We have got to stay on target of the administrative items needed to be processed amicably and not get distracted by those who want to entangle our progress by wandering off the path that doesn’t bring the ultimate solution of better water management.
RCH WSC was needed and filled a great purpose when it was established in 1961 to provide a solution in bringing water to those living in the rural area. McLendon-Chisholm is literally within the service area and the population is growing, as well as, reasonable expectations of providing adequate water supply. It just makes good sense that this is better for our future to accommodate current customers.
January Board Meeting Notice
RCH WSC Board held their January 4, 2023 Board Meeting with a similar agenda from December 2022. At citizen comments I did share that I did offer a recommendation to the McLendon-Chisholm City Council and City Administrator to discuss with Mr. Pullen (RCH WSC) to consider an at cost option of using paper ballots with the Rockwall County Elections Administrator. In addition to that, I asked based on their own insistence of having a potential January 15, 2023 annual meeting/election date to hear what were their election plans and also requested an update on the relocating water lines project?
A Kensington resident, Linda also asked about the sign that was still hanging on the door trying to keep the public out during regular business hours.
Dwight Lindop the RCH WSC operator shared a maintenance update that there was two leaks. One of the two incidents was a man made leak probably due to the hazards of construction.
By 2:10pm, RCH WSC Board Members Jackie Pullen, Warren Hodges, Gary Lovell, Lowell English, Steve Hatfield, Dwight Lindop and Robin Baley went into executive session. No attorney was present.
Executive Session
By 2:46pm the gentlemen returned out of executive session to share the decisions of the actions taken.
Steve Hatfield, “The RCH WS Board decided their first step to be done is to host a members election to decide on whether they would like to sell. They are contacting a couple of different companies that normally do this to conduct the election.”
Annual Meeting to be set for March 29, 2023. Information will start going out in the February billing statement. Also ONE director position will be listed on the ballot.
Hatfield also shared, “Our attorney (Art Rodriguez) advised us to get two more quotes for engineering bids for the relocating of the water lines TxDOT Project (this is in addition to Eddy Daniel, DBI Engineering) to avoid any later speculation. Next week we will produce the bid solicitations and get it advertised.”
The board members feel really good that they actually got a lot accomplished at this meeting.
Why is an election important at this stage if RCH desires to transfer assets to a municipality?
It is one of the two options that is expected to be completed in the process of dissolution or winding down a water service corporation. This was recommended by the City Water Attorney Emily Rogers in the McLendon-Chisholm Asset Transfer Agreement and the RCH WSC Board concurred. However, the transfer agreement still has not been signed nor has their attorney gave them the counsel to do so.
Aging water supply systems could fail our demand without longterm planning in place
In general, Texans rely heavily on surface water sources that are over-allocated that can be significantly depleted during prolonged droughts. Water conservation is part of the water supply planning strategy in Texas. Our area is just one of many that are reaching a crossroads with their rural water provider. Maintaining and being able to improve the infrastructure adequately in a timely manner has been a struggle. Resilience and innovation play a major role in maintaining a state-of-good-repair.
TxDOT has expectations to have all of the utility lines moved by December 2023/February 2024 on the section of Hwy 205.
“A man’s word is only as good as the actions he follows them up with.”
– unknown author
In closing, the RCH WSC Board should follow through what they have shared at this meeting while we all patiently wait for them. They are our neighbors and it would be unfortunate if they choose to not follow through.
My position to support for an asset transfer to the City of McLendon-Chisholm is still underway and there have been exploratory activity being conducted so that we will be better prepared for the first phase. Stay tuned, subscribe and join the discussion of your support of this endeavor.