February 20, 2006 Edition

Hooks Airport owner addresses chamber committee

By Tana Ross
Tribune Staff

Jag Gill, manager and owner of David Wayne Hooks Airport told the Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce Transportation and Mobility Committee that he would be willing to accept a deal to sell the airport to the city of Tomball, February 14.

Jag Gill spoke to the Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce Mobility and Transportation Committee, February 14.

Laying out a scenario whereby the Federal Aviation Administration would commit $25 million and the city would commit $3 million, or 10 percent owner financed with future airport income, Gill said he would accept these terms.

“If someone offered that deal to me, I would take it,” he said.

Speaking to the chamber committee and guests including Pamela Rocchi of Harris County Precinct 4 and Tomball City Manager Ben Griffin, Gill said the owner financing is just one avenue the city could take to purchase the airport a bond sale is another. However Gill pointed out that it could take as many as five years for the city to acquire the airport. Texas Department of Transportation administers FAA funds.

“I realize that timing for the city is important but three to five years for this process if feasible. It is possible the city could have the airport before that,” he said.

Grouping airport activities into four categories; what he called the product, operational resources, marketing and financials, Gill told the committee the airport has room to grow in multiple ways. The product, the airport itself that encompasses 597 acres and anchor tenants including the U.S. Marshal’s office, U.S. Customs, and Homeland Security, has 250 – 300 acres remain for facility development. Operational resources include 10 personnel and could utilize three to five more depending on future income activities, according to Gill. Marketing is active and the airport pursues new customers through Internet data and personal visits targeting corporations, charter operations, timeshare owners and trade shows. Gill said these markets are due to grow with new light jet production.

“We have served the general aviation market that include piston engines and jet traffic,” Gill said. “The industry as a whole is strong and growing. With timesharing, more people are flying Light jets are becoming more affordable and the first of these will be out this summer.”

But the lion’s share of the airport’s income is tied to fuel. Gill said the airport offers two businesses: airport services and fixed-base operation (FBO) that includes maintenance, fuel and other aircraft-related services.

“Fueling is the nucleolus of our FBO,” Gill said citing a contract with the Department of Defense.

Concerning the operational finances of the airport, Gill said Hooks has made money for five years.

“The mayor and city manager, who is a CPA, have reviewed the books for the past five years. The airport is self-sustaining. It is doing well. It is growing and has been making money,” he said.

With the expansion of Stubner-Airline Drive, scheduled to begin next year, and the growth of the general aviation industry, Gill said he would like to see the city add the airport to its infrastructure.

“We have been talking to Tomball for two to three years. Having a regional airport, I think would attract more business, even international business, that the city desires and would result in increased business throughout the area,” he said.

A TxDOT airport master plan, contracted by the Gill family in 2004, has been given a deadline for completion of February 2007. Portions of the master plan including an appraisal of $28 million and a Phase I environmental study have been completed. Gill told the committee a business plan for operations along with the master plan for the facilities would be needed to satisfy the city. In addition, he said a land plan for easements and future development would also be forwarded to the city.

“We have all the ingredients in place and just have to wait on the process,” Gill said.

Before close of the meeting, TACC President Bruce Hillegeist thanks Gill and made a request. Echoing Congressman Michael McCaul’s words at a January city-hosted airport meeting, Hillegeist said the chamber wants the city to hire a full time person to oversee the airport purchase.

“This chamber has been a strong encourager for the city to purchase the airport. We would like to see the city hire a full time airport acquisition officer. We feel time is of the essence,” Hillegeist said.

In other business, the TACC Mobility and Transportation Committee: •Heard a report from Pamela Rocchi, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner’s Office concerning Tomball road projects. •Heard a report from Tomball Police Chief Michael Blake concerning his department’s Year End Report. •Heard a report from Hillegeist updating the SH 249 Bypass, Grand Parkway and statewide TxDOT funding.

