RPMUD Agenda for Thursday, December 18, Meeting at 4:00 p.m.

1. Confirm minutes of the November 20, 2008, meeting.

2. Comments from the Public

3. Review/Approve pay estimate #3 from Schier Construction for
WTP #3 Ground Storage Tank and Booster Pumps

4. Review legal expenses for response to District Attorney
accusation

5. Review Administrative Reports

6. Discuss any new or unfinished business.


PLEASE NOTE - January meeting will be held Thursday, January 22, 2009, at 7:00 PM at RPMUD Office - first of three evening meetings to gauge attendance.

Injection Well Update

Below is Jennifer Real's update. If you are not on her e-mail list, please contact her.

Angus Lupton, aide to Senator Robert Nichols, said, in his six years attending these TCEQ hearings, he has never seen the room packed as it was for this meeting.

Senator Robert Nichols, Representative Brandon Creighton, Representative Rob Eissler, County Attorney David Walker and Commissioners Craig Doyal and Ed Rinehart gave compelling arguments against issuing a permit to TexCom. Actually, I was impressed. They all attacked it from different angles in very heartfelt and logical ways.

One member, who usually approves the permits, proposed an extension. Another member asked some pointed questions, which should have been asked previously. It appears TexCom has done no testing on the effect this may have on the aquifer, only proposed a theory. TexCom has been given six months to test and come back with their findings.

It is extremely important that, when this next meeting is scheduled, many more people attend. The crowd was definitely a huge contributing factor in getting a delay. You can "fight city hall," if you show your opposition in numbers.





Toxic Well Victory‏
From: Jennifer Real (jreal1@peoplepc.com)
Sent: Thu 11/20/08 10:58 AM
To: jreal1@peoplepc.com (jreal1@peoplepc.com)


WE DID IT!!!!!!!!



We packed the hearing room….standing room only. Strong doubt on the safety of these wells in this location was stated by all in opposition…..AND noted by all the commissioners and at least one of the TCEQ Commissioners felt a denial was needed.

The application deficiencies were noted and agreed on by ALL of the TCEQ Commissioners.

They ALL agreed that TexCom had NOT bared the burden of proof.

THEY DID NOT GRANT THE PERMITS yesterday.


Not a flat out denial (we would have loved one) but this is the next best thing. Yes, the commissioner are giving TexCom a second chance and wrong as that really is….it is what it is!

We know there is NO testing or number crunching that will make this site safe and the in the end TexCom will fail to provide the burden of proof..



The Commissioners decided that further testing (by applicant) and the application deficiencies needed further review and options for other means for waste disposal explored and reviewed are necessary before making a final decision to deny the permit.

With out a doubt these permits would have been approved already and went through yesterday if we were not there in the numbers that we were….That’s how important it is to be at these hearings.



For full details watch the hearings go to (copy and paste into address bar):

http://www.texasadmin.com/cgi-bin/tceq_view.cgi?name=TCEQ_OM111908&part=2



What’s Next?

The holidays….we all should celebrate this GREAT victory with our friends and family and know this year we have a lot to be thankful for….clean water. To all… be thankful for being apart of this great effort and that we ARE making a difference…..Happy Holidays to all of you.



After the holidays, we will begin again in the fight to stop this madness forever. Our legislators have been and will continue to draft new legislation that can close this location forever. Please thank them for ALL their support and work on this and of course their continued support. The SOAH judges will be hearing this case again (certain parts of it) in approx 6 months then the reviewed info will go before the TCEQ commissioners again…for a flat out denial this time…..please make that wish is part of your holidays. Until next year (unless updates needed)…..I love each and every one of you for caring and helping to make a difference in our community and for Texas.



*If you need more info on our legislators…..addresses, emails, etc….go to www.StopTheToxicWells.com and go to the get involved tab and follow through those links….or call or email me anytime I am always available to help.



**We will be doing T-Shirts again and if you would like one the cost will be $20 per shirt. Send Checks to: CROW @ 14777 Creighton Rd. Conroe, TX 77302 with size requested. Shirts will be done in January.



Happy Holidays,
Jennifer Real
936-499-7173
jreal1@peoplepc.com


________________________________________
PeoplePC Online
A better way to Internet
http://www.peoplepc.com

Alarm System

This message was submitted by May Stephens Etie, who received it from a friend in Wisconsin. It's good advice for all of us. I would also suggest keeping your cell phone on the nightstand, too.

PUT YOUR CAR KEYS BESIDE YOUR BED AT NIGHT

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr.'s Office, the check out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.

This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this:

It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage.

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around... after a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that!

And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there.

This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or prevent a sexual assault.

My friend has suggested this to her husband that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem.

P.S. I am sending this to everyone I know because I think it is fantastic. It would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone.

RPMUD Agenda - This Thursday, 11/20, at 4 pm at RPMUD office

1. Confirm minutes of 10/23/08 meeting.

2. Comments from the Public

3. Review/Approve Letter to Residents regarding Open Storm
Drainage Boxes

4. Discuss/Approve Purchase of 1,000-gallon Diesel Tank at WTP 2.

5. Review/Approve Pay Estimate #2 to Schier Construction Generator

6. Review/Approve Purchase of Emergency Replacement Generator
for WTP #2.

7. Discuss/Authorize Early Bond Payment

8. Review Administrative Reports

9. Discuss any new or unfinished business

Wednesday, 11/19, Bus Trip to Austin

Be sure to reserve a seat on one of the four buses heading to Austin on Wednesday, November 19, to fight the injection wells planned for our area.

Click on the links below for more info:

Courier - 11/16/08

http://hcnonlin.com/articles/2008/11/16/conroe_courier/news/well1116.txt.

Houston Chronicle - 11/15/08

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/conroe/news/6092514.html.

If either of these links do not work, please copy and paste it above, and click Enter.

Hope to see you there.

Water Is Safe!!

The 8-in. water main broke in the vicinity of Jubal Early and Cumberland last Tuesday. The water system has been tested and passed purification requirements. Work is still being done on the main, but water is safe.

Boil Water Until Further Notice!

The RPMUD office has advised everyone to boil their water until further notice.

When they tell us the water is safe, we will post another notice on the blog.

Boil Your Water!!

The RPMUD office has advised all residents to boil their water until the main is fixed and water pressure is normal.

Water IQ

A banner will be posted on the sidebar eventually for Water IQ. You can go there to get tips on water conservation.

Toxic Wells Final Push

You know by now it is BAD!

You know by now it is WRONG!!

You know by now it WILL AFFECT ALL OF US!!!

So why do you NOT know by now that you must come to Austin on Nov. 19th??

Help protect our water supply. Clean water is a life staple and should NOT be on the table to gamble with. Can you live without it? or is the question will we be able to live with it???

Help protect our home values. Can you afford to lose 20% of your home value or how about 30%...maybe even 40% and YES SOME WILL LOSE 50%+...How does that fit in with your economic plan?

RSVP for bus trip to Austin hearing today @ jreal1@peoplepc.com* Please note if you have RSVP in the last 3 weeks I have your down.

Commit to work on Sat. Nov. 2nd & or Sun. Nov. 3rd Door knocking, holding signs on public road ways, Handing out flyers, etc...

Call Jennifer @ 936-499-7173 or email @ jreal1@peoplepec.com to commit to help today!!!

Signs are ready and need to be put up between now and Nov 5th. Call me to pick up or meet to deliver.

Jennifer Real

RP Clean Up & More Heroes

Commissioner Craig Doyal is planning on three trips through RP to clean up the debris. Please be patient. The second phase of clean up started last Thursday. Should run for about a month. When the third phase starts, we will let you know.

