The Woodlands Township Board holds meeting, appoints members to boards

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Woodlands Township Board of Directors held a regular meeting on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. The Board discussed a variety of topics including ongoing work with CenterPoint regarding intermittent power outages, a report from the Economic Development Partnership (EDP) and updates regarding the upcoming compensation study for Township employees. The Board of Directors also made numerous appointments to local partner boards and Visit the Woodlands. Below is a summary of action items.

On the Regular Agenda, the Township Board:

• Approved the annual Service Agreement with Interfaith of The Woodlands for senior transportation services.

• Received an update on behalf of CenterPoint Energy regarding power outages. Residents have experienced an uptick in intermittent outages, particularly in Creekside Park. The Township is working with CenterPoint to evaluate easements and trees to determine the source of the issue. CenterPoint aims to deliver an update in early 2023 regarding the cause of the outages and potential solutions.

• Received the annual report from The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership, presented by EDP Chief Executive Officer Gil Staley. The EDP engages in continuous efforts to attract and retain businesses and jobs in The Woodlands. In discussion with the Board, Mr. Staley stressed the importance of enticing business owners to make in-person visits to The Woodlands, which is often a critical factor in their decision to relocate to the community. View the presentation.

• Approved the 2023 Service Agreement with The Woodlands Economic Development Partnership. The Board amended the agreement to add an ex officio position to the EDP board to be filled by the Chairman of Visit The Woodlands, to include a Director from the Township Board in meetings with other economic development partners in the region, and to confer with either a designee of the Board or the President of the Township when taking an official position or issuing a resolution regarding local or national issues that may affect The Woodlands Township.

• Approved the selection of Evergreen Solutions, LLC, to perform a Compensation and Classification Study. Township Director of Human Resources Angela Branch presented regarding the upcoming compensation study for Township staff; the study is a formal review of compensation practices, pay structure and the external market. The study will begin in January 2023 with results expected in May 2023 in advance of Board Budget Workshops. View the presentation.

• Approved and adopted the Board of Directors meeting schedule for 2023.

• Appointed Walt Lisiewski and Mary Funderburg to the Development Standards Committee.

• Appointed Directors Bob Milner and Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs to the Audit Committee.

• Appointed Director Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council.

• Appointed by election Director Brad Bailey, Secretary Linda Nelson and Treasurer Richard Franks as members of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau (dba Visit The Woodlands) in accordance with its Bylaws. Appointed Nick Wolda as President of Visit The Woodlands.

• Appointed Director Bob Milner to the Conroe-The Woodlands Urbanized Area (UZA) Transit Advisory Committee.

• Appointed Vice Chairman Kyle Watson to serve as a Director on The Woodlands Road Utility District No. 1 Board of Directors.

Earlier in the meeting, on the Consent Agenda, the Board:

• Approved a Resolution authorizing changes to The Woodlands Township 401(a) and 457(b) Retirement Plans.

• Affirmed the officers of the Township Board of Directors as authorized signers on the Township's bank accounts.

• Approved the annual Service Agreement with Meals on Wheels-Montgomery County Senior Rides for the provision of limited eligibility demand-response transportation services.

• Approved the annual Service Agreement with South Montgomery County YMCA.

• Approved the annual Service Agreement with The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau.

• Approved appointments to The Woodlands Township’s Booking and Blocking Committee.

• Approved the first renewal of the HVAC Maintenance Services Agreement.

• Approved the payment pertaining to the annual Accela software license and maintenance agreement.

The Board recessed to Executive Session and took the subsequent action of authorizing Township staff and legal counsel to draft documentation, including draft legislation, relative to implementation of an assessment on local hotels to be used in support of meetings, tourism, and conventions in The Woodlands.

Members of the public were able to address the Board at the beginning of the meeting. Village Association representatives also gave reports to the Board respective of their village activities.

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 www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/991/Agendas-Minutes-and-More.