BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER GRANT APPLICATION FOR PARKS AND RECREATION
The Brenham City Council will look at authorizing a grant application to be submitted by Brenham Parks and Recreation.
Recently, the Park and Recreation Advisory Board agreed on a recommendation to join the Texas Parks and Wildlife Local Park Grant Program. The grant would be for improvements to Brenham Family Park. These improvements are outlined in the city’s 2015-2025 Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Master Plan.
Public Works Director Dane Rau says the first phase of the plan calls for several additions to the park, including a four-acre water feature, walking and biking trails, and wildflower viewing areas. He says, if approved, the board has until October 1st to submit an application for the grant.
The council will also issue second readings on the budget and tax rate. After the readings, councilmembers will look to adopt both the budget and the tax rate.
The proposed budget outlines total expenditures around $69.9 million, with $65.3 million in revenues. The tax rate sits at 51.7 cents per $100, the same as last year’s, but effectively a 3 percent increase due to higher property values. With this rate, the city would receive nearly $269,000 more in property tax revenue than last year.
In other items, the city will address a professional services agreement with Kendig Keast Collaborative of Sugar Land, to develop a comprehensive plan. The plan details city priorities, work plans, and the community’s long-term goals.
The city’s comprehensive plan was last updated by the Lower Colorado River Authority in 2009. City Manager James Fisher says this is a process that could take up to 18 months, with total cost of the agreement projected at just under $260,000.
Councilmembers will also look to select board candidates to be voted on, for the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool. They will also look to renew insurance coverage with the Risk Pool, for the new fiscal year.
The city will also consider a lease agreement with Simon Theater Master Tenant, LLC, for the Visitor’s Center. Fisher says the city has drafted a lease agreement for the Visitor’s Center, as it had previously been contracted with the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The council will also act upon a set of resolutions allowing for tax abatements for Stanpac USA and MIC Group. It will also look to approve a grant agreement with TxDOT for the Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP), as well as view bids related to bulk water treatment chemicals.
In addition, the council will act upon requests for noise variances for upcoming events at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Church.
The council will then adjourn into executive session, to consult with the city attorney regarding a land development matter, as well as look at various economic development projects brought before the city.
The council will meet Thursday at 1 p.m., at City Hall.