Public: One consultant attended via teleconference, and two residents attended in person.
Security: The Board continued discussing security options, with a budget of $300,000 in mind. Directors Green and Sao will communicate with vendors regarding flexibility in their proposals and report their findings at the November meeting.
Trash Collection: A new representative attended the meeting and discussed a proposed monthly household hazardous waste pickup program. The cost of the program would be passed on to customers through the Rate Order. Residents would be required to register online or scan a QR code to schedule a pickup. The Board expressed interest and expects to receive a full proposal next month. Director Sao raised concerns regarding resident complaints about service consistency and requested route completion data at the next meeting to demonstrate whether pickup efficiency has improved over the past year.
Bookkeeping: The report included routine updates on debt service, renewed CDs, interest earned, TexSTAR accounts, tax accounts, property taxes received, deposits and transfers, operating and investment accounts, capital projects, check approvals, responses to check-related inquiries, deposit refund accounts, the first month of the budget, joint facility transfers and accounts, accrued interest, CD averages and rates, billing, utility tracking, and the joint water plant budget.
Infrastructure & Maintenance
Drainage & Detention Ponds: The Board approved an amendment to the current agreement to include a permanent clause addressing variable energy charges..
San Jacinto River Authority Matters: Following the formal approval of the September meeting minutes, Counsel will submit the resolution opposing the proposed amendment to the SJRA. Director Slotnick, a member of the GOP subcommittee, reported that the SJRA had canceled its October meeting and expressed interest in establishing virtual communication between the attorney and one director from each participating MUD to maintain an important line of communication.
Engineer’s Report
Water Plant No. 2 Expansion: No new updates were presented, and the project remains on schedule for completion in April.
CIP: The Board discussed the possibility of funding a new well. Counsel outlined the anticipated timeline and preliminary costs associated with the process. Director Slotnick referenced potential upcoming legislative changes affecting financing. The Board agreed to review cost estimates and recommendations from existing and prospective consultants at next month’s meeting.
Birnham Woods Pedestrian Bridge: CenterPoint identified the need for an additional easement to address the gas line issue. This delay has prompted the District’s Engineers to suspend bridge manufacturing.
SJRA Surface Waterline Connection: No new updates were presented. The design is still expected to reach 30% completion and be ready for submission to the SJRA by December 2026.
Geographic Information System (GIS): Field verification began this week, with billing scheduled for February. Once the system is ready, Engineers will provide the Board with a demonstration of how to navigate and use the system.
Storm Water Permitting Matters: Nothing new to report.
America’s Water Infrastructure Act (“AWIA”): Nothing new to report. The Emergency Response Plan is scheduled for review and updates by December 25, 2026.
2026 Annual Water Plant Inspection: Engineers requested approval to drain and inspect the interior of the ground storage tank (GST), as required by the TCEQ every five years. The cost will be shared with MUD 88. Engineers plan to conduct a mechanical inspection and present detailed findings to the Board.
Engineers also reported observing leakage and bulging panels on the GST during a site visit last week. After consulting with the tank manufacturer, six panels were identified for replacement. Director Rubio questioned whether the bulging was normal. Engineers explained that the manufacturer suggested direct sunlight exposure may have contributed to the issue.
Replacing the affected panels is expected to extend the GST’s service life until its anticipated replacement in five years. Coordinating the tank drainage and inspection with the panel replacements would also reduce costs for the District.
Operator’s Report
In September, water consumption totaled nearly 21 million gallons across various categories, representing a significant decrease from the previous month. The wells produced more than 54.6 million gallons, with 94% of the water accounted for.
The District remains at Stage Three under the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP). Counsel summarized discussions from the previous week’s Information Session regarding the DCP, including due process procedures and enforcement actions. The Operator requested that any clear violations be photographed and submitted as supporting evidence.
Operational reports and updates were provided regarding revenue, connections and vacancies, EyeOnWater accounts, two repaired leaks within the District, wastewater permit capacities, irrigation usage across all three districts, high water user reports, pumpage and submergence levels, well data summaries, delinquent letters, and service cutoffs.
District Communication Matters
Alerts and Website: Statistics for the District’s “DCP Rates” and “Information Session” alerts were presented to the Board for review and comparison with previous alerts. Quarterly recommendations were also presented and are awaiting approval by Director Green. Director Sao identified several additional website requests and will submit them to determine their feasibility with the District’s website provider, subject to Director Green’s approval.
Legal
Strategic Partnership Agreement: Counsel advised the Board that the City of Houston will only consider new Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) applications in the spring. This provides the District with additional time to prepare the necessary documentation, with completion anticipated by January or February 2027.
Upcoming Meetings
November 13th, 11:00 a.m. – Regular Board meeting (ABHR)