.160
I've worked with you
all these years, Carmen,
01:07:47.160 --> 01:07:49.300
and I'll think every single facet
01:07:49.300 --> 01:07:52.130
of all the places you've
been and you've been nothing
01:07:52.130 --> 01:07:55.050
but professional and
more importantly, a friend.
01:07:55.050 --> 01:07:57.850
And I'm certainly, certainly sad
01:07:57.850 --> 01:07:58.683
that you're going to be gone
01:07:58.683 --> 01:08:01.700
but so happy that
you're going to retire.
01:08:01.700 --> 01:08:02.990
I want to retire with you, Carmen.
01:08:02.990 --> 01:08:04.200
Can I go, too?
01:08:04.200 --> 01:08:06.850
And I look forward to
lots more years together.
01:08:06.850 --> 01:08:10.480
And some Vegas trips and
I'm so happy for you, Carmen.
01:08:10.480 --> 01:08:12.230
Thank you for everything
for all these years.
01:08:12.230 --> 01:08:13.403
You've been amazing.
01:08:17.203 --> 01:08:18.270
Thank you.
01:08:18.270 --> 01:08:19.770
Next we'll call Steve Bresnon.
01:08:28.908 --> 01:08:30.358
Unmute, how's that?
01:08:32.530 --> 01:08:34.030
Thank you.
01:08:34.030 --> 01:08:36.650
I left Governor Bullock's office in '96,
01:08:36.650 --> 01:08:40.160
about the time that CJ
Treadway was rolling out
01:08:40.160 --> 01:08:41.800
what would become the Senate Bill One
01:08:41.800 --> 01:08:44.230
water planning process.
01:08:44.230 --> 01:08:49.550
And as I thought about
Carmen today, I realized
01:08:49.550 --> 01:08:53.450
that she's been there for all this time
01:08:53.450 --> 01:08:55.520
at every critical juncture
01:08:56.820 --> 01:09:01.820
advancing the most
important issue facing Texas.
01:09:02.570 --> 01:09:05.830
And it caused me to
think about my own career
01:09:05.830 --> 01:09:10.600
and the career of so
many other state employees
01:09:10.600 --> 01:09:14.980
who are really what make the place run.
01:09:14.980 --> 01:09:18.870
And they do it without really
seeking public recognition
01:09:18.870 --> 01:09:21.440
all the way but they're then,
01:09:21.440 --> 01:09:24.100
they're there day in and day out
01:09:24.100 --> 01:09:26.803
making good things happen
for the people of Texas.
01:09:27.740 --> 01:09:32.563
And nobody is a better
example of that than Carmen is.
01:09:34.946 --> 01:09:36.360
I've never been accused
01:09:38.416 --> 01:09:40.600
of having an abundance of humility
01:09:41.740 --> 01:09:44.480
but I do realize that it's not,
01:09:44.480 --> 01:09:47.313
not for me to speak for Texas,
01:09:48.530 --> 01:09:53.263
but if I could for a day,
I'd say thanks for all of us.
01:09:58.000 --> 01:10:00.100
Nicely said, Steve,
thank you very much.
01:10:01.700 --> 01:10:05.170
Finally, we'll try
Heather Harward again.
01:10:05.170 --> 01:10:09.437
If she can, see if we can get
those audio issues worked out.
01:10:17.920 --> 01:10:19.343
Heather, are you there?
01:10:27.400 --> 01:10:29.600
It's just like Heather
to keep us waiting.
01:10:30.690 --> 01:10:35.530
Yes, but we'll, as always,
the suspense will be worth it.
01:10:35.530 --> 01:10:38.783
At this point, we will also
recognize Brian Sledge.
01:10:51.452 --> 01:10:53.535
Trying, trying.
01:10:55.320 --> 01:10:56.650
We got you, Sledge.
01:10:56.650 --> 01:10:57.800
We got you, John Boy.
01:10:58.737 --> 01:11:00.470
Can you hear me?
01:11:00.470 --> 01:11:01.440
Yes, sir.
01:11:01.440 --> 01:11:04.020
Oh, there you are, sorry.
01:11:04.020 --> 01:11:05.060
Well, I've worked with Carmen
01:11:05.060 --> 01:11:07.760
for about a quarter century now,
01:11:07.760 --> 01:11:10.030
like many of those calling in.
