BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR BRENHAM FAMILY PARK

  

The Brenham City Council will meet Thursday to potentially enter into a professional services agreement for the first phase of development at the Brenham Family Park.

The prospective agreement with Jones-Carter Engineering will cover professional services, amenity additions and utility extensions for the approximately 100-acre park project.  The engineering firm will assist with environmental reports, design decisions, amenity locations, bidding services and construction services.

Features identified in Phase 1(a) of the park include a one-mile concrete walking and biking trail, a lake or detention pond over four acres in size, parking, restrooms, trail lighting and playscapes.  According to Public Works Director Dane Rau, Phase 1(a) could begin as early as this summer.

The agreement is valued at $252,500, and will be paid for using funds set aside by the Brenham Community Development Corporation (BCDC).

The land for the park, donated by Ed and Evelyn Kruse in December 2013, is located just south of Highway 290 off South Chappell Hill Street, north of the Brenham State Supported Living Center.

Phase I(a) of the project is projected to cost $1.7 million and span 32 acres.  In August, the city was approved for a $750,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.  The city is providing a total contribution of just over $1 million for the project using funding set aside by the BCDC, which receives funding from local sales taxes.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, the council will hold a work session to discuss current policies and procedures for mobile food vendors and associated vendor permits.  City staff are seeking direction and feedback from the council after receiving inquiries on the city’s vendor permitting process and associated requirements.

According to Development Services Director Stephanie Doland, staff have received a request from a local downtown business to operate a food trailer in the city right-of-way while serving to patrons, and also overnight when the trailer is not in use.  In the past, overnight parking of the food trailer in the city right-of-way has not been allowed.  Discussion will be held on whether any current vendor requirements need to be changed and if additional regulations or policies need to be adopted.

The council will also consider:

• A resolution providing support for Sandy Point Housing, Ltd.’s submission of an application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs requesting 2021 competitive 9 percent housing tax credits for a single-family development in Brenham. Sandy Point Housing, Ltd. has proposed a development of 27 single-family homes for affordable rental housing on approximately 9 acres of land on Pecan Street.
• A ground space lease agreement with Aviators Plus, LLC for construction of a hangar at the Brenham Municipal Airport.
• An amendment to the professional services agreement with Strand Associates, Inc. for improvements to Old Chappell Hill Road.
• Accepting a bid for Old Chappell Hill Road improvements.
• Accepting a bid for the Ralston Creek lift station elevation project.
• A resolution amending the bylaws of the Brenham Community Development Corporation.
• Appointment of Jim Kolkhorst to the Brenham Community Development Corporation Board of Directors with a term ending December 31, 2022.

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