[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6572147,"mediaKeyId","3104809-c864229cf1253dbb0291e56e1e6ad205","parentId",3104809,"title","Conroe council debate limits virtual attendance in executive sessions to protect attorney–client privilege","audioSeconds",3611,"startMs",3169000,"endMs",6780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3104809-c864229cf1253dbb0291e56e1e6ad205&start=3169&end=6780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3104809-c864229cf1253dbb0291e56e1e6ad205/thumbnail_3169000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6572147/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-council-debate-limits-virtual-attendance-in-executive-sessions-to-protect-attorneyclient-privilege","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572147-b74b011a536352f3d7d65ec542c7ec65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098757&Signature=WCAJrPPihMJcfAItrugPoRbHXqzqzdns3An9MQoemCU-T2AdxUpvatMu9A9Mm~5nXmVMshBiOCN2RHHSoOnyr6PBRYyTpEXqZGn4YniqZgZBwNjKUUZOpYgPFYSdcvCTJheB2ltrnvmFrwtMGmvQDtaI~COG1ddTrDXLNIIxHhpUfCWttqHQSAnzG09eYT1VRvywUWUJTMxBw2n-cc7kN~lK4q4WLLChDaRHYgEJMwmDhtx6XjtMHscN-i~-j38mOX4FAtNnBFc9Om4cAQ69hTgFbnXO9lZa2Y~YFd6RinfFGSNJjRiKVXrJ0-TAbdY9rITxVu4sYNYE3DWRVn3GdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Conroe","date","2025-04-23T00:00:00Z","article","Conroe city attorneys and council members on April 23 debated a proposed resolution that would require council members to attend authorized executive sessions in person rather than by video or phone connection.

City attorney Gary Garner framed the proposal as a confidentiality safeguard tied to attorney–client privilege. \"It is so very important to us as attorneys to make sure our conversations are private and confidential,\" Garner said. He added that in-person meetings reduce misunderstandings that can arise from technological failures and that leaked privileged discussions could undermine the city's legal position.

Supporters said the move is driven by a cluster of pending sensitive matters — including litigation, contractual disputes and other legal risks — where the city’s lawyers have advised that in-person counsel yields more robust confidentiality and clearer communication. \"It's not geared towards a particular council member... it's because of the sensitive items that we have coming forward,\" a council member explained while introducing the agenda item.

Opponents warned that a strict ban on remote attendance could disenfranchise elected members who rely on remote access for health or work reasons. Several council members said they want alternatives, such as secure lines, stronger non‑disclosure measures or schedule adjustments that would allow in-person participation without unduly burdening working council members. \"I understand your point too. Maybe a good compromise... is to move this meeting later in the afternoon,\" one member suggested to increase in-person availability.

Garner said the city had considered other approaches, including non‑disclosure agreements, but council members and staff raised legal and practical questions about those options. He noted that some outside law firms had specifically requested stricter confidentiality measures. \"We had 1 of our law firms suggest a nondisclosure agreement, and that was pretty much opposed by members of city council,\" he said.

Council members also asked whether attorneys could continue to participate remotely; Garner said the statute specifically permits attorney participation by phone or videoconference, and that outside counsel remain bound by the same professional confidentiality obligations.

There was no final vote during the workshop. Council members asked staff and the city attorney to return with options, including potential schedule changes, secure-technology solutions and written procedures that seek to balance confidentiality and access for elected officials.