More RP Heroes -

Bonnie Busbee tells us that "the Glenn family on Gunston, a family of five, helped clean yards in that circle, and then went for several days in the subdivision and offered for "free" to clean other's yards. They were a blessing to many."

Also, would like to thank Ron Perriraz, with his trusty chain saw and helpers, for cutting up and moving fallen trees in yards on Tara Park. Thanks, too, to Frank McHugh and Andrea Custer for the use of their computers and internet service.

If you would like to acknowledge others that helped after Hurricane Ike, just let us know. Thanks to all of you.

RPMUD Agenda 10/23/08 Meeting at 4 p.m.

Agenda for 10/23/08 Board Meeting at 4:00 p.m. at MUD office:


1. Confirm minutes of the 9/25/08 meeting.

2. Comments from the Public.

3. Review/Approve WTP #3 Change Order #4.

4. Discuss WTP #3 Progress Report.

5. Discuss @WTP #2 Generator Repairs/Replacement.

6. Discuss Storm Drain Modifications.

7. Discuss Legal Costs regarding Letter from District Attorney.

8. Discuss Recommendations for Hurricane Preparedness for District.

9. Review Administrative Reports.

10.Discuss any new or unfinished business.

RPMUD 9/25 Meeting Update

Before I get to the nitty gritty of the meeting, I would like to acknowledge an RP HERO - Al DeCoudres. Al stopped at our block after the hurricane and saw two huge trees that had fallen across the road, and came back with his power saw, cut them up and cleared the road. Al also gave Dick Judge the name of a company, that leases generators, to pass along to Richard Ramirez. This company leased generators to commercial and retail users in the area. Since the commercial users received power first, they had no use then of the leased generators. However, electricity was turned on a few hours before it may have become critical. Thanks again, Al DeCoudres, you have no idea how much you are appreciated.

If any of you will give me the names of other helpful RP residents, I will acknowledge them in the next update.

Hint: During a power outage, use a phone that does not run on electricity. Land lines are not affected by loss of power.

Now to the meeting -

During the public comments Rosemary Swan asked Richard Ramirez about the amount of liability insurance the District carries. He did not know, but would get the information. If it is anything like the information MUD sent to me a few months ago, it appears that the liability insurance is $500,000 for each occurrence, with a $1,000,000 aggregate limit.

Also during the public comments, mention was again made about the high costs of the two attorney firms. Last month Max Mahaffey said the District spent $11,000 on attorneys' fees. I noted that, through June of this year, the total amount was $18,000+. Bob Harvill defended Dippel's firm (the $500/hour attorney) by saying that he saved the District millions in lawsuits. We had never heard about any lawsuits. Mahaffey cut off Harvill. Soon after, Dick Judge questioned Ginger Seyfang about the lawsuits. She said they happened many years ago, only involved thousands, and RPMUD was the one suing.

Adding bars to the storm drainage boxes in the District was discussed, and prices will be obtained.

I sent a letter to the TCEQ, asking how they could give approval for this water treatment plant, when this board had violated the Open Meetings Act and the Water code: RPMUD had not given notice of their meetings for "72 continuous hours" until July; they discussed and voted on the alternate sites outside of an open meeting, and they took bids on the generator (a $71,000 item) without placing a notice in the newspaper, as required by Water Code Chapter 49 for all items over $25,000. The TCEQ responded that RPMUD had done nothing wrong.

Jack Curtsinger asked why the engineer (Bleyl) receives the invoices instead of RPMUD. He had no problem with Bleyl receiving the bill, but the District should receive it from the contractor also.

Obtaining an additional generator was discussed, as were ways to communicate with the residents during an emergency. Dick Judge brought up the fact that inadequate fuel tankage and a lack of generator backups at #1 or #2 were a problem during Hurricane Ike, and this situation should be corrected ASAP. The board and the manager agreed. This requires additional fuel storage at #2 and a generator at #1, with an additional generator in reserve at #2. Ramirez suggested additional fuel storage at the MUD office location and the water treatment plant. Judge said the WTP was a must, but the MUD office location is isolated during floods, so that one is not an option.

Communication with the residents during an emergency situation is of the utmost importance. Bing Hastings spoke with Ramirez after the meeting, and suggested using the ham operator frequency, radio equipment, radios and tower to carry the ham antenna. Ramirez and his assistant were using two-way radios.

Forgot to mention this - at two separate meetings, Ginger Seyfang and Max Mahaffey said that the residents can look through the glass and read the meeting notice on the bulletin board. Seyfang and Mahaffey must have really good eyes. Don't know of anyone who could read print on an 8 x 11 sheet of paper 10 to 12 feet away through glass without any light - even with light.

Next meeting is Thursday, October 23, at 4 p.m.

Make Reservations for 11/19 trip to Austin to Stop the Toxic Wells

STOP THE TOXIC WELLS

You’re Coming to Austin on November 19th ….. Right?

You Can’t Afford To!…..You Can’t Afford Not To!!!!!

Call or email me right now to reserve your seat(s) on the bus for the final hearing to protect your water, your home values, and the health and safety of you and your loved ones. It is so important…. really it’s imperative for us to fill 4 buses (minimum) for the final hearing before the TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) Commissioners in Austin on November 19th 2008 @ 1pm. These commissioners have the final say on the Texcom permits to operate 4 commercial class 1 injection wells in our area. Please keep in mind there are currently ONLY 30 commercial class 1 injection wells in ALL of the USA and we will have 4 right here if these permits pass.

This is not a big deal….it is a HUGE deal and you MUST be involved.

Think about when you lost your water during hurricane Ike…..that was for a short period of time. Now, imagine that same water contaminated!!!....and now it is lost FOREVER!!!!

There is only one choice….you MUST attend this hearing.

Buses will be leaving from two locations RSVP now.

1. Conroe – Lone Star Convention Center
9055 FM 1484
Conroe, TX 77303

2. Woodlands - Kroger’s @ Alden Bridge (Research & Kuykendahl)

Buses will board @ 8:30 am and leave promptly @ 9:00 am will be returning at approx 8-9 pm (maybe earlier and could be later depending on when hearing completes). Please bring a sack lunch and snacks as time may not permit for stopping to get food or drinks. However, the buses will have bathroom facilities on them.

To RSVP call Jennifer @ 936-499-7173 or email your RSVP to jreal1@peoplepc.com (that’s jreal and then the number 1 @ peoplepc.com or just reply to this email.)
If you would like to attend and not ride the bus that is okay to. Please just let us know so we can give the TCEQ a head count to try and accommodate us.

****IF YOU RSVP FOR THE SEPT. HEARING THAT WAS POSTPONED PLEASE DUE SO AGAIN FOR THIS DATE…..Thanks!________________________________________
PeoplePC Online
A better way to Internet
http://www.peoplepc.com

Toxic Wells/TCEQ Meeting rescheduled for November 19

The TCEQ meeting originally set for September 24 has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 19.

If you are not receiving updates from CROW, please contact Jennifer Real at 936/499-7173 or jreal1@peoplepc.com

Mosquitoes and Water Conservation

This morning The Courier had two articles of interest. Please click on the links below for the full stories. We plan to add a link to the blog with water conservation tips.

http://hcnonline.com/articles/2008/09/27/conroe_courier/news/mosquitos928.txt
http://hcnonline.com/articles/2008/09/27/conroe_courier/news/water0912.txt

RP Mosquito Problem

To answer many of the concerns about the mosquito invasion of RP that started last Sunday, we are going to see these biting insects for the next three to four weeks. The current flood plain mosquitoes will be followed by the salt water marsh mosquitoes and then the culex mosquitoes.