01:11:10.030 --> 01:11:12.850
And I won't belabor
01:11:13.940 --> 01:11:17.490
all the recognition
that is rightfully earned
01:11:17.490 --> 01:11:19.450
and the comments that
have previously been made,
01:11:19.450 --> 01:11:23.940
but I can't think of anyone
who's worked in all facets
01:11:23.940 --> 01:11:25.820
of the water business in Texas
01:11:25.820 --> 01:11:29.250
and left a bigger
imprint than Carmen has.
01:11:29.250 --> 01:11:33.597
And as Augustus McCrae said to Woodrow,
01:11:33.597 --> 01:11:35.450
"It's been one hell of a party."
01:11:35.450 --> 01:11:36.653
Congratulations, Carmen.
01:11:40.850 --> 01:11:42.040
Thank you, Sledge.
01:11:44.023 --> 01:11:48.130
I think that concludes our
portion of public comment
01:11:48.130 --> 01:11:49.060
on this item.
01:11:49.060 --> 01:11:54.060
And, of course, we want to
hear from the lady herself.
01:11:54.390 --> 01:11:55.740
The floor is yours, Carmen.
01:11:57.280 --> 01:11:58.113
Do I have to?
01:11:59.440 --> 01:12:01.100
All I can say is thank you.
01:12:01.100 --> 01:12:05.224
And for me it's been the greatest honor
01:12:05.224 --> 01:12:08.663
and to do what I've been
able to do in my career.
01:12:12.340 --> 01:12:14.913
I promise not to be
a stranger, I promise.
01:12:16.730 --> 01:12:18.543
We're going to
hold you to that.
01:12:20.368 --> 01:12:21.201
Thanks.
01:12:22.130 --> 01:12:22.973
Yes, ma'am.
01:12:24.060 --> 01:12:28.313
There is no formal action
required on this item.
01:12:30.020 --> 01:12:32.420
Next item, please, Mr. Hardin.
01:12:32.420 --> 01:12:33.313
What an item.
01:12:35.260 --> 01:12:38.010
Mr. Chairman, the
next item on the agenda
01:12:38.010 --> 01:12:39.243
is public comment.
01:12:41.580 --> 01:12:42.830
I can't imagine anybody
01:12:42.830 --> 01:12:44.430
trying to follow that sequence,
01:12:44.430 --> 01:12:45.940
but if any member of the public
01:12:45.940 --> 01:12:48.833
would like to address the
Board, now would be the time.
01:12:49.950 --> 01:12:53.500
Please indicate your
desire to do so digitally
01:12:53.500 --> 01:12:57.595
and our IT team will accommodate you.
01:12:57.595 --> 01:12:59.250
In the meantime, the Board will not meet
01:12:59.250 --> 01:13:01.423
in executive session today.
01:13:05.150 --> 01:13:06.550
Unless IT tells me otherwise,
01:13:06.550 --> 01:13:08.993
we'll assume there are
no other public comment.
01:13:09.830 --> 01:13:10.700
Yes, sir.
01:13:10.700 --> 01:13:13.278
I've got Heather Harward unmuted here.
01:13:13.278 --> 01:13:14.210
Ah!
01:13:14.210 --> 01:13:15.043
Heather, are you there?
01:13:15.043 --> 01:13:16.333
Did you want to speak?
01:13:18.750 --> 01:13:20.980
Chairman
Lake, can you hear me?
01:13:20.980 --> 01:13:21.920
Yes, ma'am.
01:13:21.920 --> 01:13:24.550
We got her, I told you that she,
01:13:24.550 --> 01:13:26.430
make an entrance as always, Heather.
01:13:26.430 --> 01:13:27.780
Oh my goodness.
01:13:28.730 --> 01:13:30.433
Could this be more appropriate?
01:13:33.910 --> 01:13:36.990
Chairman Lake, Director
Jackson, and Director Paup,
01:13:36.990 --> 01:13:39.140
for the record, my name
is Heather Harward.
01:13:41.150 --> 01:13:44.120
On behalf of myself registering whereas
01:13:44.120 --> 01:13:46.780
I'll need support for
agenda item Number 11,
01:13:46.780 --> 01:13:48.893
support of Carmen Lena's (mumbles).
