HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 06 17 BAWA MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE BAYTOWN AREA WATER AUTHORITY
June 17, 2026
The Board of Directors of the Baytown Area Water Authority (BAWA) met in a Regular
Meeting on June 17, 2026, at 5:00 P.M., in the Council Chamber of the Baytown City Hall, 2401
Market Street, Baytown, Texas with the following in attendance:
Brenda Bradley Smith President
Frank McKay III Vice President
Alyssa Linares Director
Jason Reynolds General Manager
Scott Lemond General Counsel
Angela Jackson Assistant Secretary
President Brenda Bradley Smith convened the June 17, 2026, BAWA Board Regular Meeting
with a quorum present at 5:02 P.M., all members were present with the exception of Director
David Start, Jr. who was absent.
1. CITIZEN COMMENTS
President Brenda Bradley Smith announced no one signed up to speak.
2. MINUTES
a. Consider approving the minutes of the Baytown Area Water Authority Regular
Meeting held on May 20, 2026.
A motion was made by Director Alyssa Linares, and seconded by Vice President Frank McKay
III to approve the Baytown Area Water Authority Regular Meeting minutes held on May 20,
2026, as submitted. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: President Brenda Bradley Smith, Vice President Frank McKay III, Director
Alyssa Linares
Nays: None
Other: Director David Start, Jr. (Absent)
Approved
3. BAYTOWN AREA WATER AUTHORITY FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027
PROPOSED BUDGET
a. Conduct a public bearing regarding the Baytown Area Water Authority Fiscal Year
2026-2027 Proposed Budget.
BAWA Board Regular Meeting Minutes
June 17, 2026
Page 2 of 4
At 5:04 P.M. President Brenda Bradley Smith conducted a public hearing regarding the Baytown
Area Water Authority (BAWA) Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Proposed Budget and asked Staff to
summarize the budget.
Assistant Finance Director/Controller Lianette Leon presented the Baytown Area Water
Authority's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Proposed Budget related to agenda Item 3.a., and provided
the following overview for the proposed budget, and offered any questions from the Board.
• Starting Working Capital: $9.25 million
• Total Proposed Revenues: 24.2 million
• Operating Expenses: $14.2 million
• Transfers & Non -Operating Expenses: $29.9 million
• Ending Working Capital Balance: $3.8 million
• Days of Operating Expenditures: 99 Days
Vice President Frank McKay III asked if staff was comfortable with the budget being presented
and General Manager Jason Reynolds responded that Staff has worked extensively on the budget
and is comfortable with the budget that is before the Board. Ms. Leon added that they reduced
the transfer for Capital Improvement Program ("CIP") as they are trying to utilizing the existing
fund balance to increase the operating days in this scenario.
President Brenda Bradley Smith announced no citizens had signed up to speak on the item.
At 5:06 P.M., President Brenda Bradley Smith closed the public hearing related to the Fiscal
Year 2026-2027 Proposed Budget.
b. Discuss the Baytown Area Water Authority Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Proposed
Budget.
Assistant Finance Director/Controller Lianette Leon offered any questions from the Board in
regard to the proposed budget that was presented to the Board in the previous agenda item.
General Manager Jason Reynolds noted that there is an extent of spending down the reserves at
this point as they have to balance out the Baytown Area Water fund, Water Sewer Fund, future
Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) expenses, and the ongoing Capital needs of the Water Sewer
Fund. However, Reynolds stated that he feels confident that they have done a good job at
reducing needed debit for the future, while addressing needed Capital, and that while they are
spending down the reserves they are still staying above the 90-day reserve threshold.
Vice President Frank McKay III asked if the transfer to the General Fund could ever be returned
and Mr. Reynolds responded that they are trying to reduce any transfers to the General Fund at
this point as they know they need to focus on the SSO's right now and that we can retract it if
needed in the future. Ms. Leon added that the proposed transfer amount that is presented before
the Board is the bare minimum that is needed to be transferred.
4. PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS
BAWA Board Regular Meeting Minutes
June 17, 2026
Page 3 of 4
a. Consider a resolution authorizing an agreement for legal services with Baker
Wotring LLP for review of legal and regulatory issues, and provide options and technical
support, for water supply evaluation and study.
Public Works and Engineering Assistant Director of Utilities Sterling Beaver presented Agenda
Item 4.a. and stated that the City currently contracts with the environmental law firm Baker
Wotring LLP for specialty litigation services, and that this proposed resolution 'would authorizes
the expansion of that relationship by hiring the firm to review legal and regulatory issues, and
provide options and technical support, for water supply evaluation and study on behalf of the
Baytown Area Water Authority. The water supply evaluation will assess the availability of other
water sources for consideration instead of solely relying on the one water source which is
currently the City of Houston.
Ms. Meera Victor with Carollo Engineers, a sub consultant with Baker Wotring LLP provided a
presentation to the Board of why the water supply study is needed, an explanation of what the
current water supply options are, what are the considerations for the study, as well as the legal
aspects of the study. Lastly, Ms. Victor offered any questions from the Board.
Director Alyssa Linares and Vice President Frank McKay III questioned if a test well will be
done as a part of this study, and the expected timeframe of completion for this project. Ms.
