Marked Agenda
Commissioners' Work Session (Open Meeting)
Thursday, April 20, 2000
9:30 a.m.
Room 201S, Building E, Park 35, Austin

New Business

  1. Discussion of the Monthly Enforcement Report for February, 2000. This issue was presented by Anne Dobbs, OCE/Enforcement. No action taken on this issue.

  2. Discussion of issues associated with the proposed Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR). This issue was presented by Machelle Pharr, OAS/CFO and Jeff Grymkoski, Strategic Plan and Appropriations. Machelle mentioned the agency had not received the instructions for preparation of the Fiscal Year 2002-2003 LAR from the Legislative Budged Board (LBB) and the Governor's Office of Budget and Planning (GOBP), but expects to receive it by mid-May. Additional information is expected to be requested concerning federal funds and contractor workforce. Staff presented a proposed guidance procedure for preparation of the LAR and a required Priority Allocation Table to be included in the LAR. The proposed guidance is similar to the procedure used in previous LAR:

    The proposed Priority Allocation Table is required to be included in the LAR and serves as a tool to prioritize funding of the agency's 19 strategies. Staff requested the Commissioners review the FY 2000-2001 table and determine if any changes should be made in the ranking of the agency's strategies. Staff will use this for development of the LAR. Staff was directed to return to the June 16th work session to revisit the guidance for preparation of the LAR and, as a separate issue, discuss finalization of the Operating Budget for 2001.

  3. Update and discussion of issues regarding agency's response to the drought. This issue was presented by Charles Maddox, Public Drinking Water Section, and Herman Settlemeyer, Water Permits. Updating the "at risk" systems, Charles said the number increased by 3 to 82 systems at risk since the last report. All of the drought contingency plans have been received and letters have been mailed to water rights holders outside the Watermaster program, notifying them that if drought conditions continue throughout the summer, junior water rights may have to be curtailed. There was no action taken on this item.

  4. Consideration of activities and comments associated with State Implementation Plans and update on the 8-hour ozone designation. This issue was presented by Randy Wood and Herb Williams, OEPAA. Staff proposes to present analysis of input from comments from public meetings of stakeholders received during the month of May at the June 1st Agenda. The analysis will form a basis for the Governor's 8 hour ozone designation recommendation to EPA, which are due June 30. Regarding presentations for the public meetings, staff was directed to lay out the path that links the Accelerated Attainment Agreement with the delayed 8 hour ozone designation process which we are trying to follow and get public reaction and input to that path.

  5. Consideration of legislative implementation affecting the TNRCC and other issues related to actions taken by the 76th Texas Legislature. The commission may also meet in closed meeting to receive legal advice regarding these matters, or any of the above matters, as authorized by Section 551.071 of the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Government Code. Any commission action, decision, or vote on these matters will be made in open meeting in accordance with Section 551.102 of the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Government Code. This issue was not discussed.

  6. Planning for the next Commissioners' Work Session. Issues for presentation at the work session scheduled for May 19 include Enforcement Reports, Strategic Business Plan, Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (revisit from February 11 CWS), 8 hour update and standing issues. Issues proposed for the June 16 work session include marine vessel emissions, concrete batch plants, proposed Operating Budget and Legislative Appropriations Request, the Sunset Report, and tentatively, Water Quality Standards, 303d, and TMDLs issues.