BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL AGREES TO LEASE FORMER RECYCLING CENTER PROPERTY TO WOODSON LUMBER CO.

  

Use of the former Brenham Recycling Center property is shifting hands to a local lumber business.

The Brenham City Council at its meeting this (Thursday) afternoon voted to approve an agreement to lease the property, located at 307 South Market Street, to Woodson Lumber Company.  The agreement begins on May 1^st.

Assistant City Manager of Public Services and Utilities Donald Reese said the company expressed interest in leasing the property from the city to expand operations.

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The property has been unused since May 2020 when the recycling center closed, coming after the city outsourced sanitation operations to Brannon Industrial Group.  As part of the new sanitation agreement, recycling operations moved to the collection station at 2009 Old Chappell Hill Road.

The lease agreement is for a one-year term, with the possibility of renewing for three additional one-year periods.  Per the agreement, Woodson Lumber Company will pay $1,500 per month, and will be responsible for all utilities, improvements, and facility maintenance.

This meeting was the last formal meeting for Councilmembers Andrew Ebel and Susan Cantey, who announced earlier this year that they would not seek re-election.  Ebel was first elected in 1992 and served on the council through 2004, before being re-elected in 2007.  Cantey began serving on the council in 2017 after an uncontested race.

Atwood Kenjura will replace Ebel on the council after being the lone candidate to file for the position.  Meanwhile, Cantey’s seat will be filled by either Albert Buchanan or Leah Cook.

Also at today’s meeting, the council:

• Accepted a quote from Smith Pump Company, Inc. for $47,602 for repairs at the Lake Somerville intake pump station #1. City staff recommended the pump be removed from service to make necessary repairs after crews found excessive vibration at the pump during an inspection.
• Accepted a bid from Gene’s Services for mowing, maintenance and clean-up services for various city buildings, public properties and parking lot areas. The term of the contract is for three years, with the option to renew for another two years.  The estimated total cost annually is $58,186.
• Amended a chapter of the city’s code of ordinances in relation to the transition to online payment of hotel occupancy taxes.
• Approved a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Texas Department of Agriculture for the Community Development Block Grant Program for Rural Texas.