Author: FGMUD

Neighbors,

As residents of Faulkey Gully Municipal Utility District, the Board of Directors have a vested interest in the amenities of the District and surrounding area. As such, the Directors see value in finding ways to continue to add features to the area that bolster property values and better serve the residents.

A particular opportunity that has been identified is the continuation of the work started more than 30 years ago on the Faulkey Gully Hike and Bike Trail. In the 1990’s the District, along with Malcomson Road UD, Lake Forest UD, and Harris County MUD 18 worked to fund the existing 1.9 miles of trail that currently runs from Lakewood Forest Drive to Guernsey Road. The 1.9 miles was Phase I and II. Phase III was never started due to, at the time, insurmountable property issues. The entire project was to run an asphalt trail from Lakewood Forest Drive all the way to Spring Cypress Road. The property issues no longer exist so phase III can move forward.

The project was done in concert with Harris County Precinct 4 Parks Department. The agreement was that the parks department would build the trail and the municipal utility districts (MUD) involved would pay for the associated materials required to build the trail. The County will build, carry liability and the expense of maintenance of the trail when completed.

In an effort to complete what was started several years ago, the District has approached the County regarding completion of phase III of the Hike and Bike Trail. The county has agreed to continue with the initial agreement; The MUDs provide capital for engineering and construction materials while the County will build and maintain the trail.

North of Spring Cypress Road, 5 miles of trail is currently being constructed by NW Harris County MUD 5 along Faulkey Gully. To the south is Phase I & II of the Faulkey Gully Hike and Bike Trail (1.9 miles) which connects further south to Cypresswood Hike and Bike Trail (2.75 miles) . Phase III will add 2.06 miles to the current trail and connect the north and south sections. The County is also in the process of planning and constructing a trail that will cross Faulkey Gully at Jones Road to the north side of the gully and go behind the HP Campus, winding its way in the vicinity of Cypress Creek under the bridge at Texas Highway 249 to Kickerillo-Mischner Preserve and beyond, thus adding several miles of trail.

To provide residents of the District the opportunity to contribute to the funding of this amenity, the Directors authorize a Voluntary Beautification Fee on the monthly water bill in the amount of $5 per month; residents will be able to opt out. The voluntary fee will serve to alleviate budgeting issues, as two of the four MUD’s that contributed to the first two phases have decided not to participate in the completion of phase III. Upon receipt of the required funds needed to complete the final phase of the trail, the voluntary fee will be removed entirely.

We hope you, as residents, see the value in completing this community project just as we do. Should you have any questions about the Hike and Bike trail or would like more information requiring the scope of work, please email Director Szyman at FGMUDP3@comcast.net.

Director Szyman will conduct an information briefing at the Lakewood Glen clubhouse (13310 Louetta Rd. Cypress, TX 77429) on Saturday, November 20th, 2021, from 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.

Due to recent news reports of persons imitating utility personnel to enter homes, Municipal Operations and Consulting, Inc. would like to educate their customers on what to expect if they do visit your home.

Please follow the link for details regarding:

• What field staff will look like
• A general vehicle description
• The fact that they will not ask to enter the home

https://municipalops.com/safety

Faulkey Gully MUD has been actively monitoring forecasts for upcoming severe weather.

If there is a service issue, a notice will be posted here, on the District’s homepage.

In addition, updates can be found at https://municipalops.com.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, with the peak season happening between mid-August to late October. On average there are six hurricanes, three which are categorized as “major,” each year.

Hurricane Categories

Category 1: 74 – 95 MPH Winds

Some Damage:

• Potential roof damage
• Large tree branches may snap, shallow-rooted trees may fall
• Damage to utility poles and power lines. Outages may last few to several days

Category 2: 96 – 110 MPH Winds

Extensive Damage:

• Potential major roof damage
• Shallow-rooted trees will be snapped or unrooted
• Power outages for several days to weeks

Category 3: 111 – 129 MPH Winds

Devastating Damage:

• Major home damage
• Many trees will be snapped or unrooted
• Electricity and water may be unavailable for several days to weeks

Category 4: 130 – 156 MPH Winds

Catastrophic Damage:

• Severe home damage
• Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and utility poles downed
• Power outages for weeks to possibly months

Category 5: > 156 MPH Winds

Catastrophic Damage:

• A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed
• Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas
• Power outages for weeks to possibly months

Water

• Store one gallon of water per person per day.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).*

Safety Checklist

• Create a disaster prep kit for each member of your family to ensure their safety and comfort during a power outage. A basic kit should include bottled water, non-perishable food and battery-powered flashlights.
• Keep a first-aid kit ready and have 2 week supply of all prescription medications.