The mosquito fogging done on Wednesday, September 24, appears to have had a major impact on the current crop of insects. The scheduled fogging is Tuesday or Wednesday each week.

Becky Cottingham, director of Montgomery County Precinct 3 Recycling and Reuse Facility, says, "If you have areas where water does not drain, treat it with larvicide to keep larvae from maturing and keep the population down."

Precinct Commissioner Craig Doyal has five crews working on clean up in our district, two of those crews are in RP, working in the front and back towards the middle. They will back for a second round to clean up what is left - no timetable.

RPMUD Agenda for Meeting Today, Thursday, September 25

Meeting at 4 pm on Thursday, 9/25:

1. Confirm minutes of 8/28 meeting

2. Comments from the public

3. Yearly review of public fund investment act policy

4. Approve/Sign 2008 amendment to "Statement of directors furnishing information" required by Sec. 49.453 Texas Water Code.

5. Report findings of storm drainage boxes in district.

6. Discuss letter from District Attorney

7. Discuss complaint from the Judges to TCEQ

8. Authorize pay estimate #1 from Schier Construction

9. Review Administrative reports

10. Discuss any new or unfinished business.

Thanks

Dolores Judge
936/321-4890 or 936/273-3777

Ike Damage in RP

We left for Dallas on Thursday, Sept. 11, because I have family here and we just didn't want to stick around. Reports I'm getting from in-laws whom stayed behind is that our next door neighbors, the Stroope's, had a tree tear into their roof. We have a pine tree that has fallen into another group of trees and is being held up right now by those trees. We also have a tree that took out part of our fence and is resting on our garage, but apparently we have no damage from trees. Shirley Rogers has multiple damage points from trees. One took out part of the side of her house. Another took out her electricity meter. I don't know about the rest of the houses on Marymont Park. Apparently there is a lot of debris from limbs and fallen trees on Braxton Bragg. I'll be making a day trip on either Tuesday or Wednesday (JSC is likely closed all week and since I don't have to go to work, I'm going to stay where we have electricity and A/C for as long as I can). I will try to help my neighbors as much as I can while I'm there for the day and will help some more when we return for good. How has everyone else fared? I suspect the front part of the subdivision is worse off than the back half because the front half is older (older trees...more problems).

RPMUD August Meeting Update

The meeting lasted two hours and forty minutes. So, I will give you the highlights and some other information I discovered. It was quite a vocal meeting. Residents are not happy, but we haven't been happy for months.

As many of you have requested, Dick made the motion to start the meetings at 7:00 pm. It will start in January for a three-month trial. If residents do not show up at that hour, the meeting time will revert to 4:00 p.m. All directors voted for it, except Max Mahaffey.

On 8/1/08 I requested the most current Income & Expense report for this year. Richard Ramirez referred me back to the one the directors were given at the July meeting. That was only a two-line report, so I again requested one with the breakdown of expenses and income. I received the report at the 8/11 meeting, as did all of the directors.

I could not figure it out. I & E are divided into two reports: Maintenance and General Operating Fund. On 8/12 I requested a list of RPMUD employees, giving their job title(s), whether full- or part-time, salary or wages, benefits, vacation time and any other perks, incentives or additional income received. On 8/18 I received a list showing General Manager - Richard Ramirez, Salary - $31.83/hr., Office Manager - Ginger Seyfang, Salary - $24.75/hr., Maintenance Supervisor - David Ramirez, Salary - $18.04/hr., Sewer Treatment Plant Operator - David Bailey, Salary - $22.61/hr. The office assistant and three laborers round out the group with hourly rates from $10.00 to $14.58. Well, I still could not match this information to the budget, so I requested the total compensation in 2007 for those listed. On 8/26 the reply came back as $273,742. I guess I was not very clear. I then requested the total compensation for each employee.

On 8/12 I also requested a copy of the resume of Richard Ramirez. For some reason, we thought he came directly from Del Lago. However, his resume shows that he was the maintenance man at Autumnwood Apartments for over two years before he started working at RPMUD. Autumnwood is located in back of the shopping center that includes the theater and Hobby Lobby, at the southeast area of I-45 and North Loop 336.

Back to the meeting. When it was asked why RPMUD is building this plant, Bob Harvill expounded on the need for this plant for fire protection. As noted earlier, the Volunteer Fire Department uses from 250 gallons to 5,000 gallons to put out a fire, and needs hydrants not a tank. A 500,000-gallon tank can handle from 100 to 2,000 home fires. I think if we have that many fires, we may not have enough people to handle the hoses. When the home burned in Mosswood a few weeks ago, it did not affect the water pressure, even though some water was taken from the hydrant. I wonder why there was no one from the Volunteer Fire Department to give credence to the meeting in January, when the engineer gave the presentation showing that we needed this tank for fire protection. Apparently, the VFD was not told about the meeting. Ramirez also said we are using more water in the summer, so we need this tank. Duh! (I hate that word, but it fits this situation.) Conservation was again mentioned by a resident. It has been brought up at numerous meetings, and it is met with disdain. Ramirez figures it would only cut consumption by 10%. Well, 10% is 10%.

I will ask Reed Watson, who runs our blog - riverplantationforum.blogspot.com - to add Conservation Tips. We'll update this section with links to water conservation sites. Received the following tips from Kathy Jones, Manager of the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District: Turn off water while brushing teeth - save 6 gallons a day; cut 5 minutes off your shower - save 12 gallons a day; avoid sprinkler runoff - save thousands of gallons a year; water early or late - save 25 gallons a day; water an inch a week - all your lawn really needs.

Tink Strzinek, newly elected president of the RP Garden Club, will check with the Club's Master Gardeners and supply us with names of native plants. In case you are thinking of adding anything to your landscape, you might want to consider native plants. They require less care and less water. If anyone has any conservation ideas that they would like to add, please let me know, and we'll post them to the blog.

Dippel's 7-17-08 letter regarding Posting of Notices was discussed. This old group still doesn't get it. Robert Smith thanked Jack and Dick for bringing this to the board's attention, "even if not required." Dick showed a list of 52 MUDs that post outside their offices. EPUD is one of them. Ramirez still insists they don't have to post outside. Dick gave out the phone numbers of the Attorney General's office -877/673-6839, and also the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas - foift.org - 800/580-6651. Bob Harvill was the only one who took down the phone numbers.

In response to a complaint about the large openings in drainage collection boxes, large enough for a child to fall through, Dick requested that the MUD manager look into the situation and report back at the next meeting.

******************
Don't forget the CROW trip to Austin on Wednesday, 9/24. Call Jennifer Real to reserve a seat. The info is on the blog - riverplantationforum.blogspot.com.

****************
Next RPMUD board meeting is Thursday, 9/25.

Toxic Wells / TCEQ / TexCom Hearing Date Set

Stop The Toxic Wells / CROW

TCEQ HEARING DATE SET
September 24, 2008 Austin Texas (1:00pm)

This is it folks “THE” date we have all been waiting for.
Come one come ALL we need everyone to attend this hearing.
We MUST fill a minimum of 4 buses to fill the hearing rooms…This is critical. Come show your support for your community and your opposition to the injection well permits. You are making a stand to save your home, your business, your life and the lives of your family.
There is no option but to attend.

Email me today with you commitment and or to reserve your seat on the bus to jreal1@peoplepc.com
*** Experts please call me to get date to get together and plan.

