Local program includes issues for study and consensus, plus issues for
support and action. The local support positions are the basis for local
action by the League of Women Voters of Denton (Texas). Members vote to
retain or drop support positions at each Annual Meeting.
There is no new study proposed for 2008-2009.
The Board recommends the re-adoption of the 2007-2008 Local Program, as
follows:
STUDY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
SUPPORT OF
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY OF DENTON
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
SOCIAL POLICY/HUMAN RESOURCES
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
LAND USE
CITY CHARTER
DENTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF DENTON
Proposed Budget 2008-2009
6/1/08 – 5/31/09
EXPENDITURES
| |
|
2007-2008 |
proposed
2008-2009 |
| A. |
Operation Costs |
|
|
| A2 |
General Supplies |
50 |
50 |
| A3 |
Telecommunications |
200 |
200 |
| A4 |
Post Office Box |
80 |
80 |
| |
|
|
|
| B. |
Board and Administrative Committees |
|
|
| B1 |
President |
25 |
25 |
| B3 |
Board Expenses |
25 |
25 |
| B4a |
Finance Committee |
300 |
250 |
| B4b |
Membership Committee* |
150 |
100 |
| |
|
|
|
| C. |
Delegates, Travel and Affiliations |
|
|
| C1 |
National Meetings (National Convention) |
700 |
800 |
| C2 |
State Leadership Meeting (State Convention) |
800 |
500 |
| C4 |
Annual Meeting |
50 |
50 |
| C5 |
Workshops/conferences |
50 |
50 |
| C6 |
Women's Legislative Days |
0 |
200 |
| |
|
|
|
| D. |
Financial Support for the League |
|
|
| D4a |
State Per Member Payment* |
1,012 |
1,001 |
| D4b |
National Per Member Payment* |
1,095 |
1,274 |
| |
|
|
|
| E. |
Bulletin - Denton VOTER |
|
|
| E1 |
Printing |
200 |
200 |
| E2 |
Mailing |
275 |
275 |
| |
|
|
|
| F. |
Educational Activities |
|
|
| F1 |
Publications |
50 |
50 |
| F2 |
Program Committees |
50 |
50 |
| F3 |
Voters Service |
750 |
750 |
| |
|
|
|
| G. |
Position Support |
|
|
| G1 |
Publication and distribution* |
25 |
25 |
| |
|
|
|
| H. |
Special and Miscellaneous |
|
|
| H1 |
Special Projects |
0 |
100 |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
5,887 |
6,055 |
INCOME
| |
|
2007-2008 |
2008-2009 |
| |
|
|
|
| Ia. |
Dues* |
2,300 |
2,275 |
| Ib1. |
Contributions (members)* |
2,000 |
2,000 |
| Ib2. |
Contributions (non-members)* |
1,187 |
1,380 |
| |
|
|
|
| If1. |
TEF Reserves |
0 |
|
| If3a. |
Voters Service Project |
400 |
400 |
| If3b. |
25% of LWVUS PMP |
0 |
|
| If3c. |
15% of LWVTX PMP |
0 |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
5,887 |
6,055 |
*NOTES
Expenditures
B4b: This includes cost of printing and mailing Member Handbooks.
D4a: Denton’s membership count on which this budget and Per Member Payments
(PMPs) will be based is 52 members. Of those 35 are individual members, 7
are first household members, 7 are second household members, and 3 are
national members. Individual members and first household members pay the
full rate of dues ($50), the second household member pays half that amount
($25), and the national members do not pay local dues (but receive local
services).
D4b. National Per Member Payment for 2008-2009 is proposed at $28.00 per
individual member. State Per Member Payment for 2008-2009 is estimated at
$22.00 per individual member.
G1. This represents the publication of the brochure “We Support” giving the
Denton
League’s position statements.
Income
Ia. Dues will remain at $50 per individual member; $50 for the first member
of a household membership and $25 for each other member residing at the same
address; and $20 for a student membership.
Ib1. and Ib2: Contributions to the LWV-Texas Education Fund from either
members or non-
members are not reflected in this budget.
