BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL APPROVES ELECTION ITEMS
Brenham City Councilmembers met Thursday to approve a slate of items relating to the municipal elections on May 1st.
The council called a general election for the seats of Ward One Councilmember Keith Herring, Ward Three Councilmember Andrew Ebel, At-Large Position Five Councilmember Clint Kolby, and At-Large Position Six Councilmember Susan Cantey. It also approved an election services contract between the city and Washington County, along with an interlocal agreement between the city, Brenham ISD, and Blinn College.
City Secretary Jeana Bellinger said there are a few changes to the election contract, including naming the Washington County chief deputy elections clerk as the city’s early voting deputy clerk.
Other changes include an increased rental cost of about $800 for election equipment, additional duties for the county to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), and allowing election judges—rather than the Brenham Police Department—to handle the delivery of election equipment.
Currently, both Herring and Kolby have announced their intent to run for re-election.
Also at Thursday’s meeting, the council approved payment of $148,691 to Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to install underground electric distribution facilities for the Baker Katz retail development project.
The utility lines will be buried on the west side of Chappell Hill Street and run south to the end of the Baker Katz property. Bluebonnet Electric will construct the project, which will include boring multiple crossings to serve the east side of Chappell Hill Street in the future. It will also include installing a conduit and bases for street lighting.
Wesley Brinkmeyer of Bluebonnet Electric said the cooperative typically begins construction about five weeks after receiving payment, and expects about four weeks’ worth of construction.
The council also approved a consulting services agreement between the city and Gas Supply Consulting, Inc. to assist with the acquisition of natural gas supply and natural gas transportation services. The cost of the agreement will not exceed $23,850.
Services will include reviewing the city’s natural gas requirements, negotiating and acquiring a natural gas transportation service by discussing facility capabilities and service offerings with current and proposed pipelines connected to the city’s municipal gas system, and negotiating and acquiring a natural gas supply service via competitive bid process.
Assistant City Manager of Public Services and Utilities Donald Reese said the city currently has a bundled gas supply contract with West Texas Gas, but he anticipates the contract will expire on October 31st. Reese said this agreement will allow the city to go out to find suppliers, which could end up being West Texas Gas or another supplier.