Brownwood City Council members unanimously gave approval for City Manager Bobby Rountree to sign an agreement with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to develop local paddling trails through the “Texas Paddling Trail Partnership.”
According to City Manager Bobby Rountree, Brownwood businesswoman and local volunteer Debbie Morelock has been working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department since 2012 to develop a paddling trail and trying to have it added to the Texas Paddling Trail that runs along the Pecan Bayou.
Some of the requirements for this designation are as follows:
- Public access must be a minimum of 4 paddling miles to a maximum of 12 paddling miles
- Presence of natural or historical attractions such as rapids, mature trees or unique habitat, wildlife diversity, historic sites, and etc.
- Adequate water quality, river flows or water depth (seasonal flows acceptable)
- Population center within 100 miles
- Canoe & kayak rental from local sources
- Public access areas with designated parking
The City of Brownwood, according to a city council briefing sheet, will be able to provide the requested items as a part of this Partnership Agreement.
“We think this is a good addition to Brownwood as far as tourism is concerned and there are quite a few people that use this trail.” Rountree said.According to Morelock, these paddling trails will be accessible at Fabis Park, near the boat dock. Canoes and kayaks will be able to travel upstream for approximately 2.6 miles or downstream for 2.2 miles.
Morelock stated that it has been a long drawn out process, but that city crews have already constructed the sign and that it is already in place. City officials explained that the sign was made from materials reused from the old city ball park.
“I think it will be a great addition to our tourism. We did it in sections because of the dams that flow from the lake to town. The easiest section to get into it is at Fabis Park near the boat dock. You can go 2.2 miles downstream or 2.6 miles upstream, all slow moving water so it can be paddled very easily,” said Morelock. “Because the lake is one of our major national fly-throughs for birding, the bayou is a natural for bird watching and all of that. It can be paddled in either direction.”
Morelock explained that she and her husband already take a lot of their bed and breakfast guests to this paddling trail. “If we find out that it is really successful, we can add onto it at the lake at the State Park or at Riverside Park.” Morelock explained that the trail did not currently include Riverside Park because of the large dam downstream that could possibly be a liability.
Rountree gave credit to Morelock for her help getting the process completed, “Without Debbie’s help, this trail might not have come to fruition.”
In other matters on Tuesday’s agenda:
*Council approved on first reading to rename the street Vicksburg Court to Waterstone Drive. According to the owner of the Vicksburg and the Waterstone Condos that are being constructed adjacent to the Vicksburg, the street name change was requested because the condo project is not going to be limited specifically to senior citizens as is the case at the Vicksburg which is an assisted living complex.
*Council approved Phase II of the street capital improvement program. This is the second phase is funded by the $4.7 M of Certificates of Obligation which were sold for the street renovation program. The project is expected to be completed in approximately 2 years.
*Council approved the mayor’s signature on a rental agreement with Howard Payne University for the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 volleyball/basketball seasons. According to City Manager Bobby Rountree, if HPU teams make it to the playoffs, the time period may be extended into mid-March. The agreement states a rental fee of $33,850/year, for a 2-year term. This amount is $678.11 more than the past year or 2.0% increased based on increase of practices, games and operation costs.
*A resolution declaring old city vehicles in disrepair as surplus property and authorizing city staff to sell these vehicles was approved by the council. The vehicles may be sold as scrap or advertised for public bid. Vehicles included a 1976 Chevy ½ ton truck, 1984 Chevy Blazer, 1985 Ford Van, 1987 Ford truck, 1988 GMC dump truck, two 1990 Chevy ½ ton trucks, 2 Ford tractors, 20000 & 2005 Gravely mowers, four Ford Crown Victorias (1992, 2000, 2005, and 2008 models), 1982 GMC armored car, and three shredders. Many of these vehicles have engines that are inoperable, high mileage, computer problems or transmission problems, according to information on a council briefing sheet.
*Council approved an ordinance on first reading establishing no parking along the northeast side of Avenue D from Austin Avenue to Vincent Street on first reading. The matter will be taken up again at a future council meeting on second, third and final readings. According to Rountree, this action is due to traffic safety concerns as the street is too narrow for parking on both sides of the street with two way traffic and that there is ample parking available in nearby parking lots.
*Council amended and passed an ordinance on first reading establishing no parking along the northeast side of Chandler Street 140 feet from Greenleaf Street towards Carnegie Street. This ordinance was then passed on second, third and final readings.
*Council passed an ordinance on second, third and final readings for a zoning classification change of lots 6-10, block 5, being the Taber Addition, located at 1800-1820 Austin Avenue from R1 Single Family Residential District to CN Neighborhood Commercial District.
*Council passed an ordinance on second and third/final readings establishing one-way traffic along Congress Street from Adams Street to Lee Street.
*An ordinance was passed on second and third/final reading establishing no parking on Greenleaf Street from Lee Street to Adams Street.
*An ordinance was passed on second and third/final readings establishing no parking along the southeast side of Congress Street from Adams Street, northeasterly 345 feet towards Lee Street.
*The mayor received authorization to sign the Senior Nutrition Program Contractor Funding agreement for 2014/2015 Congregate and Home Delivered Meals with West Central Texas Area Agency on Agency.
*The city manager received authorization to sign an agreement with Texas Department of Agriculture “Texans Feeding Texans: Home Delivered Meal Grant Program.”
*Mayoral appointment of Curt Junkins to the Lehnis Transportation Museum Board to fill the unexpired term of Pat Coursey. This term expires on December 31, 2014. Junkins currently serves as the Assistant CEO of the Brownwood Regional Medical Center.
