WEBVTT

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<v Harden>Okay, it's going
to start in three, two, one.</v>

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<v Announcer>The
broadcast is now starting,</v>

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all attendees are in listen only mode.

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<v ->Good morning.</v>

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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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For the record, my name is Peter Lake.

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With me today are Kathleen Jackson,

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and Brooke Paup.

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The time is 9:31 a.m.

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First item please Mr. Harden.

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<v ->Mr. Chairman, the first
item on the agenda today is</v>

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consider authorizing the
Executive Administrator

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to amend the boundary between
Groundwater Management Area 6

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and Groundwater Management Area 8.

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Natalie Ballew is here to present

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to the board on this item today.

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<v ->Good morning, Chairman
Lake, Director Jackson</v>

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and director Paup.

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For the record, I'm Natalie Ballew

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of the Executive Administrator Staff.

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This item concerns a request

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by the groundwater
conservation districts

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and Groundwater Management Areas 6 and 8

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in North Texas to adjust a portion

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of the boundary between them.

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The request was sent to
our Executive Administrator

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on December 8th, 2020.

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The current boundary
follows county lines.

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The proposed boundary would be redrawn

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in certain areas in six counties,

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to be more in line with the
major and minor aquifer extents.

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All groundwater conservation districts

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in both Groundwater Management Areas,

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have voted in support of this request.

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The reason for this request is that

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The Upper Trinity Groundwater
Conservation District

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is currently fully within
Groundwater Management Area 8,

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but also has Groundwater
Management Area interests

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aligned with those of
Groundwater Management Area 6.

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The district would like to
have the boundary adjusted

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so that they can participate

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in joint groundwater planning activities

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in both groundwater management areas.

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The requested adjustment
will move the boundaries so that

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the Trinity Aquifer is fully

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within Groundwater Management Area 8,

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and Jack, Palo Pinto
and Shackelford Counties.

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And so that the Cross
Timbers Aquifer is primarily

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within Groundwater Management Area 6.

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The figures in your briefing package

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show this proposed adjustment.

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The Executive Administrator
staff have reviewed the request

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and supporting materials and find that

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the proposed boundary
change is consistent

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with the purpose and function

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of the groundwater management areas.

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The Executive Administrator recommends

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approval of this item.

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This concludes my presentation,

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and I'd be happy to
answer any questions.

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Thank you.

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<v ->Thank you, questions
comments for Natalie.</v>

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<v ->So, sorry.</v>

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I think as you mentioned, about 6 and 8,

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kind of weighed in and
are both in agreement.

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And I think it's a great
example of how our process for,

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adjusting the boundaries when needed,

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that whole thing of
continuous improvement

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and engagement with
the public is working.

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So just wanted to thank
you for your work on this.

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<v Paup>Of course.</v>

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I think this is a great example of how,

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our processes are never static.

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That we're always looking
to change and evolve

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and to provide the best
customer service to all of Texas.

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So thanks Natalie.

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<v Natalie>You're welcome.</v>

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<v ->Well done.</v>

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Is there a motion?

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<v ->Chairman I move we authorize</v>

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the Executive Administrator to
amend the boundary between

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Groundwater Management Area 6,

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and Groundwater Management Area 8,

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as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.

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<v ->Is there a second?</v>

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<v ->I second.</v>

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<v ->All in favor, say aye</v>

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<v ->Aye.</v>
<v ->Aye.</v>

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Motion passes.

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Thank you Natalie, next item please.

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<v ->Chairman, the next
item on the agenda</v>

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is consider authorizing
the Executive Administrator

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to negotiate, execute
contracts with engineering firms

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selected to conduct flood
modeling, and mapping services.

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That could see 10
million dollars per contract.

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And the Manuel Razo is
here present to the board

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on this item today.

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<v ->Good morning Chairman Lake,</v>

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Director Jackson, Director Paup.

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For the record I am Manuel Razo,

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the Executive Administrator Staff.

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In December of 2020,
the Executive Administrator

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published a request for qualifications

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to complete development
of base level engineering

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for Texas and related activities.

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Staff reviewed 16 responses,

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and selected the five
highest ranking responses.

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The following contractors were selected,

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Stantec consulting services Inc,

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AECOM technical services,

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Halff Associates, (indistinct) Nickels

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and Atkins North America.

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If approved, this item would authorize

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the use of funds
appropriated by the legislature,

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through the Texas
Infrastructure Resiliency Fund

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to support the Texas
Water Development Board's

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flood modeling, and mapping initiatives,

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including the completion of

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Statewide base level engineering,

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state and federal grant
programs, flood planning support

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and related activities.

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These services will be
used to assist communities

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in identifying, planning for,

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and mitigating their flood risk,

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and to support the state
flood planning process.

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The item before you
today requests authorization

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for the Executive Administrator

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to negotiate and execute contracts,

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with the five selected contractors

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to conduct flood modeling and
mapping services in amounts

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not to exceed $10 million per contract.

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The total volume is not
to exceed $40 million total

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and funding is dependent

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on future legislative appropriations.

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The Executive Administrator recommends

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approval of this item.

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This concludes my presentation,

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and I'm available to
answer any questions.

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<v ->Thank you, sir.</v>

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Questions or comments?

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<v ->Well, great to see
this moving forward.</v>

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Such an important part
of our overall initiative

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for flood that also is going
to bring tremendous benefits

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that engineers and community leadership

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can use across Texas.

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I mean, working even
with water supply projects.

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Or projects that are, tied
to economic development.

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This I know is a
selection of, if you will,

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the consultants or the
engineers, the scientists,

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the staff that will be
working with the board

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to move forward with this effort.

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And just wanting to kind of mention

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the criteria that were
utilized in terms of selecting

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the firms that we're
kind of considering today.

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Experience in base level engineering,

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experience in hydrology and hydraulics,

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experience in surveying
and remote sensing

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and experience in FEMA,
flood risk management

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flood risk mapping, as
well as experience with GIS,

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floodplain management
and flood planning.

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So a whole range of things that

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were considered in
terms of recommending,

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I guess from the Executive
Administrators standing point,

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the team that's going to move forward

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and be working with the board on this.

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So very excited about
getting this kicked off,

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and being able to follow it
over time, to see the progress.

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So thanks for your work on this.

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<v ->And the chairman
has been, has said,</v>

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and has been very vocal
about this at the capitol that,

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mapping and modeling are
the backbone of flood mitigation.

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We cannot do it without the proper data.

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So Manuel, I really appreciate
the vigorous approach

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you took, to pick these
five partners, five or six?

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<v ->Five.</v>
<v ->Five.</v>

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Thank you.

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It's incredibly important.

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<v ->Well put, is there a motion?</v>

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<v ->Mr. Chairman, I
moved we authorize</v>

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the Executive Administrator

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to negotiate and execute
contracts, with engineering firms

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selected to conduct flood
modeling and mapping services,

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not to exceed $10 million per contract,

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as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.

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<v ->Is there a second?</v>

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<v ->I second,</v>

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<v ->All in favor, say aye.</v>

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Aye.
<v ->Aye.</v>

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<v ->Motion passes,
good stuff Manny.</v>

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Thank you.

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<v ->Thank you very much.</v>

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<v ->Next item please.</v>

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<v ->Mr. Chairman the
next item on the agenda</v>

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is consider authorizing
the Executive Administrator

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to execute an amendment
to an inter-agency contract

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with the University
of Texas at Arlington,

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to renew the contracts and
increase the contract total

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by an amount not to exceed
an additional $634,964

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to provide engineering services.

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Clay Schultz is here to present

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to the board on this item today.

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<v ->Good morning, Chairman Lake,</v>

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Director Jackson, Director Paup.

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For the record, my name is Clay Schultz,

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an Executive Administrator Staff.

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In January 2020, the Texas
Water Development Board,

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entered into an inter-agency contract

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with The University
of Texas at Arlington.

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To provide assistance with
engineering related tasks,

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including review of
plans and specifications,

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site visits or projects
under construction,

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review with The Clean
Water State Revolving Fund

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Project Information Forms, PIFs,

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in preparation program
guidance documents.

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The original contract was
for a little more than $670,000,

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with an original end
date of August 31st 2020.

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Existing contract has
been amended to extend it,

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through the end of April of this year.

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This contract has been
beneficial to the agency

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in providing assistance for
engineering related tasks.

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Executive Administrator
recommends renewing the contract

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and increasing the contract amount,

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by an amount not to exceed $634,964.

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At a minimum, this renewal would include

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the continued assistance from UTA,

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in review of plans and
specifications, site visits,

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and the review of the
clean water SRF pits.

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This concludes my presentation.

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I'm available for any questions.

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<v ->Thank you Clay.</v>

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Questions, comments, motion.

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<v ->Clay it's been
great having you work</v>

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along with the team moving this forward.

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And I think this was a
very innovative approach.

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We've been hit with tremendous capacity

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both through the increase
in the SWIFT applications,

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and then what we kind
of projected was that

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we would see the SRF
pick up the pace which it did,

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and then with the new
responsibilities for flood,

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just lots of work that needs to be done,

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and so important that we
continue to move it forward.

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So great to have this as, if you will,

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a tool in our toolbox,

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and one of the things
that I really appreciate

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that I think the team is doing is,

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as you move forward
and you work with UTA,

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and with the consultants,

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kind of monitoring their activities,

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and you know, kind of, if
you will, hang on top of it

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and there's been some
real success in terms of

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the volume that they've been
able to turn over and again,

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work in concert with
the board to make sure

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that we're able to address
the needs of the folks

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who are out in the field.

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Because it's so important that we

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get the financing in place,

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early on in the process
we review the applications,

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we do the engineering
work associated with that,

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but then after the commitment occurs,

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being able to work
with the project sponsor

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and keep those activities moving.

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And I think this is a
very important aspect,

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of us being able to do that.

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And I really appreciate
the work that you've done

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in the innovation in terms of

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getting this whole program started

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and continuing to support it.

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<v Clay>Thank you.</v>

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<v ->Mr. Clay, UTA has proved to be</v>

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an effective and accountable partner

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and has saved us so many man hours

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that are precious to
each and every FTE here.

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So thank you for working on this.

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<v Clay>Thank you.</v>

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<v ->In deed.</v>

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Is there a motion?

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<v ->Chairman, I move we authorize
the Executive Administrator</v>

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to execute an amendment
to an inter agency contract,

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with the University
of Texas at Arlington

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to renew the contract, and
increase the contract total

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by an amount not to exceed
an additional $634,964

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to provide engineering services,

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as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.

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<v ->Is there a second?</v>

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<v ->I second.</v>

00:12:19.290 --> 00:12:20.260
<v ->All in favor, say aye.</v>

00:12:20.260 --> 00:12:21.453
<v ->Aye.</v>
<v ->Aye.</v>

00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:23.534
<v ->Motion passes.</v>

00:12:23.534 --> 00:12:24.367
Thank you Clay.
<v ->Thank you.</v>

00:12:25.700 --> 00:12:27.033
<v ->Next item please.</v>

00:12:28.130 --> 00:12:29.960
<v ->Mr. Chairman, the
next item on the agenda</v>

00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:32.050
is approve by resolution,

00:12:32.050 --> 00:12:35.330
a request from the Hidalgo
County Drainage District Number 1

00:12:35.330 --> 00:12:40.080
for $32,670,000 in financial assistance

00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:44.690
consisting of $22,869,000 in financing,

00:12:44.690 --> 00:12:46.887
and $9,801,000 in grant,

00:12:46.887 --> 00:12:49.070
in the Flood Infrastructure Fund,

00:12:49.070 --> 00:12:50.860
for acquisition and construction

00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:53.340
of a flood improvement project.

00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:55.120
Mireya Loewe is here to present

00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:57.020
to the board on this item today.

00:12:57.020 --> 00:12:59.460
And I also have
visitor registration cards

00:12:59.460 --> 00:13:03.030
from David Fuentes, who's the
Hidalgo County Commissioner.

