Conroe City Council members could take action on several items that may eventually head to voters during their Aug. 13 meeting, including proposals related to residential lot sizes, firefighter collective bargaining and the city’s continued use of automated license plate reader systems.

What residents should know: Council members David Hairel and Shana Arthur are bringing forward two potential November ballot items. One would ask voters whether Conroe should establish a minimum lot size of 65 feet wide by 120 feet deep for new residential subdivisions. Under the proposal, exceptions would require City Council approval following public notice and a hearing.

Hairel and Arthur are also proposing a binding referendum that would allow Conroe voters to weigh in on the continued use of ALPR systems, which Flock cameras are classified as. According to the agenda, council action is needed Aug. 13 ahead of an Aug. 17 ballot submission deadline.

Sam Houston State University has announced a new name for the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Conroe at a Texas State University System board of regents meeting on Aug. 6. The college will be named after philanthropists and SHSU alumni Russell and Glenda Gordy, according to a news release from SHSU. 

The SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, now the Russell and Glenda Gordy College of Osteopathic medicine, opened in 2020.

Quote of note: “Glenda and I are deeply honored to have the College of Osteopathic Medicine named in our honor,” Russell Gordy said.

• 925 City Central Ave., Conroe

The Executive Club at George Bush Intercontinental Airport has recently completed a full renovation, Houston Airport System officials announced in an Aug. 4 news release.

What's new? Operated by SSP America, the IAH Executive Club debuted a new modern look this summer featuring new furniture, fresh paint, updated decor and redesigned seating areas. Per the release, the lounge also features a central food and beverage area that includes buffet service and a dedicated bar.

Additional amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, a meeting room and televisions, snacks, beverages and reading material.

Who it's for: Located on Level 2 of Terminal D near Gate D12, IAH's Executive Club serves qualifying international passengers flying with British Airways, Emirates and EVA Airlines. Qualified passengers will note access to the IAH Executive Club on their boarding pass, per the release. 

• Renovations completed this summer 
• 2800 N. Terminal Road, Houston

CenterPoint Energy officials announced a new initiative which aims to provide a savings of up to $5 billion to all residential and small to medium businesses over the next decade in a Aug. 11 news release.

The big picture: The initiative stems from both the strengthening of requirements for large load energy users like data centers in the 89th Legislative Session and a project to add 14 gigawatts of energy load to CenterPoint Energy's service area.

Senate Bill 6 was authorized in the 89th Legislative Session and requires any development which expects to utilize over 75 megawatts of power at any point to pay higher overall energy costs.

In their words: "We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to generate historic levels of customer savings of more than $5 billion statewide by leveraging new investment in large projects to build a more affordable, reliable and resilient electric grid for millions of customers," CenterPoint Energy Chairman and CEO Jason Wells said.