01:13:55.939 --> 01:13:59.593
Carmen, your professional
career cannot be overstated.
01:14:02.198 --> 01:14:05.930
You've given almost
over a quarter of a century
01:14:05.930 --> 01:14:08.770
of your life in service
to the State of Texas
01:14:10.730 --> 01:14:15.730
and touched every piece
of landmark water legislation
01:14:16.700 --> 01:14:20.363
that has ever been enacted
in the last quarter of a century.
01:14:23.920 --> 01:14:27.710
You've worked for
almost the majority of the
01:14:28.630 --> 01:14:31.640
natural resources agencies
in the Article Six budget.
01:14:31.640 --> 01:14:34.863
You could write the
entire Article Six budget.
01:14:37.050 --> 01:14:39.530
I truly, I was just
saying this last week,
01:14:39.530 --> 01:14:42.520
I don't know of anybody in the business
01:14:43.530 --> 01:14:47.910
that has more experience in
the natural resources arena
01:14:49.380 --> 01:14:50.369
than you do.
01:14:50.369 --> 01:14:52.923
It's truly remarkable.
01:14:54.780 --> 01:14:59.660
You've made every office,
every piece of legislation,
01:14:59.660 --> 01:15:01.933
everything you've touched better.
01:15:02.957 --> 01:15:04.107
And on a personal note,
01:15:07.290 --> 01:15:08.853
you've made me better.
01:15:10.440 --> 01:15:13.343
I met you for the first time in 1997
01:15:13.343 --> 01:15:18.343
when I was taking a nap
while working for Senator Sibley
01:15:18.800 --> 01:15:22.403
on a Texas Parks and
Wildlife satellite office couch.
01:15:23.470 --> 01:15:27.810
You walked in with Andy Sansom
and your Rocky Mountain jeans
01:15:27.810 --> 01:15:32.800
and Joey Park had to
like kick me off the couch.
01:15:32.800 --> 01:15:36.380
That was our first encounter, ha ha.
01:15:36.380 --> 01:15:39.030
Who would have thought
that we would ever,
01:15:39.030 --> 01:15:42.280
or you would ever establish
any professional respect
01:15:42.280 --> 01:15:45.733
for me for that part
but from that point on.
01:15:46.773 --> 01:15:49.800
But literally from that day forward,
01:15:49.800 --> 01:15:51.810
one of the things I'm most proud about
01:15:53.344 --> 01:15:55.573
is that we've built a friendship,
01:15:57.130 --> 01:16:00.250
a female friendship, which doesn't,
01:16:00.250 --> 01:16:03.230
it's hard to build lasting friendships
01:16:03.230 --> 01:16:06.035
that build and build and
build in this relationship.
01:16:06.035 --> 01:16:09.643
But, between two women,
01:16:10.720 --> 01:16:15.093
I hate to admit it, it
is even less common.
01:16:16.000 --> 01:16:19.100
I'm so proud of what
we've done professionally
01:16:19.100 --> 01:16:22.703
but I'm even more
proud of our relationship.
01:16:24.050 --> 01:16:25.350
I have literally
01:16:26.530 --> 01:16:27.590
not worked
01:16:28.890 --> 01:16:32.337
on any piece of water
legislation without you.
01:16:34.703 --> 01:16:35.870
When you called and told me
01:16:35.870 --> 01:16:39.620
that you were retiring officially,
01:16:39.620 --> 01:16:43.650
I felt like when my dad
took the training wheels
01:16:43.650 --> 01:16:46.170
off my bike and was
running behind my bike
01:16:48.780 --> 01:16:50.957
saying pedal and I did.
01:16:52.033 --> 01:16:54.933
I feel like you just took the
hand off the back of my bike
01:16:57.210 --> 01:16:58.470
and I'm scared, but so grateful
01:16:58.470 --> 01:17:02.063
because I know how
to pedal because of you.
01:17:04.070 --> 01:17:06.973
And then the next day you told me,
01:17:08.287 --> 01:17:10.007
"I'm as scared as you are."
01:17:12.700 --> 01:17:13.533
Because you're going into retirement.
01:17:13.533 --> 01:17:16.790
This is a huge chunk of your life kid,
01:17:16.790 --> 01:17:17.633
big transition.
