With the season for Brownwood’s new Camp Bowie Family Aquatic Center nearing an end, a report of a successful season was given by City Manager Bobby Rountree in Tuesday morning’s City Council meeting.
“We had a great run this season,” stated Rountree, who reported a comparison of the old Camp Bowie Pool and the new Family Aquatic Center.
The old Camp Bowie swimming pool saw 2,199 visitors during the period of June 3 through August 5 of 2009. That same time period this year, the new Aquatic Center entertained 15,464 visitors. Revenue was significant as well with the old pool having gross revenue of only $6300 last year as compared to this year’s revenue at the Aquatic Center of $48,850.
“This is an increase of 7 fold,” stated Mayor Stephen Haynes. “It’s especially significant having started the season late.”
Rountree reported that the Camp Bowie Pool has now been completely demolished and city crews are working hard to create additional parking and an extra exit for Gordon Wood Stadium.
The Aquatic Center will be open for two additional weekends on August 14th & 15th and August 21st & 22nd. It will then close for the season.
Additionally in the parks project report, Rountree noted that the Coliseum Annex/Senior Citizens Center is going well; however the city is still waiting on the repair of some defective laminate flooring.
“I am concerned at the floor and slow response from Fain (the contractor),” stated Councilman Carl McMillian. “We’ve had a few hit the raised spots and come close to falling.”
The Sports Complex is also progressing with light poles and fixtures being installed; sprinkler system, back stop and poles being installed in complex C (girls softball fields); 50% of the flat work/sidewalks is completed; and plumbers are working on complexes B and C. Electric is also in complexes A & B (complex C‘s electric is being installed) with three concrete buildings now have power to them.
Other items on the council’s agenda:
*The City of Early requested an easement which crosses the north side of Riverside Park in order to install a new 8 mile water line that will connect to the Brown County Water Improvement District’s line to supply the City of Early. Council discussed Early’s options of either installing the new line or using Brownwood as a supplier by tapping into the City of Brownwood’s current lines in one of three locations: along CC Woodson Road or along Old May Road at Simpson’s Dairy or near the highway department.
“We need to be good neighbors with Early,” stated Rountree, explaining that Early’s total project has a cost of $8 million, and Early and the Brown County Water Improvement District have agreed that Early will pay for materials while the BCWID will cover the labor.
Councilman McMillian expressed concern of why an easement would be granted if it was not beneficial to the City of Brownwood. Although the city does not directly pay for the labor of the BCWID, McMillian pointed out that Brownwood does fund 80% of the BCWID budget, which includes the labor involved in the project.
The matter was unanimously approved on first reading; however, the issue will be left on the regular agenda for next meeting in order to allow for discussion.
*Two 30’ x 320’ easements, running from Dickman Drive westward to the transformer, and meter locations were unanimously approved on first readying for Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC, to install underground service to the new Camp Bowie Sports Complex. Transformers and electric meters will be located at the north and south ends of the sports complex parking lot.
*The council unanimously passed a resolution to amend an agreement with Duckhorn Developers, LLC to extend the time for an additional two years. Per the amended agreement, eight (8) homes are to be completed by November 11, 2012 and an additional eleven (11) homes to be completed by November 2013. This amendment was requested by the developer due to the downturn in the economy and home sales continuing to be slow.
*Patricia Nickerson, owner of Poppy’s Sweets was awarded the Coliseum Concession Agreement after having presented a bid of 20% of the gross receipts back to the city. Nickerson’s bid was recommended by the Brownwood Parks and Recreation Department Advisory Board.
*Unanimous approval was granted by the council to authorize the City Manager’s signature on an engagement letter with J. Stowe & Co. to perform an audit of franchise fees paid by Oncor Electric Delivery Company to the City of Brownwood.
*The council ratified Mayor Haynes appointment of Michael Cloy to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board for a three year term. Cloy has agreed to fill the unexpired term of Ward 3 representative, Larry Mullins. The term expires on January 1, 2013.
*Dennis Graham approached the council with a citizen’s presentation asking for consideration of placement of a stop sign at the intersection of 14th and Avenue O. This request was made by Graham to hopefully slow the flow of traffic enough for those who ignore the posted speed of 20 mph and where a recent hit and run accident occurred between a pickup and a young boy on a bicycle.
