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City of Shenandoah News

Posted on: November 17, 2021

Shenandoah City Council Meeting November 17, 2021 Update

Iconic angels decorating the city of Shenandoah

Supporting Documents for Agenda Items can be found HERE.

Missed the Council meeting? Check out our YouTube channel and watch at your convenience.

Attendance: Present: Mayor Ritch Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tem Charlie Bradt (Position 4), Mike McLeod (Position 5), John Escoto (Position 3) Ted Fletcher (Position 2) and Ron Raymaker (Position 1)

ITEM 7: Sales Tax Trends Presentation - Postponed. No Council action required.

ITEM 8: Resolution Regarding Elevated Connection at Grogan's Mill and Research Forest - In cooperation with Commissioner Riley’s office and The Woodlands Township, the City of Shenandoah supports at-grade improvements at the intersection of Research Forest and Grogan's Mill Road. This intersection is immediately west of the city limits of Shenandoah. The resolution supports an at-grade solution and also opposes an overpass at this intersection. The exhibits show the proposed design and one included the city limit line in red. Councilmembers Raymaker and McLeod proposed adding opposition to an underpass to the Resolution as well. A revised Resolution will come back to Council following the town hall meeting. Council will hold a Town Hall Meeting on December 9 at a time to be determined. Council discussion; no action taken.

ITEM 9: Pine Forest Drive Impact Fee Award - Several years ago, the City passed an Impact Fee related to the construction of Pine Forest Drive. The City required the developer of the Pine Forest office condominiums (Pine Forest LLC) to pay for the construction of Pine Forest Drive but then allowed it to be reimbursed half of the cost (Impact Fee) if the owner of the Global Shenandoah property ever wanted access to Pine Forest Drive. The owner of the Global Shenandoah property now wants access to Pine Forest Drive and Pine Forest LLC is defunct. The City and Global Shenandoah have agreed the cost of construction of Pine Forest Drive was $478,199.25; Global Shenandoah’s half would be $239,099.63. Global Shenandoah has asked for a waiver. Council voted 5-0 to waive the impact fee; but if Pine Forest LLC restarts their company to be able to claim the reimbursement, Global Shenandoah would be responsible for the waived amount.

ITEM 10: Storm Water Protection Ordinance - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires the protection of storm water as it is collected by municipalities, MUDs, and other utility districts. The city maintains a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) which establishes best management practices regarding the regulation of our Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The SWMP requires the adoption of an ordinance to address the protection of storm water. A draft outline provided by TCEQ was used to create the ordinance Council voted 5-0 to approve the Storm Water Protection Ordinance.

ITEM 11: Memorial Hermann Hospital The Woodlands Agreement - The ACP waterline replacement project was previously budgeted. Staff has since worked closely with Memorial Hermann Hospital to define the scope and timing of the work. The scope has changed and hospital operations focused on COVID response, delaying the start of the project. The agreement spells out the terms of the project and the contribution from Memorial Hermann. The hospital portion is one of four ACP waterline replacement projects that will be bid at the same time once we have the agreement in hand. Previous Council action had not authorized a signatory on the agreement. Council voted 5-0 to approve City Administrator as a signatory.

ITEM 12: City Holidays 2021-2022- The City recognizes certain national holidays and one floating holiday for a total of 10 holidays per year. Council voted 4-1 to approve the addition of Juneteenth and Veterans Day and removal of the floating holiday for a total of 11 days on the holiday schedule. Councilmember Bradt voted nay.

ITEM 13: Casting Votes for Montgomery County Appraisal District - At the September 8 meeting, Council nominated Ron Raymaker to be on the ballot for election to the Montgomery County Appraisal District Board of Directors. At this meeting, Council must cast their eight votes. Council voted 5-0 to cast their eight votes for Councilmember Raymaker.

ITEM 14: Asset Forfeiture Fund Purchase- The police department requested the purchase of the following items from the asset forfeiture account: DNA Specimen Collection Beltkit (25), Deputy Fingerprint Kit (25) and associated shipping charges for a total of $1,693.66. Council voted 5-0 to approve the purchase from the asset forfeiture fund.

ITEM 15: Dual Jurisdiction of Grogan's Forest - At the last Council meeting, residents expressed concern over duplicated permitting and code enforcement requirements for residents in the Grogans' Forest neighborhoods that fall into the Shenandoah city limits. The Woodlands Township provided an explanation of what would be involved to remove The Woodlands covenants from these areas. The City Administrator provided an update on discussions with the Township in an attempt to coordinate efforts to simplify the process for residents and businesses affected by the dual requirements. Discussion only.

ITEM 16: Minutes for August 12- Council voted 5-0 to approve the minutes.

ITEM 17: Accounts Payable for October- Council voted 5-0 to ratify the accounts payable.

City Administrator Updates

Lighting of the Angels will be held November 30 from 6 -8 pm at the Public Works Building.

Executive Session: Started 8:28 pm; ended 9:10 pm

According to the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of Government Code as follows:

Government Code § 551.072: Deliberation regarding real property
- Potential purchase of real property
Government Code § 551.087: Deliberation regarding economic development
- PILOT Agreements

Consideration and, if determined appropriate, take action resulting from the item(s) listed under Executive Session.

No action was taken in the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 pm.