CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, ECONOMIC ITEMS, FILMING IN DOWNTOWN AMONG BUSINESS FOR BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL

  

A packed agenda awaits the Brenham City Council at its meeting today (Thursday).

Among the items to consider are the authorization to issue up to $10 million in certificates of obligation for the building of a new fire station and in-house street, sidewalk and drainage upgrades. 

The bonds would have a projected split of approximately $8 million for the fire station, which would be located at the intersection of James Nutt Boulevard and Handley Street in the Brenham Business Center, and $2 million for the road and drainage construction.  The first bond payment would come on August 15^th.

Also planned for discussion is a series of public hearings and action items for various economic matters.  They include the potential creation of commercial tax phase-in reinvestment zones for Valmont Industries and North Park Development LLC, a tax phase-in agreement with Stanpac USA LLC, and a Chapter 380 agreement with Academy Sports + Outdoors.

If approved, the reinvestment zones would mark 80 acres at 2551 Valmont Drive and 2.99 acres at 1809 North Park Street as eligible for tax phase-in.  Valmont is renovating to improve the site’s manufacturing capabilities, while PlanNorth Architectural Co. is expanding from its current office space at 107 South Baylor Street.

Stanpac is asking for tax phase-in incentives for eligible property improvements and job creation at its location at 801 Mangrum Street.  The company is looking to increase its product offerings and add new employees.

The Chapter 380 agreement with Academy Sports + Outdoors, to be located inside the Brenham Market Square development between Cantey Street and Chappell Hill Street, outlines $1.5 million in sales tax reimbursement to the company.  The amount would be shared by the city, Washington County and the Brenham Community Development Corporation, with the city’s portion being $500,000.

There are also resolutions of support to vote on, concerning partial closures on Alamo and Market Streets that are needed for Ick Productions LLC to film in downtown on August 2^nd and August 3^rd.  The production company’s associate producer, Frank Anthony, has met with city staff and business owners who would be affected by the closures. 

Per the resolutions included in the agenda packet, the August 2^nd closure of Alamo Street, between Austin Street and Park Street, would be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The August 3^rd closure of Market Street, between Alamo Street and Main Street, would last from 4:30 to 9 p.m., while the same day’s closure of Alamo Street, between Park Street and Baylor Street, would take place from 9 to 11:30 p.m.

Also in session, the council will:

• Act on a memorandum of agreement between the city and Blinn College for the use of soccer fields at Hohlt Park.
• Consider a lease agreement between the city and Brenham RC Airplane Club for property at 2080 Old Navasota Road.
• Consider amending authorized signatories for Bank of Brenham.
• Hold executive session discussion regarding Aviators Plus v. City of Brenham, Texas, Cause No. 37896, 21^st Judicial District Court, Washington County.  There will also be discussion about the legal issues concerning the city’s raw water intake structure at Lake Somerville, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and associated matters.

The council meets at 1 p.m. at Brenham City Hall.

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