CLINT KOLBY TO TAKE SEAT ON BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 13TH

  

The Brenham City Council’s newest member will take office in December.

After cancelling December 8^th’s special election for Position Five, it was announced that Clint Kolby will be sworn in at the council’s meeting on December 13^th.

Kolby, the former Project Manager for Brenham’s Economic Development Foundation, will fill the seat formerly held by Charlie Pyle, who resigned in August because of health issues. Kolby was the only candidate to file for the position.

Also at the meeting, the council agreed upon a development agreement with CTX Development Company, also called Stylecraft, to help with costs for oversizing water lines. These costs would help with planned extensions at Vintage Farms Way and Wild Vine Circle—a future roadway—in the Vintage Farms Subdivision.

Assistant City Manager Lowell Ogle said the agreement would essentially permit future growth for the city. Ogle stated total cost estimates for the expanded water line project were roughly $108,000, which are primarily being covered by Stylecraft.  The city will reimburse them for $30,000, as per the agreement.

Potential changes to the city’s oil and gas ordinance were also discussed. City Attorney Carey Bovey presented his revisions to the ordinance, which were presented for first reading.

These included the broadening of definitions for “public building” and “school”, along with noise restrictions.  His changes also included increased setback distances from drill sites and any boundaries, storage tanks, or public streets.

The council also approved a tax abatement for Blue Bell Creameries, which is looking to add $12.5 million in property improvements to their facility in Brenham.

These include expansions to the fleet maintenance facility, central transfer station, and office building.  These improvements will allow five new fleet technician jobs, and are expected to be completed by August or September of next year.

City Manager James Fisher stated that Blue Bell is “the type of corporate citizen and partner anyone would love to have”.

The council also accepted a grant from Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for $23,500. The grant will be used for the downtown bollard project, which will assist with closing off certain roads during events.

Public Works Director Dane Rau said the total project is expected to cost $30,000, with the city covering $6,000 of that.

Rau said the first phase of the project would cover four intersections and one alley, along Alamo and Main Streets.  The expected intersections would be at St. Charles, Baylor, Park, and Douglas Streets, along with the West Alamo Street Alley.

The city also permitted a service agreement with Ion Wave Technologies, for its electronic bidding and contract management software. The agreement is for 5 years at $71,100, which will be split between the purchasing and administrative department budgets.

Ogle said the contract management system will be of much value to the city, helping it keep track of contracts and insurance.

The council also extended its contract with Kustom Klean Janitorial Services of Brenham. The contract is for $107,448.  The renewal is potentially the first of two one-year extensions.

Also at the meeting, the council announced changes to its meeting dates through January of next year. The council will meet next at its regularly scheduled meeting on November 1^st, but it will not meet again until November 29^th.

After that, the next meeting will be on December 13^th, which will be the only meeting in December.  Councilmembers will then meet for two straight weeks, on January 10^th and 17^th.  The meeting time of 1 p.m. will not be changed.