BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TALKS LOCAL DISASTER DECLARATION, RECEIVES DETAILS ON STATE EXECUTIVE ORDER
The Brenham City Council discussed the details of an executive order issued by Governor Greg Abbott this (Thursday) afternoon, which imposed restrictions and bans to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Abbott’s order, which takes effect midnight tomorrow (Friday) and lasts through midnight April 3rd, limits social gatherings of more than ten people, closes bars and restaurant dining areas, gyms, and massage parlors. Drive-thru, pickup, and delivery options for restaurants are still allowed and are “highly encouraged”.
In addition, schools will close through at least April 3rd, although districts are not prevented from offering online learning. Visitors will not be allowed at nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities, unless to provide critical assistance.
The order does not prohibit people from visiting places like grocery stores, gas stations, parks, or banks, as long as necessary precautions are being taken to reduce the potential transmission of COVID-19. It also does not mandate a shelter-in-place order for the state. All critical infrastructure will remain operational, domestic travel will remain unrestricted, and government entities and businesses will continue to provide essential services.
Wednesday, Brenham Mayor Milton Tate signed a seven-day local disaster declaration of a public health emergency. The council considered extending the declaration until May 31st, but opted by a 6-1 vote to table the extension and keep the Mayor’s declaration in place, which will expire on March 26th. Councilmember Susan Cantey voted against.
According to City Manager James Fisher, one of the main reasons for wanting to extend the disaster declaration through May was to allow local hoteliers—managers or owners of hotels—more time to file monthly tax reports and payments of Hotel Occupancy Taxes, saying local hotels have been struggling. Cantey agreed, and thus voted against in the council’s motion to table the extension of the local disaster declaration.
At a meeting where no more than ten people were allowed in the city council chambers, aligning with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several members of the council and of other governing bodies had plenty to say.
One of those was Councilmember Keith Herring, who stated the mayor and city manager went around the council and signed the disaster declaration without letting councilmembers know about it. He said he was “deeply offended” that he heard about this decision through the grapevine, and believes this was “a knee-jerk reaction”. He said the agreement could have at least been sent to them before it was signed, adding he has lost a lot of trust in the mayor and city manager.
Washington County Commissioner Joy Fuchs was also in attendance and echoed Herring’s comments.
Washington County Chamber of Commerce President Wende Ragonis repeated her comments made this morning during the emergency meeting of commissioners, maintaining faith in local officials and advocating for local businesses.
Fisher also went over the methods the city is implementing in order to combat COVID-19, such as creating a response and recovery team and partnering with Washington County EMS to operate a Public Information Call Center. He acknowledged that many businesses are hurting, and the city is very concerned about their ability to survive. He also said he believes this situation is not something that is going to end any time soon, so the city is doing what it can to evaluate all city revenues and expenses.
Fisher concluded by saying that social distancing does not mean social disengagement, and that everyone needs to use common sense to get through this together.
Also in session, the council:
- Held executive session discussion on the development, operation and possible acquisition of the Barnhill Center, after meeting in executive session to discuss the matter. The Brenham Main Street Historical Preservation, Inc. has been unsuccessful in raising enough money to pay an upcoming principal and interest payment of roughly $100,000, and asked the council to consider transitioning into full operation and oversight of the facility. The council chose to not offer financial assistance to the Barnhill Center at this time. The council also consulted with the city attorney in executive session regarding an EEOC charge.
- Authorized the acceptance of Phase II of public improvements in the Vintage Farms subdivision.
- Approved a project to extend a six-inch gas main along North Blue Bell Road from East Alamo Street to Brown Street and related service contracts, including but not limited to: a professional services agreement with Hodde and Hodde Land Surveying, Inc. for topography surveying and general engineering services; and a small services agreement with G&M Innovations, LLC for boring services.
- Approved an interlocal agreement between the city and Washington County related to economic development services. The agreement, which was approved by Washington County Commissioners at their meeting Tuesday, will allow city officials—in this case, Brenham Economic Development Director Susan Cates—to meet with commissioners in executive session. While the agreement does not involve an exchange of funds, the council did want to ensure Cates will be reimbursed for her work with the county.
- Took no action on a resolution in connection with a grant agreement for an Airport Layout Plan update and narrative for the Brenham Municipal Airport.
- Approved a professional services agreement with Strand Associates, Inc., related to the Burleson Street utility extensions.
- Approved supplemental items to the professional services agreements with Gunda Corporation, LLC related to the raw water intake repair at Lake Somerville, the Burleson Road culvert replacement project, and storm damage repairs.
- Approved a resolution amending the city’s financial policies document by adding a procurement policy for federal grants and agreements.
- Took no action on a resolution amending the City of Brenham Human Resources policy manual.
So just wondering does the offended councilman know how the citizens feel about 98% of the councils decisions? I just find this ironic….. Maybe now they will listen to the citizens more but doubtful….
Big picture is right. The
Judge and Commissioners are wrong. Close interiors of bars and food establishments, gathering places. Drive-up only for the next 14 days and then assess again. Don’t count on people using common sense in this situation. Common sense is not common in this instance. Lives depend on your boldness.
It is interesting that Councilman Herring is “deeply offended” that the City Manager has once again chosen not to seek input on issues of importance and act unilaterally on his own. This seems to me to be exactly what happened when the City Manager and the City Council completely ignored the will of the people and signed the garbage agreement with BIG despite the huge outcry from the public against that agreement. Seems to me we are seeing a pattern of unilateral action from top city officials.
If the city and city manager really wanted to help the hotels why did they not suspend the hotel tax for now. This would be a big relief for them, but it seems taxes as usual.
I am a little confused about why the hotels might have a hard time paying the hotel tax. That is a tax that is paid by the hotel’s guests as part of their per night rate. It is supposed to be collected by the hotels and then paid to the city/county. It’s the same as state tax that is collected by them and paid to the state. The hotel tax is NOT a tax on the hotels themselves. They just collect it from their guests. If there are fewer guests, there is fewer tax collected. They only owe the amount that is collected. I’m sure our hotels are suffering due to the cancellations of all of the area festivals during what is usually one of their busiest seasons. But I don’t see how paying the hotel tax would be a burden, unless they used it to pay for something else. If someone can explain, I’d appreciate it.
We’re dealing with a once in a 100-year global crisis and our county leadership is squabbling?
This TRULY is not the time for pettiness.
Our nations founders intended for government to be a slow and thorough process. All of the panic going on and the rush for the government to do something will do far more damage to our country than the virus will.