THE WOODLANDS, TX(July 23, 2008) – The Woodlands Township made the first of several scheduled payments to The Woodlands Fire Department as part of the Transition Agreement among The Woodlands Township and various entities in the Community Associations of The Woodlands.

The first check of $1,016,666.67, which is for June’s installment, will provide funding for fire and emergency services provided by The Woodlands Fire Department for the residents and businesses throughout the entire area of The Woodlands. The check represents the first installment of the $6.1 million that will be paid from The Woodlands Township to The Woodlands Fire Department in 2008.

Funding comes as a result of an extra cent sales tax collected in the Town Center area and The Woodlands as a whole.

The Transition Agreement ultimately provides a seamless consolidation of the governmental services and functions provided to taxpayers into a single, community-wide, governmental organization. The Transition Agreement exists among the following entities: The Woodlands Township, The Woodlands Community Association, The Woodlands Association, The Woodlands Commercial Owners Association, The Woodlands Community Service Corporation, The Woodlands Recreation Centers, and The Woodlands Fire Department. The full Transition Agreement can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.
For more information, please contact Nick Wolda with The Woodlands Township at (281) 363-2447, or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

Photo Caption (above):
Pictured from left to right - Lloyd Matthews, WFD Board Director; Tom Campbell, WFD Board Treasurer; Alan B. Benson, Fire Chief; Jeff Long, WFD Board Director; Claude Hunter, WFD Board Secretary; Nelda Blair, Chairman of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors; Bruce C. Tough, WFD Board President; and Joel Deretchin, WFD Board Vice President

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (July 23, 2008) – The Woodlands Township Board of Directors met today and approved several items in its regularly scheduled meeting.
Items included:

The Township Board of Directors approved funding for an Express Transportation Service involving The Woodlands Township and Sam Houston State University, as well as a budget amendment of $33,000, which will support first year operations beginning in August, 2008.

The Township Board of Directors received and considered a report from Right Management concerning management positions for The Woodlands Township.

The Township Board of Directors determined that a decision regarding time and location of future meetings would be deferred to the Governance and Nominations Committee for further review.

The Township Board of Directors approved a recommendation from the Project Planning and Development Committee to contract with the Goodman Corporation for transportation consulting services and a budget amendment.

The Township Board of Directors received and considered a quarterly update from The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Township Board of Directors approved the appointment of Sheron Jones, Director of Sales & Marketing for The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, to fill the unexpired term of Sandy Schoenbeck on the Booking and Blocking Committee of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Board of Directors administered the Oaths of Office to newly appointed Director, Robert Kinnear and approved the minutes of the June meeting, the June Financial Report and a report from the Community Associations of The Woodlands.

The next meeting for The Woodlands Township Board of Directors will be held at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at The Woodlands Township, 10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600, The Woodlands, Texas 77380.

THE WOODLANDS, TX (July 16, 2008) – The Executive Committee of The Woodlands Township approved today sending an Express Shuttle proposal to The Woodlands Township Board of Directors.

The Express Shuttle plan calls for funding of an Express Transportation Service involving The Woodlands Township and Sam Houston State University, as well as a budget amendment of $33,000, which will support first year operations beginning in August, 2008.

Approval of both measures will be required from the full Board of Directors during its July 23 meeting before implementation can begin.

If approved, the shuttle, which will be managed by Brazos Transit District, will make stops at Lone Star College-Montgomery, the City of Shenandoah and the City of Conroe.
Riders who utilize the system will pay $4 per one way trip to help defray costs, which will be shared by the participating entities.

“The Brazos Transit District will only invoice The Township if the system is used,” said Steve Sumner, Vice President of Operations and Public Safety for The Woodlands Township. Utilization will be monitored over the next few months and an update will be presented to the board by year’s end.

The item will be considered by The Woodlands Township’s Board of Directors on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 in its regular scheduled meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. at The Woodlands Township, 10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600, The Woodlands, Texas 77380.

The Committee also unanimously approved the minutes of the June meeting and the June 30 Financial Report.

The Woodlands, TX (July 8, 2008) - Marina Valenzuela and Dawn Blake recently earned their certifications as Certified Professional Secretaries (CPS) from the International Association of Administrative Professionals. In order to receive certification, one must pass a three part exam.

Marina Valenzuela began working with The Woodlands Township over four years ago as one of the original six ambassadors. Shortly following, she was promoted to Receptionist/Administrative Assistant. During this time, she began working towards her CPS certification, and upon certification, Ms. Valenzuela was recently promoted to Finance and Administrative Assistant.

Ms. Blake has been with The Woodlands Township since 2005 when she started as a Sam Houston State University intern with the Masters of Public Administration Program. The following year, she began full-time as the Accounting Assistant, and she has recently been promoted to Accountant.

Firefighters and community leaders gathered on Monday, June 30, for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the official grand opening of The Woodlands Fire Department’s Station No. 6. Personnel assigned to this station provide fire, rescue and paramedic-level EMS service while maintaining the established five-minute response criteria in the College Park area. The 12,760-square-foot facility is located at 1100 Windsor Lakes Blvd.

Speakers for the event included Fire Chief Alan B. Benson, The Woodlands Fire Department President Bruce Tough, The Woodlands Association Director Ted Stanley, The Woodlands Township Chairman Nelda Blair, and past Township Chairman Dr. Ed Robb, who gave a blessing for the firefighters and fire station just prior to the ribbon cutting.

