BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL DEBATES TAX CREDIT APARTMENT PROJECT

  

The Brenham City Council is divided on the possibility of a subsidized housing project coming to Brenham.

While no action was taken, councilmembers discussed at length today (Thursday) the specifics of The Bluebonnet, a workforce housing community comprised of 52 apartment units, and debated whether the project would benefit Brenham’s housing landscape.  The development, which would be located on 6.11 acres on Prairie Lea Street, is seeking a resolution of support from the council in order to receive funding from the state.

Ina Spokas, Vice President of Development for KCG Companies, who is overseeing the project, said the tenants for this community would primarily be working families and individuals who make between minimum wage and $20 an hour.

 

Spokas said the 52 units in the community would range between 1 bed-1 bath and 3 bed-2 bath apartments, approximately 800-1,200 square feet in size.  Amenities would include secured entry, full perimeter fencing, a fitness center, a business center and outdoor recreational features such as a swimming pool, gazebos, barbecue grills and picnic tables.  Six of the units would be market value, while the other 46 would be priced at income brackets of 30 percent, 50 percent and 60 percent Area Median Income.

Prospective tenants would need to income-qualify and pass both financial background checks and criminal background checks.  Restrictions of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program prohibit full-time student households from occupying units.

Much of the council’s discussion was spent on the city’s current inventory of tax-credit housing.  According to data provided by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), Brenham ranks 77^th out of 1,746 Texas cities in the amount of subsidized housing units, the top 4.4 percent of cities in the state.  However, Brenham | Washington County Economic Development Director Susan Cates noted that out of the 532 units in Brenham, only 76 of those are not age-restricted to the elderly or part of the Brenham Housing Authority.

Councilmembers Shannan Canales, Leah Cook and Clint Kolby were in favor of moving forward with the project, citing the need and demand for additional housing.  However, Mayor Milton Tate and councilmembers Atwood Kenjura and Adonna Saunders appeared to oppose it, saying other cities have been able to address their housing problems without adding more subsidized housing.

As with the Sandy Point Housing project that came before the council last February, since the city has over two times the state average of housing tax credits per capita, the city must approve a resolution of support in order for the TDHCA to grant funding for the project.

The council is expected to vote on whether to back the proposal at its next meeting.

Also at today’s meeting, the council:

• Voted to adopt the 2022 Thoroughfare Plan, a supplement to the city’s Comprehensive Plan that acts as a wish list of major public improvements and developments over the next 20 years.
• Authorized the issuance and sale of the City of Brenham’s 2022 certificates of obligation. The city accepted the bid of BOK Financial Securities, Inc. in Dallas at a rate of 2.13 percent.  The proceeds from the sale, not to exceed $10 million, will be used for construction and upgrades to city facilities and infrastructure.
• Amended the professional services agreement with Hodde & Hodde Land Surveying, Inc. related to the construction of a 6-inch gas main loop along the west side of FM 577 from East Alamo Street to Brown Street. The amendment increases the amount to finish the project by $34,500 in order to complete the gas loop by extending 6-inch gas pipe along FM 577, from Brown Street to Gay Hill Street.
• Amended the professional services agreement with Hodde & Hodde Land Surveying, Inc. related to the city’s raw water intake system. The amendment is an increase of $7,500 for additional research and work required to update existing easements, improving monumentation and adding easements for lake intake structures.
• Accepted the bid of Hahn Equipment Company for $94,400 for the Ralston Creek lift station pumps.
• Consulted with the city attorney in executive session regarding potential mediation with former Brenham Fire Chief Ricky Boeker, as well as City of Brenham v. WTG Gas Marketing, Inc.; Cause No. 37573; 335^th Judicial District Court, Washington County.