BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TABLES ACTION ON TWO PROJECTS

  

Two items were tabled at today’s (Thursday’s) City Council meeting, both requiring more information before any action is taken.  Councilmembers tabled accepting a bid for Parking Lot Improvements at the All Sports Building at Hohlt Park.  The project was scheduled to utilize BCDC funds.  City Manager James Fisher asked that the item be tabled because part of the funding for the project was to come from savings from the improvement projects at the Blue Bell Aquatic Center.  He said those improvement projects have hit some snags, putting into question what if any savings would be available.  Local resident Linda Thomas also spoke to council and asked for the item to be tabled. She asked the council to consider funding a handicap accessible parking lot for the Blue Bell Aquatic Center.  She explained that the lot was part of the original design of the Aquatic Center, but was eliminated to save costs.

The other item that was tabled was a proposal to prohibit U-turns at both ends of the cloverleaf on Highway 290 and Highway 36.  Public Works Director Dane Rau said that said that they want to discuss the matter further with TxDOT and see if adding signage further west that would read Right Lane - Houston, Left Lane - Brenham would not work better.  He said they still need to address what happens when a driver misses the exit.

City Council did authorize repairs from storm damages at Henderson Park.  Council awarded a bid of $104,000 for the repairs to North Park Street and the drainage structure at Henderson Park that were damaged in the May 2016 flooding.   The project has been approved by FEMA for a 75/25 cost share.

Council also authorized the final payment for two projects that have been completed.  They approved the final payment for the storm damage repairs to the Jefferson Street crossing at Higgins Branch.  The final cost of the project was $501,000 and it has been submitted to FEMA, but they have not obligated any funding towards the repairs.  Council also approved the final payment for the repairs to Barbee Street for storm damage repairs.  The total cost of those repairs were $122,000 and the city is awaiting approval from FEMA on the project.