Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 a.m., May 28, 2003

Summary of Minutes
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee
April 2, 2003

BE IT REMEMBERED that heretofore on the 2nd day of April 2003, 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 3:05 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 November 06, 2002 meeting. Commissioner Rising placed the motion and Commissioner Ramos 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 is current on the chairman charges and no new ones have been added.

2. BRIEFING – Capital Program Update
Presenter: Mr. Steve Whiston
Mr. Steve Whiston, Director of the Infrastructure Division, gave the Commission an update on three components of the Capital Program: current bond status, minor repair program, and facility management system. He began with the status of the current bond issues, including revenue and general obligation bonds.

He stated that the FY98 and FY99 Revenue Bond Issuances are substantially complete. The agency should close out these issuances with the Texas Public Finance Authority within the next 90 days, as all projects funded by these issuances should be complete.

Next, Mr. Whiston discussed the FY00 Revenue Bond Issue. Of the $20 million issued, $18.6 million has been expended. Approximately 113 projects were funded with this issue and all projects are scheduled for completion by the end of this calendar year.

He continued his briefing on the revenue bond program with the FY01 Revenue Bond Issue. The issue is on schedule with an anticipated completion date during the summer of 2004. Next, he summarized the revenue bond program by stating that approximately 88 percent of the total bond proceeds have been expended. He reiterated that all projects funded with the revenue bonds are scheduled for completion during the summer of 2004.

Mr. Whiston then briefed the Commission on the General Obligation Bond Program. He reminded the Commission that the 77th Legislature authorized the department $101.5 million in general obligation bonds for issuance over the next three biennia. He illustrated the original intent of the legislature by showing the financial breakout of the bienniums and stated that the department has received the funding appropriated for the first biennia totaling $36.68 million. He commented that different strategies were being developed on how to address all of the critical projects using only the available funds if the legislature does not approve the second biennia installment. He continued his briefing by giving the Commission a short description of the current legislative activities his staff members were working on.

Commissioner Avila asked Mr. Whiston about the authority the legislature could take with redirecting a portion of the general obligation bonds. Mr. Whiston answered that the legislature can redirect funds on any project that are not contractually obligated. Mr. Cook and Mr. Whiston assured the Commission that we are taking the necessary steps to ensure projects are not started that cannot be completed due to lack of funding.

Next, Mr. Whiston briefed on the Minor Repair Program by first giving an overview of the program. He explained that the purpose of the program is to provide funding at a regional or park level to address small repair or maintenance needs in order to prevent major repairs. The program is funded from three million dollars of annual appropriation of general revenue and consists of eight categories: small repairs, trails, contingency, safety, exhibit and waysides, pools, TDCJ, and preventative maintenance. Projects are typically under $25,000 and do not require professional engineering or architectural services. He then gave examples and the budget on each of the eight categories. He also expressed to Commission his concern that the program may be at risk depending on the actions taken by this legislature concerning appropriations.

He concluded his briefing with an update on the Facility Management System (FMS). FMS is an automated database system designed to provide information about the condition of all TPWD facilities and facility components statewide. The system also provides projected life cycle replacement and repair costs on all facilities, facility components, and equipment. Statewide inventory is now complete and the necessary software has been deployed to all division customers for use. The information contained in FMS will be used to identify the agency’s capital needs and priorities for the upcoming biennium and all priority needs for the future.

In responding to Commissioner Avila’s question concerning the origination of the FMS, Mr. Whiston stated that Carter Burgess along with Camp, Dresser, and McKee assisted TPWD staff in the initiation of developing the system and they are complete with their contract requirements.

V. OTHER BUSINESS: None

VI. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner Angelo adjourned the April 02, 2003 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
May 2003

(This item will be an oral presentation.)

Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Steve Whiston

Ad Hoc Infrastructure Committee
Capital Program Update
May 2003

I. Discussion: The Commission will be given an update on the Capital Construction Program. The briefing will include project status on each bond issue and current budget, funding, and expenditure information.