Township News
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors meets tonight. During these unprecedented and challenging times, The Woodlands Township stands ready to serve residents and continue the Township business while following CDC guidelines. The Township Board of Directors is meeting tonight for the first time in its history via remote videoconferencing. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. and can be viewed online with an option to participate. Major issues on the agenda include a discussion on coronavirus matters and incorporation matters. Tune in tonight at The meeting can be viewed online at http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/778/Meeting-Videos.
During the March 25, 2020, videoconference Board meeting, members of the public may provide public comment by calling 877-853-5247 (toll-free), then enter ID 966 224 808 #. Calls will be taken in the order the calls are received and only during the “public comment” agenda item. This phone number is active only for the March 25, 2020 Board meeting. New phone numbers will be issued for each future meeting during the public health pandemic emergency.
Watch a Video Message from Township Chairman Gordy Bunch prior to the Board of Directors meeting: https://www.facebook.com/thewoodlandstownship/videos/200523228060535/. Chairman Bunch discusses what to expect at the meeting and how to watch, in addition to important Coronavirus-related information and the Township. The message is also available on several Township social media channels. You do not need an account to view it.
The Township’s Resident Care Center is taking phone calls remotely during regular business hours. There are four ways for community members to report a concern to The Woodlands Township:
- Call The Woodlands Township Resident Care Center at 281-210-3800 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- For assistance after hours with urgent service matters other than emergencies, please call 281-210-3800 and press nine (9). Any time during the automated announcement, press nine (9) again to be connected to the After Hours Supervisor.
- Submit your concern online through TheWoodlands311 service request system. Registration is not required.
- Download TheWoodlands311 app on your mobile device
Property improvement applications can be submitted by mail or by email to covad@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov. Review and approvals of applications may be delayed. Due to restrictions and guidelines for social distancing, site visits or in-person meetings with property owners or contractors cannot be performed at this time. Additionally, applications that require the approval of a review committee (RDRC or DSC) will be scheduled when those committees are able to convene.
Landscape maintenance of governmental facilities, including roadsides and parks are considered Essential Governmental Services and are not restricted by County Orders. The Township, through its various contractors, are continuing regular park, pathway, and streetscape maintenance.
Trash and recycling services are considered Essential Governmental Services that are not restricted by County Orders at this time. The Township’s waste removal and recycling contractor, Waste Management, continues to provide the regular weekly collection services. We anticipate that disruptions in service may be inevitable if and when local, state or federal declarations mandate additional operational restrictions. Simple Recycling (textile recycling using an orange bag) has suspended the curbside textile recycling program until further notice.
School News
Conroe ISD will be distributing free meals to students this week on Tuesday, March 24, and Thursday, March 26, from 10 AM - 1 PM or as long as they last. The sack lunches and breakfasts will be distributed curbside at Austin Elementary, Caney Creek High School, Conroe High School, Grand Oaks High School, Hauke High School, Knox Junior High, Oak Ridge High School, The Woodlands College Park High School, The Woodlands High School, and Washington Junior High. (Please make sure that all children are secured in a car seat or with a seat belt.)
Instructional Resources
Anyone looking for activities to do with their student during the closure can visit Conroe ISD’s instructional resources website.
Business News
Our community medical centers at both a regional and local level are in urgent need of personal protective equipment that is utilized across the health care, oil and gas, chemical, and industrial painting industries (and likely other industries as well). They can use help from anyone who has access to these supplies, current inventories, etc.
This is a general call to action with all our business members regardless of industry type, as you may have a key contact who may be able to assist in these efforts. Please call The Woodlands Economic Development Partnership (EDP) at 281-363-8137 or email mariana.almanza@edpartnership.net to let them know of your ability to assist and the EDP will aid in getting you connected with our local hospital administrators.
Items needed include:
PAPRs:
3M: Versa Flow
3M Breath Easy
Honeywell PA 700
Max Air
Attached you will find the pictures of the PAPRs
Masks:
N95
3M model numbers:
8210
1860
1860S
1870+
Moldex N95 – all sizes
Tyvek suits
County Information
COVID-19 Cases: Montgomery County Public Health District, in conjunction with Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, can confirm Montgomery County now has 31 positive cases of COVID-19, an increase of 8 from yesterday. We would like to emphasize the importance of staying home if you are able and social distancing. The virus is now in all parts of our county. Regardless of exactly where these patients reside, it is spreading in the community. Increased hygiene practices, like frequent hand washing and surface disinfecting, are imperative. As of 3 p.m. today, MCPHD has been notified of 241 negative and 31 positive test results of county residents. Results are pending for another 149 residents. View press release from MCPHD.
