CITY COUNCIL APPROVES WAYFINDING SIGNAGE PROGRAM
The Brenham City Council met Thursday afternoon to present and give an update on the Wayfinding Signage Program, which will make it easier for locals and visitors to find their way around the city.
The City of Brenham’s Downtown Master Plan was adopted in 2012, and the Main Street Board and Planning Committee helped design the Downtown Master plan. A subcommittee was formed to research a wayfinding program. Those participating in the subcommittee were Chairman Melinda Faubion, downtown property owner Charlie Pyle, architect and design committee member Elizabeth Price, Chamber President Page Michel, Councilmember Mary Barnes-Tilley, Main Street Manager Jennifer Eckermann, and Director of Development Services Julie Fulgham, who has now been replaced by Director of Community Services, Wende Ragonis.
This committee issued an RFP and selected a vendor fd2s. There were five proposals to the request, all were interviewed, and fd2s from Austin, was selected.
The money for the project is to come from the FY15 Main Street Department Budget of $20,000 and contributions by the Brenham Main Street Historical Preservation, Inc. of $28,000, as well as Hot Nights Cool Tunes, Uptown Swirl, and the Texas Brew Step.
Also approved was the adoption a new schedule for the City of Brenham’s Parks and Recreation Department. Most of the services and programs are offered free to the public, but services such as facility rentals, admission to the BBAC, private swim lessons and some recreational programming require fees. There were not many changes in the fee schedule, and the rates will be published in the 2015 Parks and Recreation Guide.
The Council also elaborated on the recommendation for appointments and/or reappointments to various city advisory boards:
The Airport Advisory Board had three incumbents who are eligible for reappointment and were recommended. Those were Janet Hess, Jon Hodde and Eddie Van Dyke.
Board of Adjustments - recommended for reappointment by the Advisory Board are Richard Heiges and Jarvis Van Dyke
Building Standards Commission - Walt Edmonds and Stoney Lacina are being recommended for reappointment.
Brenham Community Development Corporation: The Board is recommending Jason Kiempstead, who will be replacing John Barkman
Brenham Housing Authority: Richard Flammer is an incumbent who is being recommended for reappointment.
Hotel Occupancy Tax Board: Incumbent Keith Hankins, Pamela Murski, and Stacey Walters are being recommended for reappointment.
Pamela Murski, who owns Murski Bed and Brekfast
Stacey Walters, who owns Tres Chic in downtown Brenham
Library Advisory Board –The City's appointment, Weldon Williams is being recommended for reappointment.
Main Street Board –Incumbents John Herman and Tiffany Morisak are being recommended for reappointment.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board –Incumbent Luis Mendoza and Bill Betts are being recommended for reappointment.
Planning and Zoning Commission – all incumbents have expressed interest in continuing their service and are being recommended: Walt Schoenvogel, Leroy Jefferson, Calvin Kossie and Lynette Scheffield.
The Council also approved a Resolution to support the Jefferson Square Housing Ltd submission of an application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for tax credits for the acquisition and rehanilitation of the Jefferson Square Apartments, located on 801 W. Jefferson. The apartment, built in 1995, are being rehabilitated to allow for foundation repair and accessibility.