[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6536541,"mediaKeyId","3779440-398faa30237c6e6052a0171bc0239889","parentId",3779440,"title","Conroe residents and staff raise concerns about animal-shelter procedures, staffing and facilities; city says policy update and renovation planned","audioSeconds",311,"startMs",2578000,"endMs",2889000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3779440-398faa30237c6e6052a0171bc0239889&start=2578&end=2889","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3779440-398faa30237c6e6052a0171bc0239889/thumbnail_2578000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6536541/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-residents-and-staff-raise-concerns-about-animal-shelter-procedures-staffing-and-facilities-city-says-policy-update-and-renovation-planned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536541-93ec9e1231807c4186c1100b73f969ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048152&Signature=fGPEmr3KW~M4RtMDwigbxRrqELgcqWN4AwL13CpXvscb8NP~lYG4sB7wEILtTysy0d5eoghKOdNvwRe09MONYR0YsWYCaZbc895LmvHID99XsQT-ytEroLfd-wVMYtuuMi0H57uFLzDu2Tf-rfNrEo14oYwTMH7huEslSlrDrTwz38n1oOhI4u3KEs7oYYeI8Brde2ZABgJkUiCCk6vPCVZUtpuqgSGDTgstzjGoOYF5d~kRYW2wNQlW~7gDANLxGMunnJZyy5kHaH1cd1vAoFlUIK-KJuYf3Ssk-ATWC~-KiBK6cx5pCgmBjUh-Qsr0Kd2K1MvYKFF4Xh6O1uVMbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Conroe","date","2025-06-11T00:00:00Z","article","A Conroe resident told the City Council the city’s animal shelter has been operating without current standard operating procedures and described an animal euthanized after post‑surgical complications, calling the situation a symptom of systematic neglect. City staff responded that a policy update is in progress, a new shelter manager started recently and the city has funds allocated for a planned facility renovation.

Chris Del Greco told council she obtained the shelter’s standard operating procedures dated February 2013 and said the shelter has been operating without an updated SOP while under police-department oversight. Del Greco said she requested intake and outcome records for April 2025 and described a case in which an animal held for 23 days had post‑surgical complications that led staff to seek private veterinary care and then to euthanasia when medical costs were deemed prohibitive.

Chief Buchholz (city staff) said a current but outdated policy exists and that staff are drafting an updated policy based on model cities. He said the city struggled to hire full-time staff for the shelter, recently filled the manager position (the new manager started last week) and is working with Human Resources to complete hiring. He said the city intends to engage an architect and renovate the facility’s animal-care and exercise areas and that available funds—accrued from services the shelter provided for other municipalities—will pay for renovation work. Buchholz also said staff are working with rescue groups and that policy language governing those relationships would be part of the revision.

Councilmembers asked staff to provide updates and to post information for the public. One councilmember praised Buchholz’s communication since taking the role and asked staff to follow up with the mayor’s office and the city administrator to provide a public update.

Why it matters: Animal-shelter operations and oversight engage public-animal-welfare concerns, municipal staffing and budget decisions. Residents asked for clearer policies, more transparency and accountability regarding veterinary decisions and outcomes.

Council direction: Staff said a policy is being drafted, a new manager is in place and a facility renovation is planned; staff agreed to provide updates to council and to post status information publicly. No formal council action was recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Conroe - Workshop - Jun 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A public commenter criticized Conroe's animal shelter for running without up-to-date SOPs and described a recent animal euthanasia after post-surgical complications; city staff said a new manager was hired, a policy update is underway and funds exist for a facility renovation.","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},6536546,"Conroe fire chief seeks $120,080 for three battery-powered extrication tool sets to speed rescues; delivery estimated 2–6 weeks",235,1336000,1571000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3779440-398faa30237c6e6052a0171bc0239889&start=1336&end=1571","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3779440-398faa30237c6e6052a0171bc0239889/thumbnail_1336000.jpg","/articles/6536546/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-fire-chief-seeks-120080-for-three-battery-powered-extrication-tool-sets-to-speed-rescues-delivery-estimated-26-weeks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536546-9d18ed7d3aa6cfca1e9285d06e09fe15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048152&Signature=fF0EJqg1jAr0ouvq5KBJ5Pfkh7t4F1aLNlvm5wsbjk-2N~O9KnzLxYjDdznHKvE8YB~4j9JPa7BYNpNZvh2OjdIEJp9BTsJTA9uQtZFY1mE6IXXPEnOnpOHgU468yxKV0Mpdwh~uGvqq-YxLEX5R1HkX1sLX6~~9XtIS7D4nlfvux5V0UcyPGoD1cb9hJDkUNBv4XaDzJJ73wiIpYjRmnl75y6w8ZBwJmawgrXDsJ1-hG84UxG6nm5S-lzcM-aGmisY7lX5iqCpRAI3AGUe6I~pPhtNHCMATmZSshPMlHoaToJE5EYnz8OaeZS9TssMKLFKX0UeeUZAVaNZml2Q~2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conroe Fire Department asked the City Council to approve roughly $120,080 to buy three battery-operated vehicle-extrication tool sets, saying the battery tools are lighter, faster to deploy and better suited to modern extrication scenarios than aging hydraulic equipment.

