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The Texas Water Development Board met on October 3rd to take up a full agenda. The Board approved by resolution financial assistance in the amount of $3,415,000 from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to the Greater Texoma Utility Authority on behalf of the City of Gunter (Grayson County). The Authority will use the assistance to finance the planning, acquisition, design, and construction costs associated with a water system improvement project.

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics the committee took up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the hearing, 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.

 

Opening Remarks

  • Jackson – since last meeting: spoke top Texas Farm Bureau young leaders, provided keynote address at the Texas Society of Civil Engineers Conference, was interviewed by the West Harris County Water Authority for a documentary, participated in panel at the Texas Tribune Festival, Attended Barstow luncheon
  • Paup – since last meeting: met with Texas Cattle Raisers, met with legislators at capitol, noted Sen. Watson is interested in mapping in flood Technical Package, noted 96 days until next legislative session
  • Lake – since last meeting: met with Linda Christie from TRWD, attended conference in Corpus Christi and met with representatives of groundwater districts,

 

Consider approving by resolution a request from the Whitewater Springs Water Supply Corporation (Burnet County) to amend Texas Water Development Board Resolution No. 18-049 to extend the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund commitment for six months.

 

Hector Estrada, TWDB Staff

  • Provides water to 230 residents
  • Will construct new water well for projected need in 2020
  • Have received funding in April 2018 that includes loan forgiveness that will expire at the end of the month
  • Corporation has not been able to reach parity agreement with lender
  • Proposed to refinance debt with funding from the TWDB
  • Time extension will allow for opportunity to submit the application
  • Jackson – there’s a potential for refinancing through defund?
    • Yes, that is being considered
  • Jackson – they would have to address that as a separate loan and come back before the board in the future
  • A motion to adopt the resolution was made, seconded and passed without objection

 

Consider approving by resolution a request from the Greater Texoma Utility Authority on behalf of the City of Gunter (Grayson County) for $3,415,000 in financing from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for planning, acquisition, design, and construction of water system improvements.

 

Luis Farias, TWDB Staff

  • Described City of Gunter
  • 650 connections in the city, to remain in TCEQ gallons per minute requirement city wants to build additional well facility
  • Jackson – noted the community acting proactively to stay in compliance and prepare for future need
  • A motion to adopt the resolution was made, seconded, and passed without objection

 

The Board will receive comments on the draft flood assessment.

 

Mindy Conyers, TWDB Staff

  • Staff has completed the draft state flood assessment
  • Conducted expensive outreach regarding the draft
    • Findings from stakeholders highlighted concern one of three buckets: planning, mapping, and mitigation
  • Anticipated costs were derived solely from stakeholder needs
  • Public review and comment period began September 19th and ends October 3rd
    • Have received over 50 comments
  • A final draft will be presented to the board to be included in report to the legislature before the start of the 86th Legislative session

 

Steve Bresnen, El Paso County

  • Thanked staff for the operation and production of the report
  • El Paso County participated at every opportunity and the report shows the input of many stakeholders input
  • Believes floodplain map updating is overdue
  • Would like to see the report include some of the land use regulatory authority for the county – have given specific language and concepts as feedback

 

Jameson Courtney, Texas Floodplain Management Association (TFMA)

  • TFMA supports the process and draft
  • Report does a great job speaking to the mapping needs in the state

 

Katherine Shannon-Hess, Norman’s Crossing Resident

  • Believes residents have been good stewards of the land
  • Noted flooding that is not covered in current FEMA maps
  • Does not feel that her area in not represented accurately by FEMA maps
  • Does not have flood gauges within 3 miles
  • Would like additional discussions regarding flood mitigation due to aggressive development

 

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 Section 2001.061.

No Additional Public Comment

 

The Board may adjourn into Executive Session and conduct a closed meeting to consider any item on this agenda if a matter is raised that is appropriate for the Board to conduct a private consultation with its attorney on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.

No Executive Session