BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER SKYDIVING LEASE AGREEMENT AT AIRPORT

  

The Brenham City Council will potentially take action to bring a skydiving operation to Brenham at its meeting today (Thursday).

The council will review and possibly approve a land lease agreement with Skydive Freedom for a parachute landing zone at the Brenham Municipal Airport.

The proposed land lease would be located in a 3.59 acre area east of Aviation Way in a floodplain that cannot be developed.  The initial term is for one year, with a renewal period of five years.  The agreement states that Skydive Freedom would be required to maintain the lease area in a clean and orderly manner at its own expense.

Much discussion was held on the topic at the council’s previous meeting, where several people voiced various concerns about having skydiving at the airport.  Those concerns included how communication protocols between the pilot of the skydiving aircraft and general aviators would be enforced.  City staff are considering the possibility of hiring a full-time airport manager.

Some also had qualms about the safety of a proposed secondary landing zone, which would be located between the taxiway and the runway.  Skydive Freedom Managing Partner Tony Cascino said if need be, the company could operate without the secondary zone and only use the primary landing area.  If a secondary zone is later deemed necessary, a separate land lease could be brought before the council.

Councilmembers had intended to hold an executive session today to discuss an update to legal proceedings in the city’s legal battle with its gas provider, stemming from a dispute of gas prices during Winter Storm Uri.  However, the hearing that was scheduled for this morning at 9:30 a.m. in 335^th District Court has been rescheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2022.

Also at today's meeting, the council will consider:

• Possible action after a public hearing for a specific use permit for a garage apartment at 405 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway. On November 15^th, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request on the condition that a variance be granted by the Board of Adjustment for the east side yard setback.  The city’s current accessory dwelling unit (ADU) standards require that an ADU be 10 feet from the side property line.  The existing concrete slab from a prior garage that was removed sits approximately 6.5 feet from the property line, and will require a variance to the east side setback.
• Repealing a resolution giving notice of the city’s intent to issue certificates of obligation and approving a second resolution authorizing the publication of notice of intent. According to the agenda packet, the first notice, authorized in September, did not meet the requirements of being posted on the city’s website.  The certificates of obligation for the 2021-22 Fiscal Year budget, not to exceed $10 million, cover general government, wastewater and water system utility projects.  The general government projects total $4.25 million and include $845,000 for fire apparatus, $350,000 for improvements to city hall, $744,000 for street equipment, $619,000 for in-house street reconstruction/rebuild and $1.7 million for contractor street and drainage improvements.  Wastewater utility improvements of $2.24 million include two new lift stations and sewer force main improvements.  The $3 million in water utility improvements are for the Lake Somerville intake structure.
• A resolution regarding the election of members to the Washington County Appraisal District Board of Directors.
• A resolution adopting new policies and procedures for city boards and commissions. Proposed changes include the removal of the Airport Advisory Board from the policy; reducing the number of members on the Animal Services Board from seven to five and the number of citizen members from three to one; adding descriptions for the new Tourism Advisory Board and Historic Preservation Board; amending attendance requirements to allow for only three consecutive, unexcused absences; and adding the requirement that all agendas, packets and minutes of advisory boards and committees be posted to the city’s website.
• A change order and final payment to Lindsey Construction, Inc. for the raw water intake repair project at Lake Somerville. Cost savings in the $4.99 million project resulted in a change order credit to the city in the amount of $104,175.  The final payment for the project amounts to $244,790.
• Executive session discussion with the city attorney regarding City of Brenham v. WTG Gas Marketing, Inc., Cause No. 37573, 335^th Judicial District Court.

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

Click here to read the agenda packet for today's meeting.