Buses will leave @ 9:00 am and return?? (That evening)
Pick up locations:
1. Conroe - Lone Star Convention Center ( address & map will be sent to all confirmed seat holders)
2. Woodlands - Kroger’s @ Alden Bridge

Donation of $10 per person is appreciated to help cover bus cost but not mandatory. Our priority is to fill the buses.

SIGNS
We need people to purchase signs to advertise this hearing. The cost is $5 per sign. Email me right away if you would like one, two, three etc... jreal1@peoplepc.com
· Great idea – put them in your car window and when you go to the Mall or Market Street etc.. Everyone will see them.

Volunteer Help Needed
1. To go door to door with flyers for hearing.
2. Help us call people on our petitions that do not have email to advise of hearing date.
Email me if you can help out with this jreal1@peoplepc.com

Meeting set for Grangerland Fire Dept. Sept. 4th 2008 7pm
This meeting will confirm bus info. Plan from lawyers as what to expect and what happens after hearing. We will also have flyers for door to door distribution, signs and more info.
Address and directions to follow shortly..

Thanks everyone for everything. This is it don’t stop now tell EVERYONE you can and tell them to do the same.

Jennifer Real – jreal1@peoplepc.com or call me @
936-499-7173 or 936-756-5726

RPMUD 8/28 meeting

The following list of items will be discussed at the 8/28 meeting:

1. Public hearing on the tax rates

2. Confirm minutes of 7/24 and 8/11 meetings.

3. Comments from the public.

4. Representative will discuss chlorine gas.

5. Review/approve FYE 2009 budgets.

6. Consider, adopt and set 2008 tax rate.

7. Review/approve change orders nos. 2 and 3.

8. Confirm protocol on legal inquiries directed at the District.

9. Confirm costs in responding to Open Records Act.

10. Discuss Dippel's 7/17 letter to District regarding Posting of Notices.

11. Discuss open storm drainage collection boxes in district.

12. Review/vote for board for TX Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool

13. Discuss changing meeting time.

14. Review administrative reports.

15. Discuss any new or unfinished business

Postal Service Delivery Issue

I know that the toxic wells and the water treatment plant are hot issues right now, but I have a minor little issue that I wanted to see if others were having a problem with lately with the USPS in our neighborhood. The postal carrier has gotten into the habit over the past couple of months or so of leaving packages balanced on top of mailboxes instead of placing them on the front doorstep or leaving a package pickup slip. I have several issues with this. First of all, it makes for a tempting target for mischievous teenagers or strangers driving through the neighborhood. Secondly, it leaves the package exposed to the weather (I have picked up a package that was totally drenched by the rain before because it rained that very afternoon after the mail was delivered). Thirdly, there is no telling how long the package may sit out there if a resident is out of town for a day or two which goes back to my first point regarding mischievous teenagers or strangers.

Does anyone else have this issue? I've noticed a couple of folks with packages on top of their mailboxes as well on Braxton Bragg. I'm assuming we have a new carrier on the route and he/she just doesn't want to make the effort to keep the packages safe and out of the elements.

Open Meetings Act Violations

When Dick Judge and Jack Curtsinger were sworn in as directors on the RPMUD board in May, they were required by Texas law, effective January 1, 2006, to receive training in Texas open government laws. There were no "grandfather" provisions. All public officials must comply, including those elected before that date.



A memo from Smith, Murdaugh, Little & Bonham, attorneys, giving instructions for the training, contained the following paragraph:



"The law imposes no specific penalty on officials who fail to attend open government training. The purpose of the new law is not to punish public officials, but to foster open government by making open government education a recognized obligation of public service. Despite this lack of a penalty provision, the Attorney General has cautioned that a deliberate failure to comply with the training requirements could result in an increased risk of criminal prosecution should one ever be accused of violating the Open Meetings Act or the Public Information Act."



After Dick and Jack went through the training, it was discovered that there is a requirement of a 72-hour continuous notice to the public before the meeting. RPMUD posts notices on the bulletin board in their office and inside the courthouse. This has been a bone of contention between the residents and the board, because the residents were not kept apprised of the workings of RPMUD. RPMUD kept insisting their postings were "legal."



At the June board meeting, Jack presented a letter to the board and the RPMUD attorney, Charles Dippel with Andrews Kurth, notifying them of the possible violation and asking what effect this would have on prior actions. Board director, Bob Harvill noted, after hearing this, that they have been illegal for 38 years.



At the July board meeting, the attorney's response was on the agenda. No information has given to the directors prior to the meeting on this item. Ramirez read the response from the attorney, which in effect said RPMUD has been legal and all MUDs post as RPMUD posts. If they wanted to post on the window of the MUD office, it was OK with him (the attorney).

Dippel cites 49.063 of the Water Code, but ignores Section 551.043(a) of the Open Meetings Act, which reads "notice...must be posted in a place readily accessible to the general public at all times for at least 72 hours before the scheduled time of the meeting..." At the July board meeting, a notice was posted on the window in front of the RPMUD office and in the open garage of the courthouse. We don't know where Dippel is getting his information. It does not appear he read the Open Meetings Act. East Plantation posts their notices outside for all to see. The Woodlands, Walden, April Sound, Del Lago, Bentwater, any and all the ones we contacted are very diligent about posting where the public has 72 hours of continuous access. It seems that every MUD takes the Open Meetings Act seriously except our MUD.



Dick demanded a copy of the attorney's letter. Ramirez did not have copies for the directors, but gave Dick his copy after the meeting.



At the July meeting, Ramirez said the legal fees were around $11,000 and the election costs were $10,000, when the budget was being discussed. Harvill said that now people will know why they needed to remove the tax cap. I requested copies of the attorneys' invoices for 2008 and found that they total $18,162, through July 9. We have two legal firms working for us. Dippel's average hour charge is over $500 and Smith's is about $155. The Woodlands MUD I contacted only uses one law firm, and could not understand why we had two. One other rather interesting item is that the attorneys only talk to Ramirez and Ginger. Did not see any board member's names on the invoices. Some of the items on the invoices, it would appear, could have been answered by Election Central, the Attorney General's Handbooks on Open Meetings and Public Information, Robert's Rules of Order, the governmental entities' 800 number to the Attorney General's office, etc.

Stay tuned.

Problems with Google Alerts

I don't know about others whom have utilized Google Alerts to notify them of updates made to this blog, but I have had a problem with not receiving notices in about a month now. If you are having a similar problem, all I can recommend is that you try another alert service. Just check out the right side of the blog. If you scroll down a little ways, you'll see two pull-down menus for keeping up-to-date with blog entries and comments made on blog entries. If you like being alerted when new posts are made, I recommend you try out the Yahoo! alerts.

RPMUD Board Meeting, Thursday, June 26

The board is meeting this Thursday, June 26, at 4 p.m. at the MUD office to discuss and approve purchasing an emergency generator for water plant #3 and to discuss and approve the purchase of golf carts.

There is also a Water Quality meeting the same day and place at 3:00 p.m. to discuss our water.

And the reason for this plant is????

Happened to be looking over the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District website, and came upon the following report: "Planning Level Study for Alternative Surface Water Pipeline Routing in Montgomery County, May 31, 2008." This report appears to be a condensed version of a March 2008 report. It was interesting to find that River Plantation is not scheduled to be part of this project until phase IV - the year 2045. Isn't this the reason for the water treatment plant?