Minutes of Last Year’s Annual Meeting
League of Women Voters of Denton, Texas
Annual Meeting April 28, 2007
The Annual Meeting of the League of Women Voters of Denton was held at the
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1111 Cordell Street, Denton. President
Sue Smith welcomed members and thanked Marilyn Smith, Peg La Point, and Kay
Branum who made arrangements for food and drinks. The guest of Dorothy
Adkins, Dr. Rudy Rodriguez, was introduced as were new members Rita and Jay
Jones.
President Sue Smith called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. Tellers
appointed were Jean Aboul-Ela and Dale Conway. Judy Deek was appointed
Parliamentarian. It was determined that a quorum was met with 24 members
present. Sondra Ferstl moved adoption of the Rules of the Day. Kay Branum
seconded the motion. It is agreed that only members may address the meeting.
Only members may vote. Speakers are limited to two minutes. No member may
speak a second time until all who intend to speak have spoken. Minutes of
the April 29, 2006 Annual Meeting are printed in the April 2007 edition of
Denton VOTER.
Treasurer Ann MacMillan presented her report covering 6-01-06 – 4-28-07. See
attached budget. She noted we were under budget in all but three categories,
those being C4 Annual Meeting, C6 Women’s Legislative Days, and D4a State
PMP. We have deposited $525.00 in the Texas Ed. Fund; this is less than that
which was collected in other years. Linnie McAdams and those who served with
her were recognized for a successful finance drive, which brought in a
balance of $2040 (member contributions) and $1410 (non-member). Sondra
Ferstl questioned no expenditure for B4b Membership Committee. It was
suggested that an expense report had not been submitted. It was observed
that C6 Women’s Legislative Days included transportation and registration
for two delegates.
President Sue Smith reviewed programs of the past year, including: library
study consensus, programs on state of the City of Denton, Denton County, and
Denton ISD, Charter Amendments Election, Immigration, and Global Climate
Change. YEO’s were published with the able assistance of Byron Witmer, Kevin
Carr, and Sondra Ferstl. Voters Guides were distributed for all elections.
It was noted LWV-Denton is still in need of a Community Relations Vice
President who would oversee Voters Service.
Sue Smith reported that Tracy Lindsay, Asst. Dir. Office of Research, Texas
Woman’s University, was unable to attend Annual Meeting. Tracy Lindsay was
instrumental in the layout of Voters Guides and is this year’s recipient of
our LOLITS award.
The proposed budget for 6-01-07 – 5-31-08, published in the April 2007
Denton VOTER was presented by Sue Smith. Duane Kraeger questioned the lower
amount for dues. $2,300 (proposed 2007-2008) is reflective of 52 members.
2006-2007 dues of $2,775 were for 65 members. Contributions remain at
expected levels.
Sondra Ferstl presented the proposed by-laws changes. Article I, Section 1.
The name of this organization shall be the League of Women Voters of Denton.
(A second “of this” is recommended for deletion.) Article XI Parliamentary
Authority is offered with the correct spelling of Article. Other by-laws
changes are as referenced in the Denton VOTER. See attached.
Peg La Point offered the proposed deletion of “adding financial incentives”
from our position of Section Bb (Denton ISD) which amended reads, “Attract
and hold good teachers and provide them with salaries commensurate with
professional standing and high quality working conditions.” Discussion of
this proposed change ensued. Marilyn Smith submitted the League couldn’t
take a position on incentive pay without a statement which includes the
reference to “adding financial incentives.” We do have a position that
supports salaries commensurate with professional standing. A retention of
current study, and support of existing positions was recommended by Peg La
Point.
Judy Giese submitted the Nominating Committee Report. Sue Smith has agreed
to serve as President for another two years. Linnie McAdams will serve as
Organization Vice President (2 years); Ken Ferstl will serve as Secretary (2
years); Barbara Coe and Maggie Dodd have agreed to serve as Directors (2
year terms). Kay Branum will act as Nominating Committee Chair; for
2007-2008; Dorothy Adkins and Rosemary Witmer will served as members of the
Nominating Committee. Nominating Committee terms are one year.
President Smith presented the Gladys Barstis award for outstanding service
to the LWV-Denton to Program Vice President, Peg La Point.
