BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL ACCEPTS BID FOR PHASE ONE OF JACKSON STREET PARK UPGRADES

  

The Brenham City Council today (Thursday) accepted a bid to proceed with phase one of a suite of improvements to Jackson Street Park.

The council selected DL Meacham Construction out of Houston, the lowest bidder of eight companies that turned in proposals for the project.  It will add a new playscape and swing set, as well as four new pickleball courts adjacent to the six currently at the park.  The project also calls for improving electric infrastructure throughout the park, enhancing ADA and restrooms, and extending sidewalks.

City of Brenham Public Works Director Dane Rau said these upgrades coming to the park are long-awaited.

DL Meacham’s bid totals $1,180,960, including a base bid of $1,145,690 and an alternate of $35,270 to add shade covers for spectators at the pickleball courts.  The Brenham Community Development Corporation has already allocated over $1.5 million in local sales tax dollars toward the first phase of park improvements.  Additionally, Rau said the local pickleball organization has asked the city if there are any ways it can help contribute toward further advancements at the park.

Rau said construction crews should be onsite within the next 60 days and expects work should be done by the end of the year.

In other business, the council:

• Adopted a resolution of support for Washington County and the Expo, pertaining to the creation of a Project Financing Zone.  The county has asked the state to rebate the state’s portion of hotel occupancy taxes collected from hotel properties within a three-mile radius of the zone, in order to support projects intended to increase tourism.  State Representative Trey Wharton has filed a bill on the matter in the Texas Legislature.
• Approved a professional services agreement with Terracon Consultants, Inc. to perform material testing for the construction of Brenham Fire Station No. 2.  The agreement is for observation and testing for earthwork, reinforcing steel, foundation, masonry, cast-in-place, fireproofing, structural steel and project management during construction.  The cost of the agreement is not to exceed $75,260.
• Entered into a new lease agreement with Woodson Lumber Company for the old recycling center property at 307 South Market Street.  The company has leased the property since March 2021 for a monthly payment of $1,500, which will remain the same in the new agreement.
• Accepted the 2024 Fiscal Year audit from Seidel Schroeder.  The full audit report can be seen on the city’s website.
• Awarded a request for qualifications to Michael Baker International related to engineering and design services for the extension of Aviation Way at the Brenham Municipal Airport.  The project will use federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds.
• Accepted a project proposal from the Lower Colorado River Authority for a five-year electric engineering system study with electric system visual inspection, in the amount of $183,900. 
• Consulted with the city attorney in executive session about Brenham Police Department operations, personnel and associated matters.  No action was scheduled to be taken.

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