SOMAN, INCUMBENTS SWORN IN TO BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL

  

New and returning members of the Brenham City Council were sworn into office today (Thursday).

Four councilmembers were administered the oath of office, including newcomer Steve Soman, who fills the seat of Ward 1 Councilmember after defeating incumbent Shannan Canales in the May 3^rd election. 

Also receiving the oath were incumbents Dr. Paul LaRoche III for Ward 3, Clint Kolby for At-Large Position 5 and Leah Cook for At-Large Position 6.

Prior to the councilmembers being sworn in, an emotional Canales offered parting comments about her time on the council.  She said she will cherish the friendships and relationships she has built and thanked the community for the support she has received. 

Mayor Atwood Kenjura said Canales served the city “absolutely wonderfully.”  He welcomed Soman to the council and thanked LaRoche, Kolby and Cook for signing on for another four years.

Also at today’s meeting, the council:

• Held work session to discuss pending public finance legislation and how its passage could impact the city.
• Approved an amendment to the city’s rate tariff schedule for water utility services.  The increase to water rates was originally approved in April, but came back to council due to an oversight in the original rate calculation.  General Manager of Public Utilities William Bissette explained that there were some numerical errors that needed correction, and that the change does not affect the rate applied to customers. 
• Approved a professional services agreement with Michael Baker International, Inc. for engineering and design services to extend Aviation Way at the Brenham Municipal Airport.  Interim Airport Manager Jim Halley said the project is to design improvements to support future private development at the airport, and the city will work with TxDOT Aviation.  The amount for the agreement is not to exceed $248,400, with the local match portion of design services not to surpass $25,180.
• Approved a resolution authorizing the acceptance of public infrastructure improvements for the Saeger Street right-of-way adjacent to the Wilkins Valley subdivision. 
• Accepted a donation of $37,000 from the Fortnightly Club of Brenham for the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library.