SULPHUR RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2015
PRESENT: Michael Russell, President
Borden Bell, Jr., Vice President
Patricia Wommack
Wally Kraft
STAFF: Nancy Rose, Secretary/Treasurer
John Jarvis, Consultant
ABSENT: Kirby Hollingsworth
Brad Drake
David Neeley
ITEM# 1: MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 1:00 P.M:
Michael Russell, President called the meeting to order at 1:00 P.M.
He welcomed and thanked everyone in attendance.
ITEM# 2: INVOCATION:
Invocation was given by Borden Bell, Jr., Vice President
ITEM# 3: DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR
OCTOBER 20th, 2015:
A motion was made by Borden Bell, Jr., and seconded by Wally Kraft to approve
the Minutes for October 20th, 2015 as presented.
The motion carried with all members present voting AYE.
ITEM# 4: PUBLIC COMMENTS:
1. Jeff Lewis, City Attorney for the City of Texarkana, Texas:
He read about the “City of Texarkana, Texas “Resolution” of “No
Confidence” in SRBA.
He asked the Board of Directors if they had a “Policy” stating that additional
water rights be reserved for those who already have those rights at Lake
Wright Patman? Michael Russell, President stated: “No, we do not have a
Policy stating that! Mr. Lewis then spoke about the Letter in regards to
Wholesale Water Rights.
Mr. Lewis stated that he wanted the SRBA Board of Directors to answer all
questions in a public meeting before end of year 2015.
2. John Whitson, City Manager of City of Texarkana, Texas:
He asked that the SRBA Board of Directors coordinate a date with the
Secretary, of the City of Texarkana, Texas for SRBA and the City Council to
hold a special meeting and discuss, past, current and future actions of SRBA
related to water in Lake Wright Patman. He stated that he wanted this
done within 60 days.
3. Walt Sears, Administrator for Region D:
He passed out a sheet with his comments.
He stated that there errors he had found in the June 4, 2015 “Studies”.
He stated that Engineers should meet with Stakeholders to review work
orders.
Mr. Sears wants these questions answered.
Michael Russell, President stated that he would get with John Jarvis and get
these questions answered.
Borden Bell, Jr., Vice President asked John Jarvis, specifically, if he and
Becky Griffith would take care of this matter. John said: “Yes, he would get
with SBG, Inc. and get them to attend the next regular SRBA Board Meeting
to explain the questions”.
4. Ann Rushing, Mayor of City of Clarksville, Texas:
She stated that she really appreciated all that SRBA had done to help with
water planning.
She stated she was disturbed about how people acted at the last months
SRBA meeting. She said that it was quite a “Show”, put on to try and
discredit the SRBA Board Members. She stated that the comments were
malicious, downright dirty and slanderous.
ITEM# 5 DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON THE REPORTS OF THE CASH POSITION
AND EXPENDITURES:
Michael Russell, President stated that we have $180,736.98 in the Checking
Account and at this time we have no Certificates of Deposit.
Michael Russell, President stated that each one had a copy of the General Ledger
with all the Checks listing to whom and what they were written for.
A motion was made by Wally Kraft and seconded by Borden Bell, Jr., to approve
the Reports of the Cash Position and Expenditures as presented.
The motion carried with all members present voting AYE.
ITEM# 6: UPDATES ON THE CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM:
Dr. Mike Buttram stated that we have plenty of water. But, he stated that we are
behind on water monitoring because of all the rain.
ITEM# 7: DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON THE APPROVAL OF THE FY2015
ANNUAL AUDIT AS PRESENTED BY WILF & HENDERSON, P.C.:
Mr. Larry Henderson of Wilf & Henderson, P.C. gave the presentation of FY2015
Annual Audit. He stated that it was a Clean Audit.
Borden Bell, Jr., Vice President asked Mr. Henderson what can be done about the
segregation of duties, besides hiring someone. Mr. Henderson stated that all the
small businesses are going through the same thing (Shorthanded).
A motion was made by Borden Bell, Jr., Vice President and seconded by Wally
Kraft to approve the FY2015 Annual Audit as presented and to have it placed on
the SRBA’s Web Page.
The motion carried with all members present voting AYE.
ITEM# 8: DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON THE “ANNUAL REVIEW” OF THE
“INVESTMENT POLICY”:
Michael Russell, President stated that each one has a copy of the “Investment
Policy”. He stated that it has to be reviewed by the Board of Directors, annually.
A motion was made by Borden Bell, Jr., and seconded by Patricia Wommack to
approve the “Investment Policy” with No changes.
The motion carried with all members present voting AYE.
ITEM# 9: DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION CONCERNING ERRORS SET FORTH IN
“REVISED PATMAN AND NICHOLS YIELD MODELING” THAT WAS APPROVED AT
LAST MONTH MEETING:
A motion was made by Borden Bell, Jr., Vice President and seconded by Patricia
Wommack to approve a “Resolution” to Revised engineering report dated June 4,
2015, prepared by Sulphur Basin Group, PLLC (“SBG”), with subject of “Revised
Patman and Nichols Yield Modeling”, was delivered to the Board of Directors of
Sulphur River Basin Authority (“SRBA”) at its meeting on October 20, 2015, and
was approved at such meeting; and
Whereas, subsequent to said meeting, it was discovered that said revised
engineering report contained various errors and was approved by SRBA’s Board of
Directors without having had sufficient time to review said revised engineering
report prior to its being considered for approval;
Now, Therefore, it is Resolved that when engineering reports and/or studies are
received by SRBA, they shall be delivered to the Board of Directors, and the Board
of Directors shall have at least twenty (20) days (Minimum) to review such
engineering reports and/or studies prior to said engineering reports and/or
studies being considered for approval by the Board of Directors.
The motion carried with all members present voting AYE.
ITEM# 10: UPDATES ON THE FEASIBILITY STUDY:
John Jarvis stated that he and Michael Russell, President had attended the Project
Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting on October 28, 2015 in Ft. Worth, Texas.
The Topics discussed were: Dam Safety and dates moved for Tentatively Selected
Plan (TSP). He stated that the Corps of Engineers keep moving the dates
backward.
He stated that the Ultimate Rule Curve is safe if only needs are for Texarkana,
Texas.
John Jarvis stated that he attended the PDT meeting in Ft. Worth, Texas at the
Corps of Engineers Office on November 12, 2015.
The Topics discussed were: Work Delay
Path Forward
Funding
Depending on the Corps of Engineers and SRBA answers, it could change the Path
Forward.
He stated that we will not know until the Corps of Engineers decides and that
could take a while. The Corps of Engineers keeps moving everything backward.
ITEM# 11: UPDATES ON REGION D:
Patricia Wommack stated that at the October 21, 2015 Region D, they elected
Officers for the Vacancies.
She stated that there were ratification between Region C & Region D Agreement
with Round 4.
She stated, the next meeting is set for Wednesday, November 18, 2015.
ITEM# 12: ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND/OR
STAFF:
The next regular monthly meeting date is set for Tuesday, December 15, 2015 @
1:00 P.M.
ITEM# 13: ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Wally Kraft and seconded by Borden Bell, Jr., to Adjourn.
The motion carried with all members present voting AYE.
