Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 a.m., April 2, 2003

THERE WAS NO AD HOC INFRASTRUCTURE COMMMITTEE MEETING ON JANUARY 22, 2003.

HOWEVER, THE SUMMARY OF MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 6, 2002 MEETING IS POSTED BELOW.

Summary of Minutes
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee
November 6, 2002

BE IT REMEMBERED that heretofore on the 6th day of November 2002, 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 2:10 p.m., to wit:

I. COMMISSION ATTENDANCE:
Katharine Armstrong, Chair
Ernest Angelo, Jr.
John Avila, Jr.
Joseph Fitzsimons
Alvin L. Henry
Philip O’B Montgomery, III
Donato Ramos
Kelly W. Rising, M.D.
Mark E. Watson, Jr.

II. OPENING STATEMENT: Commissioner Avila called the meeting to order.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Avila asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the May 29, 2002 meeting. Commissioner Angelo placed the motion and Commissioner Rising seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

IV. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE:

1. BRIEFING – Chairman Charges
Presenter: Mr. Robert L. Cook

Robert L. Cook, Executive Director, stated to the Commission that the Ad-hoc Infrastructure Committee would report on the charge relating to the execution of the existing bond issue and preparation of the upcoming bond in the presentation today. He commented to the Commission that the capital program is making good progress. He further commented that because of the quick response given by Infrastructure staff and other TPWD staff to the recent flood damage, TPWD incurred only a minimum loss in revenue.

2. BRIEFING – Capital Project Update
Presenter: Mr. Steve Whiston

Mr. Steve Whiston, Acting Director of the Infrastructure Division, briefed the Commission on the project and funding status of the Revenue Bond Program and gave implementation plans for

the new General Obligation Bond Program. He began with the FY98 Revenue Bond Issue. He stated that the original 89 projects identified for the $12 million issue are complete. Using the savings and interest realized, the department was able to fund another nine projects with this issue. The additional projects added are scheduled for completion in March 2003. He then presented some visuals showing examples of the completed projects, including the repair of screen shelters at Blanco State Park and the renovation of a wastewater treatment plant at Huntsville State Park.

Next, Mr. Whiston discussed the FY99 Revenue Bond Issue. The department was issued $18 million in March 1998. Of the 133 projects identified for this issue, all are complete except for eight that are in the final stages of construction. The completion of this bond issue is scheduled for February 2003. He then presented a visual showing that the bond issue funded boat dock improvements at 11 TPWD facilities. He also showed a visual on the renovation of the Gulf Coast Conservation Association (GCCA) Marine Development Center that was funded with the FY99 bond issue.

He continued his presentation on the revenue bond program with the FY00 Revenue Bond Issue by stating the issue is on target. Of the 111 projects identified, 58 projects are complete. The department has expended $16.5 million of the $20 million issued. Completion of all projects is projected for mid-summer of 2003. Mr. Whiston then presented visuals showing several projects that were funded with this issue, including a new headquarters building at Lake Somerville and new observation platform at Devils Sink Hole State Natural Area.

The last revenue bond issue Mr. Whiston discussed was the FY01 Revenue Bond Issue. Of the 74 projects identified for the $13.5 million issue, ten percent are complete with the remaining either in the design or construction phase. Completion of all projects is scheduled for early FY04. Several projects were shown including the renovation of the Dickinson Regional Office and the renovation of Indian Lodge.

Mr. Whiston summarized the revenue bond program by stating that 68 percent of the 409 projects funded out of the bond program are complete. Of the $63.5 million, $51 million have been expended. The revenue bond program is on target and completion is projected for the summer of FY04.

He concluded his presentation with a summary of the new General Obligation Bond Program. He reminded the Commission that the 77th Legislature authorized the department $101.5 million in general obligation bonds for statewide facility repairs, wastewater system renovations, American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance projects, and new construction at five state park facilities: Admiral Nimitz, Battleship Texas, Levi-Jordan Plantation Site, Sheldon Lake Environmental Education Center, and the San Jacinto Battleground. He presented a matrix to the Commission illustrating the $101.5 million funding strategy for each biennium. For the FY02/03 biennium, $430,000 of the $36.68 million issue has been released from the Texas Public Finance Authority (TPFA) for expenditure. With the anticipated legislative approval, $34.255 million is proposed for the FY04/05 biennium and $30.6 million for the FY06/07 biennium. He mentioned that each issue is estimated to take three years to fully expend and completion of all projects is projected for the end of September 2009.

No questions were asked at the conclusion of the presentation; however Chairman Armstrong commented that she saw the work done at Indian Lodge and was duly impressed. Mr. Cook also commented on the great work done by Infrastructure’s Force Account Crew.

V. OTHER BUSINESS: None

VI. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner Angelo adjourned the November 06, 2002 meeting of the Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Committee Agenda Item No. 1

Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee
Chairman's Charges
April 2003

(This item will be an oral presentation.)

Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Steve Whiston

Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee
Capital Program Update
April 2003

I. Discussion: The Commission will be briefed on the Capital Construction Program. The briefing will include an update on the Facility Management System (FMS), minor repair program, and budget status of bond issuances.