BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL STRONGLY ENCOURAGES MASK WEARING, BUT ABBOTT ORDER MAKES PRACTICE MANDATORY
The Brenham City Council gave a strong recommendation at its meeting today (Thursday) for citizens to wear facemasks, but the recommendation became a requirement after Governor Greg Abbott’s latest executive order.
At the council’s meeting this afternoon, councilmembers heard from several residents who voiced their opinions on mandatory mask usage before giving their own thoughts on the matter.
After discussion, the council made a motion for city staff to amend the city’s current disaster declaration to not mandate, but “strongly encourage” the wearing of masks in public, as well as in areas and at events where crowds may gather. However, with Abbott’s newest order, citizens will be required to wear facemasks.
Prior to the meeting, the city received comments from approximately 37 citizens on the subject of mandatory facemasks, with 12 for and 25 against. Another four residents spoke at the meeting, all in opposition of a mandatory mask order.
Each member of the council expressed their favor of the public wearing masks, but cited enforceability concerns and possible negative effects on businesses as the reasons for not wanting to make masks a requirement.
Councilmember Susan Cantey said the city has been advised by trusted health officials that masks are an easy sacrifice to make for the health of the public, and believes masks should be treated as a health issue, not a political issue. However, she did not think the city would be able to effectively enforce an order. Councilmember Clint Kolby echoed Cantey, saying masks are advisable but “almost impossible” to enforce from a governmental perspective.
Councilmember Keith Herring said a mandatory mask order would accomplish the exact opposite of what the city is trying to do, and that is to draw everyone together. He said he wanted to leave the matter up to the community.
Councilmember Albert Wright said he strongly encourages the practice of wearing masks and hopes that people will follow the city’s recommendation, but that masks should not be mandated. Councilmember Adonna Saunders said each business and individual should be able to make their own decision on wearing masks, and that the decision should not be forced.
Councilmember Andrew Ebel stated he is in favor of everyone wearing a mask, saying it is the right thing to take care of one another.
Brenham Mayor Milton Tate was also in favor of keeping the wearing of masks up to the public, but expressed worries that the city may be forced to make a decision if the state of COVID-19 in the community gets worse.
City Manager James Fisher implored the public to wear masks, and to honor and respect the request of business owners that ask customers to wear masks. He said whether people agree or disagree on the orders, it is important to still be kind to one another.
Also in session, the council:
- Adopted updated and revised aviation minimum standards for the Brenham Municipal Airport. The matter was tabled at the council’s last meeting to allow for further discussion.
- Held a public hearing and approved an ordinance on its first reading granting a specific use permit to allow an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in an R-2 Mixed Residential Use zoning district at 501 Crockett Street in the Woodlawn Heights Addition in Brenham.
- Tabled action on temporarily closing state right-of-way and setting a noise variance for the July 19th community picnic at Henderson Park. The event has been postponed into the fall (see related story here).