Here is the link to this report: http://www.lonestargcd.org/pdf/FinalPlanningLevelStudyAppendices.pdf

If you cannot access this link, just click on the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District website - www.lonestargcd.org - and then to Board Activities on the top. Click on Publications and under LSGCD Reports, you will see this report. It is rather lengthy (368 pages), but informative and includes maps.

Maybe my mind is going, but does anyone remember the reason for this plant? Every reason RPMUD has given for the construction of this plant has been shot full of holes.

To refresh your memory, here are the reasons we have heard:

(1) Well #2 may fail. Well #3 is already supplying water to well #2 and has been for about eleven years.

(2) Plant #2 may fail. As we have done in the past when we needed to make repairs, we have used the interconnect to EPUD.

(3) Plant #2 may be hit by a hurricane. Same as above.

(4) Fire prevention. The VFD needs fire hydrants not another tank.

(5) The development across the freeway. The City of Conroe has water lines next to the property and can furnish water.

(6) Meet the 30% surface water needs. According to the LSGCD report, we won't be included in this project until 2045.

We are back to the very first of our emails: "We don't need it. Why build it?"

Those of you at the March 27, 2008, board meeting may recall that the purchase of 5 trees and 8 oleanders was approved. As of this date, 6 trees, 12 oleanders and 10 wax myrtles have been planted. Sprinkler lines have been installed. The grass in this area was being cut previously, but now the plants and the fence line are being edged. More maintenance.

This plant project, which was bid at $779,500 by Shier Construction, could exceed that number. Why are we spending this money for a project that we don't need and don't want at the front of our subdivision?

We have yet to be given a reason that makes sense. We have no growth here, yet this project will practically double the amount of our water storage. What am I missing? Can't this money be put to better use? At numerous board meetings, it was noted that upgrades need to be made to the sewer treatment plant. How about using it there?

Heard again that this rumor, that we knew about the water treatment plant before we bought our lot, is still going around. This story was started by the RPMUD office. RPMUD is a governmental body subject to the Open Records Act. All you have to do is make a request in writing to RPMUD that you want to see evidence that we knew about this plant before we bought our property. They have ten days to furnish the information. But, please, make the request to see for yourself or to silence anyone still spreading this story.

You can sign up to receive e-mail alerts from our blog: riverplantationforum.blogspot.com. The board meeting is next week. Information about the meeting should be on the blog by Monday or early Tuesday.

Toxic Well Update

If you are not on the Toxic Well Update list, please send an e-mail to Jennifer Real at jreal1@peoplepc.com or click on stopthetoxicwells.com.

You can also add your e-mail address to the "alert" on riverplantationforum.blogspot.com to receive updates as they are posted.

Dick and I went to Austin with the group in May. It was quite an eye opener. We are planning to go again in June. If you can make it, please do so. Numbers do matter.

Jennifer's latest update is shown below.


Dolores Judge
936/321-4890 (Metro)
936/273-3777 (Conroe)

Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 22:40:43 -0400
From: jreal1@peoplepc.com
To: jreal1@peoplepc.comSubject: Toxic Well Update

Toxic Times Update

1. Sunday June 1st is Day of Awareness.
A. Woodland’s Kroger’s stores at Alden Bridge, Sterling Ridge, and Cochran’s Crossing will have a table set up giving out info and signing petitions from 11am –2pm. Conroe Kroger’s pending will advise ASAP. If you can help man a table please let me know. Jreal1@peoplepc.com or call 936-499-7173.

B. Woodlands Mall & Market Street. We also need to get a couple groups of 4 or more to wear stop the toxic well t-shirts and walk the mall and Market Street together. When groups are together with their shirts on people will ask you what your shirt means at that point you can give them info (this is how you get around not being able to hand out flyers at the mall or market street). Again let me know if you would be available to do this on Sunday from noon – 2pm @ mall & or 2pm -4pm Market Street

C. Everyone commit to give out 25 Flyers- On the website you will find a printable flyer. Please print out 25 copies and give out on the day of awareness. Take to church, walk door to door, post at area business, etc...

2. Public Hearing with the TCEQ Commissioners
A date has NOT been set as of today. However it could be scheduled any day now. We hope for at least 30 days notice but it is not required. TCEQ only has to give 10 days notice. We MUST be prepared to head to AUSTIN at a moments notice or at least 10 days. If you are reading this you must come to AUSTIN. This is the LAST CHANCE for us to stop these permits. David Walker county attorney and ALL of our public officials have stated this is the communities last chance to help stop the permits. We need all residents to attend the public hearing. WE HAVE TO PACK at least 4-6 buses = 200-300 PLUS attendees. This is when we say PLEASE TAKE OFF WORK or do whatever it takes to attend. If you would like to speak or add some info for consideration at hearings please contact me Jennifer Real @ 936-499-7173 or jreal1@peoplepc.com and I will put you in contact with our group’s liaison for the hearing.

Thank you!
Jennifer Real
936-499-7173 or jreal1@peoplepc.com________________________________________
PeoplePC Online
A better way to Internet
http://www.peoplepc.com

Call for New Topics

In the spirit of this being a place for RP residents to talk about issues our community faces, I would like to solicit some new topics to be discussed on this blog. Of course, the new water treatment facility is on all our minds lately, but what else is bugging you, RP?!?

Directors Have Been Sworn In

Well, Jack and Dick are now legal. Sworn in at the board meeting today. Residents are still concerned about the danger of chlorine gas. Ramirez is now saying it is dangerous in liquid form. His information is now in direct opposition to what we are hearing from the San Jacinto River Authority and Hayes Utilities, who handles April Sound, Bentwater, Walden and Del Lago. Ramirez also said that the majority of water districts use chlorine gas purification, and he admits there are no others as close as this one will be to residents. The board will attempt to find an expert in this field to explain the ramifications of both to the residents of RP.

On a lighter note, the RPMUD "gardeners" took out a tree within the fence line. It fell on the fence and bent the barbed wire. Still don't understand why this fence was put up before construction starts. They are planning on adding more landscaping. Don't they know they can't hide a tank 24' high and 60' wide?

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Swearing-in

Dick Judge and Jack Curtsinger will be sworn in as directors on Tuesday, May 20, at 4:00 p.m.

This meeting will replace the normally scheduled board meeting on Thursday, May 22.

Victory!!

Thanks to all of you! Dick and Jack won by a 3+ to 1 margin. Needless to say, Dick and Jack are ready to get to work.

Here is a link to the vote total: http://www.co.montgomery.tx.us/election/results/results9.pdf

If you have any problems or concerns about RPMUD, please let us know. Dick Judge's phone number is 936/321-4890 and Jack Curtsinger's is 936/828-2100.

Thanks again for all of your help. Together we will make this a more responsible RPMUD.

Vote for Judge and Curtsinger, Saturday, May 10

Dick Judge and Jack Curtsinger are running for the two directors' positions this Saturday, May 10. Voting location is the fire station next to the Club parking lot - 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Judge and Curtsinger want to make the following changes:

Work to stop construction of the plant near the front of RP
Move board meetings from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Add the cap back to the tax rate
Keep all residents informed
Listen to all of the residents
Investigate all alternatives before making capital project decisions.

Ken Meneke is on the ballot, but he has Withdrawn and will run in 2010.

Vote! Vote! Vote!

RP residents, do your duty. Be sure to get out there and vote. Dick Judge and Jack Curtsinger are running for the two directors' positions. Here are the early voting dates and locations:

http://www.co.montgomery.tx.us/election/earlyvoting.shtml.

Election Day is Saturday, May 10, at the fire station next to the club.

