Infrastructure Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 a.m., November 5, 1997

Commission Hearing Room
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
Item
No.
Subject Public Hearing
Agenda Item No.
  Approval of the Committee Minutes from the previous meeting held May 28, 2003.  
  Summary of Minutes  
1. Chairman's Charges (Oral Presentation) Committee Only
2. Communications Strategy for Infrastructure Repairs
Staff: Lydia Saldaña
Committee Only
3. Other Business  

Summary of Minutes
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Infrastructure Committee
August 26, 1997

BE IT REMEMBERED that heretofore on the 26th day of August, 1997, there came on to be heard matters under the regulatory authority of the Parks and Wildlife Commission of Texas, in the conference room of the executive office wing of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Headquarters complex, Austin, Travis County, Texas beginning at 4:00 p.m., to wit:

I. COMMISSION ATTENDANCE

John Avila, Jr., Chair
Lee M. Bass
Dick Heath
Ray Clymer

II. OPENING STATEMENT

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

III. THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE:

1. BRIEFING - Infrastructure Plan

Presenter: Dan Patton

Mr. Dan Patton, Director of the Infrastructure Division, reviewed the membership of the Infrastructure Committee, Committee goals, and a proposed schedule for reporting to Committee Commissioners. The Committee will be chaired by Commissioner Avila, and will consist of Chairman Bass, Commissioner Heath, Andrew Sansom, and Dan Patton. The Committee is formed to provide a streamlined reporting process to the Commission, to act as a point of contact for constituents, to recommend policies and procedural changes relating to the Infrastructure Division, and to advise and monitor the effectiveness and capabilities of the Infrastructure Division. Mr. Patton further proposed that he and Andrew Sansom meet with Commissioner Avila on a monthly basis, and with the Committee on the day prior to each scheduled Commission public hearing.

Mr. Patton proceeded to brief the Committee on the services provided to the Agency by the Infrastructure Division; the current workload of approximately 195 active projects; revisited the Infrastructure Task Force Report; discussed the current restructuring efforts; proposed performance and accountability measures; and explained new Division initiatives and programs. Mr. Patton went on to discuss the newly created Construction Management Program and the integral link this position will have with the field. Mr. Patton explained the Regional Team concept and the proposed schedule to fully mobilize the regional teams. He further explained that regionalizing teams will allow the Division to provide better customer service.

Mr. Patton reviewed the reorganization which identified four major Branches within the Division. The branches being: Administration and Finance, headed by Steve Whiston; Project Management, headed by Laura David; Design, headed by Dick Dunavan; and Construction Management, headed by David Sykora.

Additional initiatives discussed by Mr. Patton included the transfer of the administration of planning, design, and construction contracts to Infrastructure Division, and the statewide assessment of water/wastewater needs. Their was discussion among the Committee members regarding the assessment which is a result of a $76 million need identified in the ITF Report. The assessment will be a very thorough evaluation of water/wastewater needs within our system and will include an automated facilities management system as well.

Mr. Patton further explained that the FY98 Capital Program prioritization is based on health, safety, and regulatory compliance needs as identified in the ITF Report. He went on to explain that efforts are underway to make future improvements to the Capital Program prioritization process. Mr. Patton discussed measures being put in place to monitor the reduction of the backlog and expenditure of bond money.

There was discussion among Andrew Sansom, Chairman Bass, Mr. Patton, and Ms. Burgdorf regarding the proposed use of new General Revenue funds to pay debt service on previous bond issues in order to make available park revenues for other critical capital and maintenance needs. Mr. Sansom explained that the strategy is being discussed with our state leadership and guidance is being sought.

Commissioner Heath addressed the need to provide our state leadership, as well as the general public with information on actions being taken toward reducing the backlog and making significant strides to making critical repairs to the facilities within our system. He further suggested that Lydia Saldaña be involved in promoting or publicizing the progress being made.

There was discussion among all Committee members regarding the need to provide and maintain data of projects, monetary distribution, critical needs, etc. by region/district. Mr. Patton explained that this kind of information will be readily available in a automated facilities management system.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Commissioner Avila adjourned the August 26, 1997 meeting of the Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 5:10 p.m.


Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter: Andrew Sansom

Infrastructure Committee
Briefing
Chairman's Charges
November 1997

(This item will be an oral presentation.)


Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Lydia Saldaña

Infrastructure Committee
Briefing
Communications Strategy
for Infrastructure Repairs
November 1997

(This item will be an oral presentation.)


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