Allegations against Magnolia High teacher under investigation

By Denny O’Brien
Editor

An investigation is underway concerning one or more alleged incidents of impropriety by a Magnolia High School teacher. Lisa Minchew, an art teacher, is currently on administrative leave while district and law enforcement officials assess whether there is any basis for the allegations. A published media report, based upon information supplied by unnamed sources, stated that the improper behavior allegations resulted from Minchew supposedly supplying alcohol and having undisclosed sexual relations with a student. There is no confirmation at present as to whether the information is factual or not. Minchew is relatively new to the district, having been on the staff for only seven months. Her husband also works for Magnolia ISD as a baseball team coach.

In a press release made public last Monday, Superintendent Mike Holland, on behalf of the district, said: “Lisa Minchew, a teacher in the district, is on administrative leave pending the results of an investigation. The issue involves matters of personal privacy and student confidentiality. The district remains committed to the welfare of its students and staff." The statement is directly in keeping with the privacy guidelines established by the district in handling personnel disciplinary matters.

Lt. Dan Norris, spokesman for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, told the Tribune mid last week that: “The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office can confirm that we are involved in an investigation concerning a Magnolia High School teacher.” No information regarding the identity of the teacher or the basis for the investigation was disclosed by the MCSO.

Tomball Trustees recognize GT Teacher of the Year

By Jessica Thomas
Tribune Staff

Tomball Independent School District Board of Trustees heard Kimberly DeGracia of Willow Wood Junior High School praise her teacher, Ron Jeggle, during their regular meeting, February 14.

Northpointe Intermediate School math teacher Ron Jeggle

“Fifth grade opened the doors to my success in mathematics. Mr. Jeggle introduced me and several of my classmates to competition,” DeGracia said. The Willow Wood eighth grader went on to say that Jeggle’s encouragement to accelerate in math, led her to academic accomplishments in algebra and geometry. “I believe that if I had not been challenged I would not have worked to my potential. I am especially happy that we have math teachers like Mr. Jeggle who have expanded my knowledge of the subject.”

Jeggle was also recognized for his outstanding job as a sixth grade math teacher, math and science coordinator for two schools, his 30 years of teaching and as the Gifted and Talented Teacher of the Year for Region IV.

“His most recent accomplishment has been his students,” Northpointe Intermediate School Principal Pam Liles said. “He has inspired them to soar to mathematical heights, he has raised the bar for all his students. His students have won state awards, national awards and scholarships. Ron Jeggle has inspired his students to excel.”

After the presentation, Trustees moved through a brief business meeting approving summer instruction programs with a 7 – 0 vote. TISD Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Darlene Blair presented a program on the summer instructional programs including summer school, TAKS preparation summer session and TAKS exit level retesting and all the district’s scheduled athletic summer camps.

Director of Math and Science Randy Reedy gave the Board and update on the district’s accelerated math program. He said students are reviewed for the program, after they complete the fifth grade. Reedy listed three criteria for students to participate in the program including: a classroom mathematics average of 90 or more for the year; a teacher recommendation based on classroom performance and study skill habits; and a commended score on the most recent TAKS mathematics exam. However, Reedy said there is an exception to the criteria. He said students may enter the program on a probationary placement if they meet two of the three criteria and are close on the third.

“This lets the teachers know this student may need a little more help,” Reedy said of the probationary status.

In other business, Trustees: •Approved contract recommendations for central administration with a 7 - 0 vote. •Aprpoved the district’s request to the Texas Education Agency for a First Day of Instruction waiver, following a public survey. TISD is requesting an August 14 start date for the 2006 – 07 school year rather than the August 21 week start date set by the state. •Approved the 2006 – 07 school calendar as recommended by the TISD Calendar Committee. •Approved the Modified Schedule TAKS Testing Day waiver for 2006 – 07 school year and the Early Release waiver for the next two school years.

