SULPHUR RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2015
PRESENT: Michael Russell, President
Borden Bell, Jr., Vice President
Kirby Hollingsworth
Pat Wommack
Brad Drake
Wally Kraft
STAFF: Nancy Rose, Secretary/Treasurer
John Jarvis, Consultant
Kirk Patton, Attorney
ABSENT: David Neeley
VISTORS: See Attachment
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 Kirby Hollingsworth.
ITEM# 3: DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR
AUGUST 18th, 2015:
Michael Russell, President stated that each one has a copy of the Minutes for
August 18, 2015. He asked if there were any comments or correction.
Borden Bell, Jr., Vice President stated that he did not attend the August 15, 2015
Board Meeting. But, there was a Letter written to the Texas Water Development
Board (TWDB) for SRBA to be listed as a “Wholesale Water Provider”, but was not
listed as one of the Agenda Items for the August 18, 2015 Meeting.
He stated that he did not have any problems with the way the Minutes were
written. He stated that he wanted to add an ”Amendment” to the “Minutes” that
a copy of the letter dated September 01, 2015 written to Texas Water
Development Board be attached to the said, “Minutes” of August 18, 2015.
A motion was made by Kirby Hollingsworth and seconded by Wally Kraft to
approve the Minutes as written with the “Amendment” to attach the “Letter”
written to the Texas Water Development Board on September 01, 2015 to the
Minutes of August 18, 2015.
The motion carried with all members present voting AYE.
ITEM# 4: DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON THE APPROVAL OF THE CASH POSITION
REPORT:
Nancy Rose stated that the General Ledger was for the fiscal year ending
August 31, 2015.
Michael Russell, President stated that we had $150,712.82 in the Checking
Account as of August 31st, 2015 and $200,000.00 in Certificates of Deposit
making a total of $350,712.82.
A motion was made by Brad Drake and seconded by Borden Bell, Jr., Vice
President to approve the Cash Position Report as presented.
The motion carried with all members present voting AYE.
ITEM# 5: UPDATES ON THE CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM:
Nancy Rose stated that the new Contract for FY2015‐2017 with TCEQ and the
“Interlocal Agreement” with Texarkana College have all been signed and
delivered.
She stated that she was working on the final Purchase Voucher for the previous
contract.
Dr. Mike Buttram stated that the “Quality Assurance Project Plan” (QAPP) has
been completed. He stated that North Texas Municipal Water District was doing
the water monitoring on the “Jim Chapman Lake” and their information goes into
SRBA’s QAPP.
ITEM# 6: DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION CONCERNING RELEASE TO THIRD PARITES
OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SRBA:
Michael Russell, President stated that all the Board of Directors have received an
E‐Mail from Walt Sears regarding information on the “Timberland and Agricultural
Land Impact Assessment” report was given to Region C and not to Region D in
regards to the Region C & D conflict report.
He stated that SRBA has not released the study. He stated that he nor any of the
SRBA Board of Directors has received a copy of the “Timberland and Agricultural
Land Impact Assessment” Report.
He stated that he had asked Kirk Patton, Attorney to prepare a “Resolution” in
regards to releasing reports to the third parties.
Michael Russell, President and the SRBA Board of Directors discussed the
“Resolution” and it was decided that the “Resolution” would not stop or prevent
anyone from releasing any reports.
It was decided that an agenda item be put on next month’s, “Agenda” for the
SRBA Board of Directors to discuss and appoint a committee from the Board of
Directors to see what was the best procedure for placing “Studies” on the SRBA
Web Page.
Wayne Owens, Water Planning Director of Tarrant Regional Water District spoke
to the SRBA Board of Directors and stated that he felt responsible for the report
being on the Region C report and told the Board that he was very disappointed
that it happened.
Becky Griffith, Freese and Nichols stated that Freese & Nichols was responsible
for the report being released. She stated that she was asked if it could be used in
the Region C report and she told the person it would have to be approved by John
Jarvis. She stated that she E‐Mailed John Jarvis and he said, “No”; but, the other
person hit send before she got back with her.
So, the report was released without any authorization from the SRBA Board of
Directors knowledge. The SRBA Office or SRBA Board of Directors does not have a
copy of the Report, “Timberland and Agricultural Land Impact Assessment”, Draft
or Final Draft copy or any such reports.
ITEM# 7: DISCUSS LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 01, 2015 FROM SULPHUR RIVER
BASIN AUTHORITY TO OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL OF TEXAS WATER
DEVELOPMENT BOARD CONCERNING POTENTIAL INTEREGIONAL CONFLICT
BETWEEN REGIONAL WATER PLANS FOR REGION C & D:
There were discussions on the “Letter” and some Board of Directors stated that
any “Letter” of this importance should be discussed and approved by the Board of
Directors.
It was decided to put this item on next month’s, “Agenda” to discuss how the
Board of Directors want to handle this matter in the future.
John Jarvis spoke of the Letter and why it was written.
John Jarvis stated that (SRBA) has worked hard to study the entire basin to
understand the problems and plan for development that will benefit the basin
and others. The water supply strategies being studied by SRBA should remain in
the state water plan. If any strategy was removed it would impact the Feasibility
Study.
SRBA’s current contract indicates that SRBA expects to be a Wholesale Water
Provider (WWP). Being designated as a WWP would improve communication
between SRBA and Region D concerning data. The letter was not intended to
make anyone think SRBA was applying for water rights.
ITEM# 8: UPDATES ON THE FEASIBILITY STUDY:
John Jarvis gave an update on the Feasibility Study.
He stated the first decisional milestone during the feasibility study is the
“Alternatives Milestone” where the Vertical Team agrees on the proposed way
forward on continuing analysis and evaluation on a focused array of alternatives.
Because the Project Development Team has focused its activities to use available
and targeted data to reduce the risk associated with a poor planning decision, this
should be achievable within the first three months of the study.
He stated the second decisional milestone during the feasibility study is the
Tentatively Selected Plan Milestone where the Vertical Team agrees on the
Project Development Team recommendation of a tentatively selected plan and
proposed way forward on developing sufficient cost and design information for
the final feasibility study report. Because the Project Development Team is writing
the feasibility study report as it goes and is targeting a 100 page study report, by
this milestone a draft feasibility study report has been prepared.
He stated the Corps of Engineers has not completed the Environmental data
needed for SBG to complete the Task 4—Optimization Evaluation.
Bob Murray, Sulphur Basin Group (SBG), gave a Presentation on the
“Timberland and Agricultural Land Impact Assessment”.
ITEM# 9: UPDATES ON REGION D:
Patricia Wommack stated that the Region D Board filled all their vacancies but
Drew Roberts, who had resigned, still remains to be filled. So, the vacancy of
Drew Roberts will be on the next month’s “Agenda”.
She stated that the Region D Board voted for Jim Thompson to represent them at
the Texas Development Water Board Meeting on September 9th, 2015 in Austin,
Texas in regards to the conflict of Region C & D.
ITEM# 10: PUBLIC COMMENTS:
1. Gary Cheatwood…Red River County, stated that the Lake Marvin Nichols
would have a negative impact on the Red River County.
2. Steve Mayo, Liaisons for City of Texarkana, Texas … wants copies of all
SRBA’s information.
ITEM# 11: ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND/OR STAFF:
Nancy Rose stated the next regular meeting is set for October 20th, 2015.
Nancy Rose stated that she has already started working on the FY2015 Audit
with Wilf & Henderson.
She stated that the “Sunset Review” is still in progress.
ITEM# 12: ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Brad Drake and seconded by Wally Kraft to Adjourn. The
motion carried with all members present voting AYE.
