BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO VIEW BIDS FOR SCHULTE BOULEVARD STORM REPAIRS

Josh Blaschke March 20, 2019

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The Brenham City Council will consider accepting a bid for storm damage repairs to Schulte Boulevard at its meeting tomorrow (Thursday).

The council received bids from five contractors for the project, ranging from $75,000 to $130,000 for the base bid. The council is expected to approve the base bid of Solid Bridge Construction for $75,612.

During the flooding of May 2016, Schulte Boulevard experienced severe erosion at two culvert crossings. The erosion undermined the safety end treatments and headwalls, and continues to weaken the culverts.

The project is being reimbursed by FEMA at a 75-percent to 25-percent cost share, with the city using general fund reserves to pick up the 25-percent.

The council will also hold public hearing and issue first reading of an ordinance amendment establishing minimum non-metal exteriors for residences in select zoning districts. At the Planning and Zoning Commission’s meeting on February 25^th, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend the ordinance with modifications.

These changes outline a 50-percent non-metal requirement for walls facing the right-of-way, 25-percent non-metal for side walls not facing the right-of-way, no non-metal requirement for rear walls not facing the right-of-way, and no requirements for accessory structures. The ordinance only applies to the R-1 (single family residential), R-2 (mixed residential), and B-1 (local business/mixed use residential) districts.

A look at roads in downtown Brenham that will be closed during the Cool Nights, Hot Tunes concert on April 13th. (courtesy City of Brenham)

Councilmembers will also begin ironing out the details for the new Cool Nights, Hot Tunes concert to be held April 13^th. The council will look at approving a noise variance from 2:30 p.m. to midnight, as well as an agreement with TxDOT to close state right-of-way.

One lane of Alamo Street, between Park and St. Charles Streets, will close at 2:30 p.m. for stage setup. This will be followed by both lanes of Alamo closing between Austin and Market Streets from 4:30 p.m. to midnight, or until the stage is removed. Estimated attendance is 1,500 people.

The council will then meet in executive session regarding the possible acquisition of property in the downtown area.

Also on the agenda, the council will:

Consider a ground-space lease agreement with RIGA Aviation, LLC, for hangar space at the Brenham Municipal Airport.
Hold work session on the renewal of the Microsoft Enterprise agreement between the city and Microsoft Corporation.
Act on the termination and release of a right-of-way easement, dated November 5, 1997, from Blinn College to the city. The city received a request from the Brenham Cemetery Association in January to release the easement across their property that was granted to the city back in 1997 for the possible future extension of Saeger Street.

In addition to the council’s meeting at 1 p.m., there will also be a joint meeting between councilmembers and Washington County Commissioners at 3 p.m., to discuss the Highway 290 cloverleaf with TxDOT officials.

The council will meet Thursday afternoon, beginning at 1 p.m., at City Hall.

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