The Woodlands Township holds meetings, installs directors and officers for 2024

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Woodlands Township Board of Directors installed directors and officers for 2024 during its regular meeting on November 29, 2023. The Board also held an annual Economic Development Zone meeting, interviewed Development Standards Committee candidates and heard reports on various issues in the community.

NEW BOARD INSTALLED FOR 2024

Dr. Ann K. Snyder and Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs returned to their respective positions, having won their elections in the November 7 election, and newly elected director Cindy Heiser joined the board, having also won her position in the Nov. 7 election. Bob Milner stepped down from the board, having fulfilled his term.

The Township honored outgoing director Bob Milner as he took his final vote on the Board. Township Chairman Dr. Ann K. Snyder thanked Mr. Milner for his service to the Township as well as to The Woodlands community and highlighted accomplishments from his term on the Board.

“Bob's commitment to public service is not only reflected in his role within the Township but extends to his active involvement in numerous community initiatives. As a respected member of Montgomery County, Bob, and his wife Teresa, have not only been long-time residents but also philanthropic leaders, leaving an indelible mark on the region. Bob also served our nation as a decorated veteran of the United States Air Force. Beyond his community service, Bob Milner has been a successful entrepreneur, and is currently serving as the Director of the Entrepreneurship Program at Sam Houston State University, Director of the Entrepreneurship Center for Engagement, and an instructor of Entrepreneurship at SHSU. Bob's impact reaches far beyond our immediate community,” she said.

Newly elected director Cindy Heiser joined the Board, and the Honorable Judge Lisa Michalk, 221st District Court Judge of Montgomery County, Texas, administered the Oaths of Office to Ms. Heiser as well as to re-elected directors Dr. Snyder and Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs.

The Board then re-elected their officers for the coming year: Chairman Dr. Ann K. Snyder, Vice Chairman Kyle Watson, Secretary Linda Nelson and Treasurer Richard Franks.

INTERVIEWS FOR DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS COMMITTEE (DSC) APPOINTMENTS

Township Covenant Administration Director Hennie van Rensburg gave a briefing on the process for appointments to the DSC and introduced the candidates to be interviewed by the Board. The DSC is an architectural control group that has the responsibility to adopt and enforce standards governing property use and maintenance. The committee promulgates rules and regulations that govern The Woodlands. The DSC, which is made up of four residents appointed by the Township Board and three Woodlands Land Development Company appointees, is the only committee with the power to grant variances. The DSC also reviews requests for improvements on all existing commercial properties.

The Township will have opportunity to appoint two of the candidates at their next board meeting. The applicants for consideration are Arthur Bredehoft, John Anthony Brown, Rachelle Colburn and Maureen Ferry.

REPORTS AND BRIEFINGS

The Board accepted administrative Reports for Law Enforcement and Community Policing for October 2023. Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Captain Tim Holifield presented to the Board on behalf of Montgomery County, and Harris County Constable, Precinct 4 Sergeant Jason Cearley presented on behalf of Harris County.

Township Chief Operating Officer Chris Nunes presented an update on the development at Riva Row and explained that the commercial project is developed by Howard Hughes and neither the Township nor the DSC has jurisdiction over this development and related issues.

Vice Chairman Kyle Watson, Chairman Snyder and Director Brad Bailey expressed that the Board is sympathetic to the residents’ concerns and have addressed them with Howard Hughes directly and continue to look for ways to work with the residents in that area to lessen the impact of the construction.

Township Director of Finance Kellan Shaw presented the financial report.

Dr. Nunes also presented a report on the grant submittal, which has been approved by the Texas Department of Transportation's 2023 Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program (SH 242/Harper’s Landing Shared Use Path), and a report on Covenants and Standards related to political signs as governed by Section 2.10 of The Woodlands Residential Standards.

Township Chief Administrative Officer Karen Dempsey presented a briefing on the process for Board and Committee appointments scheduled for the December Board meeting.

Visit The Woodlands President Nick Wolda presented a quarterly update from Visit The Woodlands (Convention & Visitors Bureau)

The Board then recessed to Executive Session, and upon reconvening, took no action.

CONSENT AGENDA

Earlier in the meeting, the Board approved items on the Consent Agenda which consists of non-controversial or “housekeeping” items as follows.

• Accepted Administrative Reports for Community Services and The Woodlands Fire Department.
• Approved Resolution 020-23 to casting its votes for Arthur Bredehoft to represent the Township and other conservation and reclamation districts on the Montgomery Central Appraisal District Board of Directors.
• Approved Resolution 021-23 casting its vote for Bob Milner to represent the Township and other conservation and reclamation districts on the Harris County Appraisal District Board of Directors.
• Approved the 2024 Recreation Facility Operating Hours and Fees.
• Approved procurement of replacement GEM electric vehicles for the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Approved procurement of a replacement Pathway Patrol Utility Terrain Vehicle for the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Approved mid-life maintenance service for Gosling Sportsfield Fields 1, 2 and 3.
• Approved a Consent to Encroachment and Indemnity Agreement with the Harris-Montgomery Counties Municipal Utility District 386 for the development of the South Kuykendahl Pathway Extension.
• Approved a proposal from Marquee Property Services (C-2022-0317) for the development of the South Kuykendahl Pathway Extension.
• Approved a construction access agreement for The Woodlands Waterway (1 Riva Row).

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ZONE (EDZ)

Following the regular board meeting, the Board convened the meeting of the Economic Development Zone.

The Board elected the newly elected officers of the Board of Directors of The Woodlands Township to serve as officers for The Woodlands Township Economic Development Zone.

Director of Finance Kellan Shaw presented the financial report for The Woodlands Township Economic Development Zone.

Board Meetings may be viewed live at https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/778/Meeting-Videos. Members of the public may also address the Board at the beginning of regular Board meetings.

The Woodlands Township is a special purpose district, providing fire protection, environmental services, parks and recreation, economic development, enhanced law enforcement services and more to over 120,000 residents and 2,000 businesses. Located 27 miles north of Houston, Texas, The Woodlands Township is committed to supporting the highest quality of life for its residents, businesses and visitors. Please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov to learn more.

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