Members present voted unanimously to adopt the proposed dues and proposed
budget; the proposed by-laws; proposed change in DISD Bb was adopted with
one dissenting vote; proposed local programs and slate of nominees were
unanimously approved.
Board of Directors for the 2007-2008 year were introduced. Sue Smith will
serve as President for a two year term; Linnie McAdams will continue as
Organization Vice President for another two years; Ken Ferstl will replace
Maggie Dodd as Secretary for a two year term; Barbara Coe and Maggie Dodd
will serve as Board Directors for two years. Peg La Point will continue as
Program Vice President, as will Ann MacMillan, Treasurer and Sondra Ferstl,
Director. Kay Branum will chair the 2007-2008 Nominating Committee; Dorothy
Adkins and Rosemary Witmer have agreed to serve as members of the committee.
Peg La Point introduced our speaker, George Campbell, City Manager for
Denton. George Campbell remarked that he was attracted to Denton because
this is an area of great growth. In 1980 the City of Denton comprised 33 sq.
mi.; 2007 it is 80 sq. mi. In 2006 the population of Denton was 108,00; it
is projected to be 131,00 by 2010. There has been a 24% increase in land
annexing since 2001. Report of the Workforce Commission noted 60,000 jobs in
Denton as compared to 48,000 in Lewisville. More are coming in to work than
are leaving. The Rayzor Ranch planned development is underway. This
mixed-use project in Northeast Denton will create an urban village. Other
residential developments mentioned were Hills of Denton, Cole Ranch, and
Hunter Ranch. Managing mobility and air quality were concerns resulting from
increased growth. Peg La Point mentioned the need for stricter standards for
the development of water supply use. Solar housing and the withdrawal of
city investment in rainwater harvesting were discussed.
Byron Witmer moved adjournment of the meeting; motion was seconded by Sondra
Ferstl. The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Maggie Dodd, Secretary LWV-Denton
WATER ISSUES IN NORTH TEXAS
At our March meeting, Glenn Clingenpeel gave an excellent review of the
state of water in North Texas. Mr. Clingenpeel is the Executive Assistant to
the Director of the Trinity River Authority (TRA).
TRA was instituted by the legislature to create a basin wide master plan.
This function initially involved the development of a comprehensive plan for
the maximum development of the basin’s soil and water resources. Over the
years the plan evolved into more of a conceptual document that identified
the objectives not only of TRA, but also of all the other entities that play
a role in the Trinity watershed involving the management of water resources.
The legislature also authorized TRA to provide water and wastewater related
services. This has evolved into TRA’s primary function.
The Trinity River starts just seven miles from the Red River and flows 700
river miles to Trinity Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. The river provides almost
90 percent of water for half the population of Texas: six million people in
the DFW area, five million in Houston, and the corridor of towns along the
way.
European settlers and the growing cities they created turned the Trinity
into a sewer, almost devoid of life and too foul to get close to. Passage of
the Clean Water Act initiated the renewal of the river, as cities stopped
dumping raw sewage and feedlot effluent was controlled. In the 1980’s,
pollution fell dramatically and the river is alive again. The number of fish
families in the river below Dallas in 1974 was four. In 1995 it had
recovered to 25 families.
As population in the Trinity basin has increased, so has the volume of water
in the river, because water used by people is being cleaned and put into the
river. This has resulted in larger flows, more consistent flows, and cleaner
water. Often, the water discharged from wastewater treatment plants is
cleaner than the body of water into which it is being discharged. Federal
regulations and improved technology have made it possible for water to be
used numerous times before flowing into the Gulf.
The projected DFW population is 13 million in 2060. Because 86 percent of
our water usage is municipal, we have almost complete control over how the
Trinity basin water is used. Currently, the basin supplies us with about
1,500,000 acre feet per year. If we had another severe drought (as in
1950’s) this would come 336,000 acre feet short of meeting current demand.
Water demand is projected to increase to 3,250,000 acre feet in 2060,
meaning that current supply would come short by 2,000,000 acre feet. In
order to meet future demand, we need a combination of new supplies and more
efficient use of all supplies of water.
