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DRAFT of Minutes October 28, 2002
TOLEDO BEND BI-STATE ALLIANCE
The meeting was called to order by Larry Kelly. J. B. Meyers lead the group in the opening prayer. Joe Goodson asked members and visitors in attendance to introduce themselves and their group affiliation.
Larry asked that web site for Alliance be added to agenda under New Business.
It was moved and seconded that the September minutes be re-e-mailed by Larry for approval at the November meeting, due to snafu in initial transmission.
Janna Lehman gave the Treasurer’s Report indicating 20 organizations have paid dues and current balance is $2,267.56. It was moved and seconded to accept Report. Motion passed.
Old Business:
DETDA Report given by Charles English stressing need to attend DETDA meeting with legislators and county judges in Lufkin at Crown Colony at 10 a.m. on Fri., Nov. 22, 2002. It was moved and seconded that Bi-State renew their DETDA annual membership dues of $110. Charles went over the grant monies of up to $10,000 available from the Sabine River Authority for water and sewer projects in some 9 counties, incl. Newton, Shelby and Sabine.
East Texas Regional Water Planning Committee Report was not available due to absence of Bill Heugel.
The issue before the District Attorney, as regards business done in Executive Session by SRA-LA, is ongoing with some progress being made. Some interviews have been done and more may be scheduled.
New Business:
Lake Level discussion led by Larry stressing the need to establish 168’ as top end of the conservation pool and that FERC’s final report was being readied with no indication as to which way they will go. It may be that the matter may end up in the courts, or go before a full FERC Board, or pursue legislative action.
Joe Goodson was given the signed petitions, as regards SRA-TX having their board meeting in Sabine County during spring break next year in the Hemphill High School cafetorium. He felt there were approx. 1300 signatures and hoped to have a draft to the SRA Board president ready for Alliance membership review on e-mail in the next ten days. Joe is striving to get endorsements from other County entities, i.e. the Sabine County Chamber of Commerce and also needs HELP with the details involved. Larry
had assured Mr. Linkenarger, President of the Texas SRA Board, at recent SRA TX meeting that we would listen as they presented their side of the issues as well.
Frank Dutton, webmaster, wants a committee from the Alliance to be able to do updates, minutes, etc. The Toledo Bend Citizens Advisory Committee (TBCAC) - LA website was also done by Frank and is easily maintained and updated by their Committee per Diane Lampman. Janna made motion to create committee, seconded by Frank Davis, motion passed. Alliance committee to be made up of Frank Davis, Harry Johnson, Janna Lehman and Linda Mauer.
A motion was made and seconded to approve Leroy and Darlene of Florien, LA, as new members. Motion passed.
There were no outstanding bills to be paid.
TIDBITS:
Diane Lampman of the TBCAC offered yard signs at $5/ea w/motto “SRA no power generation below 168’. Many attendees purchased same.
Larry advised that Donnie Henson of SRA-TX was recovering well from recent quadruple bypass surgery and that a card would be sent on behalf of our membership.
In a recent discussion with Jim Pratt, SRA-LA, Larry passed on Jim’s “cash flow” concerns and what might be done. One was to have SRA employees take up to 80 hours unpaid leave between now and March, which might bring $50,000 against a debt of $3 +/- million. To Larry’s thinking this doesn’t appear to be an equitable consideration. Another is to do away with the Sanitation Dept. Jim further mentioned the possibility of taking the lake level to 162’ , rather than layoffs, which would need an OK from Texas. Larry assured Jim that any such effort would be fought “tooth & nail.”
There is a need to have TX legislators (Christian & Staples) take a bill to the legislature.
LA has people in place but because of SRA-TX having a lobbyist, it is more difficult. SRA-LA board members serve at the “pleasure of the governor,” while TX members are appointed to a 5-year term. Texas needs the same effort that was made four years ago in going before a committee headed by then Senator Buster Brown in Austin.
The next SRA-TX board meeting will be December 12th in Greenville. Larry will pass on details when available.
On the downstream lawsuits, Larry felt an answer from the appellate court is due next year and will talk again with attorney Chuck Solieau, reference the possibility of filing a “friend of the Court” brief.
A member inquired as to reasons for current surveying being done on dam. Larry replied the SRA was getting ready to install new inclinometers, as the FERC is concerned with the spillway anchoring. He will obtain the newest reports and suggest to SRA that they had the information to their website to allay any fears.
It was motioned by Charles English to renew membership in the Deep East Texas Development Association, seconded by Harry Johnson, motion passed.
Next scheduled meeting November 25, 2002. Meeting adjourned 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Linda P. Mauer, Acting Secretary
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