Regarding the RPMUD Newsletter of 4/08 delivered last week

In order to clarify the information contained in the RPMUD newletter 04-2008 that you received last week, please review the following:

1. The land in question for this water plant, between Mosswood Drive and the #5 Charleston fairway, was acquired by RPMUD from RPCC in 1995. The RPCC Board and adjacent property owners were told it was for a new water well (water well #3), which would supply water to water plant #2 and supplement well #2 at the site near the middle of the RPMUD district. This well has been operating for 12 years. There is also room at #2 to construct a second storage tank, rather than at the front entrance site. Raising taxes is not an item, since RPMUD already has the money in hand for the project.

2. Local realestate agents and appraisers have said real estate values will decrease due to the plant location at the entrance to RP and Mosswood.

We currently have a reliable source of water and a backup well (#3) for our primary #2 plant.

3. East Plantation Utility District has over 200% of their needs, and they are currently 86% built out. Either of their two plants can handle their requirements, and they are interconnected to RPMUD in case of a problem.

EPUD does not have a sewage treatment plant. They use the RPMUD plant near the RPMUD office. At one of our RPMUD meetings, it was suggested trading water for sewage.

4. The current main plant #2 is on the outer edge of the 100-year flood plain and did suffer some damage during the 1994 500-year flood. A 2.5 -foot berm was built around that site after the 1994 flood. There is also room there for another large storage tank and another well, if the current well finally fails.

5. The chlorine gas hazard is real. The objections to it in proximity to homes in the #3 well area have not Fizzled, and was discussed last Wednesday at the consulting engineer's office. They refuse to budge in using liquid water purification rather than gas, even though it has been pointed out that major county neighbors use liquid due to the plant's proximity to residential, commercial and public use areas. The San Jacinto River Authority uses liquid at their primary facility in The Woodlands' Sterling Ridge area. April Sound, Bentwater, Del Lago, and Walden also are liquid.

The last line of RPMUD's #5 item - "we live here also" is not exactly true. The first four names in the newsletter live here, but a long way away from the #3 site. The last two live in Walden and Conroe.

6. The noise problem has not fizzled either. The noise levels at the similar locations in EPUD are loud when turned on. The pumps at RPMUD #2 are noticeable at 100 feet from the pumps.

7. The March 6, 2008, letter from RPMUD's consulting engineer concerning the reasons to build plant #3 cite the potential development on the west side of I-45 as a primary reason. It projected a commercial, multi-family development equivalent to 781 housing units, which would cause about a 74% increase in RPMUD's current use. Other factors in the letter were "fire protection" - the RPVFD only needs 10 hydrants; tanker trucks are their primary source of water, and "support for EPUD if they have a problem" - this one is a puzzle due to their overcapacity.

Finally, this last paragraph about "agenda out there whose primary purpose is more interested in personal benefit rather than general good of the majority, causing us to spend considerably more in legal fees and engineering fees." Had the RPMUD board been up front with the community, they might have avoided this. Remember the RPMUD community, EPUD community, Mosswood community and RPCC non-resident members are all upset about this project in front of our subdivision.

Also, to whose personal benefit are they referring? Property devaluation to residents is not a benefit. Is someone on the board benefiting? We hope not.
Posted by Dick Judge

Today's Meeting Was a Sham!!

What a waste of time!!! The compromise wasn't even considered, although it was noted. No mention of the San Jacinto River Authority not supplying water to the River Plantation MUD area, since the 30% surface water requirement would suffice for the county by supplying water to the City of Conroe and The Woodlands area
.
Max Mahaffey put the motion to a vote to accept the low bidder and get the 500,000-gallon water plant started at well #3. It passed 3 to 2. Max Mahaffey, Bob Harvill and James Dillon voted for it, without even being at the engineering meeting and not knowing about the San Jacinto River Authority's intentions. No comments were allowed from the public.

It is extremely important to get out the vote for these two directors' positions. Call you neighbors. If your children can vote, all the better. We need high numbers for this election!

Tomorrow is the last day for early voting. http://www.co.montgomery.tx.us/election/earlyvoting.shtml.
Election Day - Saturday, May 10, at the fire station next to the Club parking lot. Vote for Dick Judge and Jack Curtsinger.

We are calling and writing to our elected officials. We ask you to do the same. Here are their e-mail addresses and phone numbers:
rep.brady@mail.house.gov - Sarah Stephens, Dist. Dir., 936/441-5700
tommy.williams@senate.state.tx.us - Ryan Larue - 281/364-9426
brandoncreighton@aol.com - Connie - 936/539-0028
cdoyal@co.montgomery.tx.us - Craig Doyal - 936/539-7816

RPMUD Board Meeting 5/5/08 - 5 p.m.

Open Meeting at RPMUD Office -

There is one item on the agenda -

1. Discuss/Review Bid Tabulations and Alternative Bids for Water Plant No. 3, Award Contract, Authorize the President to Sign Contract and Release Funds Necessary for Construction, Plus Authorize Engineer to Proceed with Project to Completion.

Dated 4/30/08

RPMUD Compromise

At the meeting last Wednesday between Jack Curtsinger, Tom Young, Richard Ramirez, Bill Kotlan and Dick Judge, a compromise of sorts was reached.

It was decided that a 300,000-gallon tank could be erected some time later at water plant #2 to service the future needs of the community.A smaller tank would be constructed at well #3 near the front of RP to accommodate the ground water requirements of the Lone Star Water Conservation District.

Tom Young is to present this to the rest of the Board of Directors.

On Thursday it was learned that the San Jacinto River Authority has no plans at this time to pump water to the east side of I-45 to any of the MUDs. SJRA feels that they can comply with the Lone Star Water Conservation District's 30% rule by furnishing water from Lake Conroe to the City of Conroe and The Woodlands area only. Their plan will be submitted to LSWCD by 3/2/09. The requirement for 30% use of ground water is not scheduled to go into effect until 2015.

This could negate the need for a conversion tank at Well #3. The addition of the 300,000-gallon tank at Well #2 will serve the future needs of the community, without ruining the front of River Plantation.

As of Thursday, Ron Kelling of the San Jacinto River Authority called Richard Ramirez to explain this to him, but had not yet heard from Bill Kotlan. Curtsinger called Tom Young and spoke with him Thursday evening about this new development. Young was not aware of this.

The Board will make a decision on this project at their open meeting on Monday at 5:00 p.m. Please be there. This project needs more study.

RPMUD Update

(NOTE: Open Meeting - RPMUD directors will meet on Monday, May 5th, to discuss the bids and award the contract. TIME: 5:00 PM not 4:00 p.m.)

Jack Curtsinger met with Bill Kotlan (Bleyl & Associates), Tom Young, Richard Ramirez and Dick Judge Wednesday morning to discuss alternate sites.

One of the main reasons RPMUD wants the tank up front is because of the new ground water rules. However, the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) has not made a decision on anything and will not until 3/2/09. At this time it is doubtful the SJRA will provide water east of I-45. The SJRA feels they can meet the 30% goal for the area by providing water to City of Conroe and The Woodlands area only. There are other reasons for the project; it just doesn't need to be where proposed. Rep. Brandon Creighton is attempting to contact the Board members asking for a postponement until after 5/10.

Remember to VOTE! Dick Judge and Jack Curtsinger are running for the two directors' positions. Here are the early voting dates and locations: http://www.co.montgomery.tx.us/election/earlyvoting.shtml. Election Day is Saturday, May 10, at the fire station next to the club.

Latest News on the Water Plant

Here's the latest news that Dolores just e-mailed to me. She is having some technical difficulties signing on to Blogger. I'll help her get that straightened out when I get back from my business trip to Connecticut on Friday. Hopefully, you'll start seeing entries directly from her on here by the weekend!