00:13:03.030 --> 00:13:05.200
He's registered a position for the item,

00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:08.500
and it's indicated he
wishes to address the board.

00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:10.563
And from Raul Sesin,

00:13:11.470 --> 00:13:13.710
who's drainage district general manager.

00:13:13.710 --> 00:13:16.730
And he has indicated
a position for the items,

00:13:16.730 --> 00:13:19.663
and also stated that he wishes
to address the board today.

00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:25.740
<v ->Alright, thank you, Mr. Harden.</v>

00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:28.180
<v ->Mireya go ahead
with your presentation</v>

00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:31.200
then we'll accommodate
the members of the public

00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:33.570
who would like to address the board.

00:13:33.570 --> 00:13:34.403
<v ->Thank you.</v>

00:13:34.403 --> 00:13:35.650
Good morning, Chairman Lake,

00:13:35.650 --> 00:13:37.240
Director Jackson, Director Paup.

00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:40.890
My name is Mireya Loewe the
executive administrative staff.

00:13:40.890 --> 00:13:43.140
The Hidalgo County
Drainage District Number 1,

00:13:43.140 --> 00:13:45.420
is responsible for the
development and maintenance

00:13:45.420 --> 00:13:48.820
of a large network of
manmade ditches known as the

00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:51.690
Hidalgo County Mastered Drainage System.

00:13:51.690 --> 00:13:56.381
Which serves a population
of nearly 34,000 residents.

00:13:56.381 --> 00:13:58.420
During the past few years,

00:13:58.420 --> 00:14:00.380
the county has experienced more frequent

00:14:00.380 --> 00:14:02.620
and intense storm events

00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:04.580
that have caused widespread flooding

00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:06.718
and impacted thousands of residents.

00:14:06.718 --> 00:14:08.970
The rapid urbanization of the area,

00:14:08.970 --> 00:14:10.850
has also contributed to more runoff

00:14:10.850 --> 00:14:14.619
to the drainage system,
further straining its capacity.

00:14:14.619 --> 00:14:18.110
To mitigate this, the
district has embarked in

00:14:18.110 --> 00:14:19.732
dozens of drainage projects,

00:14:19.732 --> 00:14:22.867
and in 2018 the county
residents approved a

00:14:22.867 --> 00:14:26.320
$190 million bond authorization,

00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:29.169
to complete 38 drainage projects.

00:14:29.169 --> 00:14:33.068
The proposed project is
composed of four segments

00:14:33.068 --> 00:14:36.580
that interconnect and
drain into two outfalls

00:14:36.580 --> 00:14:38.100
that drain into the international

00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:40.600
boundary and water Commission flood way.

00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:42.400
Three of those segments are associated

00:14:42.400 --> 00:14:44.990
with a project under
the bond authorization,

00:14:44.990 --> 00:14:47.090
and the fourth is an adjacent system

00:14:47.090 --> 00:14:49.650
that complements the other segments

00:14:49.650 --> 00:14:51.690
in the system as a whole.

00:14:51.690 --> 00:14:54.000
The segments are composed
of channel excavation,

00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:56.310
regional detention plan excavation,

00:14:56.310 --> 00:14:58.410
embarkment cable controlled structures,

00:14:58.410 --> 00:15:00.980
pump and control, to (mumbles)

00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:03.850
reinforced concrete boxes,
and reinforced concrete pipe.

00:15:03.850 --> 00:15:06.163
Land acquisition is also included.

00:15:07.110 --> 00:15:10.320
The proposed project,
is anticipated to benefit

00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:14.410
over 400 structures and
reduce water surface elevation

00:15:14.410 --> 00:15:18.053
during a 50 year storm,
by more than 1.5 feet.

00:15:19.160 --> 00:15:20.930
It will also increase the storage

00:15:20.930 --> 00:15:23.903
and discharge capacity of the system.

00:15:24.950 --> 00:15:26.690
The Executive Administrator recommends

00:15:26.690 --> 00:15:28.670
approval of this funding request.

00:15:28.670 --> 00:15:30.200
This concludes my presentation.

00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:31.673
May I answer any questions.

00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:40.510
<v ->Questions comments for Mireya.</v>

00:15:40.510 --> 00:15:43.590
And then we'll have the members

00:15:43.590 --> 00:15:45.423
of the public address the board.

00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:50.550
<v ->Just glad to see this
project coming to fruition.</v>

00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:53.750
I mean, the fact that the
community came together

00:15:53.750 --> 00:15:57.060
with $190 million bond issue,

00:15:57.060 --> 00:16:00.780
and is now utilizing the
resources at the (indistinct)

00:16:00.780 --> 00:16:04.710
I think is exactly what
the intent was kind of

00:16:04.710 --> 00:16:08.900
moving forward, was to not
only be able to correct issues

00:16:08.900 --> 00:16:12.370
that exists today, but
also to be able to plan for

00:16:12.370 --> 00:16:15.480
what we're continuing to see as,

00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.900
you know, future growth.

00:16:16.900 --> 00:16:19.620
And this will certainly
contribute to that,

00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:22.130
contribute to future
economic development.

00:16:22.130 --> 00:16:24.150
And it's really in my mind,

00:16:24.150 --> 00:16:26.960
a tribute to the leadership
that have come together,

00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:28.720
have taken this task on,

00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:31.890
and are providing
their their leadership,

00:16:31.890 --> 00:16:35.110
their time and their talent
to it, and then reaching out

00:16:35.110 --> 00:16:37.140
and utilizing the
resources of the board.

00:16:37.140 --> 00:16:39.580
So just a great project and Mireya,

00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:41.397
just really appreciate the work that

00:16:41.397 --> 00:16:43.030
you all have done in reviewing it

00:16:43.030 --> 00:16:44.643
and in identifying the benefits,

00:16:44.643 --> 00:16:47.350
as well as kind of looking at, you know

00:16:47.350 --> 00:16:48.980
the integrity of the overall system

00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:51.430
kind of moving forward in
terms of meeting the needs.

00:16:51.430 --> 00:16:53.140
Again, not only today, in correcting

00:16:53.140 --> 00:16:54.450
what may be the issues today,

00:16:54.450 --> 00:16:56.910
but also thinking about what

00:16:56.910 --> 00:16:58.300
with feature growth the issues will be

00:16:58.300 --> 00:17:00.413
with the future and
addressing that as well.

00:17:04.250 --> 00:17:06.167
<v ->Couldn't say it better.</v>

00:17:06.167 --> 00:17:11.167
At this time, we'll call
Mr. Fuentes, then Mr. Sesin.

00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:21.340
<v David>Good morning,
this is David Fuentes.</v>

00:17:21.340 --> 00:17:23.190
Hidalgo County
Commissioner for Precinct 1.

00:17:23.190 --> 00:17:25.660
I just want to confirm
that you can hear me.

00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.493
<v ->Yes, sir.</v>

00:17:27.490 --> 00:17:30.270
<v David>Chairman Lake,
Director Paup, Director Jackson</v>

00:17:30.270 --> 00:17:32.386
is great to see you guys,
and we really appreciate

00:17:32.386 --> 00:17:35.790
the help of Mireya
and her staff as well,

00:17:35.790 --> 00:17:38.525
as all the water development
board or making this,

00:17:38.525 --> 00:17:43.525
making today happen for us,
because it is a big day for us.

00:17:43.827 --> 00:17:48.330
We are committed to
finding solutions for drainage

00:17:48.330 --> 00:17:50.200
and mitigating where we can.

00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:53.940
Over the last three years
in my first term, ironically,

00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:57.970
we went through three
rain and flooding disasters.

00:17:57.970 --> 00:18:00.180
And it has been very, very difficult

00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:02.587
on our population and
particularly this area

00:18:02.587 --> 00:18:05.703
that is within this project.

00:18:05.703 --> 00:18:09.382
They have been they have
been screaming for help.

00:18:09.382 --> 00:18:10.940
During hurricane Hannah,

00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:13.140
I went out with one
of my directors to visit,

00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:15.160
to do some dashboard reviews,

00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:18.570
of just the area and where
the flooding was happening.

00:18:18.570 --> 00:18:21.610
And we came across a
barricaded intersection.

00:18:21.610 --> 00:18:23.100
And when we got to that intersection,

00:18:23.100 --> 00:18:26.300
and we came into contact
with about 15 to 20 people

00:18:26.300 --> 00:18:28.990
that lived in that area, that
were congregating there

00:18:28.990 --> 00:18:31.090
and planning you know, what
were they were going to do

00:18:31.090 --> 00:18:33.810
as residents of that area,

00:18:33.810 --> 00:18:35.600
because of the continuous flooding

00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:37.820
that was happening in their area.

00:18:37.820 --> 00:18:41.420
It's very difficult to show
up to a meeting like that,

00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:44.060
and to see the agony
that they're going through,

00:18:44.060 --> 00:18:47.179
and where they lose personal
property and possessions.

00:18:47.179 --> 00:18:49.640
This project is going to allow us

00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:52.090
to provide relief in that area.

00:18:52.090 --> 00:18:54.978
So, you know, it's great
to see things on paper,

00:18:54.978 --> 00:18:57.700
I'm sure that all the projects

00:18:57.700 --> 00:19:00.620
that come across your
desk look like great projects.

00:19:00.620 --> 00:19:02.020
But I would invite you, you know

00:19:02.020 --> 00:19:04.100
as we get going on construction,

00:19:04.100 --> 00:19:06.640
or even when we conclude,
for you to come visit,

00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:09.610
and really see the impact
you're going to make,

00:19:09.610 --> 00:19:12.660
with this award to this area.

00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:15.970
Because it's going to
change people's lives forever.

00:19:15.970 --> 00:19:17.940
So we're very understanding,

00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:20.878
of the difficult tasks
you have ahead of you.

00:19:20.878 --> 00:19:23.900
But this project has
allowed us to save property

00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:25.420
and to keep people safe.

00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.910
And at the end of the day,

00:19:26.910 --> 00:19:28.760
that's the kind of difference
we all want to make.

00:19:28.760 --> 00:19:30.730
So thank you so much
for your consideration

00:19:30.730 --> 00:19:32.810
for your approval, for your hopefully

00:19:32.810 --> 00:19:35.336
your approval today of this project.

00:19:35.336 --> 00:19:37.080
This also allows us,

00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:40.900
this program also allows us
to expand on our project list,

00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:45.240
of the $190 million,
from the previous fund.

00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:47.630
It allows us to redirect
some of those bond monies

00:19:47.630 --> 00:19:49.990
to other projects and
the interest savings

00:19:49.990 --> 00:19:52.100
on the on the loan will allow us

00:19:52.100 --> 00:19:54.460
to also continue to
expand on more projects.

00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:56.550
So you're making a difference directly

00:19:56.550 --> 00:20:00.620
to this area, but you're also
making more expanded impact

00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:02.150
to all of our county.

00:20:02.150 --> 00:20:04.190
So thank you so much
for your consideration,

00:20:04.190 --> 00:20:06.240
and for your hard
work, and for allowing us

00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:08.320
to have time to speak to you today.

00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:09.153
Thank you.

00:20:10.450 --> 00:20:11.867
<v ->Thank you, Commissioner.</v>

00:20:11.867 --> 00:20:14.500
Thank you for being here virtually.

00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:17.900
And most importantly,
thank you for your leadership

00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:18.860
like Director Jackson said,

00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:22.120
none of this could happen
without local leadership.

00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:24.430
Like you all have provided.

00:20:24.430 --> 00:20:26.050
And I know each and every one of us

00:20:26.050 --> 00:20:29.280
would be very excited to
get down there and visit y'all,

00:20:29.280 --> 00:20:31.930
once you start turning
dirt, we'd be thrilled.

00:20:31.930 --> 00:20:33.650
Thank you for the invitation

00:20:33.650 --> 00:20:35.203
<v David>Appreciate it, thank you.</v>

00:20:36.360 --> 00:20:37.577
<v ->Mr. Sesin.</v>

00:21:00.050 --> 00:21:01.780
<v ->Mr. Sesin, you
should now be able</v>

00:21:01.780 --> 00:21:03.683
to unmute your mic and speak, sir.

