BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL FINALIZES SANITATION AGREEMENT WITH BIG

  

The City of Brenham’s agreement with Brannon Industrial Group (BIG) to outsource sanitation operations is now fully in the bag.

The Brenham City Council at its video/teleconference meeting this (Thursday) afternoon approved the final portion of the agreement, which transferred operations of the collection/transfer station on Old Chappell Hill Road from the city to BIG.  The council approved the general agreement and terms and conditions, in addition to the agreements for commercial and residential waste collection and recycling services, at its meeting March 5^th.

BIG will oversee all supervision, materials, equipment, labor, and all other items to operate the facility in accordance with the terms of the agreement.  The company will pay the city a $10,000 license payment per month for the license of the station, along with the necessary billing and franchise fees.

Hours of operation will remain unchanged, staying 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.  The station will only be closed for the New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holidays.  BIG will be responsible for all billing at the station.

Unlimited drop-off recycling will be available free of charge to any City of Brenham resident, as part of their monthly billing for sanitation services, but there will be a charge of $45 per year for non-City of Brenham residents, as well as businesses that do not opt in to the commercial recycling program.

Public Works Director Dane Rau said, divided out per month, the fee paid by county residents is the same as what city residents will pay throughout the year for these services.  The city’s Recycling Center on South Market Street will remain open until June 1^st.

The new rate schedule for services at the station has few major price changes from the previous one.  Commercial brush services per ton have increased from $22.50 per ton and $17.50 minimum to $32.50 per ton and $32.50 minimum.  The station will still take trash bags at $2 per bag.

Councilmember Keith Herring asked how any potential price changes would be approved, to which City Attorney Carey Bovey replied any rate adjustments will need to be sent to the city by July 1^st and approved by the council for the new fiscal year.  If approved, rate changes would go into effect October 1^st.

Monday, BIG began distributing new waste and recycling carts to city residents.  City Manager James Fisher said all carts will be delivered by the end of this week, adding that residents should take their carts off the streets until BIG begins collections the week of May 4^th.  Herring reminded residents to not throw away the flyers that come with the carts, which provide information on the garbage and recycling collection days.

During his COVID-19 report, Fisher said Brenham Economic Development Director Susan Cates is working with NextLink Internet to provide Internet “hot spots” in public places, so students can have Internet access to complete schoolwork.  Fisher said they are considering several places to put the “hot spots”, such as the city’s parks.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, the council:

• Granted the Brenham Housing Authority a specific use permit to allow for a multifamily development for approximately 5.5 acres south of East Blue Bell Road and bounded by East Blue Bell Road to the north, Henderson Park to the west, Hasskarl Drive to the east, and Matilda Street to the south. The Brenham Housing Authority is seeking to demolish 27 existing duplex units and replace them with an 80-unit multifamily development called Fairview Terrace.
• Approved a professional services agreement between the city and Strand Associates, Inc. to provide on-call engineering support services for 2020. The city will pay Strand Associates only for actual services performed; the cost of services is not to exceed $50,000.
• Approved a resolution expressing official intent to reimburse certain costs related to the raw water intake repair project at Lake Somerville. The council in February accepted a $4.9 million bid from Lindsey Construction for the project, which will be reimbursed by FEMA at a 75-25 percent share.  The city’s 25 percent will be financed through its utility fund.
• Approved a professional services agreement with the city and Strand Associates, Inc. for engineering services and resident project representative services for the raw water intake repairs at Lake Somerville.
• Accepted a donation of $50,000 from the City of Brenham Community Projects Fund, Inc. for the splashpad at Henderson Park.
• Approved a project services agreement between the city and MunicipalH20, for a one-time project fee of $22,500, related to regulatory compliance services and a risk and resilience assessment. MunicipalH20 provides regulatory compliance services for water and wastewater professionals.
• Approved an ordinance on its first reading to grant a non-exclusive franchise to Pronto Services, LLC to operate a roll-off container service for residents, businesses, and industries inside city limits. The company has been hired by a local church to assist with remodeling and construction debris.
• Tabled an amendment to the system water availability agreement between the city and Brazos River Authority for the temporary resale of water. It also tabled a water supply resale agreement between the city and the Dow Chemical Company related to the temporary resale of water.