Victor confirmed that test wells would be done as a part of this study, but only in Chambers
County and not in Harris County. Also, that the dept of the well will be approximately 50 to 60
feet in depth for a brackish water. Lastly, Ms. Victor stated that the project is expected to take 9
to 12 months for the study to be complete.
In conclusion President Brenda Bradley Smith noted a correction in the presented material refers
to $100 million and the correct amount is $1 million. General Counsel Scott Lemond confirmed
that the Resolution reflects the correct amount of $1 million.
A motion was made by Vice President Frank McKay III, and seconded by Director Alyssa
Linares to approve Resolution No. 2026-13, related to Item 4.a. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: President Brenda Bradley Smith, Vice President Frank McKay III, Director
Alyssa Linares
Nays: None
Other: Director David Start, Jr. (Absent)
Approved
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-13
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BAYTOWN
AREA WATER AUTHORITY AUTHORIZING A LEGAL SERVICES
RETENTION AGREEMENT WITH BAKER WOTRING, L.L.P., FOR
LITIGATION AND LEGAL SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
BAWA Board Regular Meeting Minutes
June 17, 2026
Page 4 of 4
ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00); MAKING OTHER PROVISIONS
RELATED THERETO; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE
THEREOF.
5. REPORTS
a. Receive a report on the status of the Baytown Area Water Authority East
Expansion Project.
Senior Project Manager Ms. Lindsay Kovar, with BGE, Inc. presented the status report for the
Baytown Area Water Authority East Plant Expansion Project. (Exhibit A)
6. MANAGER'S REPORT
a. The next Baytown Area Water Authority meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July
15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber located at City Hall, 2401 Market Street,
Baytown, Texas 77520.
General Manager Jason Reynolds stated that grant funding is being perused related to Agenda
Item 4.a. and that if grant funding does come through it would fund this project. Additionally, he
reminded the Board Members of their next Baytown Area Water Authority meeting, which is
scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 5:00 P.M.
7. ADJOURN
A motion was made by Director Alyssa Linares, and seconded by Vice President Frank McKay
III to adjourn the June 17, 2026 Baytown Area Water Authority Board Regular Meeting at 5:24
P.M. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: President Brenda Bradley Smith, Vice President Frank McKay III, Director
Alyssa Linares
Nays: None
Other: Director David Start, Jr. (Absent)
Approved
EXHIBIT "A"
PROGRESS REPORT
Project: BAWA East Surface Water Treatment Plant Phase 2 Expansion
Date: June Progress Report
1. Previous Months Activities
A. Completed construction laydown area
B. Construction Site trailer
C. Installation of temporary power
D. Excavation of sludge Lagoon
2. Project Highlights
A. Schedule
1) Phase 2 Completion — July 2028
2) Phase 2 Acceptance & Final Completion — September 2028
B. Funds Available ($79,000,000)
C. Project Budget with GMP Price Proposal
A
B
C
A-B
Direct Construction
$47,350,183
$47,350,183
$652,144
BWP Allowances
$425,000
$425,000
Contingencies
$3,822,015
$3,822,015
Phase 2 Design & Construction Admin
$3,798,071
$3,798,071
$845,712
Bonds & Insurance
$2,532,559
$2,532,559
$786,923
Design Builder Fee
$5,358,324
$5,358,324
$205,224
Phase 1 Services
$6,496,709
$6,496,709
$6,496,709
Total Design Builder GMP
$69,782,861
$65,535,846
$8,986,712
$4,247,015
Material Testing
$600,000
$319,645
$280,355
Pulsed Bed Clarifier
$2,092,798
$2,092,798
Recommended Owner Contingency
$2,434,091
$2,434,091
Fiscal Services
$382,000
$366,272
$366,272
$15,728
OA with CM
$3,473,578
$3,473,578
$1,108,628
Project Budget
$78,765,328
$71,788,139
$9,858,094
$6,977,189
Progressive Design Build
BAWA Board Meeting
June 17, 2026
Activities to Report
• Completed construction laydown area
• Construction Site trailer
• Installation of temporary power
• Excavation of sludge Lagoon
Project Budget (through March 2026)
A B C A-B
Direct Construction $47,350,183 $47,350,183 $652,144
BWP Allowances $425,000 $425,000
Contingencies $3,822,015 $3,822,015
Phase 2 Design & $3,798,071
Construction Admin $3,798,071 $845,712
Bonds & Insurance $2,532,559 $2,532,559 $786,923
Design Builder Fee $5,358,324 $5,358,324 $205,224
Phase 1 Services $6,496,709 $6,496,709 $6,496,709
Total Design Builder GMP $69,782,861 $65,535,846 $8,986,712 $4,247,015
Material Testing $600,000 $319,645 $280,355
Pulsed Bed Clarifier $2,092,798 $2,092,798
Recommended Owner
Contingency $2,434,091 $2,434,091
Fiscal Services $382,000 $366,272 $366,272 $15,728
CA with CMI $3,473,578 $3,473,578 $1,108,628
Project Budget $78,765,328 $71,788,139 $9,858,094 $6,977,189