00:21:41.800 --> 00:21:42.963
<v ->We have Mr Sesin?</v>

00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:50.443
Still working on it.

00:21:53.990 --> 00:21:55.940
<v ->Mr. Sesin is unmuted,</v>

00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:58.070
it looks like he may be having trouble

00:21:58.070 --> 00:22:01.380
unmuting his mic though
from his standpoint there.

00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:03.827
So let's see if we can
reach out to Mr. Sesin,

00:22:03.827 --> 00:22:05.033
and see if he can speak.

00:22:06.510 --> 00:22:07.833
<v Sesin>Can you hear me now?</v>

00:22:08.692 --> 00:22:10.175
<v ->There we go.</v>

00:22:10.175 --> 00:22:12.175
<v ->Can you hear you hear me?</v>
<v ->Yes, sir.</v>

00:22:13.050 --> 00:22:15.670
<v Sesin>Great, okay, excellent.</v>

00:22:15.670 --> 00:22:17.780
Again, good morning Chairman Lake,

00:22:17.780 --> 00:22:19.530
Director Paup and Director Jackson.

00:22:20.610 --> 00:22:23.170
Just want to thank
you for your leadership

00:22:23.170 --> 00:22:25.700
in addressing drainage
issues for our state.

00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:30.180
I also would like to thank
Mireya Loewe and her team,

00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:33.030
on working with us so
expeditiously to get to this point.

00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:35.640
We greatly appreciate all their efforts

00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:39.010
and look forward to developing
and implementing this project

00:22:39.010 --> 00:22:41.640
that will greatly benefit our community.

00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:43.330
I do recall working with the

00:22:43.330 --> 00:22:45.130
Water Development Board in the past,

00:22:45.130 --> 00:22:47.910
on drainage and water projects,

00:22:47.910 --> 00:22:50.480
sanitary and sewer, excuse me, projects.

00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:53.210
And working with
Mireya and Joe Reynolds,

00:22:53.210 --> 00:22:56.060
and the rest of the (indistinct) team,

00:22:56.060 --> 00:23:00.240
to address colonia issues for our area.

00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:02.920
And it's just great to see
that the (indistinct) board

00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:04.780
is going to be administering the fifth

00:23:04.780 --> 00:23:06.660
and working to better our communities

00:23:07.791 --> 00:23:09.810
by addressing drainage needs

00:23:09.810 --> 00:23:12.870
just as you have done
for the colonia needs,

00:23:12.870 --> 00:23:14.820
and the sanitary sewer
water needs for our area.

00:23:14.820 --> 00:23:17.890
So just want to greatly thank you again,

00:23:17.890 --> 00:23:20.192
for all you're doing for our state

00:23:20.192 --> 00:23:22.330
to improve the quality
of life for our community.

00:23:22.330 --> 00:23:25.230
So thank you again
for allowing me to speak

00:23:25.230 --> 00:23:28.963
and just thank you
again for all your efforts.

00:23:30.550 --> 00:23:32.750
Appreciate it, Mr. Sesin,
thank you for being here.

00:23:32.750 --> 00:23:33.940
Appreciate all the hard work

00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:35.780
you've put in on this project as well.

00:23:35.780 --> 00:23:36.893
And many others.

00:23:37.780 --> 00:23:38.930
We know there's a lot of work

00:23:38.930 --> 00:23:40.310
on your side of the table as well.

00:23:40.310 --> 00:23:41.423
So thank you for that.

00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:48.208
<v ->There being no other
members of the public</v>

00:23:48.208 --> 00:23:49.580
that would like to address the board.

00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:51.323
Is there a motion?

00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:55.500
<v ->Mr. Chairman, I move we
adopt the proposed resolution</v>

00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:58.430
from Hidalgo County
Drainage District Number 1

00:23:58.430 --> 00:24:02.150
for 32,670,000 in financial assistance,

00:24:02.150 --> 00:24:07.150
consisting of 22,869,000 in
financing and 9,801,000 in grant

00:24:10.060 --> 00:24:12.100
from the Flood Infrastructure Fund for

00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:15.110
acquisition and construction
of a flood improvement project

00:24:15.110 --> 00:24:17.493
as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.

00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:20.069
<v ->Is there a second?</v>

00:24:20.069 --> 00:24:21.070
<v ->I Second.</v>

00:24:21.070 --> 00:24:22.790
<v ->All in favor say aye.</v>

00:24:22.790 --> 00:24:24.610
<v ->Aye.</v>
<v ->Aye.</v>

00:24:24.610 --> 00:24:25.643
<v ->Motion passes.</v>

00:24:26.570 --> 00:24:28.603
Next item please, Mr. Harden.

00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:33.570
<v ->Mr. Chairman.</v>
<v ->Thank you very much.</v>

00:24:33.570 --> 00:24:35.080
<v ->A staff has
requested to present</v>

00:24:35.080 --> 00:24:37.413
items five, six and seven together.

00:24:40.540 --> 00:24:42.173
<v Lake>That's fine, thank you.</v>

00:24:43.520 --> 00:24:47.210
<v ->Item number five is
approved by resolution a request</v>

00:24:47.210 --> 00:24:49.940
from the Cameron County
Drainage District Number 5,

00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:53.440
for $4,340,000 in financial assistance,

00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:55.813
consisting in $2 million in financing,

00:24:55.813 --> 00:24:59.030
and $2,340,000 in grant,

00:24:59.030 --> 00:25:01.180
from the Flood Infrastructure
Fund for planning,

00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:03.690
design and construction
of the channel improvement

00:25:03.690 --> 00:25:05.190
in the detention pond project.

00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:09.770
Item number six, is approve
by resolution a requests

00:25:09.770 --> 00:25:12.710
from the Cameron County
drainage district number 5,

00:25:12.710 --> 00:25:15.830
for 5,003,000 in financial assistance,

00:25:15.830 --> 00:25:18.354
consisting of $2 million in financing,

00:25:18.354 --> 00:25:22.810
and $3,003,000 in grant and
the Flood Infrastructure Fund

00:25:22.810 --> 00:25:24.360
for planning, design and construction

00:25:24.360 --> 00:25:26.910
of a channel improvement
in detention pond project.

00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:31.830
And item number seven, is
approved by resolution a request

00:25:31.830 --> 00:25:34.830
from the Cameron County
Drainage District Number 5,

00:25:34.830 --> 00:25:38.710
for $3,560,000 in financial assistance,

00:25:38.710 --> 00:25:41.590
consisting of $2 million in financing,

00:25:41.590 --> 00:25:44.260
and $1,560,000 in grant.

00:25:44.260 --> 00:25:45.620
From the Flood Infrastructure Fund,

00:25:45.620 --> 00:25:47.120
for planning, design and construction

00:25:47.120 --> 00:25:49.403
of a channel of the
detention pond project.

00:25:51.421 --> 00:25:55.320
And Shubham Aggarwal is
here to present to the board today

00:25:55.320 --> 00:25:57.193
on these three items.

00:25:59.039 --> 00:25:59.872
<v ->Good morning Chairman Lake,</v>

00:25:59.872 --> 00:26:01.370
Director Jackson, Director Paup.

00:26:01.370 --> 00:26:04.035
For the record, my name
is Shubham Aggarwal,

00:26:04.035 --> 00:26:05.860
I'll be executive administrative staff.

00:26:05.860 --> 00:26:08.090
The Cameron County
Drainage District Number 5,

00:26:08.090 --> 00:26:10.050
service area has a population of

00:26:10.050 --> 00:26:13.638
approximately 66,268 residents.

00:26:13.638 --> 00:26:16.470
And covers approximately
40 square miles,

00:26:16.470 --> 00:26:18.820
within Cameron
County, including portions

00:26:18.820 --> 00:26:21.710
of the city of Harlingen,
and the towns of Combes,

00:26:21.710 --> 00:26:23.625
Palm Valley and Primera.

00:26:23.625 --> 00:26:25.890
The district is responsible
for construction

00:26:25.890 --> 00:26:28.267
improvements and
maintenance of approximately

00:26:28.267 --> 00:26:30.633
67 miles of open drains.

00:26:30.633 --> 00:26:33.300
The district has experienced chronic

00:26:33.300 --> 00:26:36.602
and widespread flooding
issues throughout its jurisdiction.

00:26:36.602 --> 00:26:41.300
The recent extreme floods,
particularly the June 2019 flood

00:26:41.300 --> 00:26:43.579
that approximated the a
hundred year flood event.

00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:46.860
Have revealed immediate
drainage improvement needs.

00:26:46.860 --> 00:26:50.160
In 2008 and 2019, the
district received funding

00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:51.951
from the Texas water development board,

00:26:51.951 --> 00:26:54.830
through the flood
production planning program

00:26:54.830 --> 00:26:57.438
to determine vintage
improvements in the area.

00:26:57.438 --> 00:26:59.810
The district has already implemented.

00:26:59.810 --> 00:27:03.100
Several of these projects
identified through those studies,

00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:06.433
by using its in-house groups
and other funding sources.

00:27:06.433 --> 00:27:09.250
The project components for
the three proposed projects

00:27:09.250 --> 00:27:11.293
are also part of those recommendations,

00:27:11.293 --> 00:27:15.029
derived under the 2019 flood
production planning study.

00:27:15.029 --> 00:27:17.890
The three proposed projects are located

00:27:17.890 --> 00:27:20.250
within the North main drain watershed.

00:27:20.250 --> 00:27:23.647
And will provide flood control
improvements to three areas.

00:27:23.647 --> 00:27:27.050
The Murphy and South Fork Laterals,

00:27:27.050 --> 00:27:29.680
the North Main Drain
and Wilson Track Laterals

00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.830
and the Sibley Lateral.

00:27:31.950 --> 00:27:34.420
Project components
include culvert improvements,

00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:37.200
channel improvements, and stabilization,

00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:39.670
five detention ponds and grass lining

00:27:39.670 --> 00:27:43.507
to allow for infiltration into
shallow groundwater table.

00:27:43.507 --> 00:27:46.960
Both the Murphy Lateral
and South Fork lateral project

00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:47.970
and the North Main Drain,

00:27:47.970 --> 00:27:50.560
and Wilson Tract
Lateral Project includes,

00:27:50.560 --> 00:27:53.040
construction of two detention ponds,

00:27:53.040 --> 00:27:54.470
while the Sibley lateral project

00:27:54.470 --> 00:27:57.300
involves construction
of one detention pond,

00:27:57.300 --> 00:27:59.150
the district already
owned the properties

00:27:59.150 --> 00:28:00.380
for three of the ponds.

00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:02.660
And last year the district acquired

00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:04.117
the remaining two properties.

00:28:04.117 --> 00:28:07.110
The cost of these recent land purchase

00:28:07.110 --> 00:28:09.420
will be part of districts
in kind contribution

00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:12.393
to the Murphy Laterals and
the South Fork Lateral Project.

00:28:13.490 --> 00:28:15.680
The projects will work in conjunction

00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:17.330
with the city of Palm Valleys planned

00:28:17.330 --> 00:28:19.480
Storm Water Improvements Project,

00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:21.670
along the Palm Valley Golf Course,

00:28:21.670 --> 00:28:23.970
and with a Railroad
crossing improvement project,

00:28:23.970 --> 00:28:26.440
already underway, to provide mitigation

00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:30.023
and additional flood reduction
within the city of Primera.

00:28:31.020 --> 00:28:33.020
The proposed projects are anticipated to

00:28:33.020 --> 00:28:34.360
not only improve the drainage

00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:36.870
within the individual project areas,

00:28:36.870 --> 00:28:39.950
but to also reduce the a
hundred year flood water levels

00:28:39.950 --> 00:28:41.920
in each of the project areas

00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:44.770
by approximately 0.8 to two feet,

00:28:44.770 --> 00:28:48.210
and to remove
approximately 396 structures

00:28:48.210 --> 00:28:50.450
from the a hundred year flood plain.

