The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) met on January six to take up a number of items. The board approved financial assistance totaling $41,580,908 for water, stormwater, and flood projects. This amount includes $2,299,908 to the City of Comanche for water system improvements, $4,751,000 to the City of Corpus Christi for stormwater system improvements, and $34,530,000 to El Paso County for a flood mitigation project. A video of the hearing can be found here.
This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the discussions but 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: board members discuss their outreach efforts
Agenda Item 2: Approve by resolution a request from the City of Comanche for $2,299,908 in financial assistance consisting of $1,506,000 in financing and $793,908 in principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water Water State Revolving Fund for planning, design, and construction of a water system improvement project.
- City of Comanche has been cited by TCEQ for not meeting required minimum supply per connection excess disinfection byproducts in the water supply
- Requests include modifications/improvements to existing infrastructure to bring them into compliance
- Jackson – Have worked with the city in October 2021; glad customer meter testing program and calibrating intake meter annually will be included in all projects going forward
- Paup – They will receive some grant funding and zero percent loan for green and disadvantaged community components
- Proposed resolution is adopted
Agenda Item 3: Approve by resolution a request from the West Wise Special Utility District (District) to extend Texas Water Development Board Resolution No. 17-015 scope of work to include the design and construction of an elevated storage tank.
- Received a commitment in 2017 to replace surface water treatment plant; bids for approved TCEQ plan were higher than anticipated
- District has secured other funds through USDA
- Will allow district to maintain pressure of the system and other requirements
- Jackson and Paup support the flexibility of funds for this project
- Proposed resolution is adopted
Agenda Item 4: Amend by resolution, the previously adopted Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Resolution No. 21-061 to extend the Flood Infrastructure Fund Commitment for Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 67.
- Received a Flood Infrastructure Fund commitment of $11.3 million in 2021 for drainage improvements and flood storage projects
- Requesting additional time to close on the financing with neighboring MUDs through June 2022
- Jackson – Is important for communities to collaborate moving forward with the Flood Infrastructure Fund
- Proposed resolution is adopted
Agenda Item 5: Approve by resolution a request from the City of Corpus Christi (Nueces County) for $4,751,000 in financial assistance consisting of $3,561,000 in financing and $1,190,000 in principal forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for planning and design of a stormwater system improvements project.
- Storm drainage creeks have been designated as impaired by TCEQ
- Funding requested for improvements to these creeks and additional storm drain channels
- Jackson – Good use of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and use of disadvantaged funding
- Paup – Supports project
- Proposed resolution is adopted
Agenda Item 6: Approve by resolution a request from El Paso County for $34,530,000 in financial assistance consisting of $20,718,000 in financing and $13,812,000 in grant from the Flood Infrastructure Fund for planning, acquisition, design, and construction of a flood mitigation project.
- To address frequent flooding by construction of a retention basin
- Jackson and Paup support the project; the project received a 40% grant
Steve Bresnen, Attorney for El Paso County – For
- Did not speak before the board
Jorge Reyes, Assistant City Planner for El Paso County Development Department- For
- Project will major and critical storm water hazard issues; was originally identified in the 2010 strategic plan with the support of the board
- Jackson and Paup support the project
- Proposed resolution is adopted