Boardroom Briefing for February 26, 2026
Published on March 04, 2026
The following is a recap of The Woodlands Township's regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting. Meeting agendas are posted to the Township website three business days in advance of each meeting. Boardroom Briefings are distributed via email and posted to the Township website.
REGULAR AGENDA
DEFERRED – 2025 Summary of Achievements
This item will be presented at a future meeting.
APPROVED – Fares and Related Service Increase for The Woodlands Express
Director of Transportation Ruthanne Haut reviewed proposed service changes and fare adjustments for The Woodlands Express bus service. Following a period of public comment and compliance with the Public Participation Policy component of the Federal Transit Administration Title VI requirements, a $2 fare increase was proposed for The Woodlands Express Park and Ride program, raising the round-trip fare from $15 to $17 effective April 1, 2026. In addition to the fare increase, staff proposed a second midday run from Downtown Houston to all three Park and Ride locations and a second 3:10 p.m. run from Downtown Houston to the Sterling Ridge Park and Ride to address rider requests for earlier return options. The Board unanimously approved the fare increase and service changes as presented.
APPROVED – Vehicle Disposition Options for The Woodlands Express Commuter Buses and Town Center Trolley Fleet
The Township’s Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan indicates that existing trolleys have met their useful life. Several commuter buses are also approaching that threshold. In 2026, the Township will receive 25 new commuter buses and six trolleys. FTA allows four disposition options for vehicles beyond useful life: retain and use elsewhere, transfer to another grantee, sell vehicles, or buy out federal interest. To maintain operational flexibility and ensure adequate fleet reserves, staff proposed retaining four Town Center Trolleys and 14 The Woodlands Express commuter buses for future use, whether services provided are federally or non-federally funded. The Board unanimously approved the retention of four Town Center Trolleys and 14 The Woodlands Express commuter buses for future operational flexibility and adequate fleet reserve and authorized staff to dispose of the remaining vehicles in compliance with FTA disposal policy.
APPROVED – The Woodlands Express Bus Wrap Design
The Board considered options for updating the wrap design of The Woodlands Express fleet in advance of receiving 25 new buses later this year. Director of Transportation Ruthanne Haut reviewed three options: maintain the current design at no cost, implement a new design using in-house Communications staff with wrap installation for the existing 14 buses not to exceed $110,000, or pursue an outsourced design through an RFP process with higher projected costs and additional time requirements. Director of Communications LeaAnn Petersen presented four sample in-house concepts aligned with the Energy Corridor branding introduced in 2025, featuring art, nature, sports and community themes while retaining Visit The Woodlands branding on the back of the buses.
Board discussion focused on branding consistency, marketing value, cost differences between in-house and contracted services, federal procurement requirements and project timing ahead of the anticipated September delivery. The Board voted 6 to 1 to proceed with a new in-house design for the fleet, with Chairman Brad Bailey opposed and expressing a preference to outsource the design.
APPROVED – An Amended and Restated Donation Agreement with The Woodlands Arts Council
In April 2014, the Township Board approved a Donation Agreement with the Arts Council for the acceptance of eight art benches. Due to the success of the program over the years, the Board of Directors approved six amendments to the Donation Agreement that provided additional phases of the art bench project. A total of 36 art benches and one bike rack have been created and installed along The Woodlands Waterway, Hughes Landing and other parks. As there is a need to renovate the various trolley stops along The Woodlands Waterway, an opportunity was identified to expand the art bench and bike rack program.
The concept is for the Arts Council to obtain sponsors and artists for up to eight trolley stops, using digitally printed glass. As with previous phases, the best designs will be selected through a competition that will attract artists from across the country and, potentially, from abroad. Each trolley stop may have a local sponsor underwriting the costs of the project. An Arts Council committee comprised of Arts Council members and Township staff will review entries and select three finalists for each location. The subcommittee and underwriters will then select the winning design/artist for each location. The Board unanimously approved the 2026 Amendment to the Amended and Restated Donation Agreement with The Woodlands Waterway Arts Council and authorized the President/Chief Executive Officer to execute the agreement as approved to final form by Township legal counsel.
APPROVED – Order No. 002-26, Adopting a Policy Related to Memorials, Artwork and Commemorative Donations on Township-owned Property
Staff occasionally receives requests to install memorials, plaques, benches, trees and public art. The requests range from commemorations/plaques to larger sponsored projects. While these contributions enrich community identity, they also raise issues of placement, consistency, maintenance and long-term stewardship. The proposed order establishes a comprehensive framework for all commemorative donations, clarifying eligible types, such as memorials and artwork; application timelines; professional seals where structural/electrical work is involved; citing and compatibility standards; recognition (plaque) guidelines; maintenance funding; and a transparent review/appeal process, including deaccessioning, where appropriate. The Board unanimously approved the order.
DEFERRED – Quarterly Update on Transportation-related Matters
This item was deferred to a future meeting.
ACCEPTED – Village Presidents' Council Update
The Village Presidents' Council met on Monday, February 2, 2026. Treasurer Richard Franks provided an update at the Board meeting.
APPROVED – Public-Private Partnership for a Short Golf Course Complex on the South Gosling Tract
Following a closed session, the Board heard a presentation from Chief Operating Officer Chris Nunes and discussed the benefits of a short course, public golf amenity in The Woodlands. An RFP was issued in December for Public-Private Partnership for Short Golf Course Development Along with Food and Entertainment Amenities on the South Gosling Tract. Three companies responded: Park Golf, Early Bird and American Golf. The Board approved the recommendation that the President/CEO negotiate a contract for a public-private partnership as outlined in the RFP for a Public-Private Partnership (design, finance, construct and operate) for a Short Course (9-hole) golf complex and associated amenities on the South Gosling Tract with Early Bird and return to the Board with the final agreement. If negotiations fail, the President/CEO is authorized to negotiate with Park Golf until/if an agreeable contract can be reached.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda consists of non-controversial, or “housekeeping” items required by law. One motion with modifications, if applicable, approves for action, all items contained within the Consent Agenda. Items may be moved from the Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda by a Board Member making such a request prior to a motion and vote. To view more information about each item, please review the Meeting Agenda online.
The following items were unanimously approved by the Board of Directors:
VILLAGE ASSOCIATION REPORTS
Village association presidents present reports to the Board each month regarding activities and news from the villages. The following gave reports for their respective village associations:
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