Robert D. Upton

The board discussed various operational and administrative items, including canal crossing agreements with CenterPoint Energy and Fort Bend County, and the second quarter investment report. Key agenda items included the approval of contracting services for access road construction at the Thomas Mackey Water Treatment Plant, the designation of National Public Works Week, and administrative resolutions concerning public information requests, records management, and by-law updates. The board also adopted revised water conservation and drought contingency plans. Reports were provided on emergency management strategies, public relations outreach, regional water conditions in the Brazos River Basin, and the Whitney Lake Reallocation Feasibility Study.

The committee discussed safety procedures involving overhead hazards, received a presentation on the Gridbee Aeration Treatment Process to manage trihalomethane (THM) levels, and reviewed reports on reservoir levels, canal infrastructure maintenance, and water quality data. Updates were provided on the South Line Interconnects Plugging Project, a water line replacement project, and the upcoming annual chlorine maintenance schedule. Additionally, the committee evaluated strategies for reducing THM formation through operational adjustments and future capital investment considerations.

The board discussed safety protocols, specifically ladder safety. It addressed the schedule for future committee meetings and approved several consent items, including a canal crossing agreement, IT infrastructure services, a memorandum of understanding for dredge material disposal, multiple water supply and system contracts, and a resolution for grant funding assistance. The board also approved an engagement letter for federal government relations services and a resolution regarding priorities for the upcoming Texas legislative session. Management and departmental reports covered public relations efforts, water conditions in the Brazos River Basin, operations and maintenance updates for the water treatment plant and canal systems, and ongoing regional and state water-related initiatives.

The board discussed and took action on several items including canal crossing agreements, adoption of a new purchasing policy, budget amendments for capital projects, and various construction and professional service contracts. The meeting also addressed health and ancillary benefits for the upcoming year, received departmental reports regarding water basin management, emergency response planning, and plant maintenance operations. Furthermore, the board held an executive session concerning PFAS class action litigation and subsequently authorized legal action to opt out of the proposed class action settlements.

The Board of Directors received management and operational updates regarding water treatment plant operations, engineering and strategy department productivity, and legislative acts. The meeting included the approval of an agreement with Durotech for the new administrative building design phase, an engineering services work authorization with Freese and Nichols for electrical system analysis at the Thomas S. Mackey Water Treatment Plant, and a construction contract with WW Payton Corporation for site work at the 7th Avenue Booster Pump Station. The Board also approved a system raw water availability agreement with the City of Missouri City and an engineering work authorization with ARKK Engineers for construction administration services. Additionally, the Board reviewed proposed capital projects for the 2020-21 fiscal year and discussed the 2020 action plan based on organizational priorities.