Ending: The council left the item open for further study. Staff and the city attorney were asked to present alternatives that preserve attorney–client confidentiality while minimizing the risk of disenfranchising council members who need remote access.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Conroe - Workshop - Apr 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Conroe city council members and the city attorney debated a proposal to require in-person attendance for executive sessions, citing attorney–client privilege and concern about leaked confidential discussions.","taxTitle","Conroe, Montgomery County, Texas","taxId",2810,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6572156,"Conroe staff proposes tighter right-of-way permits, insurance and bonds after residents report damage from fiber installs",2003,352000,2355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3104809-c864229cf1253dbb0291e56e1e6ad205&start=352&end=2355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3104809-c864229cf1253dbb0291e56e1e6ad205/thumbnail_352000.jpg","/articles/6572156/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-staff-proposes-tighter-right-of-way-permits-insurance-and-bonds-after-residents-report-damage-from-fiber-installs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572156-eb420a734692ed5f867a287d4e2d93f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098757&Signature=VIgjfWfpQpOLB8jO81UvJCPRPCMQhMQO31q6nyfnnNCfLak6HrzzkX1cO5T-rUzGIuhuO4cyUi7x-13ySYz9bCwguPeZNLjoXhBkFwFIs9v8SGIIKr1CtddIilh~vEqmSJ7V7Ldg9S-P~sChl8Dov7OBQlIc6wbTBZjZ5Qe9zzJjJifktpbdPEfV~mosqZsQLsIuoYjYlBOjLJwnEWOXPyKSvz04oSNcce9-NjH-EcKlwm~P-S0sbhK3khWxjRx6v0QIiFULPnJBH0Yz9KGIrnpGJUoP2O8V5M20gOubKnMEZwFrpBAUM~9PbZvSwFWhCH1tS3K9NLYOVcA6BBa3dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on April 23 presented a package of proposed changes to Conroe’s right-of-way permitting rules aimed at reducing damage and improving communication after repeated resident complaints about fiber and other utility installations.

The presentation, introduced by a city staff member, covered permit timelines, insurance requirements, performance bonds and inspection and enforcement steps. \"These are just the basic insurance requirements that we should have been asking for that were waived by the previous administration. So we're now moving forward and requiring them to submit a certificate of insurance,\" the staff member said.

The staff presentation said permits would expire after six months, with extensions allowed only in limited circumstances, and that the city would require a certificate of liability insurance and a possible performance bond. Staff said the proposed insurance minimums include $1,000,000 per accident, $1,000,000 per employee, $2,000,000 aggregate and up to $5,000,000 umbrella coverage. Staff also proposed increasing the application fee (from $100 to $500 for an initial application) and adding a reinspection fee and stiffer enforcement including fines and the ability to withhold future permits for companies that fail to pay fines.

Council members and staff emphasized the repeated damage reported in neighborhoods such as Woodlands Hills. \"The destruction of our citizens' property has got to stop,\" the mayor said during the discussion. Staff said inspectors will be assigned to check restorations and the city will charge companies for repairs to public infrastructure. \"If they destroy any of our infrastructure and public works has to make those repairs, we are also charging them for those repairs as well,\" a staff member said.

Representatives of EZ Fiber attended and described company practices and remedies. \"If our crews are damaging something and it is not being resolved, then that is 100% a problem, and we will address it very swiftly,\" said Sean Perry, vice president of engineering for EZ Fiber. Perry offered to provide a certificate of insurance the same day and a performance bond by the end of the week, and described company escalation processes for residents. He also said the company aims to contact a homeowner within an hour for major utility strikes and to establish a repair timeline within 48 hours for lesser damage.

EZ Fiber's director of construction described on-site procedures for significant strikes: field crews are instructed to inform affected residents, coordinate shutoffs as required and, when necessary, provide assistance such as bottled water or hotel rooms during extended outages. EZ Fiber also said it routinely leaves door hangers and mailers before construction and is open to publishing its customer service phone number and SLAs on the city's website to speed problem resolution.

Staff proposed other changes that would be added to the ordinance: requiring the city to be listed as an additional insured on certificates, adding a $500,000 performance bond for public infrastructure (new), requiring companies to notify the public 14 days before work by mail or door hanger, requiring visible markings or magnetic signage on trucks, limiting permit coverage in areas with active city CIP projects, and assessing a reinspection fee of $120 for failed restorations. Staff also said the city would not issue new permits to companies with unpaid fines or outstanding invoices until resolved.

