PARKWAY UTILITY DISTRICT MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 29, 2018
The Board of Directors (the “Board” or “Directors”) of Parkway Utility District (the “District”) met in special session, at 6:30 p.m., at the District’s office located at 12843 Tidwell Road, Houston, Texas, on Thursday, March 29, 2018, pursuant to notice of said meeting posted in accordance with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code; whereupon the roll was called of the members of the Board, to-wit:
Brenda McNeil – President
Alphonso P. Rettig, Jr. – Vice President
Jennifer Balderas – Secretary
Ron Everhart – Assistant Secretary
Gloria M. Woods – Director
All members of the Board were present, except for Director Woods. Also attending were Bill Killian of Frontier Waste (“Frontier”); Jamal Singleton of Direct Waste Solutions, Inc. (“Direct”); James R. Ainsworth, Ronald D. Anderson, II and Jacob Valentien of A&S Engineers, Inc. (“A&S”); and Elliot M. Barner, attorney, and Diane F. Brewer, paralegal, of Radcliffe Bobbitt Adams Polley PLLC (“Attorney” or “RBAP”).
The President, after finding that the notice of the meeting was posted as required by law and determining that a quorum of the Board of Directors was present, called the meeting to order and declared it open for such business as may come before it.
PROPOSALS FOR GARBAGE COLLECTION SERVICES
Mr. Barner informed the Board that proposals for garbage and recycling collection were received from Frontier, Direct, WCA Corporation (“WCA”) and OFS Solid Waste, Inc. (“OFS”).
Mr. Singleton first introduced himself to the Board, presented his proposal and provided a history of his experience in the solid waste collection business. Mr. Singleton stated that Direct deals strictly with residential garbage and recycling services and is based on the northeast side of Houston. Mr. Singleton reported that Direct will use two (2) new 2018 25-yard rear loader vehicles to collect Parkway’s garbage. Mr. Singleton indicated that collection days will change from a Monday/Thursday schedule to a Wednesday/Saturday schedule, with recycling collected on Saturdays, should the Board decide to hire Direct. Mr. Singleton stated that Direct could begin garbage collection on Saturday, March 31, 2018, and possibly Friday, March 30, 2018, if a decision is made by the Board at tonight’s meeting. Mr. Singleton offered to provide a mail-out to District customers or hang door tags regarding the new garbage collection service provider and collection dates. In response to a question, Mr. Singleton reported that Direct owns a total of 10 garbage trucks. Mr. Singleton also reported that Direct recognizes six (6) holidays, including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and garbage/recycling collection scheduled for those days will be collected on the next regularly-scheduled service day.
Next, Mr. Killian introduced himself to the Board and described the services that Frontier is able to provide. Mr. Killian stated that Frontier currently provides services for many municipalities and homeowner associations, but currently has no utility districts. Mr. Killian discussed Frontier’s seamless service plan and indicated that service dates and rates would remain the same as those of Eco Waste and Recycling (“Eco”). Mr. Killian stated that Frontier can begin garbage collection on Friday, March 30, 2018. Mr. Killian discussed potentially providing recycling collection every other week with 96-gallon recycling containers as opposed to the current small containers provided by Eco. Mr. Killian stated that garbage collection service days that fall on holidays recognized by Frontier will be collected the following day. Mr. Killian stated that Frontier is currently servicing approximately 14,000 addresses each week.
In response to a question from the Board, Mr. Barner then reviewed the OFS proposal and noted that OFS has agreed to maintain the current collection days. Mr. Barner reported that garbage collection service days that fall on holidays recognized by OFS will be collected on the next regularly-scheduled service day.
Next, Mr. Barner reviewed the WCA proposal and noted that WCA quoted a higher rate for solid waste and recycling collection services than the other companies providing proposals. A lengthy discussion ensued.
Upon a motion a motion by Director Rettig, seconded by Director Balderas, after full discussion and with all Directors present voting aye, the Board accepted the proposal of Direct Waste.
Mr. Singleton informed the Board that garbage collection will commence on Friday, March 30, 2018 and regularly-scheduled collection will begin on Saturday, March 31, 2018.
Messrs. Killian and Singleton exited the meeting at this time.
REGIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT EXPANSION (“RWWTP”) AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (THE “PROJECT”)
First, Mr. Ainsworth thanked the Board for taking the time to meet regarding the Project. Mr. Anderson next presented a Wastewater Projections and Treatment Facility Discussion Agenda, a copy of which is attached hereto, and reviewed same with the Board. Mr. Valentien next introduced himself and explained the presentation notebook (the “Notebook”), a copy of which is attached hereto.
Mr. Anderson presented a map of the boundaries of the Districts and a summary of connections in both Districts. Mr. Anderson next discussed the District’s current demands as of the first quarter of 2018, annexation possibilities and wastewater demands for both the District and Greenwood Utility District (“Greenwood”).
Mr. Ainsworth discussed how the capacity projections for the Project were calculated (see Slide 8 of the Notebook). Messrs. Anderson and Valentien explained how wastewater demand is calculated (see Slide 9 of the Notebook).
Mr. Valentien discussed the current WWTP flow as calculated. In response to a question asked by Director McNeil, Mr. Anderson explained permit excursions and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (the “TCEQ”) process for evaluating such excursions.
Mr. Valentien reviewed TCEQ requirements referenced on Slide 11 of the Notebook. Mr. Anderson explained Greenwood’s investigation of what could be done with flows and stated that Greenwood is constructing a force main to send flows to the Tidwell Lakes WWTP to alleviate flow to the WWTP.
Mr. Valentien then reviewed the proposed WWTP Expansion Phases with the Board.
Mr. Valentien reviewed an aerial photograph of the current WWTP site layout and discussed the goals in designing the new WWTP. Mr. Valentien stated that the new WWTP will be designed to minimize expansion costs in the future.
Next, discussion ensued regarding the WWTP Expansion Schedule and Cost Estimate. It was reported that it is the Engineer’s job to be cost-effective and that some items have to be built for the “ultimate” use. In response to a question from Mr. Barner, Mr. Anderson stated that it is better to pay a little bit more now in order to save for the future.
Mr. Barner reminded the Board and A&S that the District expects future development along Beltway 8 and need for wastewater capacity to such development.
Mr. Ainsworth asked the Board that if anything can be added to SharePoint, to let him know. Mr. Ainsworth discussed timing issues and concerns going forward.
Mr. Ainsworth added that he was aware Parkway was seeking proposals for a new engineer and that A&S would be happy to serve as the District’s engineer and could begin immediately.
Messrs. Ainsworth, Anderson and Valentien exited the meeting at this time.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
Mr. Barner then reported that he emailed Donna Beveridge and Off-Cinco regarding the new garbage collection service provider and service beginning on Friday, March 30, 2018.
Mr. Barner next reported that requests for proposals for engineering services were submitted to LJA Engineering, Jones | Carter and AEI Engineering, LLC. Discussion ensued regarding a date for a special meeting to review engineering proposals. It was the consensus of the Board to schedule a special meeting on Thursday, April 12, 2018, at 6:30 p.m.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD, the meeting was adjourned.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 17th day of April, 2018.
Secretary, Board of Directors
March 29, 2018 Minutes Signature