The next regularly scheduled workshop of TISD Trustees will be on Monday, March 13. The next regularly scheduled meeting of TISD Trustees will be on Tuesday, March 14. Both meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m. and both will be in the boardroom of the TISD administration offices at 221 W. Main St.

Magnolia ISD shows significant gains versus region, state in AEIS statistics

By Denny O’Brien
Editor

At the regular monthly meeting of the Magnolia ISD Board of Trustees on Monday, February 13, a key agenda item was a report by Assistant Superintendent Todd Stephens on the results of the 2004-2005 Academic Excellence Indicator System report for the district.

AEIS reporting covers a broad range of categories, showing how an individual district stacks up performance-wise against the averages for the region it is grouped in, as well as the state as a whole. Statistics cover everything from TAKS test scores to teacher salaries and class size.

>From Stephen’s presentation, it was obvious that the district has made healthy strides in several categories under the AEIS umbrella. He pointed out initially that the criterion for passing standardized TAKS tests has gotten progressively more difficult, year after year. A strong, positive note was that for all grades combined, MISD exceeded both state and region averages in reading, mathematics, science, social studies and for all tests combined. The only area where MISD students lagged behind was in writing proficiency.

In addition, the rate of year-to-ear improvement from the previous survey was greater for MISD than for either the region or state. Test participation rates in the district exceeded the other two averages also, and there was a noticeable reduction in the number of test failures. Stephens indicated that a major area of attention will be improving the number of students whose test scores merit recognition as “commended performers.”

In other categories, the district’s percentage of students reaching graduation and the percentage who drop out have improved and mirror or exceed regional and state averages. Participation and performance in advanced placement/dual credit courses is an area that the district, according to Stephens, will also be emphasizing, as well as student test results on the SAT and ACT. Another area covered by Stephens that needs attention is the number of recognized and distinguished diploma graduates the district produces.

On the SAT, the average MISD student score was 984, compared to a regional average of 1016 and state average of 987. The ACT average for ISD was 21.1 versus a region average of 21.0 and state average of 20.1. Stephens pointed out that work needs to be done to increase the number of students scoring at the highest levels of both standardized tests.

The AEIS report show that MISD has the following populations split: 77 percent white, 19 percent Hispanic, 3 percent African-American and less than 1 percent Asian. Magnolia ISD spends $8,101 per student from its $69 million intake of revenue. Sixty-two percent of revenues is specifically dedicated to instruction, slightly below the 64 percent average of the state. Class size is slightly higher than the regional and state averages.

Regarding teacher salaries, MISD pays more than the region and state for those with five or less years of experience and then trails slightly behind up to 20 years experience. The turnover rate for teachers is lower than the state average, with MISD at 13.7 percent and the state at 16.1 percent. Starting teachers make $36,500 per year currently in the district, compared to $34,000 per year for the 2002-2003 school year.

In other business, trustees selected B&C Construction as the general contractor for the new Celeste Graves Education Support Center, with construction due to begin shorty. B&C was one of 10 bidders on the project, and came in with a 180-day construction period and a cost of slightly over $1.7 million.

Three seek Tomball council seats in May

By Tana Ross
Tribune Staff

The filing period for the May 13 general election in the city of Tomball opened Monday, February 13 and three signed on that day. City Secretary Doris Speer reports that Mary Harvey and Barbara Tague applied for a place on the ballot for Council Position 4 and Roy Lazenby applied for Position 2.

Position 2 is currently held by Elmer Ford who announced he would not seek re-election last month. Ford was elected to council in 1979 and served until May 1982. He ran again and won in 1991 and is finishing his fourth term in office. Councilman Michael Gatlin surprised many including Mayor Hap Harrington earlier this month when he announced he would not seek re-election to Postion 4. Gatlin was elected in May 1997 and is completing his third term in office.

Harvey is a business owner and 12-year resident of Tomball. She owns Granny’s Korner in the Tomball antique district and serves on the city’s Planning Commission, Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Northwest EMS Board of Directors.