00:28:50.450 --> 00:28:52.880
The district qualified for a 39% grant

00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:54.518
for each of the projects,

00:28:54.518 --> 00:28:58.571
for a total grant of $6,903,000.

00:28:58.571 --> 00:29:00.327
The remaining 61% will consists of

00:29:00.327 --> 00:29:04.523
$6 million in financing,
$3,933,154 in cash

00:29:07.320 --> 00:29:11.670
and $837,846 in kind contribution

00:29:11.670 --> 00:29:14.170
from the district to
complete the projects.

00:29:14.170 --> 00:29:16.260
The Executive Administrator
recommends approval

00:29:16.260 --> 00:29:17.450
of this funding requests.

00:29:17.450 --> 00:29:18.910
This concludes my presentation.

00:29:18.910 --> 00:29:20.593
May I answer any questions?

00:29:21.932 --> 00:29:23.000
<v ->Thank you.</v>

00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.133
Questions or comments?

00:29:25.360 --> 00:29:27.840
<v ->Well, I appreciate your
very comprehensive approach</v>

00:29:27.840 --> 00:29:29.030
and the fact that, you know,

00:29:29.030 --> 00:29:31.610
you've got three projects that are,

00:29:31.610 --> 00:29:34.060
in many ways kind of working together

00:29:34.060 --> 00:29:36.770
for a common goal and a common good.

00:29:36.770 --> 00:29:39.850
And also integrating with other projects

00:29:39.850 --> 00:29:43.380
that are already planned or underway.

00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:46.610
Great to hear that, you
know, we're the concept

00:29:46.610 --> 00:29:48.210
which is kind of tried and proven,

00:29:48.210 --> 00:29:52.300
of providing holding
capacity until the high rate

00:29:52.300 --> 00:29:53.920
rather than is over until the system

00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:55.800
can't kind of accommodate it.

00:29:55.800 --> 00:29:57.513
And then kind of linking those up

00:29:57.513 --> 00:30:00.900
with the conveyance
structures that are needed.

00:30:00.900 --> 00:30:05.730
So something that is kind of typical

00:30:05.730 --> 00:30:08.500
in terms of the drainage,
in terms of solution,

00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:11.100
but also you mentioned
some non-structural,

00:30:11.100 --> 00:30:12.820
which we know moving forward.

00:30:12.820 --> 00:30:15.693
That was one of the things that the

00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:19.740
through the fifth was
communities looking at, you know

00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:22.800
maybe less non-traditional ways

00:30:22.800 --> 00:30:25.771
of mitigating the flood.

00:30:25.771 --> 00:30:28.000
Looks like a great project,

00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:31.950
really appreciate your work
and comprehensive review

00:30:31.950 --> 00:30:34.090
and also outlining the benefits.

00:30:34.090 --> 00:30:36.870
Because again, I think
that's an expectation

00:30:36.870 --> 00:30:38.489
of the local community,

00:30:38.489 --> 00:30:42.710
as an expectation of
the folks across the state

00:30:42.710 --> 00:30:46.608
who've invested in, will
invest in the fifth, is that

00:30:46.608 --> 00:30:50.280
whenever we go in and we
work with the community that

00:30:50.280 --> 00:30:53.450
the benefits associated
with it have been identified.

00:30:53.450 --> 00:30:57.498
So, among piecing
together the three projects,

00:30:57.498 --> 00:31:02.498
I guess, with the existing
game plan, so to speak,

00:31:02.950 --> 00:31:06.030
and then also outlining
the benefits moving forward

00:31:06.030 --> 00:31:08.750
that the community's
going to receive, because,

00:31:08.750 --> 00:31:11.080
this not only benefits
these communities,

00:31:11.080 --> 00:31:12.880
but it benefits this, as a whole.

00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:14.416
And great job presenting,

00:31:14.416 --> 00:31:17.300
this might be your first
time presenting to the board,

00:31:17.300 --> 00:31:20.830
but very comprehensive
and just a great job

00:31:20.830 --> 00:31:23.610
really appreciate and
glad you're on our staff.

00:31:23.610 --> 00:31:24.710
<v Shubham>Thank you.</v>

00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:29.380
<v ->Shubham, excellent
explanation last week,</v>

00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:32.730
and great job this week.

00:31:32.730 --> 00:31:34.870
So you're knocking it out of the park.

00:31:34.870 --> 00:31:39.870
And what really appreciate
about your explanation is,

00:31:40.297 --> 00:31:44.360
as the one of the two
non-engineers of the board,

00:31:44.360 --> 00:31:46.590
I really appreciate
being able to quantify

00:31:46.590 --> 00:31:50.323
the benefits of these projects,
like the two foot reduction,

00:31:50.323 --> 00:31:52.181
and the a hundred year flood plan,

00:31:52.181 --> 00:31:55.419
saving 396 structures on the line,

00:31:55.419 --> 00:31:59.090
260 structures and another.

00:31:59.090 --> 00:32:01.600
That is very helpful to me to see

00:32:01.600 --> 00:32:04.040
what exactly we are
doing with these projects.

00:32:04.040 --> 00:32:05.693
So I truly appreciate that.

00:32:06.949 --> 00:32:08.510
<v Shubham>Thank you.</v>

00:32:08.510 --> 00:32:09.523
<v ->Indeed, that's,</v>

00:32:09.523 --> 00:32:13.520
I'll I'll second that comment
as the other non-engineer.

00:32:13.520 --> 00:32:17.030
Very helpful and insightful
to hear that information

00:32:17.030 --> 00:32:19.023
in that context and see that data.

00:32:20.250 --> 00:32:21.803
Is there a motion?

00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:25.610
<v ->Chairman, I move, we
adopt the proposed resolutions.</v>

00:32:25.610 --> 00:32:28.770
From the Cameron County
drainage district number 5,

00:32:28.770 --> 00:32:32.090
for 4,340,000 in financial assistance,

00:32:32.090 --> 00:32:34.830
consisting of $2,000,000 in financing

00:32:34.830 --> 00:32:39.010
and 2,340,000 in grant from the

00:32:39.010 --> 00:32:40.880
Flood Infrastructure Fund, for planning,

00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:42.920
designing and construction
of a channel improvement

00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:45.060
in detention pond project.

00:32:45.060 --> 00:32:48.970
And for 5,003,000 in
financial assistance.

00:32:48.970 --> 00:32:51.660
Consisting of $2 million in financing,

00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:55.830
and $3,003,000 in grant from
the Flood Infrastructure Fund

00:32:55.830 --> 00:32:57.720
for planning, design and construction

00:32:57.720 --> 00:33:00.480
of a channel improvement
and detention pond project.

00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:04.700
And for $3,560,000
in financial assistance

00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:07.130
consisting of $2 million in financing,

00:33:07.130 --> 00:33:11.800
and 1,560,000 in grant from
the Flood Infrastructure Fund

00:33:11.800 --> 00:33:13.610
for planning, design, and construction

00:33:13.610 --> 00:33:16.890
of a channel improvement
in detention pond project

00:33:16.890 --> 00:33:19.343
as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.

00:33:20.290 --> 00:33:22.156
<v ->Is there a second?</v>

00:33:22.156 --> 00:33:25.025
<v ->I Second.</v>
<v ->All in favor, say aye.</v>

00:33:25.025 --> 00:33:26.330
Aye.
<v ->Aye.</v>

00:33:26.330 --> 00:33:28.550
<v ->Motion passes, well done, sir.</v>

00:33:28.550 --> 00:33:29.720
<v ->Thank you.</v>

00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:31.193
<v ->Next item please.</v>

00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:35.351
<v ->Mr. Chairman, the
staff has requested</v>

00:33:35.351 --> 00:33:38.220
to present items number
eight and nine together.

00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:39.703
<v Lake>That's fine thank you.</v>

00:33:41.070 --> 00:33:43.320
<v ->Item number eight,
approve by resolution,</v>

00:33:43.320 --> 00:33:47.470
in the city of Tyler
for $28,000 in grant,

00:33:47.470 --> 00:33:49.030
from the Flood Infrastructure Fund,

00:33:49.030 --> 00:33:51.253
for planning of the flood study project.

00:33:52.092 --> 00:33:55.171
And item nine, approved by resolution

00:33:55.171 --> 00:33:59.040
and requests from the city
of Tyler, for $62,400 in grant

00:33:59.040 --> 00:34:00.830
from the Flood Infrastructure Fund,

00:34:00.830 --> 00:34:03.370
for planning of a flood study project.

00:34:03.370 --> 00:34:05.670
And Mireya Loewe is
here to present to the board

00:34:05.670 --> 00:34:07.313
on both of these items today.

00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:13.173
<v ->Thank you.</v>

00:34:13.173 --> 00:34:15.100
For the record, my name is Mireya Loewe

00:34:15.100 --> 00:34:17.550
of the executive administrative staff.

00:34:17.550 --> 00:34:20.130
The City of Tyler is
the Smith County seat

00:34:20.130 --> 00:34:22.183
and is located in Northeast Texas,

00:34:23.170 --> 00:34:25.870
approximately a hundred miles Southeast

00:34:25.870 --> 00:34:27.163
from the city of Dallas.

00:34:28.740 --> 00:34:31.840
The two proposed projects
consists of a drainage study

00:34:31.840 --> 00:34:34.220
of the headwaters of Willow Creek area,

00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:36.690
in a study to analyze lateral drainage

00:34:36.690 --> 00:34:39.430
along East Gentry Parkway in conjunction

00:34:39.430 --> 00:34:43.130
with a bridge analysis of the
Black Fort Creek Crossing.

00:34:43.130 --> 00:34:46.340
Both projects will study
urban flooding inundation limits

00:34:46.340 --> 00:34:49.170
using two dimensional
hydraulic modeling,

00:34:49.170 --> 00:34:52.455
for existing and a fully
developed land use conditions.

00:34:52.455 --> 00:34:55.490
And we'll develop
mitigation alternatives,

00:34:55.490 --> 00:34:57.214
to be included in the city's

00:34:57.214 --> 00:35:00.490
capital improvement project inventory.

00:35:00.490 --> 00:35:02.690
This will assist the
city to better determine

00:35:02.690 --> 00:35:05.803
drainage infrastructure needs
and priorities for the future.

00:35:06.824 --> 00:35:08.520
I would like to point out

00:35:08.520 --> 00:35:10.350
that the documentation that you received

00:35:10.350 --> 00:35:12.590
and that was posted
for the second project

00:35:12.590 --> 00:35:17.220
the headwater Willow
Creek project number 4169,

00:35:17.220 --> 00:35:19.440
contain an error on the grant percentage

00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:21.160
and the grant amount.

00:35:21.160 --> 00:35:23.230
The documentation erroneously stated

00:35:23.230 --> 00:35:24.590
that the city qualified for

00:35:24.590 --> 00:35:28.130
a grant equal to 39% of the project.

00:35:28.130 --> 00:35:31.420
The correct grant
percentage should be 35%,

00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:35.090
which is equal to the grant
percentage in the first project.

00:35:35.090 --> 00:35:38.080
Therefore, the grand
amount, for the second project

00:35:38.080 --> 00:35:43.080
is reduced from 62,400 to 56,000.

00:35:44.042 --> 00:35:47.560
The error stems back to an entry error

00:35:47.560 --> 00:35:49.180
during the prioritization stage,

00:35:49.180 --> 00:35:52.649
which awarded an extra
4% of the eligible grant award.

00:35:52.649 --> 00:35:55.800
The city has been
(mumbles) this correction.

00:35:55.800 --> 00:35:59.200
Because the proposed funding
request consists of grant only,

00:35:59.200 --> 00:36:01.810
the city has stated
they're willing to increase

00:36:01.810 --> 00:36:06.810
their proposed contribution
from 97,600 to 104,000.

00:36:08.070 --> 00:36:12.179
To make up the $6,400 difference.