Council members pressed for clarity on how the rules apply to work in private yards versus public right-of-way. Staff said the proposed insurance and enforcement primarily cover work in the public right-of-way; private-property disputes would generally remain civil matters between homeowners and providers but the city will provide contact information and help escalate unresolved issues.

The presentation recommended posting complaint forms and contractor contact information on the city website so residents can file issues directly with the vendor and with city engineering. Staff said they will track complaints and inspect restoration work, and that fines would be due within a set period (staff proposed 30 days, some council members asked for a shorter payment window).

Where the discussion goes next: staff will incorporate council feedback into proposed ordinance language, seek contact and SLA information from vendors, and return with draft ordinance text and implementation details for council consideration.

Ending: City staff and providers agreed to additional communications and documentation: EZ Fiber offered bonds and certificates, and staff said it will publish complaint forms and require company notification to residents. Council directed staff to refine the proposed ordinance language and enforcement steps and return with a final recommendation for formal action.","City staff on April 23 presented proposed changes to right-of-way permitting aimed at reducing property damage from telecom and broadband work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6572151,"Conroe leaders consider wider moratorium and seek data as water demand nears capacity",1188,3265000,4453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3104809-c864229cf1253dbb0291e56e1e6ad205&start=3265&end=4453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3104809-c864229cf1253dbb0291e56e1e6ad205/thumbnail_3265000.jpg","/articles/6572151/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-leaders-consider-wider-moratorium-and-seek-data-as-water-demand-nears-capacity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572151-83b4b11de91dfcc8d2988bd212e88115/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098757&Signature=GBpLRqubxEAfT0rvT0U8r8-jJN97lTxodrW9bepYof5pTPbuxfmUsnwP8ltIxJscdlnqdGFQ-lfdoqjHZB8A3tRX~GpY3sft9oszufe2UEP-b5SoQc-H9~jrtgBlqPby-PCFmzc1i0R9d9wBxMryBNELgQki-oSHKzmv01aUIPu2ovepCeSzzclS8KAvAnx5~7bAm~CYzPz1Q~CwZP86PLLxBkRT4TBMCrrjcF-YBzdtf0qc7TPiW-PZoq5aLjUZAHW3nO-AiDI2ZJ0o8KKQCgOoWU9PErM1aPeOPvBr6HFBPyB7R9xPuc73UQUHPP0MuYj59oSRip4vam6xCwDCmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Conroe officials on April 23 asked staff for more modeling and a clear action plan after engineers and water production staff warned that demand and drought conditions have pushed the city close to regulatory capacity limits.

\"This time last year in April we were producing 15,400,000 gallons a day. This time in April we're doing almost 17,000,000 gallons a day,\" Jason Miller, the city's water production staff member, told the council. \"It's extremely dry right now. There's no end in sight as far as the drought goes. The forecast...look very grim.\"

City staff described multiple projects already under design or construction — Well 27 (online), Water Plant 29 (expected online in July), Water Plant 30 and Water Plant 32 and a bypass for Water Plant 15 — but said those additions will only partly reduce the shortfall this year. \"All the projects I just described are gonna put a scratch on the surface of the situation,\" one staff member said. \"So it's not a very big scratch.\" Council members pushed for more precise modeling showing pressure planes and seasonal forecasts and asked for a timeline of deliverables so they could determine whether a citywide moratorium on new connections or irrigation restrictions is necessary.

City attorneys and staff alerted the council to regulatory thresholds under the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Staff explained that when a system exceeds 85% of total groundwater capacity, the city must submit a drought contingency plan; TCEQ then reviews and may require further actions. \"Once you go above the 85% capacity rule, they allow you a 90 day span to give them a plan,\" Miller said. \"I don't know exactly when they start fining you. However, I think you're only gonna have a couple of swats on the hand before they start coming in and making you do something.\"

Council members expressed varying urgency: some said more time was needed to review modeling and to present a full action plan to the public and developers; others argued a citywide moratorium should be considered immediately to protect existing service. One council member described the situation as \"very serious\" and urged the council not to \"kick the can down the road.\" Another said they would support a special meeting to review detailed grids, pressure planes and project timelines.

