The Woodlands Township recognizes employee achievements, reviews Parks projects and more

THE WOODLANDS, TX – At its regular meeting on Thursday, May 19, 2022, The Woodlands Township Board of Directors discussed a Harper’s Landing pedestrian pathway connector, allocated funding for turf fields at Falconwing Park, and lent support to proposed improvements to Bear Branch Dam. Additionally, the Board recognized several Township employees and departments for recent accomplishments.

On the regular agenda, the Board heard a presentation about plans to construct a pathway connecting Harper’s Landing to the existing pathway system in The Woodlands. Township Parks and Recreation is working with Jones|Carter on the plan which requires collaboration between the Township, county agencies, TX-DOT, railroad companies, business owners and private individuals. The proposed cost of the project is $377,375 with a projected completion date of 2025. The Board approved moving forward with Phase 2 which consists of coordination with various partner agencies involved, final schematic package and environmental analysis, with a more defined timeline to come in 2023 for Phase 3. View the presentation.

The Board also received a presentation regarding proposed plans to convert fields at Falconwing Park to artificial turf. The potential installation of turf would extend the availability of playing time for the fields, in addition to substantial savings in maintenance cost and water. Earlier this year, the Township Board accepted the plan for a major renovation of Falconwing Park and requested that staff return with a proposal for artificial turf fields in place of the grass fields that were originally proposed. Parks and Recreation indicated that there is support for a change to artificial turf based on user feedback and high demand for the fields by recreational groups and sports leagues. The Board approved the addition of all-weather turf to the Falconwing Park renovation project and allocated funding for the project which has a proposed cost of $1.446 million. View the presentation.

The Board heard a presentation regarding a letter of support to Rep. Dan Crenshaw for a San Jacinto River Authority and Woodlands Water Agency application seeking federal appropriations for Bear Branch Dam improvements. The Board voted to extend their support to the project. View the presentation.

The Board also appointed Director Dr. Ann K. Snyder to The Woodlands Road Utility District No. 1 Board of Directors. The role was previously filled by Director Bob Milner.

During Board discussion on the Administrative reports for Law Enforcement and Community Policing, which were taken on the regular agenda instead of the consent agenda, the Board indicated their desire to receive regular updates from law enforcement regarding drug overdoses in The Woodlands.

The Board also designated the Director of Finance as an authorized signer on the Township’s bank and investment accounts. This followed discussion with President / CEO Monique Sharp regarding the Township’s current policies which provide a system of checks and balances that has resulted in pristine audit reports consistently for the Township.

Other reports and business included administrative reports for Community Services, Transportation (Park and Ride and Trolley System), and The Woodlands Fire Department, along with an award of bid for security guard services for Park and Ride facilities, an amendment to streetscape maintenance services with Brightview, and the purchase for replacement of Firefighter Bailout Systems. The Board also approved the minutes of the April 21, 2022, Regular Meeting and the April 27, 2022, Regular Meeting.

As part of the President / CEO’s report, the Board honored members of The Woodlands Fire Department who recently attained Urban Search and Rescue certifications from Texas A&M: Lt. Chris Mitcham, Driver/Operator Gerard van der Werff, Driver/Operator Chris Evans, Firefighter Kevin Wiens and Firefighter Triston Whitehead. Only 225 individuals hold this certification in the nation and nine of those are firefighters with The Woodlands Fire Department.

The Board also recognized the Township Environmental Services team for recently winning the 2022 Outstanding Public Education and Outreach Award by Keep Texas Beautiful for The Township’s Recycle Right program. The program, launched in 2020, has reduced contamination of curbside recyclables by 30 percent (24.5 percent in 2019 to 17.2 percent in 2021).

Members of the public addressed the Board at the beginning of the meeting. The Woodlands Township Board Meetings may be attended in person, watched live online or viewed later via recording at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/meetingvideos. The agenda and attachments may be viewed at https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/991/Agendas-Minutes-and-More.

PHOTOS: The Woodlands Township Board of Directors recognized members of The Woodlands Fire Department who obtained their Urban Search and Rescue Certification. From left, The Woodlands Fire Chief Palmer Buck, Director Jason J. Nelson, Secretary Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, Firefighter Triston Whitehead, Driver/Operator Gerard van der Werff, Driver/Operator Chris Evans, Vice Chairman Bruce Rieser, Director Dr. Ann K. Snyder and Director John Anthony Brown.

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors recognized Township Environmental Services for winning the 2022 Outstanding Public Education and Outreach Award by Keep Texas Beautiful. From left, Director Jason J. Nelson, Secretary Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, Vice Chairman Bruce Rieser, Environmental Services Manager John Geiger, Environmental Education Specialist Zoe Killian, Waste Management Public Sector Solutions Manager Terry Woodson, Director Dr. Ann K. Snyder and Director John Anthony Brown.

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