Print đź–¨

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) during their April 5 meeting approved financial assistance totaling $13,429,280 for water and wastewater system projects. Of this funding, $1,928,780 was approved for rural water projects. They also approved the 2018 State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) prioritization list,

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics the committee took up. This report is not a verbatim transcript of the hearing; it is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.

Agenda item 1: Discussion regarding outreach efforts and activities by the Board.

Each member listed recent outreach efforts.

 

Agenda item 2: Consider approving by resolution a request from the City of Alamo (Hidalgo County) for $11,500,500 in financial assistance consisting of $10,335,000 in financing and $1,165,500 in principal forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for construction of a wastewater treatment plant project. Board Agenda #02 Document

Mireya Loewe, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • City of Alamo operates a lagoon water treatment plant. The system has become ineffective due to adverse weather conditions. The city invested over a million dollars to improve conditions at the plant. The city believes the best course of action is to replace the plant.
  • Kathleen Jackson: You shared with me that the city had received planning funding in 2016. This is a good example of a city working with the Board.
  • Brooke Paup: This should solve the odor problem?
  • Peter Lake: I commend the city for their efforts to replace the system.

Mayor of Alamo

  • Thanked the Board for helping the city.
  • Thanked Mireya Loewe and her team.

City Manager Alamo

  • We have been working on this project for a long time now and are happy that it will conclude soon.
  • This new plant will allow us to meet the current demand for treatment.
  • Thanked TWDB staff.

Motion to adopt proposed resolution prevails

 

Agenda item 3: Consider approving by resolution a request from the Rochelle Water Supply Corporation (McCulloch County) for $300,000 in principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to finance planning, design, and construction of water treatment plant improvements. Board Agenda #03 Document

Lee Huntoon, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • The corporation proposes to install treatment plant improvements. The corporation is above water loss threshold.
  • Kathleen Jackson: The staff reviewed the 2016 audit and ensured that our investment is something that will be sustained. It is good that the corporation is able to address their water loss. Good to see a project that can address the water quality issues.
  • Brooke Paup: These improvements will bring them into compliance with TCEQ?

Motion to adopt proposed resolution prevails

 

Agenda item 4: Consider approving by resolution a request from Patterson Water Supply, LLC. (Tarrant County) for $138,780 in principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to finance design, and construction of water distribution line replacement. Board Agenda #04 Document

Luis Farias, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • Deteriorated pipes in the corporation’s water system have caused it to fail to meet TCEQ requirements. The proposed forgiveness will allow the corporation to replace the faulty distribution line.
  • Kathleen Jackson: This will help the community move forward. It is helping a small community.

Motion to adopt proposed resolution prevails

 

Agenda item 5: Consider approving by resolution a request from the Nevada Special Utility District (Collin County) for $1,490,000 in financing from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for planning, design and construction of water system improvements. Board Agenda #05 Document

Luis Farias, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • This water system is operating at 98% of its capacity. The special utility district (SUD) will increase its capacity with funding. Backup generators will also be added to allow emergency power to provide water to its customers.
  • Kathleen Jackson: The Nevada SUD gets its water from the North Texas Municipal Water District?
  • Kathleen Jackson: It is good to see they are not only adding capacity but improving their power supply. It is great that we are able to work with this small community.

Motion to adopt the proposed resolution prevails

 

Agenda item 6: Consider approving the 2018 State Water Implementation Fund for Texas prioritization list, the amount of funds available by category, and the terms of subsidy; and authorizing the Executive Administrator to proceed with the invitation of applications for financial assistance. Board Agenda #06 Document

Tom Entsminger, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • This is the fourth prioritization cycle for this program. Gave history of SWIFT program.
  • Explained interest rate subsidies.
  • Executive Administrator recommends:
    • Approval of prioritization of abridged applications
    • Authorization of associated amounts in the funding categories
    • Authorization of EA to invite submittal of the full applications
    • Approval of structure in terms of funding for the applications
    • Accommodation of requested changes on existing multi-year commitments with net reduction of roughly $2 million
  • If this item is approved, May 4th would be the due date for applications.
  • Bond sale would take place in Fall 2018.
  • Kathleen Jackson: This is a very successful program. This time we have 6 rural projects that were invited. Great work by the staff. This is an exciting chapter in SWIFT and Texas water.
  • Brooke Paup: I want to echo Kathleen’s sentiments. An enormous amount of staff worked and time was put into this project. Thank you to all the agency staff who worked on this.
  • Peter Lake: For the last several years, we have had higher subsidy on the loan program for rural projects. I am thrilled that we’ve had 6 projects come in. I want to thank the staff for the tremendous work they put into this. All of this stems from the State Water Plan, demonstrating it has been successful.

Motion to adopt proposed resolution prevails

 

Mark Evans, North Harris County Regional Water Authority

  • Thanked the Board for approval.
  • The Authority has participated in the SWIFT program since 2016 and has made quite a commitment to developing infrastructure.
  • We have achieved over $109 million in savings through loan closings, as estimated by the TWDB.

 

Alia Vinson, Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP

  • Thanked the Board for support.
  • We plan to apply for funding which will help with the planning and construction of future projects.
  • Thanked regional team and staff.

 

Agenda item 7: The Board will receive comments from the public on any matters within the jurisdiction of the TWDB, with the exception of matters which are subject to the ex parte prohibition found in Texas Government Code §2001.061.

Not discussed

 

Agenda item 8: The Board may conduct a closed meeting to receive legal advice and discuss pending or contemplated litigation, settlement offers, and/or the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of specific Board employees, including the Executive Administrator and General Counsel, as permitted by Sections 551.071 and 551.074, the Texas Open Meetings Act, codified as Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code. The Board may also meet in open meeting to take action on legal or personnel matters considered in the closed meeting as required by Section 551.102 of the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Government Code.

Not discussed