Convenience Checklist

• Stock up on batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.
• Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member.
• Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.

Have pets?

• Have your pets’ vaccinations records and be certain they’re wearing their collars with rabies tags and ID/phone number. Keep microchip registrations current.
• Keep extra food available for your pet.
• If you plan to evacuate, know where you can take your pets. Never leave them behind.

Faulkey Gully MUD Board of Directors wholeheartedly endorse the following statement from Jerry Holman with the Water Users Coalition:

I would encourage everyone to read HB 2525, the creation of the Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District, authored by State Representative Huberty. I have read HB 2525, including the (Analysis reports) and I have determined that I cannot and will not support this bill as is. To view the HB2525 Bill Analysis click here.

• Unnecessarily expands government
• False premise, dredging Lake Houston will not improve drainage
• Taxation without representation, appointed directors with the authority to issue revenue bonds without public approval
• Water users with their own drainage issues will be paying for Kingwood and Atascocita’s drainage problems
• Water users have already paid over 400 million dollars for the Luce bayou inter basin transfer of water from the Trinity river to Lake Houston
• Mixing The Ground Water Reduction Plan (Conversion to Surface water) Paid for by Water Users, and this bill (HB2525) & (SB1892) with it’s Vague “Trojan Horse” funding mechanism geared towards the Water Users wallet is just wrong and demoralizing to the good people who have paid billions converting to Surface Water.

When water users understand that they will be paying for the Drainage of Kingwood and Atascocita as part of their water usage fees to the water authorities, they will be rightfully upset and lose confidence in the original intent of the ground water reduction plans. This is a slippery slope and will harm trust and the continued efforts to convert from ground water to surface water. The Board of directors of this new Drainage district will be appointed by the City of Houston and the Harris County Commissioners Court (Not Elected by the Citizens)

We believe HB2525 & SB1892 will go to the Local Government Committee, chaired by Paul Bettencourt. I would suggest that everyone educate themselves on this issue and be prepared to write letters and testify if needed.

Texas Senate:
https://senate.texas.gov/cmte.php?c=556
Paul Bettencourt, Chairman of the local government committee, (HB2525) & (SB1892)

Water Users Coalition
P.O. Box 325
Cypress, Texas 77410-0325
281-469-9405
WaterUsersCoalition.org

Residents of Faulkey Gully MUD,

On Thursday, February 18, 2021, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) required our public water system, Faulkey Gully Municipal Utility District to issue a Boil Water Notice (BWN) to our customers.

Our system has taken the necessary corrective actions which include monitoring the disinfection levels and bacteriological quality testing of the water system. The District has provided the TCEQ with testing results which indicate that the water no longer requires boiling effective immediately

We appreciate your cooperation during this extreme winter event. Please continue to conserve water during this event.

If you have any further questions, please contact the District Operator at: (281) 367-5511

Due to inclement weather conditions, Faulkey Gully Municipal Utility District is under a Boil Water notice until further notice.

To ensure the destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Municipal Operations & Consulting, Inc. at (281) 367-5511.

Freezing temperatures are expected over the coming days. To limit issues that may arise because of the inclement weather, your Water District requests that customers do the following:

1. Turn off, isolate, and drain your irrigation system and backflow prevention device.
2. Unhook any outdoor water hoses attached to your faucets.
3. Wrap outdoor pipes and faucets with foam, rags, or other insulating material. To keep the insulation in place, secure it with string, wire, or tape.
4. Install insulation or covers over outside water faucets.
5. Open cabinet doors under your sinks to provide warm air circulation.
6. Circulate water in your home by allowing at least on sink to drip.
7. Keep the temperature of your home above 55 degrees.

If a leak is detected inside your home, shut off the water to the house immediately to prevent further damage.

Dear Resident,

Faulkey Gully MUD has partnered with WaterSmart Software to offer our residents a modern digital portal where you can access detailed information about your household water use. You can reach the portal on your mobile device or web browser at: faulkeygullymud.watersmart.com

To register for this free service, just enter your billing account number and email address. You can then access all of your utility data as soon as it becomes available each billing period, see how your water use compares to similar sized homes in your neighborhood, and get access to customized recommendations on how you can save water and money.

We hope you take advantage of this exciting new service and look forward to working closely with our residents to make our city more resilient, healthy, and happy!

Sincerely,

Faulkey Gully MUD