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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes April 28, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Larry Kelly.
Joe Griffin lead the group in the opening prayer.
Larry Kelly asked members and visitors in attendance to introduce themselves and state where they are from.
There were two changes to the Agenda: 1) Approval of Meeting Minutes for March 2003, not February 2003, 2) Next Meeting Date May 19, 2003 (May 26, 2003 is Memorial Day Holiday). Motion was made, seconded and approved for Agenda Changes.
Minutes of the March 24, 2003 meeting were approved and accepted as corrected. Under New Business, LEGISLATION: TX & LA- Ron Talbott spoke with Mr. McPherson. (not Larry).
Janna Lehman gave the Treasurer’s Report. Current balance is $2689.78, the same as last month’s balance as there were no bills paid and no funds received. Dues were received tonight for Pendleton Harbor Vol. Fire Dept. There are now 21 organization members and 19 associate members. Motion was made, seconded and passed to accept the report as given.
Old Business:
DETDA Report: Charles English, DETDA representative, stated an invoice for dues has been received from DETDA. Charles requested the Alliance find another delegate to send to the DETDA meetings before the dues are paid for this year. Tourism got a boost by Temple-Inland Foundation in giving DETDA a $30,000 grant, part of a $100,000 grant, which is the initiative grant to DETDA to stimulate the Economic Growth in the 12 Counties. This past Friday, the Chairman of the Texas Water Development Board, Mr. E. G. “Rob” Pittman, presented the program at DETDA. Mr. Pittman discussed several things going on with Lake East Tex, and estimated it would take 20 to 30 years to get a new reservoir and river basin in Texas. The Retirement Program that Charles has been working with feels the enabling legislation they have requested through the efforts of Rep. Wayne Christian, may be passed this year. They have asked this be done on a Regional basis, not State. Charles reviewed the Mississippi State legislation and the positive economic effects of a designation of Preferred Retirement Community. Charles feels in our area, the designation would have to be for the counties, not just cities. The cost of dues for DETDA is $30 for an individual membership, and Charles urged the Alliance to get another delegate.
East Texas Regional Water Planning Committee Report: Bill Heugel stated there was no meeting last month.
New Business:
Lake Level: Larry Kelly
SRA-TX: The Hemphill meeting with the TX SRA Board of Directors to discuss the Lake Level Issue has been set for 1:00 P.M. on May 29, 2003 at the VFW Hall. Larry was unable to get a meeting time in the evening because of the driving distance for the Board members. He stressed the need to have all our friends and neighbors with us at the meeting. It is very important that we show community support for the Toledo Bend Lake Level Issue. Larry would like several people to give presentations.
Announcements on radio and in the newspapers need to go out about the meeting time and date. Someone will look into the feasibility of mass mailing of postcards. Larry would like to meet with Don Isles about speaking. The only subject to be addressed at this meeting will be the Toledo Bend Lake Level Issue. Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and perhaps County Officials would be good to contact about attending the meeting. Larry is going to ask a contact from Center to attend the meeting. With many concerns about available water, Charles English commented that the DETDA folks are very much concerned at this time about getting water for Rockwall County. Efforts should be made to make calls and send e-mails to associate members and membership of organization members about attending the SRA Meeting on May 29th.
LEGISLATION: TX & LA- Larry said there will be no legislation in Texas this year to change the operating procedure for the Lake. In Louisiana, however, there is a House Bill and a Senate Bill, with the last amendment to the House Bill being written today, and a concurrent Resolution being worked on that will give the Governor authority to appoint a committee to work on changing the Power Sales Agreement. Frank Davis, Jeff Webb and Larry attended a meeting in Baton Rouge last Tuesday, hosted by Rep. Salter with Sen. Smith, representatives of both power companies, the SRA-LA, and Bernie Boudreaux, a representative from the office of Governor Foster in attendance. The power companies feel the legislation will be unconstitutional, as did Bernie Boudreaux. The SRA felt the legislation would affect their peak power production. A two-prong approach was suggested. It is felt the legislation has a good chance of being passed. Frank Davis said a sample letter and e-mail is available on the TBBSA web site for use to contact legislators. The House Bill is HB 1264, and it should come up in the Commerce Committee on May 6th.
Larry announced a meeting of the Joint Operating Board on Wednesday, April 30th, at 10 a.m. at the Toledo Bend Dam.
Approval of New Members: None
Approval of Payment of Outstanding Bills: Approved for payment of $475.82 to Frank Davis for mailing costs. Approved payment of $30 for membership dues in DETDA.
Next Meeting Date: May 19, 2003
Meeting Adjourned.
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