00:36:12.179 --> 00:36:15.840
The new combined totals,
for the two projects are

00:36:15.840 --> 00:36:19.370
84,000 in grant, from the fifth

00:36:19.370 --> 00:36:24.370
and a city cash contribution of 156,000.

00:36:24.640 --> 00:36:29.133
Which is equal to 65% of
the total cost of both projects.

00:36:30.090 --> 00:36:32.150
The Executive Administrators approval

00:36:32.150 --> 00:36:35.540
of this grant percentage
correction and the funding request.

00:36:35.540 --> 00:36:36.960
This concludes my presentation.

00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:38.443
May I answer any questions.

00:36:40.200 --> 00:36:42.523
<v ->Thank you Mireya Loewe,
questions or comments.</v>

00:36:43.710 --> 00:36:45.830
<v ->Thanks for working on
getting everything straight.</v>

00:36:45.830 --> 00:36:48.740
It's still a great deal for the
community moving forward.

00:36:48.740 --> 00:36:51.664
And really commend them for

00:36:51.664 --> 00:36:55.700
moving forward and having, I think,

00:36:55.700 --> 00:36:58.095
the foresight to include

00:36:58.095 --> 00:37:01.120
these two flood planning studies

00:37:01.120 --> 00:37:03.450
in their capital
improvement moving forward.

00:37:03.450 --> 00:37:06.270
Recognizing that, it's important

00:37:06.270 --> 00:37:08.250
to the community to address flood.

00:37:08.250 --> 00:37:10.870
I think as you mentioned not
only for what is occurring now

00:37:10.870 --> 00:37:14.890
but also at potentially 100% build out

00:37:14.890 --> 00:37:16.940
as the topography changes

00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:19.060
as the population
changes for the community.

00:37:19.060 --> 00:37:24.060
So I think commending
to them that they are,

00:37:24.240 --> 00:37:26.410
taking a share of this investment,

00:37:26.410 --> 00:37:28.770
utilizing the resources of the board

00:37:28.770 --> 00:37:31.960
and moving forward and doing this,

00:37:31.960 --> 00:37:35.018
as a part of their ongoing
capital improvement program

00:37:35.018 --> 00:37:40.018
and in many ways being
proactive rather than reactive,

00:37:40.127 --> 00:37:45.100
again taking advantage of
today's very low interest rates

00:37:45.100 --> 00:37:48.270
with the 0% financing they'll receive,

00:37:48.270 --> 00:37:49.538
as well as building it.

00:37:49.538 --> 00:37:52.540
Potentially after they've
got their planning complete

00:37:52.540 --> 00:37:54.910
with today's dollars.

00:37:54.910 --> 00:37:56.810
So thanks for working on this,

00:37:56.810 --> 00:37:59.963
and it's good to see this
project moving forward in Tyler.

00:38:03.660 --> 00:38:04.890
<v ->All right.</v>

00:38:04.890 --> 00:38:08.520
Is there a motion on
the revised quantities

00:38:10.770 --> 00:38:12.720
after the corrections Mireya mentioned?

00:38:14.162 --> 00:38:14.995
<v ->Yes, sir.</v>

00:38:14.995 --> 00:38:18.080
Mr. Chairman, I move we
adopt the first proposed resolution

00:38:18.080 --> 00:38:21.250
for the city of Tyler
for 28,000 in grant

00:38:21.250 --> 00:38:22.950
from the Flood Infrastructure Fund,

00:38:22.950 --> 00:38:25.310
for planning of a flood study project,

00:38:25.310 --> 00:38:27.960
as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.

00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:30.200
And adopt the second
proposed resolution,

00:38:30.200 --> 00:38:34.823
for the city of Tyler, the
revised grant amount of 56,000

00:38:34.823 --> 00:38:36.630
from the Flood Infrastructure Fund

00:38:36.630 --> 00:38:38.797
for planning of a flood study project,

00:38:38.797 --> 00:38:43.797
but otherwise as recommended
by our Executive Administrator.

00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:45.727
<v ->Is there a second?</v>
<v ->I second.</v>

00:38:46.780 --> 00:38:48.536
<v ->All in favor, say aye.</v>

00:38:48.536 --> 00:38:50.210
<v ->Aye.</v>
<v ->Aye.</v>

00:38:50.210 --> 00:38:51.720
<v ->Motion passes.</v>

00:38:51.720 --> 00:38:53.690
Thank you Mireya.
<v ->Thank you.</v>

00:38:53.690 --> 00:38:55.123
<v ->Next item, please.</v>

00:38:56.075 --> 00:38:58.580
<v ->Chairman, the next
item on the agenda</v>

00:38:58.580 --> 00:39:01.010
is approve by resolution a requests from

00:39:01.010 --> 00:39:04.110
The Greater Texoma Utility Authority,

00:39:04.110 --> 00:39:07.580
on behalf of Lake Kiowa
special utility district.

00:39:07.580 --> 00:39:10.370
For financing from the Drinking
Water State Revolving Fund

00:39:10.370 --> 00:39:13.207
for planning, design, and construction

00:39:15.800 --> 00:39:18.240
of a water line replacement project.

00:39:18.240 --> 00:39:20.760
Joe Koen will present
to the board on this item.

00:39:20.760 --> 00:39:23.060
And I also have a
visitor registration card,

00:39:23.060 --> 00:39:25.100
from Drew Satterwhite,
who's general manager

00:39:25.100 --> 00:39:27.450
of Greater Texoma Utility Authority.

00:39:27.450 --> 00:39:29.360
He's registered a position for the item

00:39:29.360 --> 00:39:32.010
and stated that he wishes
to address the board today.

00:39:37.070 --> 00:39:37.903
<v ->Can you hear me?</v>

00:39:37.903 --> 00:39:39.800
For the record, my name is Joe Koen,

00:39:39.800 --> 00:39:42.826
the Executive Administrator Staff.

00:39:42.826 --> 00:39:44.950
Lake Kiowa special utility district

00:39:44.950 --> 00:39:48.170
is located in Hunt County,
and provides water service

00:39:48.170 --> 00:39:51.431
to approximately 1300 connections.

00:39:51.431 --> 00:39:55.360
In 2015, the district began a water loss

00:39:55.360 --> 00:39:58.010
and waterline replacement project.

00:39:58.010 --> 00:40:00.150
Due to the size and scope of the project

00:40:00.150 --> 00:40:03.754
the district divided
it up into five phases.

00:40:03.754 --> 00:40:08.040
The board has previously
funded phases one through three,

00:40:08.040 --> 00:40:12.190
of the project and the district
has completed construction

00:40:12.190 --> 00:40:14.180
on all three places.

00:40:14.180 --> 00:40:18.180
Greater Texoma Utility
Authority on behalf of the district,

00:40:18.180 --> 00:40:21.380
is requesting financing
for planning, design

00:40:21.380 --> 00:40:24.490
and construction of phase
four of the districts water loss

00:40:24.490 --> 00:40:27.100
and waterline replacement projects.

00:40:27.100 --> 00:40:29.413
This includes the
replacement of approximately

00:40:29.413 --> 00:40:34.010
four and a half miles of
asbestos cement waterline.

00:40:34.010 --> 00:40:37.010
The project will help the
district reduce water loss

00:40:37.010 --> 00:40:39.153
within within their system.

00:40:40.300 --> 00:40:42.920
The Executive Administrator recommends

00:40:42.920 --> 00:40:44.880
approval of this request.

00:40:44.880 --> 00:40:46.840
This concludes my presentation.

00:40:46.840 --> 00:40:49.113
And I'm available for any questions.

00:40:51.521 --> 00:40:53.073
<v Lake>All right,
questions, or comments.</v>

00:40:54.550 --> 00:40:56.940
<v ->Well, I think this is a
very important project.</v>

00:40:56.940 --> 00:40:58.958
It's in many ways I think,

00:40:58.958 --> 00:41:02.860
somewhat a traditional
water conservation project.

00:41:02.860 --> 00:41:05.963
I mean important for
operational integrity ongoing.

00:41:07.280 --> 00:41:10.180
I think you shared with me
that's been in place since 1967

00:41:11.500 --> 00:41:14.510
and of course asbestos cement

00:41:14.510 --> 00:41:18.880
is totally something that
we would want to move in

00:41:18.880 --> 00:41:23.880
and to replace and the
benefit associated with it

00:41:25.010 --> 00:41:27.780
is the reduction in water loss.

00:41:27.780 --> 00:41:29.540
So keeping, if you will, more of those

00:41:29.540 --> 00:41:33.420
water molecules inside the pipeline in,

00:41:33.420 --> 00:41:36.450
in the long term, having
potentially the benefit

00:41:36.450 --> 00:41:40.210
of reduced energy conservation

00:41:40.210 --> 00:41:41.780
associated with the
treatment plant having

00:41:41.780 --> 00:41:44.320
to generate that water to begin with.

00:41:44.320 --> 00:41:46.480
So less than they have to generate,

00:41:46.480 --> 00:41:49.160
because there's less that's lost.

00:41:49.160 --> 00:41:52.470
I think we do a lot of these projects

00:41:52.470 --> 00:41:55.100
and work with communities
and we know that there is

00:41:55.100 --> 00:41:57.265
a benefit associated
with the water loss,

00:41:57.265 --> 00:42:02.220
and we don't necessarily
always go back and

00:42:02.220 --> 00:42:05.270
and measure those,
but in this particular case,

00:42:05.270 --> 00:42:07.100
I do think we do have a pattern,

00:42:07.100 --> 00:42:09.713
and it really is part I
think of a good new story.

00:42:10.790 --> 00:42:13.510
Based on, I guess the city's data

00:42:13.510 --> 00:42:15.010
that they submit to the board,

00:42:15.910 --> 00:42:18.770
their gallons per
calender day water loss

00:42:18.770 --> 00:42:23.770
has dropped from 20.5 to 9.2 in 2019.

00:42:24.210 --> 00:42:29.210
So going back a few short
years from 2015 to 2019,

00:42:29.340 --> 00:42:31.250
and that water loss per connection

00:42:31.250 --> 00:42:35.040
has dropped from 39 to 17 gallons.

00:42:35.040 --> 00:42:38.720
So a significant reduction in water loss

00:42:38.720 --> 00:42:40.370
I think attributable to,

00:42:40.370 --> 00:42:43.520
again the investment on upgrading

00:42:43.520 --> 00:42:45.130
the integrity of the system.

00:42:45.130 --> 00:42:50.130
And again, in some ways
doing it proactively hopefully now

00:42:50.350 --> 00:42:52.030
rather than reactively so that

00:42:52.030 --> 00:42:53.290
you don't have that water leak

00:42:53.290 --> 00:42:54.980
in the middle of the night,
and you've got to run out there

00:42:54.980 --> 00:42:57.808
and address it at
whatever the cost may be.

00:42:57.808 --> 00:42:59.610
But coming to the board,
taking down some financing

00:42:59.610 --> 00:43:02.070
doing it in a way that was
affordable for the community

00:43:02.070 --> 00:43:06.760
in four phases, and then being able to

00:43:06.760 --> 00:43:09.250
reap the benefits from
an operational integrity

00:43:09.250 --> 00:43:11.810
a reliability standpoint,
in terms of water supply,

00:43:11.810 --> 00:43:14.690
but also the savings
associated with the water loss.

00:43:14.690 --> 00:43:16.930
So an important project,

00:43:16.930 --> 00:43:19.430
and really appreciate you
working on this one Joe.

00:43:21.193 --> 00:43:22.790
<v ->Thanks Joe.</v>

00:43:22.790 --> 00:43:26.410
GTUA is always a great partner
and I appreciate the district

00:43:26.410 --> 00:43:29.330
taking this proactive
approach to ensure that

00:43:29.330 --> 00:43:33.740
its infrastructure is reformed.

00:43:33.740 --> 00:43:37.440
And I really appreciate
the fiscally responsible

00:43:37.440 --> 00:43:40.383
phased approach, that
they have taken on this.

