Proposed Water System Facilities Information

Discussion with Peter Nett - November 9^th

Peter Nett is negotiating with SMCMUD for Water Well #6

Tonight before the Oak Ridge North City Council meeting we spoke briefly with Peter Nett. We discussed the water well #6 project and the possible location on the property at the end of Oakhurst Drive. Peter Nett insured placement at this location would be lunacy. He agreed that he would not want to see the neighborhood lose any more trees.

That was the last apparent risk to the land at the end of Oakhurst. We have succeeded in preserving our woods!

Oak Ridge North City Council Meeting October. 12th

Water well #3 access presentation by Rick Moffat was postponed indefinitely (agenda item #4).

James Walton stated that Rick will not be giving a presentation. The bridge is no longer a consideration. He suggested if attendees wanted more information from MUD that they should attend a MUD meeting.

Peter Nett said they expected to at least receive the information regarding the two options.

• Bridge - cost is X
• Road - cost is Y

He said they have waited for solid information for several months and he is getting very impatient.

According to Jim Kuykendall, MUD will be handling the new well and surrounding landscaping without Oak Ridge North participation. Apparently MUD has secured financing from another source and no longer requires shared funding provided by Oak Ridge North. Long Range Planning will have a meeting with MUD in the near future and hopes to have a proposal for Council by November 23rd.

According to Councilmember Don Tucker the situation changed when the drilling of well #3 had revealed a much greater environment for extracting well water. That is when MUD had decided to add another well head.

Peter Nett asked Oakhurst Drive residents if we were aware of the plans for another well. We answered that we were aware there was a discussion. We had just been informed prior to the meeting that there were discussions at a recent Long Range Planning meeting that Oak Ridge is planning to drill their own well. This new well will not be located on "Reserve B-2."

The wooded area at the end of Oakhurst is being considered as a possible location for that well. However, TCEQ requires a 150 ft. sanitary control easement around the radius of water wells in Texas. That property would require TCEQ to grant an exception because the sanitary control easement would extend onto surrounding private properties located on Oakhurst Drive and Maplewood Drive.

Oak Ridge North City Council Meeting Sept. 14th

Water well #3 access and vegetation presentation by Rick Moffat was postponed (agenda item #5).

Councilmembers discussed a letter submitted by Kerry Mason of M.U.D. and the cost of the Oakhurst Drive bridge was estimated to be $250,000. As an alternative M.U.D. has proposed spending $70,000 to construct a curved road for plant access via Oak Ridge Grove Drive.

Peter Nett indicated that the letter lacked the necessary details to formulate a decision. He expressed his disappointment that M.U.D. preferred not to proceed with the construction of the bridge to Oakhurst Drive. He then discussed several beneficial factors for the "curved driveway" proposal including:

• walking path
• reforestation
• hiding the well

Mr. Nett also mentioned the concessions M.U.D. had already made, including moving the facility further away from Oak Ridge Grove and reducing the size of the plant. He said Oak Ridge Grove residents will not be happy about it, he would not be happy about it, but if the bridge had been built the Oakhurst Drive residents would not be happy with it.

Don Tucker reiterated his opinion that Peter Nett should recuse himself from voting due to his interest in property in Oak Ridge Grove.

Leah Gray, Steve Holcomb and Peter Nett were each concerned with the lack of details provided by M.U.D. and the council voted to table the motion until receiving more information.

A Letter to Oak Ridge North

August 25, 2009

Lynne George
City Secretary
City of Oak Ridge North
27424 Robinson Rd.
Oak Ridge North, TX 77385

Dear Ms. George:

This is a request for information filed under the Texas Public Information Act.

We kindly request that you provide us with copies of all affidavits filed by Mr. Peter Nett and Mr. Steve Holcomb, per section 2-109 of Oak Ridge North Code of Ethics, stating the nature and extent of their interest or a relatives interest of Real Property in the City of Oak Ridge North - specifically the Village of Oak Ridge Grove, which is required under state law V.T.C.A, local government code §171.001.

Please include all affidavits regarding any and all issues involving the Village of Oak Ridge Grove, Spring Oaks Sub-division, water well facility #3 and anything pertaining to the Municipal Utility District (MUD) dating back from January 1, 2009 to present date.

We request a waiver of all fees for this request since the disclosure of the information we seek is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government, making the disclosure a matter of public interest.

Thank you for considering our request.

Sincerely,
Chuck and Jill Campbell

Woodlands Villager

A Letter to the Editor - Published 8/18/2009

Oak Ridge Grove

In Oak Ridge North council member Peter Nett is advocating the use of taxpayer money, in the approximate amount of $125,000, to build a utility bridge at the end of Oakhurst Drive in Spring. This bridge will be restricted to the Municipal Utility District for their daily inspections of the new water well facility plant that is currently under construction.

Jim Kuykendall, from the Oak Ridge North Long Range Planning Committee, has recommended using monies that are already available through the Economic Development Fund for a beautification project in the surrounding area of the new water well facility in the subdivision of Oak Ridge Grove, with a reforestation plan, along with native plants and walking trails, setting a new standard for the City of Oak Ridge North.

Nett would prefer the residents of Oakhurst Drive be subjected to a utility truck driving down their street every single day, not to mention any scheduled deliveries for supplies, etc. Whereas the park and walkway plans, which include the entrance to the water well facility on Oak Ridge Grove Drive, will not require the utility truck to drive past any Oak Ridge Grove residents.