Tague is also a Tomball businesswoman with interests in Red Awning Antiques. She currently serves on city’s Zoning Commission and on the Downtown Merchants Board of Directors.

Lazenby served was founding president of Tomball College in 1988 and was executive director of E.C.H.O. Foundation of Tomball Regional Hospital from November 2001 through September 2005. He continues to serve Tomball College as chair of the Lifelong Learning Advisory Committee. Although Lazenby is retired he continues to be active as a consultant.

The filing period for the city election runs through March 13.

Tribune sets the record straight on ‘official newspaper of city’

In the February 15 edition of The Potpourri, “Potpourri Named Official Paper of Tomball,” it was reported that, “If the city were to place a quarter-page ad in the Tribune, it would pay $185 more than if is placed it in The Potpourri.” In addition, it was stated that Tomball Mayor Hap Harrington said, “…the difference between the two papers over the course of a year could be as much as $18,000.”

The Tribune wishes to set the record straight. While Tomball City Council and Mayor Hap Harrington did award The Potpourri as the official newspaper of the city based on economics, the comparisons were not equal. TheTribune features a six-column classified ad section compared to The Potpourri’s 10-column section. Therefore the price per column inch submitted by each paper for these sections is not comparable. City Council would need to compare total inches along with pricing to arrive at a comparable bid.

In general we believe the prices quoted by The Potpourri to the city were greatly reduced prices, not available to the general public. We at the Tribune choose to offer the city the same prices we offer our customers. Moreover, the comparisons of costs used as an example by The Potpourri of a quarter-page ad was just one of several comparisons. The Tribune was lower than The Potpourri in two other examples. In one example, the city compared costs of a Potpourri ad that was three inches smaller than the same ad in the Tribune.

It is our hope to educate the city before next year’s official newspaper bid process. Hopefully we will reach a place where apples will be compared to apples. That did not happen this year.

We at the Tribune remain the only locally owned and operated newspaper that is delivered to our readers’ mailboxes each and every week. We enjoy being the hometown newspaper for Tomball, the Hometown with a Heart.

Neighbors keep close eye on Spring Creek wetlands despite company’s claim of no action

By Tana Ross
Tribune Staff

A Houston-based sand and gravel company is back in the news due to reported activity on 127 acres along Spring Creek. The company is being closely watched by a citizens action group in the Tomball area due to threatened wetlands.

Five years ago Sprint halted clearing operations pending an U.S. Army Corps of Engineers investigation into whether or not it damaged wetlands and illegally filled two tributaries following a three-day tree clearing project. During President’s Day holiday weekend 2001, Sprint cleared 20 acres on the north side of Spring Creek near Tomball College. This was the first reported step in creating a sand-mining operation and cement plant.

Ultimately Sprint’s activities were found to be in violation of the Clean Water Act in 2001 and they were fined. In addition, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required a permit for storm water runoff at the project site. Had Sprint proceeded with their activities at that time, it would have also been subject to a TCEQ requirement,under the Clean Air Act for a 300-foot margin between mining activity and any surrounding dwellings, according to neighbors.

Sprint partner, Don Poarch, says recent concerns are unfounded and his company has no plans to begin sand mining or any other activity.

“We don’t have any plans for the property at this time,” Poarch said.

Addressing rumors of equipment purchased in Tomball, to work the property, Poarch said Sprint does not buy any equipment in Tomball. He speculated that talk surrounding contract engineers on the property may be based in Sprint’s recent hiring of Berg Oliver Associates Inc. of Houston.

The environmental science and engineer firm has been hired to help Sprint identify all the wetlands on the property and work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, according to Poarch. He said multiple mistakes were made five years ago and he and his partner, Joe Swinbank, do not intend to repeat them.

“We hired a contractor to clear the property and he did not have permits. But we should have known too, what was needed. Basically we went in there prematurely, so we stopped,” Poarch said.