Council directed staff to assemble a more comprehensive presentation with modeled pressure planes and month-by-month forecasts for the summer and to schedule a special water briefing for council next week to review that data. Council members also discussed public notice and engagement steps should a moratorium or other mandatory restrictions be proposed.

Ending: Council scheduled follow-up briefings and directed staff to provide detailed modeling, timelines for projects coming online, and recommendations on whether a targeted or citywide moratorium is needed. The council set a near-term special meeting to review the data and take potential action.","City staff warned Conroe's water supply is under stress and council instructed staff to return with modeling and a concrete action plan; water production rose to nearly 17 million gallons per day compared with 15.4 million last April, and staff said projects under construction will only partially offset demand this year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6572137,"Montgomery County Public Health District asks Conroe to approve amendment reducing emergency reserve threshold",509,2730000,3239000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3104809-c864229cf1253dbb0291e56e1e6ad205&start=2730&end=3239","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3104809-c864229cf1253dbb0291e56e1e6ad205/thumbnail_2730000.jpg","/articles/6572137/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Montgomery-County-Public-Health-District-asks-Conroe-to-approve-amendment-reducing-emergency-reserve-threshold","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572137-22f5f05d3963a73e7e670f8a8111ada2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098757&Signature=gcINkIYFYmcjld6IHjJAuZKhr7oL3VFt0w8zhice4U-AMx0vy21DhIKU61Mp1PWMGYWpe0SqAVMwZGLje6VEHWUFeAXB8GdhsLRI2RUZ1-HoCegjMjmcmOZkWkkrr0mQWptnvsrtdtCcZ28hpdbZ7WAwetOX~Cuixb60vlBbhRxNJPwrBfZRs-PPEBkP~dYfpZXeGb5CBk0UFCPqgCMTYpb-pznWCW15n9D-a~ylIHIkx2eUuZT331I-YiwVHoT9dQXSbDN6JI6QQQOvAu-FFapPqBN3eCJ4rmJ6vsU5mmneHIhes7NPbtqp7s6JHfaTQzq03iW1GcRU41OM-ZWLsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County Public Health District leaders asked the Conroe City Council on April 23 to approve an amendment to the cooperative agreement among the district, Montgomery County and the city of Panorama Village that would alter how the district draws from its contingency fund.

Randy Johnson, chief executive officer of the district, explained the change as a paperwork cleanup tied to complex funding history. The district historically used a contingency account built from federal matches tied to a Medicare waiver. \"That match over the next 10 to 12 years...made us able to take care of the business of the public health district. That match over the next 10 to 12 years not only paid our bills, but we had an excess pool of money of $3,000,000 in 02/2022,\" Johnson said. Federal changes eliminated a revenue stream and the district drew the contingency down; the county had agreed to supplement operating costs but contractual timing left an apparent shortfall.

Johnson said the amendment would reduce the district's emergency threshold from $2.5 million to $1.9 million so the district can use some of the contingency to cover operating expenses that grant funding does not fully offset. \"So what this amendment is, we have a contract with the city of Panorama, the city of Conroe, and the county, to manage their services at this time...we're going and doing some paperwork cleanup,\" Johnson said.

Council members asked about risk to residents from a lower emergency balance. Johnson characterized the risk as small unless there were an unforeseen catastrophic public‑health event: \"Unless there's some horrible catastrophe that happens, we're going to have $600,000 less that we could use on an emergency basis. So I don't know how to quantify that risk, but I would think that risk is very small.\" He added that the district's annual operating scale is below $2 million at present, though he cautioned that a catastrophic event could exceed existing reserves.

