CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES DESIGN OF DRAINAGE AND SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS

  

Brenham City Council authorized Strand Associates to design drainage improvements in a portion of the new Neighborhood Business District at their meeting today (Thursday).  Strand will be designing storm sewer and sidewalk improvements along Church Street and Park Street in the southern part of downtown.  That area has received some interest from investors in recent years, but the lack of adequate drainage facilities is deterring economic development.  The city says that during heavy rains, the streets are overwhelmed by water and become impassable.  Funding to improve the aging infrastructure in that area was included in this year’s budget.

Council also approved a 3.86 percent increase in the rates charged for Commercial Sanitation Services by Waste Connections Inc.  When Waste Connections was awarded the bid in 2016 for the commercial trash service, it was 9 percent below the previous rates charged by Texas Commercial Waste.

Council awarded Gene’s Services the contract for Mowing and Cleanup Services for various city departments.  The mowing contract covers 21 locations throughout the city including street medians, areas around city owned buildings, and several city  parks, excluding the ball fields.  The contract calls for 32 mowings though the year and will cost the city $55,191.  Gene’s Services has been awarded the contract for the past 5 years.

Council awarded an Equipment Financing Proposal to the Bank of Brenham.  The purchase of a Replacement Virtual Server Environment was approved by council last month.  That purchase for $86,167 will be financed by the Bank of Brenham for 3 years at a rate of 3.08 percent.

Council accepted a $20,000 donation from Robert and Angela Knauss for the Animal Shelter.  The donation is to be split between animal adoption efforts and the planned phase 2 expansion of the shelter.

Council accepted the Annual Audit from Seidel Schroeder for the 2017 Fiscal Year.  They also approved a noise variance to Jesus Christ is the Answer for a church gathering Friday from 7:00 to 10:00 PM at Fireman’s Park.