The department said the purchase would improve extrication and technical-rescue capabilities across the city. Over the past 12 months the department responded to more than 1,000 motor-vehicle collisions and averages roughly one crash call per week, the chief said. The vendor-estimated delivery window is two to six weeks if the purchase is approved.

City staff said the department currently has two battery sets in service and that buying three more would bring the city close to full coverage; the department has planned for an additional set in the next budget year to complete the rollout. Staff told council the purchase falls under the operating budget threshold used for supplemental spending and would be funded from the department’s operating budget; no supplemental appropriation was required at the time of the meeting.

Why it matters: Quicker, lighter and more portable extrication tools can reduce scene time and simplify rescuer deployment, which emergency responders said improves victim outcomes and reduces maintenance demands.

Council direction: Staff recommended approval and answered questions about quantities, station coverage and budgeting. No formal council vote was recorded in the transcript.","The Fire Department asked council to approve about $120,080 to buy three battery-operated vehicle-extrication tool sets, citing quicker deployment and growing call volumes; staff said funds will come from the operating budget and delivery would likely be within two to six weeks.",{"_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},6536550,"Conroe staff recommend $857,000 change order for Southwest wastewater lift-station rehab; funding from reserves, project scope expanded",59,1235000,1294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3779440-398faa30237c6e6052a0171bc0239889&start=1235&end=1294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3779440-398faa30237c6e6052a0171bc0239889/thumbnail_1235000.jpg","/articles/6536550/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Conroe-staff-recommend-857000-change-order-for-Southwest-wastewater-lift-station-rehab-funding-from-reserves-project-scope-expanded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536550-acd2e69e21a04da0683cb8713213287e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048152&Signature=CJ91fSDhDmxxHtjt0BWEPgkRXl9aZxkf28B-Ul1ff5gFR8975d11P2rHLuhGcRnXVjU-7yC2ykedJgC0tPApFMYgPuP7EOtuj9nGEFHv2xfLcr89Q4azB0dDOwR~w1meDk5mbHUPJZj6e9PNfGlpu-d28iqwB5BlPlQvA9gRV-qOvDVX5AlJ9JcmMfSEXZ23DcXPZJ70cVQOe9VA6qADCwp4wtBqe17LDjR6a73mkXduBNKRqea1zx3TuEWRodLGHshH3~Q6EKZd3hXKrNNKftI28lWh6Oue72WJ2ZQGPtfmnXIebOPHJ2wGib~pf3NkVHjHNXWrbQ7CiN2bcRfBtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Conroe City Council that a change order is needed to complete rehabilitation of the influent lift station at the Conroe Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant, and staff recommended approval of the additional work.

The change order covers removal and replacement of four corroded spool-pipe sections that were found during in‑station cleaning, plus the bypass work necessary to keep the plant operable during construction. The city described the largest cost component as bypassing; the scope also includes inserting a sleeve to allow future maintenance without taking the entire lift station offline.

Staff stated the change order amount at about $857,000 and said the figure reflects negotiations with the contractor. The work was not budgeted and staff told council the cost would be covered from reserves. The engineering explanation noted corrosion and pinholes discovered after initial inspection and cleaning, prompting the need for replacement rather than repair.

Why it matters: The lift station is a critical piece of wastewater infrastructure; addressing corroded piping and providing a maintenance sleeve aims to reduce the likelihood of future emergency repairs that could disrupt service.

