BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER ADDING NEW PROVISIONS TO BAKER KATZ AGREEMENT

  

The Brenham City Council will consider a possible amendment to the city’s economic development agreement with Baker Katz concerning the firm’s shopping center project at its meeting Thursday.

After meeting in executive session to discuss the project, located on 35 acres of land at the Highway 290-Chappell Hill Street intersection, councilmembers will potentially revise the agreement to add several provisions.

Those provisions include requiring Baker Katz to purchase certain building materials locally; requiring contractors to use separated building materials and labor contracts if those contracts exceed $50,000; outlining reimbursement opportunities up to $1 million, if the buildings within the development adhere to a certain “decorative elements threshold”; and committing Baker Katz to additional funds for the installation of underground electricity costs along the west side of Chappell Hill Street.

City staff have been directed to offer additional reimbursement to Baker Katz if it could provide additional masonry and certain approved building materials.  Staff have worked with the firm and their architect to define certain façade masonry requirements and establish building material thresholds in an effort to create a shopping center that is also compatible with the adjacent Brenham Family Park.

The shopping center was originally planned to open its doors by spring of 2021, but delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed that date back to spring of 2022.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, the council will hold work session to hear discussion and updates on 2020 holiday events in Brenham and the city’s continued COVID-19 restriction and recovery efforts.  It will also receive a report on 2019-20 Fiscal Year municipal court statistics, a 4^th quarter tourism report by Visit Brenham, and a 4^th quarter economic development report.

Councilmembers will also hold a public hearing concerning a request to correct an error in city ordinance pertaining to zoning for the Lakes of Vintage Farms planned development.

The council will also consider:

• A joint proclamation of the City of Brenham and Washington County related to the 2020 Christmas Stroll and Lighted Parade to be held on December 4^th and 5^th. The council will also consider a resolution authorizing an agreement with TxDOT for the temporary closure of state right of way in connection with the parade.
• An amendment to a resolution approving the submission of a grant application to the Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Division for the rifle-resistant body armor grant program. Grant Manager Jan Adkins advised city staff that the resolution needed to be amendment to include additional language.
• A resolution to accept a $28,696 grant from the Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Division for the rifle-resistant body armor grant program. No matching funds are required from the city for this grant.
• A master subscription service agreement between the city and MUNIRevs, Inc. for the MUNIRevs Vacation Rental Compliance Module, LODGINGRevs. The platform will aid both the city and Washington County in the tracking of local short-term rentals and the collection of Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenue.  Washington County Commissioners approved the county’s half of the agreement at their meeting Tuesday.
• A resolution consenting to the creation of the Pecan Glen Road District within the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) of the city. Roads within the subdivision have deteriorated, and without an active Homeowners Association in the subdivision, property owners have found a desirable option for financing the reconstruction of the roads to be the creation of a road district.

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

Click here to view the agenda packet for Thursday's meeting.