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.

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved by resolution an internal audit charter, contract amendments, the authorization of contracts and financing for various counties and districts across the state and heard a briefing on the state of water conditions in Texas.

Discussion regarding outreach efforts and activities by the Board.

Each board member discussed their recent outreach activities.

Consider approving the Internal Audit Charter Board Agenda 02 Document

Nicky Carter, Staff

  • Review of rules regarding the proposal and annual review of the Charter.

Motion to approve the Internal Audit Charter prevails unanimously.

Consider approving a contract amendment with Northbridge Environmental Management Consultants to allow for enhancements to the Texas Water Information System Expansion (TxWISE) application for an amount not to exceed $790,000.00. Board Agenda 03 Document

Darrell Tompkins, Staff

  • TxWISE streamlines the overall loan and grant process.
  • The ‘not to exceed’ amount stems from prior flood related legislation.
  • Enhancements of this system will improve standard business processes.

Motion to approve the proposed contract amendment to allow for enhancements to the Texas Water Information System Expansion prevails unanimously.

Consider acknowledging by resolution gifts and donations of $500 or more in value given to the Texas Water Development Board in accordance with Chapter 575 of the Texas Government Code. Board Agenda 04 Document

Kendal Kowal, Staff

  • A list of gifts is included in the record of this meeting.
  • The list includes four gifts consisting of third-party travel reimbursement for agency business.

Motion to approve the proposed resolution prevails unanimously.

Consider authorizing the Executive Administrator to execute multiple contracts in a total amount not to exceed $1,500,000, using the Strategic Mapping Program and their associated contracts at the Texas Department of Information Resources. Board Agenda 05 Document

Richard Wade, Staff

  • Lidar is a remote sensing technology that uses aircraft to collect 3D data of the earth’s surface.
  • We are considering Lidar for two areas, Central Texas (above Williamson County) and the DFW area.
  • These two areas are high growth and impact.
  • Lidar will be used for flood planning and emergency response.
  • We hope to have flights in early January.

Motion to approve the proposed resolution prevails unanimously.

Consider authorizing the Executive Administrator to execute an interagency contract with the University of Texas at Arlington in an amount not to exceed $670,180 to provide engineering services. Board Agenda 06 Document

Jessica Zuba, Staff

  • Water Supply and Infrastructure staff along with UT Arlington identified four possible engineering tasks for outsourcing:
    • Technical and engineering assistance for plan reviews
    • On-site inspection services of TWDB projects
    • Development of program guidance manuals for use by external customers
    • Clean Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan Development-Project Information Form scoring
  • The cost of the proposal would be funded using salary savings from Fiscal Year 2020.

Motion to approve the proposed resolution prevails unanimously.

Consider allocating funds for Fiscal Year 2020 agricultural water conservation grant projects in an amount not to exceed $1,200,000 from the Agricultural Water Conservation Fund and authorizing the Executive Administrator to publish a request for applications in the Texas Register. Board Agenda 07 Document

Cameron Turner, Staff

  • Grant applications are due February 19, 2020 with an anticipated award date of June 2020.
  • Soil health initiatives are a major concern of the fund.

Motion to approve the proposed resolution prevails unanimously.

Consider approving by resolution a request from the Palo Pinto County (Palo Pinto County) for $500,000 in financing from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for planning, acquisition, and design of a wastewater treatment plant project. Board Agenda 08 Document

Caaren Skrobarczyk, Staff

  • The current plant is reaching the end of its design life and is unable to continue to operate effectively.

Motion to adopt the proposed resolution prevails.

Consider approving by resolution a request from the City of Athens (Henderson) for $1,125,000 in financial assistance consisting of $825,000 in financing and $300,000 in principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for construction of water distribution system improvements. Board Agenda 09 Document

Luis Farias, Staff

  • The project will replace many water mains with new pipelines to enhance water quality in the distribution system.

Motion to adopt the proposed resolution prevails.

Consider approving by resolution a request from the City of Everman (Tarrant) for $3,000,000 in financial assistance consisting of $2,700,000 in financing and $300,000 in principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for design, and construction of water distribution system improvements. Board Agenda 10 Document

Luis Farias, Staff

  • The city is experiencing issues with its water mains that are past their service age.

Motion to adopt the proposed resolution prevails.

Consider approving by resolution a request from the Greater Texoma Utility Authority on behalf of the City of Sherman (Grayson County) for $13,595,000 in financing from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for planning, acquisition, design, and construction of wastewater system improvements. Board Agenda 11 Document

Luis Farias, Staff

  • Aging components need repair or are undersized to meet current demand.
  • The plant also has a no-discharge storm water permit.

Motion to adopt the proposed resolution prevails unanimously.

Consider amending by resolution, the previously adopted Texas Water Development Board Resolution No. 17-071 to modify the City of Springtown’s (Parker and Wise Counties) State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas project scope. Board Agenda 12 Document

Luis Farias, Staff

  • The assessment concluded that making improvements to the water treatment plant and purchasing additional water from Tarrant Regional would be more cost-effective than drilling wells.
  • The city wishes to change the scope from groundwater to surface water supply project.

Motion to approve the proposed resolution prevails unanimously.

Consider approving by resolution a request from the City of Port Arthur (Jefferson and Orange Counties) for $60,560,000 in financial assistance, consisting of $56,310,000 in financing and $4,250,000 in principal forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements. Board Agenda 13 Document

Donald Stanton, Director of Utilities, Port Arthur

  • This loan will fund one of the largest infrastructure projects in the city’s recent history.

Motion to approve the proposed resolution prevails unanimously.

Briefing and discussion on water conditions in the state of Texas.

Dr. Mark Wentzel

  • Drought conditions typically improve as we go into the Fall – that is the case this year.
  • Our reservoirs have lost 9% of their volume since mid-July.
  • We entered summer with 6% more than average – we have more, we lose more.
  • Through January 2020, no drought expansion is foreseen in West Texas.
  • The Eastern part of the state will see minor improvement.
  • The Central part will remain in drought.

Meeting adjourned.