The council did not take an immediate vote but heard the explanation and asked clarifying questions; Johnson said the county and partner cities had agreed to the amendment and staff paperwork would follow.

Ending: The district asked Conroe to approve the contract amendment to allow a portion of contingency funds to cover operating shortfalls; council discussion centered on understanding potential risks and next steps for formal approval.","The Montgomery County Public Health District presented a proposed amendment to cooperative agreements that would reduce its emergency reserve threshold from $2.5 million to $1.9 million to allow use of contingency funds to cover operating shortfalls; the district said the change follows grant and federal program shifts that reduced reserves.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6572142,"Conroe selects SLI Group for Station 8 design‑build; chief says project scaled to save months and reduce cost",478,4784000,5262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3104809-c864229cf1253dbb0291e56e1e6ad205&start=4784&end=5262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3104809-c864229cf1253dbb0291e56e1e6ad205/thumbnail_4784000.jpg","/articles/6572142/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-selects-SLI-Group-for-Station-8-designbuild-chief-says-project-scaled-to-save-months-and-reduce-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572142-97492ca18261bf109e46fdfe244530a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098757&Signature=TrxzP2fYW-MwhEYBjKG4lfUfLEDXoYKtIRlSa-~KS6OC-ZPCTJTrjjLC0IUBEs4hFKpOF0JZ~ZFmuAwdAkmOEM6J9DeYPE8qc2YFhCmsYvjUJGxpT7PM7J6GPzR-nOrCOWwaP4QcJrXhR81mr0vpNrau4diKHvrke5kpbRvfU0DDl-5BHarYmYcTrzElOB5NYY3AZScRPTHbO-xm9Er~iuvsbALkKYSd5QNNnXaW6e4~Lml84Guy8pJonENLHA3r9c1V-6ZDp7N1FT9O-wbtflaF-ECtno6S0e3pFlUNiNN5dOsJRiP0e~GEHaFqesGLdpxfxx8eH~x-dlxuDxiM9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire department leadership recommended the SLI Group Inc. as the preferred design‑build team for Conroe Fire Station 8 during the council workshop on April 23.

Chief Sims summarized the RFQ process: an initial pre‑submittal meeting drew about 22 vendors, six proposals were received, the review committee narrowed the field to three and in‑person interviews produced the committee's selection. The chief said the recommended design and construction price is approximately $4.3 million and estimated furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) at $250,000–$500,000, putting the total near $5 million depending on final scope.

\"We stayed with that [previous] footprint...The last process was 6 months long. So we didn't want to... cause us to be a delay there,\" the chief said, describing the decision to retain the previously approved site layout so the project would not require an extended TxDOT re‑review that could have added months to the schedule.

Council members praised the cost reduction and asked about contract terms and protections for cost overruns and schedule delays. The chief said contract details, including cost‑overrun protections and timelines, will be negotiated with SLI Group and brought back to council for final approval.

The recommendation will move into contract negotiation; council requested that negotiated terms and a timeline for deliverables be brought to a future council meeting for approval before construction begins.

Ending: Staff will enter contract negotiations with SLI Group and return to council with detailed contract terms, cost controls and project timelines for final authorization.","The city recommended SLI Group for design‑build services on Fire Station 8 with an estimated $4.3 million design and construction cost and an additional FF&E estimate of $250,000–$500,000; the chief said retaining the previous building footprint saved roughly six months of delay tied to TxDOT coordination.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conroe council debate limits virtual attendance in executive sessions to protect attorney–client privilege

Conroe staff proposes tighter right-of-way permits, insurance and bonds after residents report damage from fiber installs

Conroe leaders consider wider moratorium and seek data as water demand nears capacity

Montgomery County Public Health District asks Conroe to approve amendment reducing emergency reserve threshold

Conroe selects SLI Group for Station 8 design‑build; chief says project scaled to save months and reduce cost