Conroe officials are inching closer to creating a monthly stormwater utility fee that would add a new drainage charge on utility bills for residents and businesses to help fund drainage projects, aging infrastructure work and flood mitigation across the city. 

What happened: City Council reviewed the proposal Feb. 26 during a presentation, but no vote was taken. Instead, staff and consultants told council they were seeking feedback before returning with a draft ordinance and fee schedule for possible adoption April 23.

Under the proposal presented to council, residential customers would pay a flat $4 per month, while nonresidential properties—including apartment complexes—would pay $4 per equivalent residential unit per month.

A closer look: The presentation tied the fee to nearly $11.9 million in identified capital needs, including drainage improvements, rehabilitation at Alligator Creek, Live Oak Creek dredging, a Canterbury and Oxford culvert upgrade, and Hunnington Drive drainage work. It also includes about $276,000 in supporting labor costs, according to the presentation.

PNC Bank has opened a new location in Willis.

The details: PNC has approximately 2,200 branches and 60,000 PNC and partner ATMs. All branches are staffed with bankers who are available to help address customers' financial needs and provide solutions that help them achieve their financial goals, officials said.

• 12312 I-45 N., Ste. 100, Willis

March 3 marked the official start date of the last 100 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to Houston.

What's new: The city has begun to celebrate with visual displays, including the illumination of prominent buildings in Downtown Houston's skyline. City Hall, 1000 Main and the Bank of America Tower will now shine blue, Houston's official FIFA World Cup color, to celebrate the milestone.

In similar news: Aside from visual displays, some entities within Houston are also beginning to prep infrastructure for the arrival of the tournament and the influx of visitors it will bring in June.

CenterPoint Energy officials said in a March 4 news release that the company has begun to perform hazard mitigation inspections of its equipment and field reviews serving event-zone areas, such as NRG Stadium, airports and key hospitality areas.

Looking ahead: As the countdown to the tournament continues, several events and milestones are expected to take place across the city over the next few months.