Since the 1970s construction of new dams has dropped precipitously and only
8 more major reservoirs are planned between now and 2050. According to the
newly created Texas water plan, most future demand will be met with new
sources, with about 41 percent coming from conservation and reuse. New
sources will include new reservoirs, expanded use of existing reservoirs,
and importation of water from new sources such as Oklahoma.
What constitutes reuse of water? Technological advances have has allowed the
use of treated effluent for some beneficial purpose. There are two ways to
reuse water:
Direct reuse is when reclaimed water is moved directly from the
wastewater treatment plant to its location of use, such as irrigation for
golf courses or power generation.
Indirect use is when reclaimed water is
discharged to the environment and diverted downstream for use as irrigation,
or for potable water supply augmentation.
Water reuse is driven by need for additional supplies, because it is a
dependable supply during periods of drought, and because it is not directly
subject to depletion. Also, it occurs where it is needed and does not
require huge infrastructure development. One benefit of being able to
consistently produce a very high quality effluent is that the final product
is completely suitable for reuse. TRA has partnered the first large scale
reuse project in Texas, a pipeline and pumping facility that extends from
the treatment plant in Grand Prairie upstream along the Elm Fork of the
Trinity River to Las Colinas in Irving. Tarrant County is constructing 2,000
acres of wetlands to polish treated effluent before returning it to Richland
Chambers reservoir to use again for their water supply.
Issues arising from reuse of water are persistent contaminants, the public
perception that former sewage is not useable (no matter how much it is
purified), and conflicts over ownership of the resource.
The issue of “environmental flows” addresses the need to keep enough water
in the system to support aquatic communities. Recently passed Senate Bill 3
calls for environmental flow requirements to be quantified and establishes a
tiered committee structure and timeline to establish adequate flow regimes.
Texas water laws which impact environmental flows are the Doctrine of Prior
Appropriation; First in Time, First in Right; Water Rights Granted by the
State (usufructuary); and the Right to Complete Consumption. The Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality is currently mandated to consider the
impacts of a water right issuance on environment. Also, approximately 60
percent of reused water is returned to the environment. From a practical
standpoint, this means there will be return flows, even with reuse.
Mr. Clingenpeel discussed the issue of pharmaceuticals in the water supply.
He noted that recent interest in the subject is surprising to industry and
academic experts because it is not a new phenomenon. It is not possible or
desirable to remove every chemical from water and the amounts of most
chemicals leaving wastewater treatment plants are in such miniscule amounts
they have not been shown to have any impact on human health. Treatment
plants are constantly monitored for release of contaminants. He speculated
that one reason for recent alarm is that we now have the technology to
detect chemicals at the level of one part per trillion, or less. Some
pharmaceuticals are affecting aquatic systems because exposure for those
animals is constant. A great many studies on human health effects are
ongoing on many fronts and will undoubtedly result in further regulation and
newer technologies. He speculated that in the future we will have to make
hard choices about the cost effectiveness of removing minute amounts of
contaminants from our water supply.
This led to a discussion of bottled water and the fact that it is usually no
more pure than tap water, and is often just tap water put through a carbon
filter to remove any unique flavors.
Peg La Point, Program VP
PRESIDENT’S PODIUM
It’s time again for Annual Meeting! This issue of the Denton VOTER contains
most of the information you will need to participate in our business
meeting. The Member Handbook for this year contains the rest of the
information. We’re thrilled that Virginia Gallian has agreed to be our
speaker at this event!
Our country is run by the minority due to the embarrassingly low voter
turnout. We surely don’t want to say that about LWV-Denton. For one thing,
we can’t. If we don’t have a quorum, we can’t vote on anything. For another,
you don’t want to wait a month to find out who received our LOLITS award. If
you are a new member, you would have to wait another month to find out what
that is. So make your plans to attend Saturday, April 19th from 10:00 a.m.
to 12:00 noon. Bring a covered dish for lunch! If this year is anything like
last year, we may want to put out a cookbook!
You will notice a nominee missing from the nominating committee report. For
the second year in a row we do not have a nominee for Community Relations
Vice President, but we may take nominations from the floor with the approval
of the nominee. We have a very capable member willing to assist with Voters
Service activities so the job will not be so daunting.
Sue Smith, President
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF DENTON
P.O. Box 424945 TWU Station
Denton, Texas 76204
