SULPHUR RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016
PRESENT: Michael Russell, President
Patricia Wommack
Wally Kraft
Brad Drake
Kirby Hollingsworth
STAFF: Nancy Rose, Secretary/Treasurer
John Jarvis, Consultant
Kirk Patton, Attorney
ABSENT: Borden Bell, Jr., Vice President
VISITORS: See Attachment
ITEM# 1: MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 1:00 P.M:
The Meeting was called to order at 1:00 P.M. by Michael Russell, President.
He thanked everyone in attendance.
ITEM# 2: INVOCATION:
Invocation was given by Wally Kraft.
ITEM# 3: DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR
JANUARY 19th, 2016:
Michael Russell, President stated that everyone had received a copy of the
Minutes for January 19th, 2016. He asked, if any one has any comments or
amendments to the Minutes?
A motion was made by Wally Kraft and seconded by Brad Drake to approve the
Minutes for January 19th, 2016 as presented.
The motion carried with all members present voting AYE.
ITEM# 4: PUBLIC COMMENTS:
(1). John Whitson, City Manager for City of Texarkana, Texas.
He thanked the Board of Directors for approving a letter in support of
Texarkana’s water rights at Lake Wright Patman.
He stated that there is still one more issue that has been asked for of
SRBA Board of Directors, that is to set a meeting date to set down and
discuss where SRBA is on the past, present and future in studies.
Michael Russell, President appointed John Jarvis, Consultant, to get with the
City of Texarkana, Texas and get an idea of what it is they want from SRBA.
(2). David Nabors, Region D Board Member of Paris, Texas.
He wanted to know if SRBA would be interested in getting involved with
Natural Resources Conservation Service (N.R.C.S.)? He stated that other
River Authorities are working with the N.R.C.S.
Michael Russell, President and Wally Kraft stated that SRBA would be checking
in on this matter. It will be put on the next month “Agenda”.
ITEM# 5: DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON THE REPORTS OF THE CASH POSITION
AND EXPENDITURES:
Michael Russell, President stated that we have $819,784.27 in the Checking
Account as of February 8, 2016.
A motion was made by Kirby Hollingsworth and seconded by Brad Drake to
approve the Cash Position and Expenditures Reports as presented.
The motion carried with all members present voting AYE.
ITEM# 6: UPDATES ON THE CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM:
Dr. Mike Buttram stated that Sulphur River was full of water.
He stated that we were on schedule with all the water monitoring.
He stated that he was working with North Texas Municipal Water District on
helping with their water monitoring.
ITEM# 7: UPDATES ON REGION D:
Patricia Wommack stated that Region D last meeting was on January 20, 2016.
She stated that there will not be a February meeting, the next meeting is set for
March 16, 2016. (There will be a Public Meeting and then the regular Region D
Meeting on the same day).
She stated they re‐elected Linda Price, Chairman and George Frost, Vice Chair
and Bill Kirby, Secretary. JoAnn Duman and Bob Staton were elected to the
Executive Committee (Members At Large).
She stated that Temple McKinnon, Project Manager for Region D, has been
replaced with Ron Ellis.
She stated that they approved a $10,000 amendment to the Espey Agreement
to cover completion of Round 4 Water Planning and or preparing to start
working on Round 5.
Brad Drake asked how much money does Region D receives each year. Patricia
Wommack did not know. George Frost stated that they receive $200,000 every 5
years.
ITEM# 8: DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION CONCERNING FIRST AMENDMENT TO
AGREEMENT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES BETWEEN SULPHUR RIVER BASIN
AUTHORITY AND ESPEY CONSULTANTS, INC. d/b/a RPS ESPEY, “PROVIDING FOR
SULPHUR RIVER BASIN INSTREAM FLOW STUDY, PHASE 2”.
Michael Russell, President stated that each Board Member has a copy of the
“Agreement” that was discussed by Woody Frossard, Tarrant Regional Water
District, at the last monthly meeting.
There was much discussion about the “Scope of Work” for FY2016. Wally Kraft
asked if we are not able to do the Dam Safety, can the Lake level be raised?
Kirby Hollingsworth spoke regarding his concern of the water availability and
yield E‐Flow.
Brad Drake asked if there were a new state of drought of records?
A motion was made by Wally Kraft and seconded by Kirby Hollingsworth to
Adopt the Resolution to RESOLVED, that Sulphur River Basin Authority is
authorized to enter into First Amendment to Agreement for Engineering
Services with Espey Consultants, Inc., d/b/a RPS Espey, concerning Sulphur River
Basin Instream Flow Study, Phase 2, in accordance with the terms and
provisions presented at this meeting of the Board of Directors; a copy of said
First Amendment to Agreement for Engineering Services is attached to these
Resolutions.
The motion carried with Wally Kraft, Kirby Hollingsworth, Brad Drake and
Michael Russell voting AYE.
Patricia Wommack, Abstained
ITEM# 9: DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION CONCERNING FOURTH MODIFICATION TO
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN SULPHUR RIVER BASIN
AUTHORITY AND SULPHUR BASIN GROUP, PLLC, PROVIDING FOR CY2016
SUPPORT SERVICES WORK ORDER # 2:
Michael Russell, President stated that each Board Members has a copy of the
Agreement that was discussed by Woody Frossard, Tarrant Regional Water
District at last monthly meeting.
Mr. Kirk Patton, Attorney stated that the SRBA Board of Directors could not
“Adopt” the Option 1, for $41,975 at this time; he stated that it is not worded in
the Agreement. It will have to be put back on next month’s Agenda to discuss
and take any action.
Patricia Wommack asked why are we paying $120,000 for Program Support in
Task 3, and why are we paying for SBG to talk to the Sunset Commission?
Brad Drake stated that you are saying we will be spending the $120,000
regardless? John Jarvis answered with a yes/pretty much.
A motion was made by Kirby Hollingsworth and seconded by Wally Kraft to
Adopt the Resolution to RESOLVED, that Sulphur River Basin Authority is
authorized to enter into Fourth Modification to Professional Services Agreement
with Sulphur Basin Group, PLLC, in accordance with the terms and provisions
presented at this meeting of the Board of Directors; without Option 1 amount
$41,975.00 and Option 1 will to be added to the Agenda for next month to
discuss and take action.
The motion carried with Kirby Hollingsworth, Wally Kraft, Brad Drake and
Michael Russell voting AYE.
Patricia Wommack‐Abstained.
ITEM# 10: UPDATES ON THE FEASIBILITY STUDY:
John Jarvis stated that he has been in communication with the Ft. Worth, Texas
District Division/HQ of the Corps of Engineers.
He stated that the current date for Tentatively Selected Plan that was set for
August 2016 is running behind time. It will be hard pressed to get it done this
year.
He stated that he hoped to have more information by next monthly meeting.
He stated that the Corps of Engineers will be having (2) Public Meetings this
month. One will be on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016 @ 6:00 P.M. at the Truman
Arnold Building at the Texarkana College and the second one will be on
Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. at the Mt. Pleasant Civic Center.
ITEM# 11: ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND/OR STAFF:
The next monthly regular meeting is set for Tuesday, March 15th, 2016 @ 1:00
P.M.
ITEM# 12: ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Wally Kraft and seconded by Brad Drake to Adjourn.
The motion carried with all members present voting AYE.
