BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL GIVES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FOOD TRUCK ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENTS
The Brenham City Council laid a path forward for the continued operation of two mobile food vendors in downtown Brenham at its meeting this (Thursday) afternoon.
The council held a public hearing to discuss right-of-way encroachment agreements for Country Sunshine and HSF Market, which have temporarily operated in right-of-way while the city created an ordinance to provide standards for mobile kitchens.
After discussion, the council indicated its favor of moving forward with a license agreement for Country Sunshine to locate its food truck in the adjacent street right-of-way of Douglas Street, in the parallel parking space, from Wednesday through Sunday. It was also in favor of a license agreement with HSF Market to operate in the Commerce Street parking lot from Wednesday to Sunday.
Development Services Director Stephanie Doland said both license agreements are for three years, because Country Sunshine intends to one day transition into a traditional restaurant environment with an on-site kitchen, while the hope for HSF Market is that additional mobile food vendor locations, such as the proposed downtown food truck park, become available.
For Country Sunshine, Doland said the food truck would move in at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays and would be removed by 4 p.m. on Sundays. No specific move-in or removal time for the HSF Market food trailer has been determined.
Both license agreements are expected to come before the council at its next meeting.
The council also approved a resolution adopting new fees for the city’s development services department applying to vendors, solicitors and food establishments. The new resolution allows mobile kitchens to receive a 45-day, 6-month and 1-year permit for $50, where previously they were required to renew every 45 days, amounting to $400 annually. Vendor permits will also transition from 30-day increments to 45-day, 6-month and 1-year periods to provide consistency with the mobile kitchen permit requirements.
During the administrative report portion of the meeting, Interim City Manager Carolyn Miller thanked all of the agencies and personnel who responded to the October 22nd gas leak at the site of the Baker Katz shopping center development, saying “teamwork is how we made it through this event.”
Also at today’s meeting, the council:
- Met in executive session to consult with the city attorney regarding City of Brenham v. WTG Gas Marketing, Inc.; Cause No. 37573, 335th Judicial District Court, Washington County.
- Received a presentation from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Texas regarding the global opioid litigation settlement and associated issues.
- Approved a project proposal from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for a five-year electric system study. Public Utilities Director Alton Sommerfield said the study will be used to identify necessary electric system improvements, analyze cost and budget needs, update operating manuals, evaluate Arc flash requirements, update fault duty at specific sites and identify long-term investment requirements for financial planning. He said the last time the city performed this study was in 2004. The contract amount is for $190,000 paid over 36 monthly payments of $5,277, and the study will be performed over a one-year period and delivered to the city in 2022.
- Approved an agreement with TxDOT to temporarily close state right-of-way in connection with the 2021 Lighted Christmas Parade on December 4th.
- Approved an ordinance authorizing and allowing updated service credits under the act governing the Texas Municipal Retirement System. The system is updated annually for service performed by qualifying members.