The Woodlands begins searching for a lobbyist
Position aims to highlight issues in the community to state Legislature
By BETH KUHLES, Houston Chronicle, (08/24/04)
LOBBYIST ISSUES
The Woodlands is considering hiring a lobbyist to represent the interests of the Community Associations before the Texas Legislature, which will convene in 2005. The following are some of the issues which could be a focus on a lobbyist for The Woodlands:
Possible annexation bill requiring areas to be annexed to hold election to approve becoming part of a city
Possible bill to create special public safety district in The Woodlands
Spring residents effort to reroute Grand Parkway through The Woodlands
Other bills that may affect homeowner associations
Ongoing relationship with city of Houston and Houston legislators on future governance legislation
Source: Joint Legislative Action Committee
The Woodlands received 10 applications for the job of lobbyist for the community, and it will narrow down the list to two or four for consideration.
The Community Associations of The Woodlands, which represents homeowners and commercial interests in the community, sent out a request for proposals to provide lobbying services in Austin and in the region.
A Joint Election Committee of the association initially rejected a proposal to hire The Woodlands Operating Co. lobbyist, Bob Stout, but he was among those who applied for the job, said Sherman Yehl, general manager for the Community Associations.
"The Election Committee has sought interest from qualified firms who deal with legislative affairs to consider them to represent the Community Associations in the upcoming legislative session," said Joel Deretchin, a member of the committee and president of The Woodlands Association. "We are pleased with the proposals we have gotten."
Community issues
The lobbyist will represent the interests of the Community Associations before the Texas Legislature, which will convene in 2005. Among the issues that may arise this session are the creation of a special public safety district for The Woodlands, efforts to reroute the Grand Parkway through the community, controls on homeowner groups and relationship issues with Houston over future governance.
The short list of candidates will be presented to the Joint Election Committee for final selection in September. A meeting date has not yet been set.
Among the 10 candidates is Stout, who has served as The Woodlands Operating Co. lobbyist for years. Stout, former vice president of government affairs for the developer, was laid off last year and serves as a consultant. His contract with The Woodlands Operating Co. ends in December. The Joint Election Committee rejected a proposal to hire Stout as the Community Associations lobbyist for $5,000 a month, instead opting for a more competitive system for hiring this position.
Mixed views
Some members of the committee expressed concern over a potential conflict of interest between the developer and the homeowner associations. Others said Stout would be a valuable asset because he has worked on several legislative issues for the Community Associations, and he has ongoing relationships with the leaders in Houston, which will be valuable when deciding future governance issues.
Stout is a member of the Local Governance Steering Committee, a group representing 11 community organizations that is studying future governance options for The Woodlands. The community is in the middle of a 12-year moratorium against being annexed by Houston, which expires in 2011. The committee is looking into a variety of new government structures, including incorporating as a city, creating special districts, or being annexed by Houston or other cities, to name a few.
Focus on the future
While a decision is years away, the community is beginning to lay the political groundwork for these potential changes in Houston and in the Legislature. Many options would require a bill and/or approval by the city of Houston to become a reality. The Woodlands is working on a bill that would allow a special taxing district to be created here to fund public safety.
The Woodlands also will closely monitor any new routes proposed for the latest section of the Grand Parkway. That segment, which runs from Texas 249 to Interstate 45, is undergoing a second environmental impact study. The proposed route, which travels through Tomball, Klein and Spring, was heavily criticized by Spring residents, who have suggested the use of existing thoroughfares in The Woodlands, including Texas 242 and FM 1488, as alternate routes. Finally, the Community Associations wants to monitor bills that may put more controls on homeowner associations.
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