Council direction: Staff recommended moving forward; council asked questions about why a change order was necessary and what steps are being taken to reduce future change orders. No formal vote was recorded in the transcript.","City staff presented a change order to replace corroded spool pipe at the Conroe Southwest wastewater treatment plant influent lift station and recommended moving forward; funding will come from reserves and the order covers bypassing and a sleeve to allow future maintenance.",{"_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},6536556,"Developers, MUD and engineers ask Conroe council to exempt two northern developments from temporary moratorium; staff recommends denial",655,524000,1179000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3779440-398faa30237c6e6052a0171bc0239889&start=524&end=1179","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3779440-398faa30237c6e6052a0171bc0239889/thumbnail_524000.jpg","/articles/6536556/Conroe/Montgomery-County/Texas/Developers-MUD-and-engineers-ask-Conroe-council-to-exempt-two-northern-developments-from-temporary-moratorium-staff-recommends-denial","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536556-94f9e5fc474482fc9a1ebb5e3ccd3355/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048152&Signature=eEZ-kuh-~O3Q0n-azuZV63SS4YVm372~p9Fdi0squ2jvqmNygSQDvZ62K3M5XbKHJqHjROQ8u2WJ5skYnt7IVKXjdmxJo7~Y5Dt89-vGCyUO3PjIB8cyqFlv9vrN~eyTDI-dEaZhH5AhBf~V8u-qStzHisBnsX9yDTJe-px5jgZbzZW4p03~gvHEOoHndZcZuK9PThHAU-bedtMy6klEVkk-yPg-309XnznI6ZF6kPOOtnzKoNXiNyrIlMzG8YUV3pTaio64H2PF-4PhUfxThsGbiXUnLzY7nTNMcXvwfwGWnsH6LgmQmbm9WXZVPg7QuOsWP4UI1oENyADJrvSDyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Developers and an affected municipal utility district asked the Conroe City Council in June 2025 to grant exemptions from a temporary moratorium on development on the city’s north side, saying the city’s capacity figures misstate actual water and sewer capacity and that denying the appeals would harm buyers and existing districts.

Daniel Gillum of Tri Point Home Development and Stephanie Deloss of Lisle Engineering told the council the two projects at issue—Westridge Cove Section 4 and Clopton Farms (sections referenced in the appeal letters)—meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) minimums and that the city has not produced on-the-ground data to justify denying service. Gillum said purchasers are cancelling contracts and that continuing the hold is causing financial harm to buyers, developers and districts.

Deloss said water models calibrated to field flow and pressure show adequate capacity for the parcels in question and disputed the city’s operational-zone mapping used in staff calculations. She also told council the wastewater capacity for Clopton Farms is supported by a contract with UD 4 for 300,000 gallons per day and cited a planning estimate of 979 connections that would use roughly 293,700 gallons per day.

Tim Green, an attorney for Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 147, urged the council to comply with a December 2020 utility-functions agreement the district says the city has an obligation to honor and to lift the moratorium for land inside that district.

City staff identified the two projects as subject to the council-approved temporary moratorium on the northern side of Conroe and recommended denial of the exemption requests. In response to the presentations, councilmembers asked staff to circle back with engineering, provide specific technical recommendations based on the material presented and to email the council before the next meeting. No formal council action was recorded at the meeting.

Why it matters: The moratorium affects active construction, pending sales contracts and revenue timing for tax entities and utility districts. Developers say the hold increases HOA dues and MUD tax burdens and can leave prospective buyers with cancelled contracts; staff cites health-and-safety and system-capacity concerns as grounds for restraint.

Council next steps: Council asked staff to follow up with engineering about the site-specific field data and the city’s modeling assumptions and to report back by email prior to the following meeting. No vote on an exemption was taken during the session covered by the transcript.","Developers and an affected municipal utility district asked Conroe City Council to exempt Westridge Cove Section 4 and Clopton Farms sections from a temporary northern-development moratorium, arguing city capacity figures are misleading; city staff recommended denial and council asked for engineering follow-up before tomorrow's meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conroe residents and staff raise concerns about animal-shelter procedures, staffing and facilities; city says policy update and renovation planned

Conroe fire chief seeks $120,080 for three battery-powered extrication tool sets to speed rescues; delivery estimated 2–6 weeks

Conroe staff recommend $857,000 change order for Southwest wastewater lift-station rehab; funding from reserves, project scope expanded

Developers, MUD and engineers ask Conroe council to exempt two northern developments from temporary moratorium; staff recommends denial