The annual report of the West Ranch District Management was presented to Friendswood City Council at their regular meeting at City Hall July 11, 2022.
West Ranch is composed of 766 acres. Board members include President Brian Gibson, VP and Asst. Secretary Sawyer Blackburn, Secretary Doug Konopka, and directors Meredith Levine and Joe Matranga.
It was reported that the residential development is complete. The new Cline Elementary is under construction and that only commercial tracts remain to be developed.
The West Ranch HOA owns most of the greenspace around the roads and recreation centers. WRMD still owns and manages the property next to Chigger Creek, Clear Creek and the retention ponds.
WRMD provided an ongoing drainage maintenance update. The District continues to use Storm Water Solutions (SWS) to perform quarterly inspections of all WRMD owned and operated drainage and detention facilities.
Over the past three years, WRMD has spent approximately $105,000, over and above routine mowing, on drainage maintenance and rehab (i.e. desilting of channels, removal of vegetation and overgrowth, erosion repair, structural outfall repair, etc.) to ensure that all drainage and detention facilities are in good working condition and function as originally designed
WRMD recently completed a joint project working with the West Ranch HOA to improve common areas. The two groups rebuilt the West Ranch fishing pier on Clear Creek.
Goals and objectives for the area were also shared with Council. The board remains focused on lowering West Ranch homeowner costs, identifying sensible opportunities to pay off existing bonds and the prudent management of district property.
Friendswood Development Company is still seeking a potential town center developer for the commercial property. There are approximately 45 acres of commercial development remains near the intersection of FM 518 and West Boulevard and approximately 13 acres of commercial property remains near the intersection of West Boulevard and Friendswood Parkway.
The City Manager’s Report provided the Council with information on the upcoming Movies in the Park as well as the Library Town Meeting.
The Friendswood Library will be hosting a Library Town Hall at 6 pm on July 19 to receive input from the community for the library’s long-range strategic plan. The community is asked to join library staff and members of the library board to learn more about library operations and to provide valuable feedback as they plan for the future of Friendswood Library
Information was also given regarding Friendswood hosting the June luncheon of local Texas City Managers Association region. The group of area city managers met at the Friendswood Library discussing health care trends and anticipated budget issues concerning labor, inflation, and other impacts.
There was also an update on City waterline breaks and repairs.
During the summer months, staff has seen an uptick in waterline breaks throughout the community. This phenomenon is not unusual according to Public Works officials when presented with intense heat, lack of rain creating dry soil conditions, and increased demand on water systems.
Public Works crews have been working around the clock to make emergency repairs. Recently, they have had to supplement surface water supplies with ground water pumpage. Doing so will cause taste and odor issues, at times. However, water quality tests continue to result in acceptable, TCEQ, ranges, officials report. If anyone has any questions regarding water quality, or notice a leak in their area, contact Public Works office at 281-996-3380.