00:43:42.650 --> 00:43:44.140
<v ->Indeed.</v>

00:43:44.140 --> 00:43:46.220
Well that our engineer's quantifying

00:43:46.220 --> 00:43:50.639
the successful improved
efficiency and conservation,

00:43:50.639 --> 00:43:52.200
of our projects.

00:43:52.200 --> 00:43:54.070
Thank you, Director Jackson.

00:43:54.070 --> 00:43:55.860
That's great to hear the actual numbers,

00:43:55.860 --> 00:43:59.743
and see the quantified improvements.

00:44:00.610 --> 00:44:02.870
Believe we have someone,
I remember the public

00:44:02.870 --> 00:44:04.963
would like to address
the board Mr. Satterwhite?

00:44:14.530 --> 00:44:17.010
<v ->Mr. Satterwhite, we've
just unmute your mic.</v>

00:44:17.010 --> 00:44:19.810
So if you can personally
unmute your mic, you can speak.

00:44:31.516 --> 00:44:32.860
<v Satterwhite>Can you guys hear me?</v>

00:44:32.860 --> 00:44:34.013
<v ->We got you too great.</v>

00:44:36.467 --> 00:44:37.720
Can you guys hear me?

00:44:37.720 --> 00:44:38.930
Okay I'm sorry about that.

00:44:38.930 --> 00:44:41.590
I'm out of breath
talking to myself here.

00:44:41.590 --> 00:44:45.560
Good morning Chairman Lake,
Director Jackson, Director Paup.

00:44:45.560 --> 00:44:47.160
I wanted to thank you
for your consideration

00:44:47.160 --> 00:44:50.010
of the funding of this
Lake Kiowa Project today.

00:44:50.010 --> 00:44:52.610
In addition, I just wanted
to thank you and your staff

00:44:52.610 --> 00:44:54.170
for all that you do for Texas water

00:44:54.170 --> 00:44:55.760
and wastewater in general.

00:44:55.760 --> 00:44:58.000
I know personally that
the board has helped

00:44:58.000 --> 00:44:59.770
our region tremendously over the years

00:44:59.770 --> 00:45:01.650
with your various funding programs.

00:45:01.650 --> 00:45:03.430
With these programs, we're able to

00:45:03.430 --> 00:45:04.810
provide economical solutions

00:45:04.810 --> 00:45:06.150
for these water and
wastewater providers,

00:45:06.150 --> 00:45:08.491
that it would be very
difficult without your help.

00:45:08.491 --> 00:45:13.220
And then finally, I wanted
to give kudos to Joe,

00:45:13.220 --> 00:45:15.270
and your Northeast Team.

00:45:15.270 --> 00:45:17.760
These guys and girls are
always extremely helpful,

00:45:17.760 --> 00:45:20.140
in guiding us through
the various processes

00:45:20.140 --> 00:45:22.810
that are associated with your programs.

00:45:22.810 --> 00:45:24.880
They make our lives easy at GTUA

00:45:24.880 --> 00:45:27.150
and they're always just a
phone call or email away

00:45:27.150 --> 00:45:29.508
to help us find solutions to

00:45:29.508 --> 00:45:32.423
any roadblocks that we
encounter throughout the process.

00:45:33.304 --> 00:45:35.073
And with that, that's all I have.

00:45:35.073 --> 00:45:37.020
I thank you for your
consideration, this item,

00:45:37.020 --> 00:45:38.720
and for allowing me time to speak.

00:45:39.840 --> 00:45:42.580
<v ->Of course, thank you
for the kind words Drew,</v>

00:45:42.580 --> 00:45:44.500
I appreciate our partnership,

00:45:44.500 --> 00:45:47.180
with your organization
and your leadership.

00:45:47.180 --> 00:45:49.500
None of this happens without y'all

00:45:49.500 --> 00:45:51.270
turning the gears on your end.

00:45:51.270 --> 00:45:53.950
Really appreciate it.
<v ->Thank you.</v>

00:45:53.950 --> 00:45:54.843
Thank you guys.

00:45:56.660 --> 00:45:59.173
<v ->All right, is there a motion?</v>

00:46:00.130 --> 00:46:02.580
<v ->Chairman, I move, We
adopt the proposed resolution.</v>

00:46:02.580 --> 00:46:05.360
For the Greater Texoma Utility Authority

00:46:05.360 --> 00:46:08.690
on behalf of Lake Kiowa
special utility district

00:46:08.690 --> 00:46:11.790
for financing from the Drinking
Water State Revolving Fund.

00:46:11.790 --> 00:46:13.440
For planning, design, and construction,

00:46:13.440 --> 00:46:15.460
of a water line replacement project

00:46:15.460 --> 00:46:18.200
as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.

00:46:18.200 --> 00:46:21.000
<v ->Is there a second?</v>
<v ->I second.</v>

00:46:21.000 --> 00:46:22.337
<v ->All in favor, say aye.</v>

00:46:23.195 --> 00:46:24.480
<v ->Aye.</v>
<v ->Aye.</v>

00:46:24.480 --> 00:46:26.330
<v ->Motion passes.</v>

00:46:26.330 --> 00:46:28.227
Thank you, Joe, good to see you.

00:46:29.740 --> 00:46:31.543
Next item please Mr. Harden.

00:46:32.710 --> 00:46:34.540
<v ->Mr. Chairman, the
next item on the agenda</v>

00:46:34.540 --> 00:46:37.200
is approved by resolution, a request

00:46:37.200 --> 00:46:39.607
from the city of New Braunfels financing

00:46:39.607 --> 00:46:41.970
from the Drinking Water
State Revolving Fund,

00:46:41.970 --> 00:46:43.690
for planning, design and construction

00:46:43.690 --> 00:46:46.370
of the water system expansion project.

00:46:46.370 --> 00:46:48.730
Dain Larsen is here
to present to the board

00:46:48.730 --> 00:46:50.327
on this item today.

00:46:51.840 --> 00:46:53.570
<v ->Good morning Chairman Lake,</v>

00:46:53.570 --> 00:46:55.800
Director Jackson, Director Paup.

00:46:55.800 --> 00:46:56.767
For the record I'm Dain Larsen,

00:46:56.767 --> 00:46:59.834
one of the Executive
Administrator Staff.

00:46:59.834 --> 00:47:01.824
The city of New Braunfels is located

00:47:01.824 --> 00:47:05.450
approximately 30 miles
North of the city of San Antonio,

00:47:05.450 --> 00:47:07.060
and is one of the fastest growing

00:47:07.060 --> 00:47:09.340
small cities in the nation.

00:47:09.340 --> 00:47:11.560
The city requests
funding for its project

00:47:11.560 --> 00:47:14.870
to meet current and future
demand for water treatment

00:47:14.870 --> 00:47:16.330
by expanding its existing

00:47:16.330 --> 00:47:19.430
8 million gallons per
day water treatment plant

00:47:19.430 --> 00:47:21.723
to 16 million gallons per day.

00:47:22.630 --> 00:47:25.260
The proposed improvements
also provide additional flood

00:47:25.260 --> 00:47:27.360
protection for the
plant's infrastructure.

00:47:28.550 --> 00:47:30.715
The Executive Administrator

00:47:30.715 --> 00:47:32.340
recommends approval of their request.

00:47:32.340 --> 00:47:34.320
My presentation is now concluded,

00:47:34.320 --> 00:47:36.120
and I'm available for any questions.

00:47:37.550 --> 00:47:39.200
<v ->Questions or comments for Dain.</v>

00:47:40.390 --> 00:47:42.510
<v ->Oh, it's great to see New
Braunfels moving forward.</v>

00:47:42.510 --> 00:47:45.570
I mean doubling the capacity
of their treatment plant

00:47:45.570 --> 00:47:48.540
and just, you know, I
think in our conversations,

00:47:48.540 --> 00:47:51.068
one of the things Dian
that you shared with me was

00:47:51.068 --> 00:47:53.470
what I think is very
much a big practice.

00:47:53.470 --> 00:47:56.890
We see this with small communities,

00:47:56.890 --> 00:48:00.700
with big cities and it's
certainly, I think, attribute to

00:48:00.700 --> 00:48:03.500
the city of New Braunfels
in that they are conducting,

00:48:03.500 --> 00:48:05.280
I think, you shared with me next week,

00:48:05.280 --> 00:48:07.620
a design workshop we're getting input

00:48:07.620 --> 00:48:10.170
from their operators and
their boots on the ground.

00:48:10.170 --> 00:48:12.570
People as they move forward in terms of

00:48:12.570 --> 00:48:15.070
this new expansion activity.

00:48:15.070 --> 00:48:18.820
And I think that's very
much best practice

00:48:18.820 --> 00:48:20.763
we've seen in the
past that's good input.

00:48:20.763 --> 00:48:24.040
And I think it's a real
tribute to the project

00:48:24.040 --> 00:48:29.040
that the construction team,
and the engineering team

00:48:29.343 --> 00:48:31.188
is soliciting that input.

00:48:31.188 --> 00:48:34.930
And that also they're, I
guess moving forward

00:48:34.930 --> 00:48:37.100
with a water supply resiliency studies.

00:48:37.100 --> 00:48:40.100
So it's good to see
this project coming forth.

00:48:40.100 --> 00:48:42.350
It's good to see that
they're thinking ahead,

00:48:42.350 --> 00:48:44.060
they're thinking not
only about, you know

00:48:44.060 --> 00:48:46.540
what are the challenges
today, but also do they face,

00:48:46.540 --> 00:48:48.480
what are they facing in the future.

00:48:48.480 --> 00:48:50.620
And looking at all of those things

00:48:50.620 --> 00:48:52.880
that they need to mitigate,
you mentioned flood risks

00:48:52.880 --> 00:48:56.314
but also challenges moving forward,

00:48:56.314 --> 00:48:59.650
associated with so many things
that could impact potentially

00:48:59.650 --> 00:49:01.290
their future water supply.

00:49:01.290 --> 00:49:03.900
So it's good to see that New Braunfels

00:49:03.900 --> 00:49:05.350
is doubling their capacity,

00:49:05.350 --> 00:49:06.898
but also doing some really,

00:49:06.898 --> 00:49:09.870
I think innovative and impactful things

00:49:09.870 --> 00:49:11.480
in making sure that
they've got a good plan

00:49:11.480 --> 00:49:12.670
for the future moving forward.

00:49:12.670 --> 00:49:14.910
And of course the
smartest thing they did is

00:49:14.910 --> 00:49:17.210
they used the resources
of the board to do it.

00:49:19.030 --> 00:49:20.053
Thanks so much.

00:49:21.240 --> 00:49:22.976
<v Dain>You're welcome.</v>

00:49:22.976 --> 00:49:24.970
<v ->All right, is there a motion?</v>

00:49:24.970 --> 00:49:27.860
<v ->Mr. Chairman, I move, we
adopt a proposed resolution</v>

00:49:27.860 --> 00:49:29.720
from the city of New Braunfels,

00:49:29.720 --> 00:49:32.390
for financing for the Drinking
Water State Revolving Fund

00:49:32.390 --> 00:49:34.400
for planning, design, and construction

00:49:34.400 --> 00:49:36.370
of the water system expansion project

00:49:36.370 --> 00:49:39.570
as recommended by our
Executive Administrator.

00:49:39.570 --> 00:49:41.297
<v ->Is there a second?</v>
<v ->I second.</v>

00:49:42.514 --> 00:49:44.076
<v ->All in favor say aye.</v>

00:49:44.076 --> 00:49:45.780
<v ->Aye.</v>
<v ->Aye.</v>

00:49:45.780 --> 00:49:47.010
<v ->Motion passes.</v>

00:49:47.010 --> 00:49:49.208
Appreciate it Dain, good to see you.

00:49:49.208 --> 00:49:51.313
Next item please.

00:49:54.910 --> 00:49:56.930
<v ->Mr. Chairman, the
next item on the agenda</v>

00:49:56.930 --> 00:49:59.670
is Texas water conditions reports.