ARW

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Flyers have been distributed. Thanks to everyone who helped. We are still finding people who do not know about this water plant. Please let your neighbors know. Get out the vote! This board needs to know how the people feel about this project. Your vote will get their attention. We need a change in this board.

Jack Curtsinger, Dick Judge, two board members (don't know which ones), the engineers and Richard Ramirez will meet on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. to discuss the alternate location. Jack will be given one hour to make his presentation.

On Monday, May 5, at 4:00 p.m. at the RPMUD office the decision will be made on the location of the water treatment plant. This is an open meeting. Please plan on being there. The election is May 10. Don't you think they could wait a week?

If you haven't voiced your opposition to the location of this plant, now is the time to do so. You can make a difference. RPMUD's e-mail address is riverplantationwater@consolidated.net. As before, please copy or blindcopy us at ddj306@hotmail.com. We will make sure the board receives the hard copies.

You might also want to write a Letter to the Editor at the Courier. Send it to letters@hcnonline.com with your name and phone number for verification. Some of your letters really sent the message loud and clear to the MUD board and the RPCIA. This would be a good way to get that message out to our community.

The more pressure we can put on this board the better.

Before the last meeting, Rep. Kevin Brady wrote a letter requesting a delay. Together Rep. Brandon Creighton and Senator Tommy Williams' office called all five directors. They were only able to talk to two. The other three have not returned their phone calls. We have asked Ryan Larue with Senator Williams' office to call the other three again. Please contact our reps and ask them to help put pressure on this board to at least wait until after the election to make a decision on the location of this plant. Their e-mail addresses are: rep.brady@mail.house.gov, tommy.williams@senate.state.tx.us and brandoncreighton@aol.com.

The contacts by our political leaders and all of your e-mails helped to get a two-week extension on this decision.

TCEQ, which gets blamed for a lot, was actually trying to help us with this situation. Not all MUDs are perfect, but I don't think anyone has seen one like this. Our contact advised us to have people run for the board positions, which we already had in motion. He also advised us to get a copy of their insurance policy. We did, and found it was insufficient. He told us this agency is under the Open Records Act, and all information is available to us. Just make a request in writing. He also said that just because the project is built, it doesn't mean it can't be moved. Take this fence, for example. This was a project of RPMUD, not of the plant contractor who has not yet been awarded the contract. RPMUD wanted it up to make everyone think that this was a done deal, so it's too late to object. Not so.

Remember to VOTE for Dick Judge and Jack Curtsinger. Early voting times and locations: http://www.co.montgomery.tx.us/election/earlyvoting.shtml. Election Day, Saturday, May 10, voting will take place at the fire station next to the club parking lot.

Reed Watson has been kind enough to make up a blog for this forum - http://riverplantationforum.blogspot.com/. I'm on the low end of the learning curve on this, but hope to get up to speed soon.

RPMUD Two Week Reprieve

We tried for a 30-day reprieve, but got about two weeks. Jack Curtsinger will meet with their engineers, two of the directors and Richard Ramirez to discuss the alternate site. When the decision is made, it will be final. Will let you know when that will be. We need help passing out the flyers (shown below) for the election. We have identified 787 homes with voters in River Plantation and Mosswood. If you can take a street, please let us know. We will have a list of each street with the addresses of registered voters, along with the flyers. Need to get these out Saturday and Sunday, before early voting on Monday.

Do You Like What RPMUD Is Building near the Front of RP?

We Don’t!!!

RPMUD is planning on building a 500,000-gallon water treatment plant near the front of RP, including a pressure tank, chlorine gas injection system, generator with a diesel motor and a 24’ high by 60’ diameter tank.

We believe there are other sites for this equipment in less obvious locations.

What's the rush?

If it is so important, why haven't they told us about it?

Do you know we haven't had an RPMUD directors’ election where people actually voted since about 1990? Elections are supposed to be held every two years.

Tom Young, who lives in Walden but has rental properties here, and James Dillon are the incumbents seeking reelection that have insisted on placing this facility where it will detract from the beauty of RP’s primary entrance.

Dick Judge and Jack Curtsinger are running against them in the May 10th election.

Early voting starts Monday, April 28 – Saturday, May 3 – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday, May 5 – Tuesday, May 6 – 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at any early voting location.

Election Day – May 10 – 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at RP Fire Station next to Club.

Dick Judge can be reached at 936/321-4890 and Jack Curtsinger - 936/828-2100.

HELP NEEDED: Inundate RPMUD and RPCIA with E-Mail!

We need an e-mail blast before the RPMUD board meeting this Thursday 4/24 at 4:00 p.m. Please e-mail RPMUD at riverplantationwater@consolidated.net with your opposition to the location of the water plant. Even if you have signed a petition or e-mailed us noting your opposition, send an e-mail. All of the petitions and e-mails opposing this site have been sent to RPMUD. If you will copy or blind copy us at ddj306@hotmail.com, we will make sure they also get a hard copy. The e-mail address for RPCIA is rpcia@consolidated.net. Please e-mail them and ask this board to take a stand on opposing this location. This is doing nothing for our property values. It is an eyesore and should be located elsewhere.

"Community Improvement Association." Doesn't that mean improving the community?

Thanks for your help. Jack Curtsinger will make his presentation about an alternate site to the RPMUD board Thursday. He has met with engineers in this field, and he is totally correct in his assumptions. Dick Judge and Jack Curtsinger are running against the two incumbents. Ken Meneke's name is on the ballot, but he has withdrawn so as not to dilute the vote. He will run in 2010. Early voting starts Monday, April 28. Election Day is Saturday, May 10. Thanks again. See you on Thursday.

RPMUD Notice of Public Meeting: Thursday, April 24, 2008

RPMUD March Update

Another update from last month sent out to the distribution list.

ARW

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Dick Judge and Ken Meneke have filed to be on the ballot in the May 10 election for the two directors' positions. These are four-year terms up in 2012.

Judge and Meneke have stated they are running because they want transparency in this taxing authority. They both want to represent the taxpayers/residents of River Plantation and Mosswood to protect their property values. They pledge to work to change the time of the meetings to 7:30 pm instead of 4 pm; notify residents of the meetings at least a week beforehand; furnish information on income and expenses of the district; and address any other concerns.

There will be another election in 2010 for three positions. It is interesting that RPMUD sent a notice about this election, but have yet to notify everyone about the proposed water plant.

We are planning a petition drive for RPMUD residents on Saturday, March 15 at 1 pm at our home. OR, to make it easier, you can ask five or ten of your neighbors to sign a petition. Just add this wording to the top of a sheet of paper: "I object to the location of the water plant at well #3 in the front of River Plantation." If they have signed a petition in the Pro Shop, they can sign this again. Have the residents sign their names and addresses. Ask if they are on our e-mail list. If not, please secure their e-mail addresses by using another sheet of paper for that list. Let us know which streets you are covering, so there will not be duplication. This petition serves two purposes: 1) lets RPMUD know we, as taxpayers/residents, oppose this and want our voices heard, and 2) it will alert people to this problem who don't know about it. When you are done, give us a call, and we'll pick up the forms and present them at the next board meeting on 3/27.

Now to the 2/28 Board Meeting -

When asked of the board what other sites they are considering, we were told they asked the Club if they had extra land and were told they did not, and they looked at the site of the burned-out condos in Mosswood. In our opinion, the Mosswood site is a terrible choice.

