BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION FOR WATER/WASTEWATER PROJECTS, DISCUSS VAPE & SMOKE SHOPS

  

Thursday’s meeting of the Brenham City Council will include action on issuing certificates of obligation (COs) for water and wastewater system improvements and holding discussion on whether to implement new restrictions for vape and smoke shops.

In January, the council gave notice of intent to issue up to $29,860,000 in COs.  The funds will be used for water and sanitary sewer system projects, as well as equipment purchases and facility improvements.

Following that, a work session will be held for the council to provide input on proposed amendments to city code regarding the operation of vape and smoke shops.  Specifically, the amendments would limit them to certain business and industrial zoning districts and adopt distance requirements between them and homes, schools, parks, churches, hospitals and other vape shops currently in operation.

At last month’s Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, commissioners recommended waiting for the Texas Legislature to handle the issue before making any decisions locally.  Lawmakers are considering several bills related to giving counties and municipalities more authority to regulate or prohibit the operation of e-cigarette retailers in certain locations.

Another regular session item will be a resolution to adopt a commercial tax phase-in agreement with Del Sol Food Company, the maker of BRIANNAS Fine Salad Dressing.  Councilmembers moved at their latest meeting to approve the creation of a reinvestment zone for Del Sol, a step needed for the city to enter into a tax abatement agreement with the company. 

Del Sol intends to build out its facility to house a bakery division in order to increase the amount of capacity for its non-salad dressing product lines and purchase equipment to enhance automation.  The total capital investment of the project is estimated at $14 million.  Del Sol currently has over 80 full-time employees in Brenham and seeks to add roughly 20 more.

In other business, the council will:

• Receive a presentation of the city’s first quarter financial report for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year.
• Hold executive session discussion on topics including the Brenham Police Department’s operations and personnel; a demand letter received by the city; and Randall Patterson v. City of Brenham, Cause No. 38495, 335^th Judicial District Court, Washington County.  No action is expected to be taken. 

The council will meet Thursday at 1 p.m. at Brenham City Hall.

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