Poarch expects clearing the property with USACE may take a year or more due to demands on the agency since Hurricane Katrina. He did not rule out future mining or other activities once all the wetlands are identified and USACE requirements are met.

“We bought the property to mine sand on it. At some point in time if is cleared with the Army Corps of Engineers we may begin work. We just don’t know now,” Poarch said.

John Davidson, unit leader of USACE in Galveston, confirmed he spoke with Berg Oliver Monday, February 12. He said the consulting firm told him they visited Sprint’s Spring Creek property that day.

“They (Berg Oliver) are doing a delineation of the small tract on the side,” Davidson said. “And, they told me they are working on a permit application. I don’t know what the permit is for, we did not talk about that.”

The delineation Davidson spoke of is identification and platting of wetland areas. He said wetlands have already been identified, and some dedicated, in a delineation report on Sprint’s large tract. The “small tract on the side,” he referred to is a 2.6 acres purchased by Poarch/Swinbank last September.

Neighbors speculate that the additional road frontage (126 feet) the small tract offers will allow an equipment site to be set up along the creek, and keep Sprint within state’s guidelines for mining under the Clean Air Act. Although Sprint owns 600 feet of road frontage on Sentinel Oaks, neighbors say it did not meet the state’s requirement in 2001.

Poarch said acquiring the small tract was not unusual.

“We have always purchased property that is adjacent to property we own, it makes sense to us,” he said.

In all, Sprint owns 129.6 acres on Sentinel Oaks Road just off SH 249 in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the city of Tomball. On the east they share a boundary with Montgomery County that owns a 2.5-acre tract; on the west, they share another boundary with Montgomery County, a 16-acre tract that runs along the creek. To the south, Spring Creek is the boundary with Harris County Precinct 4’s Spring Creek Park, Powder Mill Estates and Spring Creek Valley across the waterway.

While Poarch says Sprint has no plans for the Spring Creek property this year, neighbors are suspicious.

“There are some holes in their story and we’re going to monitor the situation each and every day,” Kim Grieff who lives on Sentinel Oaks Road said.

“If they are doing delineations, then I would imagine they will tie this to the larger piece. I would speculate that by having the additional road frontage they could put their equipment in to work the property,” Tom Saffioti, who lives across the road from Sprint’s acreage, said.

Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner Craig Doyal and Montgomery County Engineer Mark Mooney confirmed there have been no permit applications filed by Sprint with the county, this year. Sprint came very close to getting a development permit in 2001, according to Mooney. A development permit requires an engineering plan and statement concerning how the project will impact the area.

Both Doyal and Mooney stated, that if Sprint obtains permits then it would be treated no differently than any other company doing business in the county. However, Doyal said recent reports have him concerned.

“My major concern it the proximity of the property to the creek and the effects activities may have on the county’s park reserve being developed downstream between FM 2978 and SH 59,” Doyal said.

Magnolia 4B Corporation approves former City Hall change orders, color scheme

By Denny O’Brien
Editor

The February 9 regular monthly meeting agenda for the Magnolia 4B Community Development Corporation Board of Directors pertained principally to decisions regarding the rehabilitation of the former City Hall on Buddy Riley Blvd. 4B has put all additional approved projects on hold to concentrate exclusively on the building.

In the first of several topics, the Board agreed to accept City Council’s notification of its potential interest in re-acquiring the building after the reconstruction process is completed. This in no way encumbers either 4B or the city to follow through.

Next, the Board considered whether or not to spend the money for property insurance on the building during the reconstruction phase. While the Texas Municipal League provides general liability insurance, it does not cover vandalism or theft of construction supplies. The general contractor, Shettig Construction, carries general liability, vehicle, worker’s comp and umbrella insurance policies for the work, but not vandalism and theft. After discussion, it was agreed that figures for insurance in increments of $100,000 would be obtained prior to the next meeting for action at that time.

