BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL APPROVES DRAINAGE UTILITY CHARGE, ANNEXATION, TAX REINVESTMENT ZONE EXPANSION

  

The Brenham City Council addressed a number of weighty topics at its meeting today (Thursday).

The council approved first reading of an ordinance setting the rate tariff schedules for a Drainage Utility Charge, for the municipal Drainage Utility System. The city is implementing the system and associated fee to establish a dedicated funding source for drainage maintenance and improvements.

A charge of $3.75 per month was approved for residential utility customers. The charge is based on the cost of drainage services and the contribution of stormwater runoff by residential and non-residential properties.  The maximum monthly charge for a non-residential property, based on impervious area of the parcel, is $300.

The new rate goes into effect January 1, 2020. Public Works Director Dane Rau said a calculator tool will be up on the city’s website later this month, to allow customers to calculate any new costs before the charge becomes effective.

Also in session, the council officially annexed roughly 44 acres of land at the intersection of FM 389, FM 332, and Industrial Boulevard; and 6/10ths of an acre at Scenic Estates, adjacent to the west side of Old Masonic Road. Councilmembers also adopted service plans for the tracts of land, and assigned industrial and single-family residential zoning to them respectively.

The city followed staff recommendation to postpone annexation of roughly 194 acres on the east side of Farmers Road—between FM 389 and Old Mill Creek Road—and the north side of Old Mill Creek Road—between the current city limit line and Jackson Creek. City staff made the recommendation in order to spend more time visiting with residents and get better calculations of costs involved.

The council also voted in favor of expanding the boundaries of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number One. The expansion includes just under 200 acres located along the Highway 290, South Market and West Main Street corridors, which will be added to the approximately 2,201 acres approved last December.  Following the expansion, councilmembers then approved the final project and finance plan for Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number One.

The council also:

• Held executive session to discuss real property regarding the Barnhill Center at the Historic Simon Theater, along with the appointment and compensation of an additional municipal court associate judge.
• Recognized the winners of the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library’s 3^rd Annual Teen Writing Contest.  Kaylee Gibson won in the Songwriting Category, and Kathryn Meachem won for Short Stories.
• Approved appointments for the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number One Board of Directors.  Appointed were Mayor Milton Tate (board chair), Susan Cantey (board secretary), Keith Herring, Clint Kolby (board vice chair), Andrew Ebel, Albert Wright, Adonna Saunders, Gary Crocker, and Tom Whitehead.  Each member will serve a term expiring December 31, 2020.
• Issued first reading of an ordinance repealing sections of city ordinance pertaining to municipal court funds and fees.  The ordinance is so the city will be compliant under Senate Bill 346 passed in the 86th Legislature, which establishes a $14 court cost that the municipal treasurer must allocate.
• Issued first reading of an ordinance amending the Fire Prevention and Protection chapter of city ordinance.
• Approved the changing of zoning of just under 2/10ths of an acre at 406 Church Street from mixed residential use to commercial research and technology use. The property was recently acquired by the Bank of Brenham, who is looking to move or demolish the current residence on the property and use the lot to provide additional parking for customers and employees.