Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes and Councilmen Draco Miller and H.D. Jones were given the Oath of Office and a statement of elected officers was read by City Secretary Christy Wynn at Tuesday’s meeting of the council. All three men were unopposed for the May 10th election and each will serve another four year term.
Pictured above are Haynes, Jones and Miller as they were given the oath Tuesday.In other matters on the council’s agenda Tuesday:
*Council approved $46,500 for the anticipated removal of 18 or more substandard structures that are considered public nuisances. This amount is in addition to $62,000 which was allocated during the 2013-2014 budget year. 24 such structures have already been removed at an average cost of $2583 each and the budget has been fully expended. 9 of the 18 homes anticipated for demolition already have signed demolition orders, according to City Manager Bobby Rountree. A budget amendment will be presented at the end of the fiscal year moving the money from fund reserves. Last year nearly 40 homes were demolished according to Rountree.
*Council authorized the mayor to execute a document to abandon two 15 foot wide utility easements across a 7.491 acre tract of land on Custer Road owned by Brownwood Industrial Foundation, Inc. The abandonment of the easements will allow for construction of a new asphalt plant to be built by Wright Asphalt. The project has a total capital investment of $8,750,000 and the company will be creating eight fulltime jobs and several seasonal laborer positions during the paving season according to Rountree.
*Council approved the resolution denying Atmos Energy Corp., Mid-Tex Division’s request for a rate increase for the City of Brownwood. According to City Attorney Pat Chesser, the request was to increase the natural gas base rate by $45.7 million; however Chesser explained that an increase of only $19 million increase is justified.
*Council authorized the mayor’s signature on a second amendment to tower and building space lease agreement with AT&T (dba New Cingular Wireless PCS,LLC) for the placement of telecommunications equipment at the property located at 307 South Washington also known as the “old Continental Grain Property.” This amendment includes an increase in the rent from $12,800 to $28,400 with an annual 4% increase beginning in year two, allows the installation of additional antennas, microwave dishes, and associated equipment in the lease area, a rental stream offer and modifying the notice section.
*John Moody, Jr. was appointed by the council as Director of Fleet Services for the City of Brownwood as recommended by the city manager. Moody has worked for the city for almost 11 years and was the mechanic supervisor/shop foreman in the Fleet Services Department. He replaces the current director, Bill Thomas, who will retire on May 28th.
