BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL APPROVES PURCHASE OF FIRE TRUCKS, ACCEPTS BID FOR DRAINAGE PROJECTS

  

The Brenham City Council authorized several purchases at its meeting today (Thursday).

The first purchase was for two new Pierce ladder trucks for the Brenham Fire Department to replace the current ladder trucks that are from 2007.  The total price is $3.95 million.

Maintenance Supervisor Stephen Draehn, who is also Assistant Chief for the volunteer side of the Brenham Fire Department, said making the purchase now saves the city some money, as a 7 percent price increase goes into effect on November 1^st.  There is a lead time of 42 to 43 months on the build process for the trucks.

Fire Chief Mark Donovan said once the new trucks arrive, the goal is to sell the existing ones on the open market, as the department feels it will be able to get a better return that way than if it opted to trade them in.

Donovan said many fire department fleets strive to have their vehicles in frontline service for 10 to 12 years, followed by another 8 to 10 years in reserve status.  As the trucks get older, they are more prone to break down, while the parts to make repairs are harder to come by.  He said the current ladder trucks have already experienced some time out of service while waiting on parts.

Councilmembers also accepted a bid from Solid Bridge Construction for drainage and flood projects stemming from Hurricane Harvey.  The cost is $5.42 million, but most will be covered by a grant received from the General Land Office; the initial grant was for $5.01 million, but the city was left with $4.03 million after engineering, grant management and environmental services costs.

Public Works Director Dane Rau said this work will take several problem areas and make much-needed upgrades.

The sites that will be addressed are the Burleson Street low water crossing, Higgins Branch Creek at Henderson Park, Hogg Branch Creek from Key Street to Day Street, and drainage improvements on Jefferson Street, Baylor Street, East Commerce Street, Dark Street, Seelhorst Street, Clinton Street and Tom Dee Street.

For both the fire trucks and the city’s remaining balance due for the drainage projects, the council approved resolutions expressing official intent to reimburse certain costs from the future issuance of certificates of obligation.  It also gave approval for an interfund loan from the electric fund to the drainage fund to cover the city portion of the drainage projects, up to a maximum of $1.52 million.   

In other business, the council:

• Purchased new outdoor holiday LED lighting along the rooflines of businesses and buildings in downtown Brenham for $57,590.  Main Street Manager Leigh Linden said this is the first phase and will focus on the immediate downtown area. 
• Approved the purchase and installation of a new irrigation pump station at Hohlt Park from Greenscapes Six for $141,536.
• Purchased a new shade structure for the Blue Bell Aquatic Center from Adventure Playground Systems, valued at $51,721.
• Approved the Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP) grant agreement with TxDOT for the 2025 Fiscal Year.  The maximum annual reimbursement from the state for the grant is $100,000, with a 10 percent match from the city at $11,111 for a total grant of $111,111 for the fiscal year. 
• Approved a variance request concerning 6.64 acres at 1733 Burleson Street.  The property owners, Garrett Salmans and Ronda Kilburn, wish to develop the vacant property with a single-family home.  However, the subject property does not meet the minimum access requirements, as the city’s subdivision ordinance requires that lots be provided with adequate access to an existing or proposed public street by frontage on such street.  The variance is to remove the requirement to have property frontage on a public right-of-way.  The item was previously recommended for approval on September 23^rd by the Brenham Planning and Zoning Commission. 

Click here to view the agenda packet for Thursday's meeting.