This is the first in a series of postings that I will devote to understanding more about our MUD or Water District and some of the complaints that the "Wick" neighborhoods have expressed regarding their services to our communities. The Wick are the relatively new developments built on the north side of Beltway 8 between Furman St and Cullen Blvd. Brunwick Lakes, Brunswick Meadows, and Brunswick Place make up the Wick. The other two major neighborhoods served by WCID #89 are Morningside Place I and Morningside Place II which are on the south side of Beltway 8, bounded by Cullen Blvd and Fellows Road which runs along Tom Bass Park.
Harris County Water Control & Improvement District #89 (WCID #89) was created March 6, 1964 and was converted to a municipal utility district (MUD) on April 11, 1984 and according to chapters 49 and 54 of the Texas Water Code, WCID #89, is empowered to purchase, operate & maintain all facilities necessary to provide water, sanitary sewer service, storm sewer drainage, irrigation, solid waste collection & disposal, including recycling, parks and recreational facilities for the residents of the District. In addition, WCID#89 can contract for or employ its own peace officers with power to make arrests and to establish, operate and maintain a fire department to perform all fire-fighting activities within the District. On April 4, 2000 WCID #89 entered into a water supply agreement with the City of Houston, which has supplemented the District's water supply from wells.
WCID #89 is governed by 5 Board members who serve 4 year terms of office. Until April 2009 these positions were held by Sharyn Smalls (President) Arthur G. Washington (VP) Victoria Lastee (Secretary) Danny Perkins (Director) and Claudell Bradby (Director). It was discovered that Claudell Bradby was not qualified to sit on the Board because she had not maintained a residence within the District since 2007. She was replaced by Byron Keith Watson, Sr. - appointed to office by the Board.
Interesting isn't it that there was no attempt by the current Board to include a representative from the Wick when given the opportunity to appoint a new Board member? Especially since many Wick residents had attended meetings and voiced their concerns with various issues related to the District. AK Babers, who resides in Brunswick Meadows, had a personal meeting with Sharyn Smalls back in 2008. During that meeting, he expressed an interest in serving on the Board. He was told at that time by President Smalls that there was no need for him to serve because she was content with the current makeup of the Board, including the unqualified Director presumably.
Elections are held whenever an incumbent has a challenger petition to be on the ballot. No elections have been held for any Board position since the Wick neighborhoods came into existence; therefore, all Board members are from Morningside. That has now changed. There will be an election held (exact date, time, and place to be determined and will be announced on this blog) for 2 of the 5 positions because AK Babers and I (Dr. Jeraine Root) have requested to be on the ballot. We will be vying for the 2 positions currently held by Victoria Lastee and Danny Perkins. The candidates who receive the most votes will win the positions - there is no runoff.
Next posting will be about finances of the District.
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There will be a hearing 0n 10/19/10 at 11:30 a.m. at 6750 W. Loop, Suite 250, Bellaire, TX 77401 on a proposed tax increase. Be there if you can. From senatorhg@aol.com (hurbert harris from MorningSide Sectin One)
ReplyDeletePlease read my posting in this blog on 10/10/10 about the tax hike for more information. There's a link to the other blog I host that deals specifically with WCID#89 issues.
ReplyDeleteWednesday, December 1, 2010Dr. Jeraine Root, a very informative blog. I noticed you characterized the makeup of WCID #89 as being soley represented by Morningside residents and did not update the current status of WCID #89 which now includes two of the five governing seats being held by "Wick" residents as directors. Shouldn't the public know about the tax hike or increase is largely due to the additional need to contract for Harris County Constable's protection, the devaluation of property within WCID #89 which overall produces less revenue for the operations of the District and thus higher taxes, and finally, the mandated cost of purchasing the City of Houston's water? Shouldn't the public know the District is continuing to seek profitable commercial development from such interests as Jack in the Box and others to offset future tax increases. Furthermore, is seeking additional contracts for services such as recycling, at a time when property taxes have increased, a frugal idea? Finally, information such as: 1) the success of the Directors' lengthy lawsuit and ultimate settlement with a former District's Engineer; 2) the Directors' refusal to permit an entity to develop and utilize nearby property that could have jeopardized WCID's water supply; and 3) the upcoming construction of the District's Building which will provide a much needed community facility with various upcoming services to the residents, as well as, the additional benefit of saving expenses for the District for future meetings...would be ideal to post on your blog! I hope I assisted in your informative forum and I wish you success on delivering pertinent information to all WCID #89's residents, for we all must live together...BK Watson
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