BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO CONTINUE CLOVERLEAF DISCUSSION
The Brenham City Council will revisit the topic of proposed improvements to the Highway 290-36 cloverleaf interchange at its meeting Thursday.
The council will hold a workshop to discuss each of TxDOT’s improvement plans for the interchange before issuing a letter or resolution of support for one of the plans.
The subject was discussed at length during a workshop December 3rd including the council and Washington County Commissioners, who reviewed all five of TxDOT’s concepts for the redesign of the interchange. At the council’s meeting the same day, City Manager James Fisher recommended holding off until this week’s meeting to choose which of the five concepts it prefers.
At the workshop, most in attendance were in favor of the second concept shown: a direct connection placing new lanes for Highway 290 just south of the current interchange. Aspects of individual plans could be combined in order to create the most desirable plan moving forward.
The council will also hold a workshop to receive an update on the tax phase-in review process for 2020 and discuss plans in place for 2021. The Joint Compliance Committee for Tax Phase-In is made up of representatives appointed by both the city and county. While the committee normally meets each spring to review compliance on each company, this year’s meeting was postponed due to COVID-19.
Currently, ten companies have active tax phase-in agreements, including Blue Bell Creameries, Longwood Elastomers (2020 final year), Precision Polymer Engineering / GSL, Tempur Sealy, StanPac, Moser Community Media, D Bar B Sausage – also known as Kountry Boys Sausage, MIC East, MIC West, and Del Sol Foods.
Following the council’s regular meeting, councilmembers will meet in executive session to consult with the city attorney regarding pending litigation and claims: T. Hyde v. Washington County Sheriff's Department, City of Brenham and Brenham Police Department; D. Guyton v. City of Brenham, Texas, et al.; claims of R. Robinson alleged against the City of Brenham and additional persons and entities.
Also at Thursday’s meeting, the council will consider:
- The termination of the March 19th interlocal agreement between the city and county for economic development services, and the approval of a new agreement between the two effective January 1st. Commissioners approved the county’s half of the agreement at their meeting Tuesday.
- The purchase and installation of a restroom facility for the Henderson Park splash pad.
- The purchase of radio frequency identification solutions – FE Technologies Smart Bin for the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library. Library staff say the addition of an automated book return bin for the back-staff area will increase staff efficiencies and improve the self-service experience.
- Appointing nine members to serve on the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors for a period of two years beginning January 1st. It will also consider the appointment of a board member to serve as chairman of the board for a period of one year starting January 1st.
- A resolution amending the policies and procedures for City of Brenham boards and commissions.
- Recommendations for appointments and reappointments to various city boards and commissions.
The council will meet Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Brenham City Hall.