A question was asked if a feasibility study was done for this water plant. It was stated that the engineer prepared it and had it at his office. The board was asked why someone who would benefit from the construction would do the feasibility study. There was no answer. The engineer was called Friday morning 2/29, and the report was requested. Bill Kotlan said there was no feasibility report, but a justification report was compiled for the TCEQ. We asked for that. Didn't receive it until Thursday afternoon 3/6. It is now called a design report. #1 on the list of reasons for this plant: "A proposed commercial development within the District is anticipated to add an additional 381 Equivalent Single Family connections." (Thought this wasn't for the other side of the freeway.) #2 - "In committing additional capacity, consideration must be made to providing backup capacity to East Plantation Utility District (559 ESPCs)." (EPUD has more than enough water.) ??? This report was sent to TCEQ on 3/6.

Ramirez showed photos of how well the plant site at well #1 is covered by trees and vines. Homeland Security dictates that there can be no trees or foliage within ten feet of the fence. When we first got into this with RPMUD, we were told the trees and vines at well #1 would be torn down, because of this regulation.

We checked the survey of the proposed plant at well #3. It appears that one and possibly two trees will have to come down when they start construction, because they are on the fence line. These are the two trees northeast of the out-of-bounds marker. This makes it more visible as you enter.

Hayes Utilities handles 20-30 MUD facilities in the area, plus a number of smaller facilities. All are using liquid purification, because they feel gas is too dangerous in a populated area. Our MUD still insists gas is the better choice of the two. What is going on here?

RPMUD February Update

Although this e-mail was sent out in February, I thought it contained a lot of important questions to consider that may help start a discussion here on this forum. Please read and respond to the questions that are most important to you.

ARW

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

First of all, we want to make it perfectly clear that we had no knowledge of a possible plant location on the land next to us when we purchased our property. If you will call the RPMUD office, they will verify this. This is not only about us. It affects everyone living in River Plantation, Mosswood and everyone who is a member of River Plantation Country Club.

Great turnout at the RPMUD board meeting on 1/25, over 80 people attended. Next meeting will be Thursday, February 28, at 4 p.m.

A presentation was given by MUD's consulting engineer - Bleyl & Associates. (I have requested a copy, so we can more fully investigate the numbers.) The gist of the presentation was that we need this plant for water for fire protection. One of the slides showed high usage in the summer.

There was not much of a presentation showing how this plant would be disguised.

The public comments included concern about a chlorine gas leak, the effect this plant would have on property values, and the need for another location. People were very vocal about the effect the location of this plant would have on RP, and how it would affect property values and hamper real estate sales. One resident suggested that RPMUD exchange water for sewer services to EPUD during the high usage (summer) months. Seemed like an easy and cheap solution to this problem.

During our discussions with RPMUD, we have heard that this new plant is needed if (1) well #2 goes out; (2) if the plant at well #2 fails; (3) if a hurricane destroys plant #2; and now (4) for water for fire protection.

We would like to remind everyone, we have not had any new development in RPMUD. We may have the same number of homes that we had in 1994, taking into account the ones that were removed after the flood and any new ones built since then. EPUD has 1,000,000 gallons of storage (two 500,000-gallon tanks at two plants). RPMUD has a 500,000-gallon and a 70,000-gallon tank. If anything happens to plant #2, there already is a tie-in to EPUD, so repairs can be made.

The RPMUD board made a motion to continue to get prices for the components for the proposed plant, and would look at any other sites we could find. Many people stayed until the meeting was adjourned.

Questions to Consider

If this plant is so important to the residents of River Plantation and Mosswood, why haven't we received a notice about this?

Where is the proof that this plant is needed for fire protection?

Why would RPMUD consider this site at the the front of River Plantation for a plant that will look like the facility in back across from the C-Store?

Have they looked at other locations for this plant? In any event, if you know of a site around 0.4 - 0.5 acre in the area, please bring it to their attention and present it at the next board meeting.

How much has this project cost to date? If the residents had been notified when RPMUD first decided to do this project, wouldn't the public outcry have placed this on hold until all questions were answered?

Here is the phone number of the MUD office:

RPMUD - 936/273-4641

If you would like to call the TCEQ and complain, Heidi Graham approved the permit. Her telephone number is 512/239-0844. Vera Poe is her supervisor and can be reached at 512/239-6988.

We are continuing to add e-mail addresses for these updates. Our list includes the members of RPCC, RPLGA, people we have contacted and now those that are contacting us. We are sure that there are people who still do not know about this.

RPMUD Info

River Plantation Municipal Utility District (RPMUD) has two plants: Plant and Well #1 at Charleston 1 has a 70,000-gallon tank; and Plant and Well #2 at Biloxi 16 and 17 has a 500,000-gallon water storage tank. The #3 well is located south of the women's tee box on Charleston 5. #3 well has been in operation for 10-11 years and services plant #2. East Plantation Utility District (EPUD) has two plants and two wells, each with a 500,000-gallon storage tank. The two plants/wells in EPUD are located across from the C-Store and on Cumberland.

Total capacity is over 1,500,000 million gallons of water storage in RP.

A "plant" is made up of these main components: Well, storage tank, hydro-pneumatic tank, generator and chlorine injection system. If any of these items break down, they can be repaired. If the pneumatic tank breaks down, the other components still work. In the event of a loss of either a well, hydro-pneumatic tank, generator, storage tank or chlorine injection system, we can tie into EPUD, and have done so when we had a problem at the #2 site.

At the RPCIA meeting on Tuesday, January 22, Richard Ramirez, Manager of RPMUD, said the new plant proposed for Charleston 5 was not for the property across the freeway. RPMUD on this side of the freeway is essentially built out. About a year ago, the cost of this project was $586,000. Now it is $689,000. This is an increase of over $100,000!

RPMUD supplies sewer service to EPUD. RPMUD has the only sewer treatment plant in RP.

Last Thursday's Water Treatment Plant Meeting

I have not yet had the time to post some history behind the water treatment plant issue, but wanted to go ahead and post the latest news regarding the issue and some pictures. See e-mail update from Dolores Judge below.

ARW
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Attached are photos showing what the water treatment plant will look like at various locations. If you will click on the above attachments, the photos will be larger than the ones you may see at the bottom of this e-mail. Thanks to Barry Calnan for the aerial.

Jack Curtsinger presented a great solution to this problem at Thursday's meeting. He suggested the 'water storage tank' be located at the site of the #2 plant. All other components of this proposed plant could be eliminated, since they are already at site #2, saving approximately $200,000 in construction costs plus a decrease in yearly maintenance expense, and meeting the needs of RPMUD. If you would like more information, Jack can be reached at 936/828-2100.

The Blackburnes are planning on making Charleston the showpiece of RPCC. This won't help.

The RPMUD board will meet this Thursday, at 4:00 p.m., at their office at 610 River Plantation Drive, to accept the bid for construction of this plant. The permanent fencing you see at the site is not the plant contractor's, it is RPMUD's, built under separate contract. Please be there to protest.

Don't forget the RPMUD election on May 10. Early voting starts Monday, April 28.
Dick Judge and Jack Curtsinger are running against the incumbents. The Election Day Voting Location is the RP Fire Station.

River Plantation Community Forum Blog

Welcome! The RP Community Forum blog has officially kicked-off. I hope that this blog will serve the residents of River Plantation as a means of discussing issues that impact our neighborhood. Of course, the burning issue that has been issue numero uno for some time now is the location of a new water tank near the front of the subdivision. I'll post a couple of more entries regarding the issue and the current status of the issue when I get a chance.