00:49:59.670 --> 00:50:02.300
And Dr. Mark Wentzel is
here to present to the board

00:50:02.300 --> 00:50:03.463
on this item today.

00:50:05.330 --> 00:50:07.670
<v ->Chairman Lake, Director
Jackson, Director Paup,</v>

00:50:07.670 --> 00:50:09.500
for the record, Mark Wentzel

00:50:09.500 --> 00:50:11.630
on behalf of the
Executive Administrator.

00:50:11.630 --> 00:50:14.350
And this is your monthly
water conditions report.

00:50:14.350 --> 00:50:15.490
Today we'll be looking at

00:50:15.490 --> 00:50:18.763
conditions for our state in early March.

00:50:20.440 --> 00:50:22.420
Can you see the slides yet?

00:50:22.420 --> 00:50:24.100
There we go.

00:50:24.100 --> 00:50:25.653
Next slide please.

00:50:30.212 --> 00:50:31.300
To see how it got to where we are today,

00:50:31.300 --> 00:50:34.490
let's look back at
precipitation across our state

00:50:34.490 --> 00:50:36.000
in the last two months.

00:50:36.000 --> 00:50:37.850
On this slide, we're looking at

00:50:37.850 --> 00:50:42.140
precipitation for
January, on the upper left,

00:50:42.140 --> 00:50:44.970
and for February on the lower right.

00:50:44.970 --> 00:50:47.760
The white green and
blue areas on these maps

00:50:47.760 --> 00:50:50.867
show areas with near or
above average precipitation.

00:50:50.867 --> 00:50:53.110
The yellow, orange, and red areas

00:50:53.110 --> 00:50:55.803
show areas with below
average precipitation.

00:50:56.830 --> 00:50:59.980
January 2021 brought us near average,

00:50:59.980 --> 00:51:03.540
and above average precipitation
for about half the state,

00:51:03.540 --> 00:51:06.650
mostly in the Northeast
and Central Texas.

00:51:06.650 --> 00:51:10.890
So that was good for
improving drought conditions.

00:51:10.890 --> 00:51:15.820
In February, we had an
unusual amount of snow.

00:51:15.820 --> 00:51:19.260
But snow is a very
inefficient way to get moisture.

00:51:19.260 --> 00:51:22.290
It can take 12 or more
inches of fresh snow

00:51:22.290 --> 00:51:24.620
to provide one inch of moisture.

00:51:24.620 --> 00:51:27.280
As a result, most of
the state received well

00:51:27.280 --> 00:51:29.330
below average precipitation

00:51:29.330 --> 00:51:31.723
for the month of
February, unfortunately.

00:51:32.640 --> 00:51:33.893
next slide please.

00:51:36.630 --> 00:51:39.470
So this is the US drought monitor map

00:51:39.470 --> 00:51:41.660
for conditions as of March 2nd.

00:51:41.660 --> 00:51:44.940
And it's 54% of the
state is now in drought,

00:51:44.940 --> 00:51:48.930
up from 45% at the start of February.

00:51:48.930 --> 00:51:52.780
Still significantly better
than the 81% of the state

00:51:52.780 --> 00:51:56.263
that was in drought at the
end of December last year.

00:51:57.130 --> 00:51:58.680
In terms of reducing drought,

00:51:58.680 --> 00:52:01.390
we made a big step forward in January

00:52:01.390 --> 00:52:05.020
with 37% point decrease in drought.

00:52:05.020 --> 00:52:07.040
And we gave some of
that back in February,

00:52:07.040 --> 00:52:10.513
with a nine percentage
point increase in drought area.

00:52:11.380 --> 00:52:12.767
Next slide please.

00:52:15.544 --> 00:52:17.890
As we look at combined
water supply storage

00:52:17.890 --> 00:52:19.540
in our reservoirs across the state.

00:52:19.540 --> 00:52:22.330
We can start to see some
of the cumulative effects

00:52:22.330 --> 00:52:23.840
of months of drought conditions

00:52:23.840 --> 00:52:26.240
for a large portion of the state.

00:52:26.240 --> 00:52:27.850
The darkest line on this graph

00:52:27.850 --> 00:52:31.237
shows our combined water
supply storage by calendar day

00:52:31.237 --> 00:52:33.800
for the year of 2021.

00:52:33.800 --> 00:52:35.750
And that's relative to previous years,

00:52:35.750 --> 00:52:39.210
the lighter lines and the maximum median

00:52:39.210 --> 00:52:42.133
and minimum values since 1990.

00:52:43.210 --> 00:52:45.680
More than 30% of the state

00:52:45.680 --> 00:52:48.830
has been in drought since July of 2020.

00:52:48.830 --> 00:52:50.670
But our Statewide
surface water supplies,

00:52:50.670 --> 00:52:53.940
remained right about
normal for the time of year

00:52:53.940 --> 00:52:58.633
for the second half of 2020
and into the early part of 2021.

00:52:59.484 --> 00:53:02.620
That's because it takes
a number of months

00:53:02.620 --> 00:53:05.704
for drought to start to
impact reservoir inflows,

00:53:05.704 --> 00:53:10.704
water usage, evaporation,
ultimately reservoir contents

00:53:11.000 --> 00:53:13.090
on a Statewide basis.

00:53:13.090 --> 00:53:16.580
In this case, we had a
little bit longer grace period.

00:53:16.580 --> 00:53:18.210
Because the main areas of drought

00:53:18.210 --> 00:53:20.390
has been focused farther west

00:53:20.390 --> 00:53:25.390
away from most of our
water supply reservoirs.

00:53:25.720 --> 00:53:28.200
But now for the first
time in several years,

00:53:28.200 --> 00:53:30.460
our water supply storage
has fallen more than

00:53:30.460 --> 00:53:32.920
three percentage points
below what is considered normal

00:53:32.920 --> 00:53:34.820
for this time of year.

00:53:34.820 --> 00:53:38.860
Current Statewide
storage is 82% of capacity.

00:53:38.860 --> 00:53:40.623
Next slide please.

00:53:42.969 --> 00:53:45.970
Conditions do vary across the state.

00:53:45.970 --> 00:53:48.550
So to see some of that
variation on this slide,

00:53:48.550 --> 00:53:50.750
we're looking at
conditions in 20 individual

00:53:50.750 --> 00:53:54.360
municipal water supply
systems across the state.

00:53:54.360 --> 00:53:56.070
The first number near each city,

00:53:56.070 --> 00:53:59.830
is the percent of
capacity in early March.

00:53:59.830 --> 00:54:02.150
The numbers in
parentheses show the change

00:54:02.150 --> 00:54:03.350
from the previous month.

00:54:04.290 --> 00:54:07.343
In the last month, 13 systems are down,

00:54:07.343 --> 00:54:10.713
two are unchanged and five are up.

00:54:11.680 --> 00:54:13.830
Nacogdoches had the largest increase,

00:54:13.830 --> 00:54:16.520
up more than seven percentage points.

00:54:16.520 --> 00:54:18.700
Laredo had the largest decrease,

00:54:18.700 --> 00:54:20.913
down almost three percentage points.

00:54:22.410 --> 00:54:25.090
At this time about six systems,

00:54:25.090 --> 00:54:27.150
Austin, Beaumont, Port Arthur,

00:54:27.150 --> 00:54:29.360
Brownsville, Corpus Christi, El Paso

00:54:29.360 --> 00:54:31.500
and Laredo are below normal,

00:54:31.500 --> 00:54:34.393
for what what's considered
normal for this time of year.

00:54:36.320 --> 00:54:37.300
Next slide, please

00:54:44.690 --> 00:54:46.550
Much of the state depends on groundwater

00:54:46.550 --> 00:54:47.580
for its water supply.

00:54:47.580 --> 00:54:48.750
So it's important to consider

00:54:48.750 --> 00:54:51.320
how our aquifers are doing as well.

00:54:51.320 --> 00:54:53.300
On this slide, we're
looking at data average

00:54:53.300 --> 00:54:55.360
from almost 200 recorder wells,

00:54:55.360 --> 00:54:57.393
in nine major aquifers in the state.

00:54:58.260 --> 00:55:00.120
First number under the aquifer name is

00:55:00.120 --> 00:55:02.630
how average water surface elevation,

00:55:02.630 --> 00:55:05.413
for recorded wells in that aquifer,

00:55:08.270 --> 00:55:13.170
compared average,
the first number is how

00:55:14.610 --> 00:55:19.100
aquifer average levels
compared to the previous month.

00:55:19.100 --> 00:55:20.830
We're looking at January data here,

00:55:20.830 --> 00:55:23.630
because it takes some
time to compile the data.

00:55:23.630 --> 00:55:26.183
And the second number is how it compares

00:55:26.183 --> 00:55:29.980
for the previous year, a year ago.

00:55:29.980 --> 00:55:32.350
Only one aquifer that Seymour

00:55:32.350 --> 00:55:34.140
had an average water surface elevation

00:55:34.140 --> 00:55:35.740
trending down in January.

00:55:35.740 --> 00:55:37.100
This is kind of the time of year

00:55:37.100 --> 00:55:39.643
when our aquifers show
some recovery typically.

00:55:40.520 --> 00:55:43.090
And all but two aquifers
were trending down

00:55:43.090 --> 00:55:44.823
relative to last year.

00:55:47.180 --> 00:55:48.833
Next slide please.

00:55:52.240 --> 00:55:54.110
What can we expect going forward?

00:55:54.110 --> 00:55:56.700
After a relatively dry
February for Texas,

00:55:56.700 --> 00:55:57.900
the latest seasonal outlook

00:55:57.900 --> 00:56:00.730
from the national weather
service is not quite as optimistic

00:56:00.730 --> 00:56:03.510
as they were telling us last month.

00:56:03.510 --> 00:56:05.580
The now anticipate drought to expand,

00:56:05.580 --> 00:56:07.600
to cover all but the
eastern edge of the state

00:56:07.600 --> 00:56:09.460
by the end of May.

00:56:09.460 --> 00:56:11.390
Some good news, the weather service

00:56:11.390 --> 00:56:15.200
is predicting greater
chances, now up to 60%

00:56:15.200 --> 00:56:17.560
that La Nina conditions will disappear

00:56:17.560 --> 00:56:20.530
somewhere in the April June timeframe.

00:56:20.530 --> 00:56:22.830
When that occurs
Texas should see a return

00:56:22.830 --> 00:56:25.210
to more normal rainfall conditions,

00:56:25.210 --> 00:56:27.403
and a corresponding easing in drought.

00:56:28.460 --> 00:56:30.090
That concludes my presentation.

00:56:30.090 --> 00:56:32.890
And I'd be happy to answer
any questions you might have.

00:56:37.330 --> 00:56:38.723
<v ->Thank you, Dr. Wentzel.</v>

00:56:41.130 --> 00:56:44.840
Any questions, I wish you
had a brighter outlook for us.

00:56:44.840 --> 00:56:48.893
But appreciate the
information and context.

00:56:50.140 --> 00:56:52.110
<v ->Yeah, it looks a little bit
rough for the next few months</v>

00:56:52.110 --> 00:56:54.494
but hopefully when La Nina breaks up,

00:56:54.494 --> 00:56:58.430
maybe the May-June we
can get some average rainfall

00:56:58.430 --> 00:57:00.030
and that would be super helpful.

00:57:00.900 --> 00:57:01.733
<v ->Is that,</v>

00:57:01.733 --> 00:57:06.733
that's the timing for
the La Nina cycle shift.

00:57:06.910 --> 00:57:07.823
Okay.
<v ->Yeah.</v>

00:57:08.938 --> 00:57:09.771
Better than 60% chance,

00:57:09.771 --> 00:57:12.010
of course that means
there's a 40% chance

00:57:12.010 --> 00:57:14.010
that it doesn't leave.

00:57:14.010 --> 00:57:15.890
So that's not necessarily good news,

00:57:15.890 --> 00:57:18.320
but at least they're giving us better

00:57:18.320 --> 00:57:19.773
than even odds at this point.

