Brownwood City Council approved the sale of the former Brownwood Fire Station 1, located at 807 Main and 808-810 Booker, to the Brownwood Economic Development Corporation on Tuesday.
After the regularly called city council meeting, council convened in executive session to discuss the details of selling the property to the Brownwood Economic Development Corporation. After reconvening into regular session, the council approved a sales price of $290,000, according to city officials. The sale to the BEDC is pursuant to Local Government Code Section 272.001(b) (4).
City Manager Emily Crawford explained, “The BEDC can then market the property for a business purpose, as it is on a high traffic intersection and across from HPU.”
In other matters on Tuesday’s agenda:
*Council conducted a public hearing and approved on first reading an ordinance changing the zoning classification of 701 Gifford Street from C-1 Local Business District to MH Manufactured Home/Mobile Home District. The property is located across the street from a property which is zoned MH and according to City Manager Emily Crawford, neighbors have voiced no objections regarding this change in zoning. The property has been in the current owners’ family, George and Wendy Vela, for years. The Velas would now like to move in a manufactured home which has been given to them and in which they plan to live. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend the rezoning request at their September 3, 2015 meeting.*Council approved, on first reading, the closing and abandoning of an alley in Block 3 of the Porter Addition from Maple Street (formerly Hart Street) to Hackberry Street. This action was unanimously approved after a petition and deposit was received on August 27 by the two adjacent property owners. The alley has no utilities located in it and there is no traffic of trash pickup.
*Council approved an ordinance, on first reading updating the salary, longevity pay, and certification pay for all civil servants, Firefighters and Police, was approved by the council.
*Council approved a resolution, approving seven new capital leases with Citizens national Bank and assigning a property tax pledge and assigning a property tax pledge. This is an annual action, made on a routine basis, according to Brownwood Finance Director Walter Middleton, to help fund large purchases such as computer software and hardware, bulldozers, compactors, and other heavy equipment.
*Council authorized mayoral appointments of Marisha Stidham and Tim Jacobs to the Brownwood Economic Development Board. Stidham replaces Scott Schaetz former Kohler plant manager in Brownwood, who has moved to another location with the company. Jacobs replaces Chip Camp, CEO of Brownwood Regional Medical Center, who is no longer able to serve on the board after moving outside of the Brownwood city limits.
*Council approved authorizing the expenditure of funds up to $25,000 to repair Engine 2 of the Fire Department as an emergency measure with funds to come from reserves. This is a 2000 model truck and will have a new engine and water pump installed, according to Crawford. The work is being performed by Corley-Wetsel Freightliner in Abilene, according to a council briefing sheet.
