BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS OUTSOURCING OF SANITATION SERVICES IN WORKSHOP

  

The Brenham City Council will meet tomorrow (Thursday) to continue talks on the potential outsourcing of the city’s sanitation services.

The council will hold work session discussion on an agreement between the city and Brannon Industrial Group (BIG) for municipal solid waste collection, disposal and recycling services.

At the council’s meeting December 19^th, city staff were approved to enter into formal contract negotiations with BIG for these services.

Public Works Director Dane Rau said staff have been working with BIG over the last four to five weeks to “iron out” a final contract document that will be the basis of the initial five-year contract.

During work session tomorrow, staff will update the council on the status of the contract and those items that are still being negotiated with BIG. Staff will bring back the final contract document for approval by the city council at its meeting February 20^th.

Rau said, as of right now, staff intent is for BIG to begin a stair-step process of taking over solid waste services for the city, with commercial services being first. Residential, recycling, and collection/transfer station operations would follow after that, with the full transition complete by June 2020.

Also in session Thursday, councilmembers will consider a resolution calling for support for Trinity Brenham Trails, LP, as it submits a request for housing tax credits for development within the upcoming Market Square development.

The company, which is not requesting any property tax or development fee waivers, is looking to build a three-story, 49 unit building located on three acres within Market Square, a 50-acre town square development containing a mix of retail, office, restaurant, hotel, and residential uses. The project would provide updated housing at reduced rents for Brenham citizens 55 and over.

The council will also swear in John D. Winkelmann as Brenham Municipal Court’s new presiding judge. Winkelmann was appointed at the council’s meeting January 16^th to fill the term of previous presiding judge Bill Kendall, who was removed from his position in October.  Winkelmann’s term expires December 31^st.

The council will then adjourn into executive session to consult with the city attorney and hold discussion regarding the Barnhill Center. After reconvening in regular session, councilmembers will consider the development, operation and possible acquisition of the Barnhill Center.

Also during regular session, the council will consider:

• A resolution providing support for Brazos Trace, LLC’s submission of an application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, requesting 2020 competitive 9 percent housing tax credits for the Fairview Terrace Development.
• Confirmation that Fairview Terrace LP, Brazos Trace Brenham, LLC, and the Brenham Housing Authority’s development, Fairview Terrace, located at 700 Eleanor Drive, contributes to concerted revitalization efforts within Brenham city limits.
• Repealing a resolution related to the adoption of a commercial tax phase-in agreement with Valmont Coatings, Inc., and approving the mutual cancellation of said agreement.
• Payoff to JPMorgan Chase Bank for the Diamond Z tub grinder in the amount of $466,879.
• Authorizing submission of a grant application through the criminal justice division of the Office of the Governor, for the rifle-resistant body armor grant program.
• A memorandum of understanding between the city and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, for acceptance of a grant for travel expenses and academy program implementation at the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library.
• Recommendations for appointments and reappointments to various city boards and committees.
• Review of the Fiscal Year 2018-19 Fourth Quarter Financial Report.

The council will meet tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m., at Brenham City Hall.