00:57:20.920 --> 00:57:21.763
<v ->We'll take it.</v>

00:57:23.100 --> 00:57:25.470
All right, good to see you,
Dr. Wentzel, thank you.

00:57:25.470 --> 00:57:27.120
<v ->All right, thank you very much.</v>

00:57:31.050 --> 00:57:34.790
<v ->All right, there's no formal
action required on that item.</v>

00:57:34.790 --> 00:57:37.150
Next item please Mr. Harden.

00:57:39.520 --> 00:57:41.470
<v ->Mr. Chairman, the
next item on the agenda</v>

00:57:41.470 --> 00:57:43.590
is public comment.

00:57:43.590 --> 00:57:46.960
And we have today a
visitor registration card,

00:57:46.960 --> 00:57:49.120
from Jake Gravel.

00:57:49.120 --> 00:57:50.970
This is civil engineer with Red Creek

00:57:50.970 --> 00:57:52.833
Municipal Utility District.

00:57:53.840 --> 00:57:56.040
And I'm also told that Laura Norton

00:57:56.040 --> 00:57:57.849
is here from Montgomery County

00:57:57.849 --> 00:58:00.203
and has indicated she
wants to address the board.

00:58:01.570 --> 00:58:02.970
<v ->All right, thank you, sir.</v>

00:58:04.130 --> 00:58:06.280
If any member, other
member of the public

00:58:06.280 --> 00:58:07.920
would like to address the board,

00:58:07.920 --> 00:58:10.570
please indicate your
desire to do so digitally,

00:58:10.570 --> 00:58:12.980
and our IT staff will accommodate you,

00:58:12.980 --> 00:58:14.490
and get you in line after the folks

00:58:14.490 --> 00:58:15.940
that have already registered.

00:58:16.960 --> 00:58:19.443
Let's go ahead and call up Mr. Gravel.

00:58:21.270 --> 00:58:23.120
<v ->Hi, can you all hear me?</v>

00:58:23.120 --> 00:58:25.840
<v ->Yes, sir.</v>
<v ->Perfect okay.</v>

00:58:25.840 --> 00:58:30.840
I am addressing the board
due to concerns about

00:58:31.500 --> 00:58:33.893
our project with Red Creek.

00:58:35.210 --> 00:58:39.680
We have submitted our
plans and contract documents

00:58:40.670 --> 00:58:43.440
three or four different times to

00:58:43.440 --> 00:58:45.150
The Texas water development Board.

00:58:45.150 --> 00:58:47.100
And our project has been passed around

00:58:47.100 --> 00:58:51.113
a few different times, you
know, from desk to desk.

00:58:52.089 --> 00:58:57.020
Our concerns are, it's not
with the review process,

00:58:57.020 --> 00:58:59.723
it's with the timeline of review.

00:59:01.230 --> 00:59:04.070
We seem to get no answers basically.

00:59:04.070 --> 00:59:08.120
Every time we'll submit
and we'll have an answer

00:59:08.120 --> 00:59:11.627
and we'll work on getting those answers,

00:59:11.627 --> 00:59:16.020
those issues address with,
that we get comments back from

00:59:16.020 --> 00:59:18.960
and next time we submit,

00:59:18.960 --> 00:59:23.090
it's like there's just more concerns

00:59:24.380 --> 00:59:28.250
and maybe even to the point where

00:59:28.250 --> 00:59:31.093
the adjustments we
made, didn't even matter.

00:59:33.130 --> 00:59:35.160
And it's just, you know,
it's one thing after another,

00:59:35.160 --> 00:59:39.133
and we can never get clear
answers with anybody we talk to.

00:59:42.980 --> 00:59:45.530
<v ->Well thank you for
being here, Mr. Gravel,</v>

00:59:45.530 --> 00:59:46.970
and expressing your concerns.

00:59:46.970 --> 00:59:49.014
I certainly recognize
that our programs have

00:59:49.014 --> 00:59:52.900
requirements above and
beyond those of standard,

00:59:52.900 --> 00:59:54.623
of projects with standard funding.

00:59:55.550 --> 00:59:58.920
And we will work directly with staff

00:59:58.920 --> 01:00:02.050
to address this as best we
can, as soon as possible.

01:00:02.050 --> 01:00:07.050
I appreciate you being
here to raise those concerns.

01:00:07.630 --> 01:00:08.630
<v Gravel>Yes, sir.</v>

01:00:09.923 --> 01:00:13.130
<v ->Thank you.</v>
<v ->Thank you.</v>

01:00:13.130 --> 01:00:15.753
<v ->Okay, next we've
got Ms. Norton.</v>

01:00:21.002 --> 01:00:23.470
<v Laura>Hi there, it looks
like you can hear me now.</v>

01:00:23.470 --> 01:00:26.590
My name is Laura Norton
and I'm a (indistinct) director

01:00:26.590 --> 01:00:28.790
of Woodlands Water Trustee member

01:00:28.790 --> 01:00:31.740
and the township Swan Water Task Force,

01:00:31.740 --> 01:00:34.000
are all things I'm on.

01:00:34.000 --> 01:00:37.480
I've watched your meeting
today and it's been wonderful.

01:00:37.480 --> 01:00:40.160
It sounds like you guys are
doing a lot of neat projects

01:00:40.160 --> 01:00:43.880
and it'll definitely help
the Texas economy.

01:00:43.880 --> 01:00:47.060
And I really appreciate it
Mr. Wentzel's presentation too,

01:00:47.060 --> 01:00:51.120
is I'm kind of turned
into a student of aquifers

01:00:51.120 --> 01:00:52.563
here in Montgomery County.

01:00:53.652 --> 01:00:56.370
Last month, I attended this meeting

01:00:56.370 --> 01:01:00.210
to express my concerns about
Montgomery and Liberty County.

01:01:00.210 --> 01:01:03.050
Where the upper watersheds
lack of representation

01:01:03.050 --> 01:01:06.200
on the Region 6 Regional
Flood Planning Court.

01:01:06.200 --> 01:01:08.080
I've gotten some feedback from

01:01:08.080 --> 01:01:10.420
Regional Flood Planning Group members.

01:01:10.420 --> 01:01:12.060
Feedback that sheds light on

01:01:12.060 --> 01:01:14.980
why we've mistakenly
been excluded to date,

01:01:14.980 --> 01:01:16.800
from that board.

01:01:16.800 --> 01:01:20.778
Folks in Harris County think
that having an SJRA employee

01:01:20.778 --> 01:01:24.190
as a representative
of Montgomery County,

01:01:24.190 --> 01:01:26.430
is sufficient enough representation.

01:01:26.430 --> 01:01:29.970
But I'm here this
afternoon to explain why

01:01:29.970 --> 01:01:32.590
it's no representation at all.

01:01:32.590 --> 01:01:34.891
And hopefully you'll empathize enough

01:01:34.891 --> 01:01:36.620
to use your influence with

01:01:36.620 --> 01:01:40.160
the Region 6 Board that you created.

01:01:40.160 --> 01:01:43.540
It's important for us all to
remember what SJRA is.

01:01:43.540 --> 01:01:46.370
It's a river authority
that until Harvey,

01:01:46.370 --> 01:01:49.048
had no flood control responsibilities,

01:01:49.048 --> 01:01:53.080
except determining
when to do dam releases.

01:01:53.080 --> 01:01:55.880
SJRA I didn't then, nor do they now

01:01:55.880 --> 01:01:58.070
have any kind of taxing authority

01:01:58.070 --> 01:02:01.130
to implement flood
mitigation strategies.

01:02:01.130 --> 01:02:05.640
SJRA has no authority over
drainage standards in the county

01:02:05.640 --> 01:02:09.050
and no authority to
enforce standards either.

01:02:09.050 --> 01:02:11.854
The best SJRA has been able to do,

01:02:11.854 --> 01:02:14.337
is try to manage partnerships.

01:02:14.337 --> 01:02:16.640
And it can only create partnerships

01:02:16.640 --> 01:02:19.660
when willing partners can be found.

01:02:19.660 --> 01:02:22.170
This is no plan for flood control.

01:02:22.170 --> 01:02:24.470
This is a plan to guarantee failure

01:02:24.470 --> 01:02:27.610
for the citizens of the upper watershed.

01:02:27.610 --> 01:02:30.530
SJRA's lack of tools to
implement flood standards

01:02:30.530 --> 01:02:33.400
and force them or levy
attacks to fund them,

01:02:33.400 --> 01:02:36.890
and then turn around and
call them our representatives

01:02:36.890 --> 01:02:38.220
is an insult.

01:02:38.220 --> 01:02:41.400
Add to that the fact that
Region 6 won't add us

01:02:41.400 --> 01:02:44.490
because it would dilute
their vote as they've said,

01:02:44.490 --> 01:02:47.830
and you've got a very
large constituency of Texas

01:02:47.830 --> 01:02:49.710
that are just plain left out,

01:02:49.710 --> 01:02:52.133
but our tax base is significant.

01:02:52.133 --> 01:02:55.930
Again, I respectfully request
you review these facts

01:02:55.930 --> 01:02:57.980
about what our river authority is,

01:02:57.980 --> 01:03:01.290
and what it can and
most especially cannot do

01:03:01.290 --> 01:03:06.083
to evaluate work that,
excuse me, cannot do,

01:03:09.210 --> 01:03:13.530
and whatever, I want
somebody on the region 6 Board

01:03:13.530 --> 01:03:15.770
I'm coming to the
conclusion of my comments.

01:03:15.770 --> 01:03:18.317
But I will be speaking before

01:03:18.317 --> 01:03:22.820
the Regional Flood Planning
Group tomorrow as well.

01:03:22.820 --> 01:03:26.250
And I've, you know, I've got
as many residents as I can

01:03:26.250 --> 01:03:30.380
to call in tomorrow as
maybe one last hands on deck,

01:03:30.380 --> 01:03:32.530
or I do this monthly.

01:03:32.530 --> 01:03:37.530
I'm just a miserable
Montgomery County resident lately

01:03:37.620 --> 01:03:39.770
because not only this,

01:03:39.770 --> 01:03:44.010
but I think we're on a
trajectory in the next year

01:03:44.010 --> 01:03:45.660
to head your way with the keys

01:03:45.660 --> 01:03:50.660
to a surface water treatment
plant and, of $435 million.

01:03:52.019 --> 01:03:53.793
Thank you for your time.

01:03:57.550 --> 01:03:58.550
<v ->Thank you, Ms. Norton.</v>

01:03:58.550 --> 01:04:01.620
Appreciate you expressing your concerns.

01:04:01.620 --> 01:04:03.223
There is certainly,

01:04:03.223 --> 01:04:07.210
none of this is straightforward
as flood planning

01:04:07.210 --> 01:04:08.510
is a complex dynamic.

01:04:08.510 --> 01:04:11.361
I appreciate your concerns
and your ongoing efforts

01:04:11.361 --> 01:04:12.720
to address them.

01:04:12.720 --> 01:04:14.670
Thank you for being here.
<v ->Thank you.</v>

01:04:18.380 --> 01:04:22.580
<v ->Mr. Jolly, do we have any
other members of the public who</v>

01:04:22.580 --> 01:04:24.910
would like to address the board?

01:04:24.910 --> 01:04:27.110
<v Jolly>I don't see
any at this time, sir.</v>

01:04:28.090 --> 01:04:29.863
<v ->All right, thank you, sir.</v>

01:04:31.220 --> 01:04:33.390
In that case, the board will not meet

01:04:33.390 --> 01:04:35.253
in closed session today.

01:04:36.770 --> 01:04:39.160
And having no further business today.

01:04:39.160 --> 01:04:41.310
This meeting of the Texas
Water Development Board

01:04:41.310 --> 01:04:46.310
is hereby adjourned,
the time is 10:36 a.m.

01:04:46.890 --> 01:04:47.723
Thank you all.