Then, John Edmundson, of the Klimas Edmundson Group (KEG), the project’s architectural consulting firm, discussed three change orders to the original project contract. First, was removal of built-up concrete around the building that had been incorrectly installed and led to some of the water intrusion problems the structure faced. The cost for this change order was $13,600. A second order involved modification of the building for reconnecting the drive-thru portico. 4B members decided not to redo the drive-thru and voted instead for additional parking and future landscaping space at a cost of $10,000. Finally it was agreed to remove the central meeting room walls entirely, at a cost of $9,000, an option in the initial contract. Other than the metal shell, the central room was the only area, along with the adjacent bathrooms, remaining intact. Further inspection by Shettig had revealed additional water damage and the Board agreed that it would be best to take out all sheetrock and above foundation bathroom piping and fixtures.

4B members also agreed on the color scheme for the building’s exterior, including the brick and roof (see rendering above). Out of four choices offered by KEG, a red-and-reen combination was chosen.

In other business, 4B rejected a request for financial assistance made by Hapeco/Hyvair to relocate its operation to Magnolia’s Extra Territorial Jurisdiction. 4B Board Member Jonny Williams indicated: “It’s not that we don’t want them here, it’s because they will not e sales or property tax generators for the city since they are outside city limits. President Frank Parker stated that: “We have an obligation to our citizens to show a positive return.” The firm had asked for a contribution of $3,000 per employee, with 12 employees to staff the former Oceaneering facility initially and 60 ultimately.

Early voting for March primaries begins Feb. 21st.

By Tana Ross
Tribune Staff

Early voting for the March 7 primary election begins Tuesday, February 21 and runs through Friday, March 3.

Voters in Tomball may go to the Tomball Public Works Building at 501-B James St. to place their ballots. Tomball early voting will be available Tuesday through Friday, February 21 – 24 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, February 25, from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, February 26, from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.; and Monday through Friday, February 27 - March 3, from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Voters in Magnolia may go to Malcolm Purvis Library, 510 Melton St., where early voting will be open Tuesday through Friday, February 21 – 24 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, February 25 from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday, February 26 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.; and Monday through Friday, February 27 – March 3, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Voters in Waller may go to the Waller County Election Office, 846 6th St., #1, Monday through Friday, February 21 – March 3 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and the Fieldstore County Building in Waller on Saturday, February 25 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Requests for an application to vote by mail began Friday, January 6. The last day a voting clerk can accept an application is Tuesday, February 28. Qualifications for an individual wishing to vote early by mail include: •65 years of age or older; •disability; •confinement in jail; or •expected absence from the county (only if you are expecting to be absent from the county on election day and during the two weeks of early voting by personal appearance, in which case ballots will be mailed to an address outside the county). If you choose the last qualification as your reason for voting by mail, you are expecting to be absent during early voting and Election Day at the time the application is made. If the application is submitted after early voting has begun, it must be submitted from an address or fax machine outside the county. For questions or information concerning voting by mail contact Harris County at 713-368-7655 or visit: www.harrisvotes.org. Montgomery County voters may access the same information by calling 936-539-7843 or visiting: www.co.montgomery.tx.us/election/. In Waller, voters may call the Waller County Elections Administrator at 979-826-7643.

Magnolia Police make key February arrests

By Denny O’Brien
Editor

Earlier this month, the Magnolia Police Department handled a variety of misdemeanor cases beyond the Class C violations usually worked on a routine basis, as reported by Police Chief Paul Rex.

Public Intoxication:
A multiple offender for public intoxication was arrested and charged again on the afternoon of February 2 by Magnolia PD officers Bo Crabtree and Mike Alexander. The officers received a call from the Exxon convenience store at the corner of Melton Street and FM 1488 indicating that a man was on the premises in an intoxicated state. James Leon Wicker, 49, of Magnolia, who had been cited on three previous occasions for the same violation was found at the scene, arrested and sent to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was later released on bond. The fourth violation of the public intoxication law means that Wicker is subject to prosecution under the guidelines for a Class B misdemeanor.

