HENDERSON PARK SPLASHPAD READY TO GO STARTING FRIDAY MORNING

  

After nearly a full year’s worth of discussion, planning, and construction, the splashpad at Henderson Park in Brenham is now ready for use.

Public Works Director Dane Rau announced at today’s (Thursday) meeting of the Brenham City Council that after a successful walkthrough Tuesday morning, the splashpad will open to the public tomorrow (Friday) morning at 10 a.m.

The project has been in the works since last August, when Brenham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members began first discussing potential locations for the splashpad.  In January, the council awarded a $250,407 contract to Vortex Aquatic Structures for the design, equipment, and installation of the splashpad.  Construction began at the site in March.

During the consent agenda, the council approved the purchase of a shade structure for the splashpad for $56,670, but Rau said the shade structure will not arrive until August.  Until then, Rau said visitors can use natural shade available at the park.

 

The splashpad was built using $300,000 in earmarked funds from the Brenham Community Development Corporation (BCDC), along with a $50,000 grant from the H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust to be used for the shade structure.  The city is planning to add other amenities to the splashpad in the coming years.

The splashpad was one of several municipal projects discussed today, with Rau and Assistant City Manager of Public Services and Utilities Donald Reese giving updates on projects recently completed, ongoing, and upcoming.  Development Services Director Stephanie Doland also provided the council a status update of numerous residential and commercial projects.  Their presentations can be seen in the council agenda packet included here.

Also at today’s meeting, the council:

• Approved a professional services agreement for engineering services between the city and Strand Associates, Inc., to construct sanitary sewer improvements related to the Baker Katz development project.
• Tabled the adoption of revised aviation minimum standards for the Brenham Municipal Airport. The item was tabled to allow for further discussion of the matter.
• Approved a gift deed between the city and James Hanath related to 2.193 acres of land described as Lot 3C of the replat of Lot 2 and Lot 3 of the Little Sandy Subdivision.
• Renewed the city’s group health plan with the Texas Municipal League Health Benefits Pool and establishment of funding rates for the plan year beginning October 1st through September 30, 2021.
• Approved recommendations for appointments and/or reappointments to various city boards and commissions. Lowell Ogle is filling the unexpired term of Dr. Walter Jackson on the Main Street Board, while Elizabeth Coker will serve out Dr. Jamey Johnson’s unexpired term on the Library Advisory Board.  Both terms expire December 31^st.
• Approved a resolution amending the policies and procedures for city boards and commissions. Previously, individuals who are members of more than one board were instructed to abstain from voting if one of those boards is voting on whether to fund another.  The change will now allow members to participate in such a funding decision after disclosing their dual membership to the funding board.