Shenandoah City Council and Municipal Development District hold meetings

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Shenandoah City Council held its monthly meeting recently. In attendance were Mayor John Escoto, Mayor Pro Tem Charlie Bradt (Position 4), Mike McLeod (Position 5), Jim Pollard (Position 3), Ted Fletcher (Position 2), and Ron Raymaker (Position 1).

Items addressed at the meeting included:

• Constitution Week Proclamation for Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) – September 17, 2023, marks the 236th anniversary of the framing of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention. The Twin Creeks chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, located in the City of Shenandoah, requested a proclamation designating September 17 through 23 as Constitution Week.

• Capital Project Report

• Tamina Road Water and Sewer Utilities Project – The city received five bids for the Tamina Road Water and Sewer Utilities project on August 15. Council voted 5-0 to award the project to Bull G Construction.

• Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion – Discussion concerning the lowest bid from JTR Constructors that was greater than the estimated construction cost and proposed funding. The project bids will need to be submitted to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for review before the project contracts can be executed per the loan requirements.

• Street Lights on Tamina Road – Entergy provided city staff with a cost estimate of $6,817.76 to install street lights along Tamina Rd. $10,000 was requested for funding from the MDD (Municipal Development District) to cover any potential increases in price during construction. Council voted 3-1-1 to approve the street lights. (Raymaker voted nay; Fletcher abstained)

• David Memorial Extension Administrative Contract – The David Memorial project was awarded to Brice Constructors at the August 9 meeting. Bleyl Engineering has provided their proposal for construction administration services for $538,379. Council voted 5-0 to approve the administrative contract.

• Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TMLIRP) Rerate Exposure – TMLIRP is the City’s insurance company and each year the City must review the coverage limits and inform TMLIRP of any requested changes. Council voted 5-0 to approve the rerate.

• Discussion of the 2023 - 2024 Proposed Budget

• Interlocal Agreement for licensing South Central Planning and Development Commission Software “SCPDC” – Funding for the software is from digital plan review fees collected during the application process based on the fee schedule.Council voted 5-0 to approve the permitting software.

• CECD Board of Directors Election – Paul Virgadamo’s service on the Board of Managers of the Montgomery County Emergency Communication District expires on September 30, 2023. Per the normal process, the Mayor of each city in the county submits a name to be considered for placement on the ballot. Council voted 5-0 to cast their vote for Virgadamo.

• Montgomery County Emergency Communication District (MCECD) Proposed Budget for FY 2024 – The budget must be approved by a majority of the governing bodies of participating jurisdictions and by the Montgomery County Commissioners Court. Council voted 5-0 to approve the budget.

Additionally, the City Administrator updates included discussion on the following:

• The splash pad project is awaiting some cool deck material for the new concrete areas.

• The Memorial Hermann Hospital parking structure will soon begin construction.

• The Adriatic Cafe and Gloria’s Latin Cuisine are both progressing in construction and have plans to open in early 2024.

• Physicians Centre at Vision Park, 18354 I-45 South near Starbucks, reports their first two tenants.

• Millennium Physicians, 18488 I-45 South, has completed their remodeling.

• Violet KPops, an Asian market located in the Sam Moon Center at 17947 I-45, unit 224, will soon open.

The Municipal Development District (MDD) also held its meeting. In attendance were: President Byron Bevers (Place 4), Vice President Ron Raymaker (Place 1), Dr. Jim Wallace (Place 2), and Ted Fletcher (Place 5). Absent was Secretary Joanna Gonzalez (Place 3).

Items addressed at the meeting included:

• Monthly Cash Flow Report – As requested by MDD, staff has created a visual for a 5-year cash flow projection for the MDD as well as a monthly cash flow report for future agendas. Discussion only.

• Monthly MDD Capital Projects Report

• General Fund Reimbursements – Every year the MDD budgets for reimbursement to the General Fund for shared costs. The Finance Department wanted to promote financial transparency and present the transfers to all members of the MDD board and to the public at the end of the fiscal year.

• WWTP Improvements Project – Bids for this project came in higher than originally estimated due to inflation. Staff has negotiated prices down with the low bidder as well as removed some items that weren’t critical. During the budget workshop, Council discussed delaying the $500,000 reimbursement back to MDD that was funded to begin design work and help pay for the TWDB loan application work. Staff wanted to bring this information to the board for discussion.

• Street lights for Tamina Road – Entergy has provided city staff with a cost estimate of $6,817.76 to install street lights along Tamina Rd. The lights would be mounted to existing power poles. Entergy would perform the installations. As costs are an estimate, staff recommended funding $10,000 for the project with any unused funds to be released at the close of the project. MDD voted 2-1-1 to approve the budget of $10,000. (Raymaker voted nay; Fletcher abstained)