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The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) met and authorized $27,743,911 in flood mitigation assistance grants for thirteen projects. The grants provided through this assistance are funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and will be used to mitigate flood damages and prevent future losses. Thirteen applications were approved by FEMA for this assistance. In addition to the FEMA grants, communities are contributing approximately $2,767,000 of local match funds.

Details are below on all agenda items taken up with the TWDB.

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.

 

Discussion regarding outreach efforts and activities by the Board.

  • Each Board member spoke about recent outreach activities and travel

 

Consider authorizing the Executive Administrator to execute a contract amendment to increase the limit on total payments for services and expenses to Hilltop Securities Inc., formerly known as First Southwest, a Division of Hilltop Securities, by $975,000. (Georgia Sanchez) Board Agenda #02 Document

Georgia Sanchez, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • Size and complexity of current contracts has grown
  • The recommended increase will allow services to continue through the remainder of the contract
  • Lake – The underlying rate structures have not changed?
    • No
  • Lake – This is just to help secure proceeds on current projects?
    • Yes
  • Lake – The Board has had to increase transactions over the past few months
    • Yes, and this is a one-time transaction
  • Motion prevails as recommended

 

Consider authorizing the Executive Administrator, Chief Financial Officer, and Development Fund Manager to take all necessary actions for the issuance, sale and delivery of State of Texas Water Financial Assistance Refunding Bonds and State of Texas Water Financial Assistance Bonds in one or more series; and approving the selection of financial advisor, bond counsel, disclosure counsel, senior managing underwriter, and co-managing underwriters for the negotiation of the bond issue. (Georgia Sanchez)

Georgia Sanchez, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • This would be a general obligation bond sale
  • Ask for approval of selection of advisors and counsel (as listed in bolded agenda item above)
  • Lake – This will save at least 2% net present value for the programs and those savings will flow to people associated with these projects?
    • Yes
  • Lake – Growth segment will be even greater than that?
    • Yes, we anticipate more than 2%
  • Motion prevails as recommended

 

Consider approving material changes to contracts for goods and services executed during the second quarter of fiscal year 2018; and the contract and performance report for the second quarter of fiscal year 2018. (David Carter) Board Agenda #04 Document

David Carter, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • Changes would extend the length of contract for sixth months or more
  • Changes would increase total consideration to be paid under a contract by at least 10%
  • Lake – I appreciate your evaluation of these contracts
  • Motion prevails as recommended

 

Consider approving by resolution a request from the City of Eastland (Eastland County) for $1,227,000 in financial assistance consisting of $695,000 in financing and $532,000 in principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for planning, design, and construction of water system improvements. (Caaren Skrobarczyk) Board Agenda #05 Document

Caaren Skrobarczyk, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • The city’s water facilities have reached the end of their usable life and must be replaced
  • The project will also include a water development plan for the city
  • Jackson – This will help the city in the future
  • Paup – I am happy to hear they qualify for principal forgiveness
  • Motion prevails as recommended

 

Consider approving by resolution a request from the Johnson County Special Utility District (Johnson County) for $22,000,000 in financing from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for planning, acquisition, design, and construction of a meter replacement and water system improvements project. (Caaren Skrobarczyk) Board Agenda #06 Document

Caaren Skrobarczyk, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • The project includes a citywide meter replacement with advanced metering infrastructure
  • The district also will restore a pump station and standpipe
  • Jackson – How did they find out about the program?
    • They came to the Glen Rose workshop and got information there
  • Paup – We’re happy to have them come to the Board and I commend their contribution to the project
  • Lake – I appreciate their partnership

Keith Kindle, Enprotec Hipps and Todd

  • This is the first time they have come to TWDB for their needs and I am glad they did
  • Motion prevails as recommended

 

Consider approving by resolution a request from New Ulm Water Supply Corporation (Austin and Colorado Counties) for $97,060 in principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for purchase of water meters. (Nancy Richards) Board Agenda #07 Document

Nancy Richards, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • The project is to replace the outdated meters with modern ones
  • Jackson – I am glad to see this small community come to the Board
  • Paup – We have a diverse variety of projects, I am glad to see the Board help projects big and small
  • Lake – New technology can really help this community
  • Motion prevails as recommended

 

Consider amending by resolution the previously adopted Texas Water Development Board Resolution Nos. 15-079 and 17-082 to delegate to the Executive Administrator the authority to approve future movement of funds among the West Harris County Regional Water Authority’s State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas project numbers 51003, 51022, and 51023. (Nancy Richards) Board Agenda #08 Document

Nancy Richards, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • The Executive Administrator recommends amendments to Resolution 15-079 and 17-082 that would allow the Executive Administrator to exercise discretion and approve future requests to move money between projects without the approval of the Board
  • Jackson – Will there be a change in the scope of the projects?
    • No
  • Lake – This is just adjusting the resolution to be in line with current policy?
    • Correct
  • Motion prevails as recommended

 

Consider authorizing the Executive Administrator to negotiate and execute contracts as approved and directed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a total amount not to exceed $27,743,911 for sub grants from Flood Mitigation Assistance upon notification of award. (Kathy Hopkins) Board Agenda #09 Document

Kathy Hopkins, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • TWDB received 26 Flood Mitigation Assistance applications for FY17
  • 23 were forwarded to FEMA and 13 of those were identified for further review
  • Jackson – Those projects not selected by FEMA were moved to another funding source?
    • Yes, we work with the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM). We were able to move applications from the FEMA grant program to a TDEM emergency grant
  • Jackson – Great work there
  • Paup – Thank you for your hard work
  • Motion prevails as recommended

 

Briefing and discussion on water conditions in the state of Texas. (Dr. Mark Wentzel)

Mark Wentzel, Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • The big change from last month is an improvement in drought conditions across the state
  • 40% of the state is in draught
  • Water supply reservoirs are at capacity and have maintained this position for about 20 years
  • The US Seasonal Drought Outlook determines that West Texas will continue to experience drought

 

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