Pecan Valley Groundwater Conservation district

 

Minutes of Meeting

May 20, 2004 - 4:00 P.M.

 

PVGCD OFFICE

Cuero Plaza Mall-Suite 1129

Cuero, TX 77954

 

Board Members Present: Errol John Dietze (Chairman), Bob McCurdy (GM), Tim Voelkel and Bob Davis

 

Call to order:  A quorum being present, and all notices having been properly posted, the meeting was called to order at 4:00 P.M. by the Chairman, Errol John Dietze.

 

approval of minutes:  Minutes of the March 17th, meeting were presented in the board packet. With no changes, additions or deletions to the minutes noted, Bob Davis made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, second by Tim Voelkel; the motion carried unanimously.

 

BUDGET REPORT:  The financial report was presented by Kay Wild with examples of different reports and graphs generated with the new financial program, Quick Books.  Chairman Dietze suggested that we rephrase the agenda heading “Budget

Report” to “Financial Report.”  It was agreed that this would better reflect the report presented.  Bob Davis made the motion to accept the change of terminology and the financial report as presented, second by Tim Voelkel; motion carried unanimously.

 

OATH OF OFFICE:  Bob McCurdy stated that Jim Allison approved the original oath of office document, but an additional/different document was signed by Tim Voelkel and Chairman Dietze.  The PVGCD office would file both documents with the Sec. of State office to satisfy all requirements and make sure that everything was in order.

 

RULE CHANGES:  Bob McCurdy indicated that in the near future we would need to have a public meeting regarding some revisions to the PVGCD rule book.   We are currently aware of two rules that will require amendment: the 150’ spacing rule and the casing sleeve specification.  There was discussion of the possibility of problems with the 150’ spacing requirement from adjacent property lines in rural areas that are developed for sub-divisions.  The division of land into small lots will create a problem for this requirement.  There is legislation pending that would require developers to provide a central water well system for that type of development.  DeWitt County does not have a rural water company at this time to over-see developments of this nature.  Tentatively, we are looking at setting this meeting for sometime in June … probably the later part of the month.  Bob Davis suggested that we publicize the need for volunteer information regarding existing water levels on individual landowner wells.  This would set precedence for the future.  Currently, water levels are probably at the highest level after the recent rains.  Bob McCurdy said he would get out and do static levels.  He also indicated that levels need to be taken regularly as levels are affected even by moon changes.  Bob Davis suggested we have a place to copy well reports for public use to help encourage and assist them in submitting the reports to our office.  Errol John Dietze suggested we make an effort to make contacts in both Yoakum and Nordheim and not just concentrate on the Cuero area.  Tim Voelkel said all areas of DeWitt needs to be educated and kept informed of what the groundwater district is doing  in order to have continued support from the public.  It was noted that Goliad put a ¼ page add in the paper that was a cut-out form for landowners who desired to have their wells recorded with the groundwater district.  Bob McCurdy also suggested the need to put mitigation in the rules.  Most surrounding Districts either have mitigation clauses in their management plan or are currently discussing inclusion of these rules.  Mitigation is defined as restitution for any landowner that might suffer damages incurred in the exploitation of the groundwater resources in the District.  The proposed Lower Guadalupe Pipeline Project, which will use significant amounts of groundwater, has been reluctant to address the problem.  Consequently, Districts may have to alter their rules to accommodate this lack. Victoria County now wants to set up a groundwater conservation district to protect the County from proposed well fields designed to supply the pipeline project.  Refugio County is currently experiencing a groundwater controversy between landowners who desire to sell water and those that do not.

 

FISCAL YEAR CHANGE:  Bob McCurdy said Jim Allison suggested that we keep our fiscal year as it currently exists.  It relates better to our tax collection and audit cycle, and it is not a busy time for tax audits.  The end of year election cycle should change to November to coincide with the county elections, saving both time and money for the district.  We will go from an odd to even year cycle.  There was discussion on how often the PVGCD should meet.  By law, we are to meet a minimum of four times a year.  Errol John Dietze suggested we meet once a month to keep current with and abreast of groundwater concerns.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Chairman Dietze called for a motion to adjourn; motion by Tim Voelkel and second by Bob Davis. The meeting adjourned at 5:00 P.M.

 

                                                                                         Sec/Gary Colman

Recorded:  Kay Wild/Office Asst/PVGCD