Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 a.m., August 26, 1998

Summary of Minutes
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee
June 3, 1998

BE IT REMEMBERED that heretofore on the 3rd day of June 1998, there came on to be heard matters under the regulatory authority of the Parks and Wildlife Commission of Texas, in the Commission Hearing Room of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Headquarters complex, Austin, Travis County, Texas beginning at 10:28 a.m., to wit:

I. COMMISSION ATTENDANCE

Chair: John Avila, Jr. (absent)
Lee M. Bass
Nolan Ryan
Dick Heath
Ernest Angelo, Jr.
Carol E. Dinkins
Mickey Burleson
Susan Howard-Chrane
Ray Clymer (absent)
II. OPENING STATEMENT

Andrew Sansom, Executive Director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, read the opening statement into the record.

III. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE PRESENTED FOR COMMITTEE BRIEFING

Mr. Patton, Director of the Infrastructure Division, briefed the Commission on the status of the Capital Program. He reminded them that the first quarter bond expenditure deadline is September 16, 1998 and went on to restate the terms used in the report. "Under Contract" refers to dollars encumbered (or signed contracts) and "Pending Contract" refers to contracts that will be underway within 30 days of the report. Of a total $42.9 million Capital Program, Mr. Patton explained that our expenditure goal is $16 million by September 1998 and that we are almost three quarters complete in reaching our goal. Mr. Patton referred to "Carry Over" (projects from previous years) totaling $22.8 million. He went on to explain that one of the challenges facing us with the Capital Program this year is that there are many smaller maintenance and repair projects. Mr. Patton showed that we successfully spent nearly $2 million in Carry Over from the last report. He showed the Commission that we have spent to-date $700,000 in the Non-Bond category and $130,000 in Bond projects. Mr. Patton explained that, as shown on the line graph, we are projecting to spend about $200,000 over the required $1.2 million by the end of the first quarter. As shown in the Bond Expenditure Strategy graph, our current expenditures are below our target of $200,000 for the June reporting period. Mr. Patton assured the Commission that we are going to get back on track by July. The last Capital Program slide referring to the Minor Repair category, showed an increase of $400,000 since the April Commission report, totally $500,000 spent to-date. Commissioner Heath asked Mr. Patton if he was confident that we would get back on schedule with bond expenditures and Mr. Patton replied that he was. Commissioner Heath asked if we will be on schedule by September 15 or by July 15, and Mr. Patton went on to explain that we are projected to be back on track with our expenditure strategy by July 15. Commissioner Heath requested that we provide an update on our status in July.

Mr. Patton moved on to the next item, Camp, Dresser and McKee's water/wastewater assessment report. Allen Woelke, from CDM's Austin office provided a brief overview of the assessment to date. Mr. Woelke restated the purpose of the project which is to inventory and assess water/watewater facilities throughout our system and determine any health and safety concerns, determine regulatory compliance issues that need addressing, and look at any equipment or facility deterioration. Mr. Woelke went on to inform the Commission that field investigations on 117 sites were conducted by a qualified registered engineer and in some cases, a certified water/wastewater facilities operator. CDM is currently in the evaluation report phase and will submit the final draft in July. Mr. Woelke informed them that a facility management system was the final aspect of the scope of work. He called the Commissioners attention to the fact that almost all sites have some sort of capital requirements which may vary from minor cleaning of septic tanks to complete replacement of a water treatment plant. Conclusions have not been made yet because CDM is still compiling data. Mr. Woelke explained that with each site, the final report will include repair options. Mr. Woelke shared an observation that it appears in some instances, the park water/wastewater operators are inadequately trained. Commissioner Howard-Chrane asked if there would be other less expensive options provided in situations where a complete system replacement is recommended. Mr. Woelke assured her that there would be. Commission Ryan asked if there were more problems discovered than anticipated. Mr. Patton responded that it was too early to tell because all inspection reports have not been compiled. Commissioner Ryan asked if this was budgeted and Mr. Patton explained that $76 million for water/wastewater needs was identified in the ITF Report. Commissioner Ryan requested to be informed of CDM's estimate and Mr. Patton agreed to provide the Commission with an advanced copy of the report. Chairman Bass reiterated that they would expect to receive a summary of the assessment.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Commissioner Avila adjourned the June 3, 1998 meeting at approximately 11:30 p.m. of the Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter: Andrew Sansom

Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee
Briefing
Chairman's Charges
August 1998

(This item will be an oral presentation.)

Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Dan Patton

Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee
Briefing
FY98 Capital Program Status Report
August 1998

I. Discussion: Dan Patton will brief the Committee on the status of the FY98 Capital Program. The report will reflect current status of capital dollars expended, under contract, pending contract and projected expenditure goals. The report will also reflect the status of bond expenditures in meeting the September 1998 first quarter deadline. Mr. Patton will also brief the Committee on the final Water/Wastewater Assessment Report prepared by Camp, Dresser, McKee. The report will consist of an executive summary of CDM’s final assessment, estimated capital need and a prioritized recommendation for appropriate repairs or replacements for each system. Members of the CDM assessment team will be on-hand to discuss significant findings and answer questions if necessary.