Nett also happens to live in the Oak Ridge Grove subdivision.

We urge you to let the Oak Ridge North City Council know your thoughts on this matter.

Visit www.springoaksonline.com for updated information as it becomes available.

Chuck and Jill Campbell, Spring

Oak Ridge North City Council Meeting August 10th

Water well #3 access road agreement between SMCMUD and Oak Ridge North is tabled again.

Kerry Masson of MUD said their Attorney is traveling and has not had the opportunity to finalize the agreement.

James Walton, Leah Gray and Don Tucker all expressed their choice would be agenda item #16.a, to build the park and walkways in Oak Ridge Grove. Peter Nett is still insisting on building the bridge through Oakhurst Drive.

Councilmember Don Tucker told Peter Nett he should recuse himself from the vote because he is a resident of Oak Ridge Grove. Steve Holcomb then asked if he too should be recused from voting. Attendants responded with yes which Steve responded with "I'll fight you tooth and nail."

When it was pointed out that his son is a resident of Oak Ridge Grove, Mr. Holcomb said his son is not a resident. "He lives in Paris, France. And his house is for lease." Attendants then pointed out that he is still a homeowner of Oak Ridge Grove. Steve Holcomb said he is against the park and the bridge.

Oak Ridge North City Council Meeting July 27th

Water well #3 access road agreement between SMCMUD and Oak Ridge North is tabled again.

Rick Moffat of MUD said the document is being finalized and should be available soon for review.

Southern Montgomery County Utility District Meeting July 15th

Spring Oaks residents submit petition of 73 signatures opposing construction of a bridge on Oakhurst Drive for water well #3 access.

SMCMUD Board confirms conditions that Oak Ridge North must share 50% of the costs should they chose to construct a bridge through Oakhurst Drive for access.

Kerry Masson displayed engineer drawings illustrating road access via Oak Ridge Grove Drive and an additional overlay including the concepts presented by Jonathan McMillian.

City of O.R.N. City Council Meeting held July 13th

City Council authorizes additional work on plans for reforestation of Oak Ridge Grove

Long Range Planning Committee Chairman Jim Kuykendall and Secretary Jonathan McMillan presented an architectual rendering (1.07 MB .pdf) illustrating plans for constructing the water well #3 access road connecting via Oak Ridge Grove Drive. The plans include reforestation, walking paths, picnic areas and a recreational facility.

Councilmember Stephen Holcomb asked the residents of Oak Ridge Grove to please stand. There were several in attendance. He then asked those in favor of building the bridge across Oakhurst Drive to remain standing. All residents then took their seats with the acception of five.

Both Jim and Jonathon answered several questions asked by the Council. Jim made his personal opinion clear as a taxpayer that the taxpayers should not be funding the proposed park. He said the Economic Development fund should provide funding or that the residents of Oak Ridge Grove should pay the costs.

Agenda item #14 was tabled until Kerry Masson of MUD is prepared to present MUD's proposal at a future date.

City of O.R.N. City Council Special Meeting held July 6th

City Council authorized City Engineer to approve construction plans for water well #3 plant site.

Drawings currently show access using Oak Ridge Grove Drive. The entrance has not been finalized. Authorization is for site construction only to begin applying for construction permits.

City of O.R.N. Long Range Planning Meeting held June 29th

Access Road and Park Proposal Presented

Jonathan McMillian presented architectural plans to develop a beautification project to isolate the water facility and access road from the Village of Oak Ridge Grove neighborhood. The proposed plans leave Spring Oaks subdivision completely undisturbed. Mr. McMillian stated that it was in the best interest of all parties to leave the woods at the end of Oakhurst Drive as is and proceed with access through the Oak Ridge Grove Drive.

The Long Term Planning Committee has voted to recommend these plans to City Council on Monday July 13th to be voted on.

In the news (newest on top)

• Biofuels to pay Oak Ridge North $33K for rent
  The Woodlands Villager: September 2009 (2nd to last paragraph)
• Oak Ridge considers $5.7 million budget
  The Houston Chronicle: August 2009 (Water well update)
• Spring Oaks residents oppose moving entrance to water well site
  The Woodlands Villager: June 2009
• MUD, ORN wade through well relocation contract
  The Conroe Courier: June 2009
• Oak Ridge ends lease with Biofuels Power Corp.
  The Houston Chronicle: June 2009 (right column on page 2)
• MUD asks Oak Ridge North to split cost of well entrance relocation
  The Woodlands Villager: May 2009
• Oak Ridge OKs $4.6 million for sewer system upgrades
  The Houston Chronicle: May 2009
• SMCMUD to consider moving entrance to proposed well site in ORN
  The Woodlands Villager: April 2009
• Oak Ridge North discusses plans for water tower
  The Conroe Courier: February 2009
• Oak Ridge North discusses plans for water tower
  The Woodlands Villager: February 2009

Other documentation

• City of Oak Ridge North Meeting Minutes - Last updated 11/19/2009
• Oak Ridge Grove Park Design - Updated 8/21/2009
• M.U.D. Preliminary Site Plan - Added 7/06/2009
• Darling Homes: Letter to homeowners - February 2009
• Sanitary Control Easement - November 2008
• Lease Agreement between ORN & MUD - July 2005

On the web

• Oak Ridge North
• Southern Montgomery County M.U.D.