01:17:18.540 --> 01:17:22.360
And I just want you
to know that all of us
01:17:23.600 --> 01:17:26.590
are going to hold your
bike up into retirement
01:17:26.590 --> 01:17:28.040
until you're ready to peddle.
01:17:29.000 --> 01:17:32.892
And then we're all going
to toast you in Las Vegas.
01:17:32.892 --> 01:17:33.880
I love you.
01:17:33.880 --> 01:17:37.282
I appreciate you, I admire you.
01:17:37.282 --> 01:17:40.260
Thank you for your service to the State
01:17:40.260 --> 01:17:42.200
and for touching so many lives.
01:17:42.200 --> 01:17:44.329
God bless you and your family.
01:17:44.329 --> 01:17:47.324
From the great State of
Texas and Texas Water,
01:17:47.324 --> 01:17:48.937
we love you Carmen Lena.
01:17:52.230 --> 01:17:53.320
We knew it'd be worth the wait.
01:17:53.320 --> 01:17:54.670
Thank you so much, Heather.
01:17:56.499 --> 01:17:59.430
We have one more member of the public
01:17:59.430 --> 01:18:00.630
who would like to address the Board.
01:18:00.630 --> 01:18:03.570
We'll call Mr. Bailey or
call Bailey Steinheiser.
01:18:07.120 --> 01:18:08.340
Thank you
so much to the Board
01:18:08.340 --> 01:18:12.170
for letting me jump in, in
support of agenda item Number 11
01:18:12.170 --> 01:18:14.313
for my Aunt Carmen Cernosek.
01:18:16.370 --> 01:18:18.137
Oh, I've been sobbing this whole time
01:18:18.137 --> 01:18:19.943
but I finally pulled it together.
01:18:20.890 --> 01:18:22.710
I just want to say
how proud I am of you.
01:18:22.710 --> 01:18:24.120
This has been amazing to watch.
01:18:24.120 --> 01:18:26.670
And, of course, I know
how incredible you are
01:18:26.670 --> 01:18:29.040
but it's amazing to hear
all of the wonderful stories
01:18:29.040 --> 01:18:30.080
from all of the colleagues
01:18:30.080 --> 01:18:32.960
and people that you've
touched in their lives.
01:18:32.960 --> 01:18:36.750
I am so proud of you and
I'm so lucky to be your niece.
01:18:36.750 --> 01:18:39.580
You've helped make me
into the woman I am today.
01:18:39.580 --> 01:18:41.060
And I so look forward
01:18:41.060 --> 01:18:43.970
to seeing what the next
chapter in your life holds for you.
01:18:43.970 --> 01:18:45.263
I love you so much.
01:18:46.130 --> 01:18:46.963
Thank you.
01:18:50.980 --> 01:18:51.980
Thank you, Bailey.
01:18:56.220 --> 01:18:58.560
Of course, Carmen would
have an overflow room
01:18:58.560 --> 01:19:00.200
for public comment.
01:19:00.200 --> 01:19:02.153
We had to roll into the next item.
01:19:05.780 --> 01:19:08.900
The, no more,
01:19:08.900 --> 01:19:13.223
I guess no, no formal
action is required on this item.
01:19:15.054 --> 01:19:17.320
There being no further business
01:19:17.320 --> 01:19:19.000
of the Texas Water Development Board,
01:19:19.000 --> 01:19:22.713
this is our last meeting of the year.
01:19:23.600 --> 01:19:27.083
What has been, for better
or worse, a remarkable year.
01:19:28.490 --> 01:19:30.220
And wrapping up our last Board meeting,
01:19:30.220 --> 01:19:33.460
I'll just say thanks to everybody
01:19:33.460 --> 01:19:35.240
on the Texas Water Team.
01:19:35.240 --> 01:19:38.080
Wouldn't want, wouldn't
have wanted to spend 2020
01:19:38.080 --> 01:19:40.120
with any other group of folks.
01:19:40.120 --> 01:19:44.930
Happy holidays to all and
wish you the best for 2021.
01:19:44.930 --> 01:19:46.590
This meeting of the Texas
Water Development Board
01:19:46.590 --> 01:19:47.710
is hereby adjourned.
01:19:47.710 --> 01:19:49.943
The time is 10:53 a.m.