BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE ON CODE AMENDMENTS FOR CAR WASHES & DATA CENTERS, INCREASE TO WATER RATES

  

The Brenham City Council will act Thursday on proposed code amendments that will add new restrictions for car washes and data centers, as well as the third round of scheduled annual water rate increases.

Last week, the Brenham Planning and Zoning Commission gave its recommendation supporting amendments that will require new car washes or existing ones that undergo a large renovation to utilize water recycling systems, low-flow spray nozzles or other means to limit water usage to 55 gallons per vehicle wash, unless they are using private water well systems.  Additionally, car washes would only be allowed with the approval of a specific use permit. 

The commission also recommended amendments that will officially define data centers and designate them as specific uses in industrial districts, meaning they would have to go through two public hearings and a property-specific analysis.  Further, they will be subject to prohibitions on using water-based cooling methods, as well as requirements to submit electric demand reports; screen all ground-mounted equipment; adhere to a minimum of one off-street parking space per 300 square feet of floor area used for office, meeting, training or security personnel uses; and maintain at least 300 feet of distance between any data center building or ancillary equipment and the property line of a residential or public institutional use.

The votes on the code amendments will follow a public hearing.

Later in the meeting, councilmembers will take up another planned increase to the city’s water rates, following two other increases in 2024 and 2025.  The rate hikes are meant to address the city’s rising costs, mainly driven by new debt associated with expansion of the water treatment plant and groundwater well projects.

The minimum monthly bill for city residents is expected to go up by $1.77 for the first 3,000 gallons of water used.  The paid rates per 1,000 gallons used are also slated to go up between the thresholds of 3,001 – 10,000 gallons, 10,001 – 25,000 gallons, and over 25,000 gallons.

For commercial and industrial customers, the minimum charge for 3,000 gallons is increasing based on the size of the customer’s water meter, though the rates for the smallest meter sizes of 5/8” or 3/4" are not changing.  As with residential customers, the rate per 1,000 gallons used will rise in correlation with the three gallon usage tiers of 3,001 – 10,000, 10,001 - 25,000, and over 25,000. 

A full breakdown of the proposed rate increases can be seen here.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, the council will consider issuing a purchase order to Blackmon Mooring for construction-related services to be performed at the City of Brenham Maintenance and Gas Department office, 506 South Austin Street, in the amount of $737,311.  The construction is due to a building fire on October 29, 2025. 

Another item of note will be a professional services agreement with M2L Associates Inc. for landscape architectural plans, bidding, and construction management services for an open space playground and amenity project at the Brenham Family Park.  The agreement is for $127,000.

In other business, the council will:

• Take up a request for proposals for alcohol and concession services at The Barnhill Center. 
• Vote on a professional services agreement with EMPACT Engineering, LLC for engineering services related to the city’s long-term fiber study in an amount not to exceed $72,000.
• Consider a memorandum of understanding between the city, the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Texas Emergency Management Assistance Teams related to responsibilities and procedures for emergency activities. 
• Act on a request for proposals for wrecker and towing services.
• Hold executive session discussion regarding the Brenham Municipal Airport, its operations and services, and associated matters.  There will also be talks about the appointment, employment, evaluation and duties of a new city manager.  No action is expected to be taken.

The council will meet Thursday at 2 p.m. at Brenham City Hall.  The meeting is being held an hour later than normal due to the Brenham Police Department’s 100 Year Celebration Luncheon being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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