BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE BILL KENDALL IN EXECUTIVE SESSION

  

The Brenham City Council will seek legal counsel regarding matters with the Brenham Municipal Court at its meeting Thursday.

According to the posted agenda, the council will meet behind closed doors to consult with City Attorney Carey Bovey “regarding Brenham Municipal Court matters and associated issues, including but not limited to the presiding municipal court judge”. The current presiding judge is Bill Kendall, who is also the Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace for Washington County.

Once out of executive session, the council will act on the “evaluation, duties, suspension or removal of the presiding municipal court judge”. The reasoning for why Kendall’s position with the city is being discussed has not been made public.

Kendall has been the city’s municipal judge since May 2015, after the former judge Julian Wiesler passed away in January 2015.

Also in session, the council will consider adopting a $24,000 homestead exemption for city homeowners who are disabled. Back in 2006, the council approved an exemption of the same amount for homeowners 65 or older.

The council will also continue work session discussion on possibly amending the vehicles-for-hire section of the city’s code of ordinance. The city last met to discuss the item in work session on April 18^th.

The council will also:

• Issue second reading of ordinance establishing new signage rules.  The second reading adds language permitting the use of seasonal decorations for state and federally recognized holidays.
• Act on a change order with Barclay’s Premier Utility Services, LLC for Fiscal Year 2019 water main replacements.
• Discuss adoption of a new fee schedule for the city’s Development Services Department.
• Consider bids for annual concrete work.
• Consider ordinance abandoning a portion of Limit Street right-of-way.
• Discuss a contract for leased office automation equipment with Ricoh.  City staff are recommending to continue a three-year lease arrangement with Ricoh for the administrator copier machine at an estimated annual cost of $10,604.
• Consider an amendment to an agreement between the city and Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. for plan review, inspection, and permitting services for the Development Services Department.

The city council will meet Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m., at City Hall.