KENJURA TAKES OFFICE AS BRENHAM MAYOR; LaROCHE, WRIGHT, SAUNDERS SWORN IN TO COUNCIL

  

Newly elected mayor of Brenham, Atwood Kenjura, was sworn in at the city council’s meeting this (Thursday) afternoon, marking the official beginning of the next era of city leadership.

Kenjura succeeds Milton Tate, who had served as mayor for nearly 20 years and administered the oath of office to turn the seat over.  Kenjura defeated Keith Hofmann in the May 6^th election after Tate chose not to run again.

Also sworn in were new Ward 3 councilmember Dr. Paul LaRoche, who fills the position formerly held by Kenjura, and returning Ward 2 and Ward 4 councilmembers, Albert Wright and Adonna Saunders.  All three were uncontested in the spring election. 

After the conclusion of the swearing-in ceremonies, Kenjura commented that he is honored to serve as Brenham’s next mayor.  He said the city has some challenging times ahead, but he is confident that the council and city staff can meet those challenges head-on and feels strongly that they can “keep Brenham Brenham.”

Once it was time to choose a mayor pro tem, the council unanimously decided to have Clint Kolby continue handling the role.      

The council also presented Tate with a commemorative gavel to thank him for his service and congratulate him on his retirement.

In other business today, councilmembers:

• Received a presentation on guidelines for filming in Brenham and the process to be certified as a Film Friendly Texas community.
• Adopted an ordinance on its first reading to nominate Blue Bell Creameries to the Office of the Governor’s Economic Development and Tourism division as a Texas Enterprise Zone project.  Blue Bell plans to invest over $10 million in capital improvements at its Brenham facility via new construction and facility and equipment upgrades.  Qualifying as an enterprise project would mean the company can receive reimbursement for the state portion of sales and use tax paid as a part of the business expansion.
• Accepted a $42,500 donation from the Fortnightly Club of Brenham for the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library.  The donation comes from proceeds from the club’s annual used book sale.
• Accepted a bid from Capital Underground Utilities, LLC for $377,242 to replace combination air release valves on the raw water main.  Public Utilities Project Manager Shawn Bolenbarr said the valves being replaced are the original ones from when the lake line was first installed 32 years ago.  The project will be paid for using American Rescue Plan Act grant proceeds.
• Approved a resolution regarding policies and procedures required to be adopted by grant recipients for the award of the federally funded Texas Community Development Block Grant program.  The resolution is part of the requirements related to the grant, in which the city was awarded $350,000 for street and drainage improvements to Carrington Lane.
• Held executive session discussion regarding Aviators Plus v. City of Brenham; cause no. 37896; 21^st Judicial District Court, Washington County.  There was also discussion regarding legal issues concerning the city’s Lake Somerville raw water intake structure, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and associated matters.  No action was scheduled to be taken.