Harris County COVID-19 Case Count
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has confirmed, as of 3 p.m. today, 40 new cases of COVID-19, which brings the total to 119 positive cases, including one COVID-19 related death, reported on March 19, 2020. HCPH is also confirming that 13 of our patients have recovered. These new cases do not include those within the City of Houston. Link to news release.
Montgomery County Judge Amends Order Related to Occupancy of Premises
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough signed an amended order affecting the occupancy of premises in Montgomery County effective as of 8 a.m. Thursday, March 25, 2020 continuing through April 6, 2020. The amendment adds restrictions on nail and hair salons, spas, licensed massage businesses, tattoo parlors, and cosmetic businesses. Additionally, nursing home, retirement and long term care facilities are now required to limit visitation to critical assistance and end of life visitation only. View news release.
Harris County Coronavirus Response Hub
In response to this ongoing public health emergency, an interactive web-based dashboard has been developed, hosted by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University, to visualize and track reported cases in real-time. The dashboard illustrates the location and number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, deaths, and recoveries for all affected countries.
This page also provides additional information including, testing, confirmed cases, call centers, and other community resources.
Montgomery County Coronavirus Response Hub
Montgomery County has created a Coronavirus Response Hub which includes a Community Impact Dashboard and provides information, maps and resources about the coronavirus response in Montgomery County Texas. Find out the community impact of COVID-19 including current case count, status, and which public facilities have been infected.
In addition to the Community Impact Dashboard, this page provides an abundance of helpful information including call centers, emergency declarations, information for small businesses, symptoms of COVID-19, precautionary steps, local updates and additional national and global resources.
The Hub is maintained by the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Montgomery County GIS with cooperation from Montgomery County Public Health.
Additional Information
Federal Partners Continue Providing Resources for COVID-19 Response Efforts
FEMA, United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and federal partners are working with state, local, tribal and territorial governments to execute a whole of government response to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and protect the public. For more information on Community-Based Testing Sites (CBTS), Ventilator Guidance, Defense Production Act, Combatting Disinformation and Rumors, Strategic National Stockpile, How to Help and more, visit fema.gov/coronavirus, please view document.
Dining at a Distance: Dine out without dining in!
Visit The Woodlands, the destination marketing organization for The Woodlands, is actively working with The Woodlands restaurants, compiling and updating a list of local restaurants offering delivery or curbside pick-up. View and share the growing list of restaurants here: www.visitthewoodlands.com/eatlocal. If you aren’t currently listed and would like to be, fill out the form here and we’ll add it! If you’re already listed on this page and need it to be updated or have a menu changed, please email amber.george@visitthewoodlands.com.
Jobseeker Information
If you have lost your job due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Texas Workforce Commission has waived the waiting period to apply for unemployment benefits. A link to the Texas Workforce Commission application is here: https://twc.texas.gov/news/covid-19-resources-job-seekers
Food Banks
Local food banks are inventorying their resources to ascertain what will be needed in the days to come. Many Township residents have expressed a desire to volunteer or donate; please see the information below regarding those needs.
- Interfaith of The Woodlands is continuing to provide Senior Grocery Delivery, Crisis Assistance Services and Food Pantry Assistance. Please read on to learn how you can lend support to Interfaith.
- Montgomery County Food Bank is conducting a virtual food drive. Please read on to learn how you can help.
- In addition, free groceries will be distributed, while supplies last, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, and Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at the Community Assistance Center parking lot at 1022 McCall Street in Conroe. For more information, please call 936-539-9211 to see if you qualify for this service.
The Township’s Coronavirus page
The Woodlands Township has launched a special COVID-19 information page that can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covid19. This page includes the latest news from The Township, updates from partner agencies, social distancing strategies, important links, frequently asked questions, live Twitter feeds and more and is being updated frequently. Please check back often.
Stay Connected
Please stay connected to The Woodlands Township through our many communications channels. Learn more and sign up at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/stayinformed.
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The Woodlands Township publishes this update to inform residents and businesses regarding the COVID-19 and its impact on The Woodlands Township. Please sign up for Township news and notifications at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/notifyme