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The Texas Water Development Board met on April 20, 2020 to receive updates from staff on current operations of the Board. Updates on current projects, contracts, and stakeholder comments were received.

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics discussed. This report is not a verbatim transcript; 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.

 

Update and discussion on Texas Water Development Board financial programs. No final action will be taken on this item.

Jeffrey Walker, Staff

  • One SRAP application received since March.

 

Executive Administrator’s update and discussion on agency activities. No final action will be taken on this item.

Jeffrey Walker, Staff

  • Big picture meeting held last week.
  • We are reviewing regional water plans submitted in early March.
  • We are expecting comments to be back by June.

 

Edna Jackson, Staff

  • We are keeping an eye on all local orders related to COVID-19 and adjusting accordingly.
  • We are actively keeping staff up to speed.
  • We are still hiring on a case-by-case basis regarding start dates.
  • Kathleen Jackson, TWDB – You have done a fantastic job keeping staff informed and moving forward with the hiring process.

 

Richard Wade, Staff

  • We are moving forward with AppGeo to replace Google imagery by the end of the fiscal year.
  • We will be getting 4x the quality of imagery that we had with Google.
  • Our partners will not have to adjust to the change.
  • Every three years we will get a third of the state covered.
  • We have been working with DIR on this project.
  • Stay at home orders will not affect our delivery.
  • We sent an RFI to our vendors regarding reclassifying flood related activities. I will update on this at a later time.
  • Our education classes are taking a hit.
  • We are working to move these online. The first set of online courses will take place in June.
  • We are preparing for GIO interviews.
  • We have identified 24 agencies to question.
  • We are looking at software and geographic data needs for questions.

 

Rebecca Trevino, Staff

  • Last time we sold SRF bonds we did an investor roadshow.
  • Based on conversations with advisors, if we can get the POS early that is what we need to do.
  • There is not a huge value add to doing an investor roadshow.
  • We submitted all performance measures to LBB last week.
  • We have been working with TDEM to ensure we can submit the next round of public assistance funds.
  • We are wrapping up our investor report to be sent out by the end of April.
  • Brooke Paup, TWDB – LBB told you that we were the only agency that properly filled out our forms, right?
    • Yes. We have wonderful staff.
  • Peter Lake, TWDB – Depending on how the economic situation plays out in the next few months, we might receive questions regarding how we handle a crisis like this.

 

Update and discussion on Texas Water Development Board flood related activities. No final action will be taken on this item.

Reem Zoun, Staff

  • We received 45 entities who submitted comments.
  • There were 15 entities in the January meeting.
  • We will recommend some changes based on comments.
  • We received a number of comments regarding voting representation.
  • We do not anticipate any change regarding these comments.
  • We anticipate a change for the regional planning group to add a transportation related member.
  • Another anticipated change will be an explicit 2/3 vote.
  • Jackson – Do you have a definition for the “flood entity”?
    • Yes, I will get you the definition.
  • Comments also wanted us to define “negative effect”, we will provide a definition.
  • “Nature based” received the most comments. A definition was added.
  • Comments asked for clarification for regional flood plans. Flood mitigation strategies identified will be ranked based on guidance.
  • The ranking is used to allocate subsidies.
  • Jackson – Will a difference be declared between a recommended strategy and others?
    • We are required to rank projects, but they are not required to be funded in that order.

 

Matt Nelson, Staff

  • We received comments on burden on political subdivisions that might sponsor planning group.
  • We will allow limited funding in the contract. A reasonable max will be set later.

 

The Board did not meet in Executive Session and no Public Comment was taken.

 

Meeting adjourned.