Assault-Family Violence:
At 7:40 a.m. on the morning of February 3, Officer Mike Smith was dispatched to the scene of a family altercation in the 700 block of Commerce Street. What began as a verbal confrontation turned into a physical one, and Eric Jason Rowland, 31, was arrested on a charge of assault/family violence, a Class A misdemeanor, against his brother. Both men had apparently been drinking when the incident occurred. Rowland was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and later released on bond.

Invalid Phone Cards:
Officers Mike Smith and Mike Caron recovered twelve invalid phone cards at the Chevron convenience store at the corner of FM 1488 and Goodson Loop the morning of February 3. A customer had purchased an international phone card and proceeded to his residence to activate it, when he found that the pin code was not valid. The officers talked with the store clerk who subsequently contacted the store owner. According to their testimony, a proper invoice was available for the purchase of the cards. At this time, it is not known whether the cards were actually stolen or the supplier made mistakes in properly validating them. The case is still under investigation.

Magnolia Council votes to proceed with revenue bonds for water system

Potentially confusing wording of May ballot propositions being scrutinized

By Denny O’Brien
Editor

Over the course of less than a week, the issue of financing needed improvements to Magnolia’s overburdened water supply system swayed back and forth yet again.

At a meeting of the Magnolia 4A Economic Development Corporation on February 9, City Manager Roger Carlisle told the assembled Board of Directors: “The city has exceeded its well and ground storage water capacity. We are currently doing an inventory of all water connections.” The situation resulted from a greater number of previously approved residential water connections coming sooner than anticipated, placing the city in a situation exceeding Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) guidelines. Carlisle then went on to say: “Right now the project (to increase water capacity) is at a standstill. Engineering work has been stopped.” He also strongly intimated that the proposed revenue bond financing option for the project was a dead issue and that further work would not occur at least until after the May election.

Last Tuesday evening, however, the Magnolia City Council voted against discontinuing action by the city’s bond counsel and bond financial advisor, a specific agenda item that reflected Carlisle’s previous comments, and to proceed with the issuance of revenue bonds for $4.9 million for water system infrastructure improvements and refinancing of the gas system bonds currently outstanding. Secondly, Council voted noy to repeal a resolution authorizing the city to spend $200,000 on funding additional engineering work in advance of project construction.

The revenue bond option is therefore moving forward, even though not all Council members are in agreement. According to Councilwoman Patsy Williams: “We hope to have the bonds sold later this week. We have a confirmation on the municipal bond insurance policy and also have a second firm interested as well. Going ahead with this is also going to make it easier to sell the gas system.” Bids by multiple companies for the gas system are expected in the near future.

Along with the financing issue, Council deliberated about implementing a drought contingency plan, although nothing was enacted at the meeting.

In the May election, voters will have an opportunity to decide on up to five critical propositions affecting the city’s future. Council has asked City Attorney Leonard Schneider to contact the State Attorney General’s Office to consider rewording certain of the propositions to make sure that citizens are not confused about some of the verbiage. Also, there may be a way to streamline the number of propositions on the ballot, reducing the total from five to three or four.

Williams commented on the matter, stating: “Council is doing everything possible to eliminate any confusion in the wording of the propositions that will appear on the May ballot. In addition, there will be city newsletters, door-to-door visits by citizens, press coverage and possibly a town hall meeting to ensure that the public is properly informed on the issues at stake.”

Later in the meeting, the proposal of creating a Marshal’s Office for the city court to help collect misdemeanor warrants that are in arrears, as described in the Tribune’s February 6 issue, was tabled until Council’s special meeting on February 27. Several residents spoke at last week’s meeting in favor of establishing the position, and while the Mayor and Council members apparently all support the position in principle, there is disagreement as to whether Judge John Purvis, the proponent of the plan, or City Council should make the determination as to who should have the final say in the individual to be selected as marshal.