Chief Benson and President Tough recognized The Woodlands Fire Department Board of Directors, The Woodlands Township and Lowe's for their generous partnership and community service. In addition, representatives from Congressman Kevin Brady’s office presented an American flag to Chief Benson.

The new fire station includes three apparatus bays, living quarters, eight dorm rooms, a kitchen, an administrative office, a conference/study room, a work room, a decontamination room and a physical wellness area. It is equipped with a 100-foot aerial ladder truck and a fire engine.

Funding for the facility is provided through a partnership among The Woodlands Township, The Woodlands Fire Department and the Community Associations of The Woodlands, forming Economic Development Project No. 4 to construct and equip a fire station and emergency training center.

For more information on The Woodlands Fire Department, please call (281) 367-3444, or visit the website at www.thewoodlandsassociations.org, and click Fire Department. You may also contact Mary Connell with the Community Associations of The Woodlands at (281) 210-3890, or Nick Wolda with The Woodlands Township at (281) 363-2447, www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

Photo: Community leaders representing The Woodlands Fire Department and The Woodlands Township cut the ribbon to Fire Station 6. Pictured, left to right: Frank Robinson, Jeff Long, Tom Campbell, Claude Hunter, Steve Sanders, Bruce Tough, Chief Alan Benson, Nelda Blair, Dr. Ed Robb, Lloyd Matthews, Kemba DeGroot and Don Norrell.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (June 25, 2008) – The Woodlands Township Board of Directors met today and approved several items in its regular scheduled meeting.

Items included:

The Township Board of Directors approved the Chairman to execute a Waterway Maintenance Agreement between The Woodlands Township and The Woodlands Operating Company.

The Township Board of Directors approved an extension of the current banking services contract with Woodforest National Bank through July 2009.

The Township Board of Directors appointed Robert Kinnear to fill the vacated position on the Board of Directors of The Woodlands Township.

The Township Board of Directors approved the investment training for The Woodlands Township’s Investment Officers in accordance with the Investment Policy of The Woodlands Township.

The Township Board of Directors acted upon committee changes and appointments for The Woodlands Township. They are as follows:

A.The Woodlands Audit Committee members are:
- Vicki Richmond, Chairman
- Kemba DeGroot
- Tom Campbell

B. The Cultural Arts Task Force Committee was renamed to the Museum Ad Hoc Committee. Members are:
- Vicki Richmond, Chairman
- Ed Robb
- Alex Sutton (or designee)
- Bruce Tough
- David Gottlieb & Michael Richmond: members from the community

C. The Special Projects Committee was renamed to the Project Planning & Development Committee. Members are:
- Lloyd Matthews, Chairman
- Ed Robb
- Alex Sutton
- Bruce Tough

D. The Waterway Committee was renamed to the Public Facilities Administration Committee. Members are:
- Kemba DeGroot, Chairman
- Nelda Blair
- Claude Hunter
- Alex Sutton

E. The Transition Team was discontinued, and duties were transferred over to The Woodlands Township Executive Committee.

The Township Board of Directors elected Alex Sutton and Bruce Tough to The Woodlands Township’s Committee on Governance and Nominations.

The Township Board of Directors appointed Nelda Blair, Peggy Hausman, Claude Hunter, and Lloyd Matthews to The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors.

The Township Board of Directors appointed Tom Campbell, Claude Hunter, Lloyd Matthews, and Bruce Tough to The Woodlands Fire Department Board of Directors in accordance with the Transition Agreement.

The Township Board of Directors adopted a resolution to grant The Woodlands Township Co-Managers the authority to exercise contractual, banking and purchasing powers as presently held by The Woodlands Township President.

The Township Board of Directors adopted a TexPool resolution amending the list of authorized representatives for The Woodlands Township authorized to engage in transactions with TexPool.

The Township Board of Directors approved additional expenses related to Town Green Park and added these expenses to the outstanding balance of the Town Green Park reimbursement agreement between The Woodlands Township and The Woodlands Township Economic Development Zone.

The Township Board of Directors approved The Woodlands Township Logo Standards and Guidelines for correct use of the official logo.

The next meeting for The Woodlands Township Board of Directors will be held at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at The Woodlands Township, 10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600, The Woodlands, Texas 77380.

Each was nominated by their peers and superiors for outstanding community service. The awardees included:
Lieutenant David Dottei -Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office – Town Center
Deputy David Everton -Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office – The Woodlands
Deputy Constable Joshua Hansen-Montgomery County Constable, Precinct 3
Lieutenant A. Bryan Carlisle -Shenandoah Police Department
Officer Elizabeth McLaughlin- Oak Ridge North Police Department
Trooper Michael Wheless- Texas Department of Public Safety – Highway Patrol Division
Officer Christina Greenwood -Conroe ISD Police Department
Captain Charlie Soliz Lone Star College Police Department
Captain Robert Moore The Woodlands Fire Department
Paramedic III Paul Schoenemann- Montgomery County Hospital District
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Effective April 1, 2008, businesses within The Woodlands Township’s expanded boundaries in Harris and Montgomery counties will charge a one percent local sales and use tax in addition to the 6.25 percent sales tax assessed by the State of Texas. Also effective April 1, an additional one percent sales tax will be collected within Montgomery County only for the newly-created The Woodlands Township Economic Development Zone. Read on...