MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
HARRIS COUNTY W.C.I.D. NO. 50
FEBRUARY 19, 2016
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD PRESENT:
Mario Runco Sheila Brown George Shea Jr. M. B. Eisenbarth J. L. Restivo
GUESTS & STAFF PRESENT:
Davis Bonham David Baker John Riley Erika Pennington Jim Ainsworth
President Mario Runco called the meeting to order at 1:01 P.M. and declared the presence of a quorum.
1. The Minutes of the Meeting of January 14, 2016 were read. M. B. Eisenbarth made a motion to approve the minutes as written. George Shea seconded the motion and it passed by a unanimous vote.
2. Citizen Comments - None.
3. Office Manager’s Report – Erika Pennington presented the report (copy attached). Some of the items discussed were: a). Delinquent List is shrinking with continued persistence of office personnel in collections. b). Candidate packet deadline is 5 p.m. today. Office will remain open late.
4. Agreement for Delinquent Tax Attorney – Mr. Bonham presented the agreement for review, discussion and approval. A motion to approve the engagement of Smith, Murdaugh, Little, & Bonham, L.L.P. as the District’s delinquent tax attorney was made by M. B. Eisenbarth. The motion was seconded by George Shea and approved by all.
5. Order Levying Additional Penalty for Delinquent Taxes –In accordance with the Texas Property Tax Code Mr. Bonham presented the subject order. The order is such that it must be approved annually and provides for the adoption of an additional 20% penalty above the normal District’s late fees which would be applied on April 1 for all personal property and onJuly 1 for all real property for all remaining unpaid taxes for defraymentof collection expenses. A motion to approve the Order as presented, and levying an additional 20% penalty was made by J. L. Restivo. The motion was seconded by George Shea and approved by all present board members. The order was presented for signatures to the President and Secretary of the Board who then signed it.
6. Financial Reports– The financial reports were tabled. Frost Maintenance Fund Checks 3793 through 3865; Frost Capital Projects Account Check 3102; and Frost Debt Services Account Checks 1501 through 1504 were presented for approval. A motion to approve all checks presented was made by Sheila Brown. The motion was seconded by George Shea Jr. and approved by all.
7. Superintendent’s Report – David Baker presented the report (copy attached). Some of the items discussed were: a). Repaired water breaks at 603 Whitecap Dr. and 618 Cedar Lane. b). Certified the water plant’s well meters and the waste treatment plant’s backflow preventer. c). Repaired the transmission gear linkage and the boom swing hydraulic actuator on the backhoe. d). Contractor, Texas Pride Utilities, has begun the sanitary sewer rehabilitation project; the start date was January 27, 2016. e). Waste Management Company hauled 60 yards of sludge.
8. Engineer’s Report – Jim Ainsworth presented the report (copy attached). Some of the items discussed were: a). The Topographic Survey and Geotechnical Report is under review for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Lift Station Replacement. A site visit will occur to confirm findings and coordinate Lift Station location. b).The notice to proceed has been issued and construction activities commenced for the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation. c). South Taylor Lake Village Water Supply Corporation has nothing new on which to be reported at this time. d). The annual A&S Engineers Crawfish Boil will be held on April 15, 2015 invitations will be forthcoming.
9. Items for Inclusion on Board’s Next Agenda – None at this time.
10. Executive Session (closed meeting) in accordance with Texas Government Code §551.074 to consider personnel matters -At approximately 2:11 p.m. the Board of Directors of Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 50 went into closed executive session. David Baker and Erika Pennington were present at the meeting for consultation but were excused from the meeting after the consultation. A discussion was held and a consensus with respect to salary increases for employees was reached. At 2:26 p.m. a motion to close the executive session was made by Sheila Brown, seconded by M. B. Eisenbarth, and approved by all. The Board’s Regular meeting was then reconvened. A motion to approve salary increases for employees in the amount of 1.7% and to have the pay raise retroactive to November 1, 2015 was made by Sheila Brown, seconded by George Shea, and approved by all.
11. Pending Business – District Employee, John Riley addressed the board regarding the need for a new backhoe. Currently the District is utilizing a 1987 Case Backhoe that has been steadily in need of repairs due to unforeseen items wearing out and will ultimately cost the District more in repairs. A discussion was held. A motion to approve the purchase of a new backhoe was made by Sheila Brown. The motion was seconded by J. L. Restivo and approved by all. David and John have been instructed to research the various models and select one for purchase.
President Runco addressed the meeting regarding the South Taylor Lake Village Water Supply Corporation’s (STLVWSC) request to be annexed into the District. A discussion was held and the District’s Engineer has been instructed to review further options for the District to obtain additional water sources including directly from the City of Pasadena to meet the needs of residents serviced by STLVWSC as well as those within the District on the west side of Taylor Lake.
Next Board Meeting will be held Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
Sheila Brown made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:47 p.m. J. L. Restivo seconded the motion and all approved it.
Respectfully submitted,
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M. B. Eisenbarth, Secretary
Board of Directors