Three council seats are up for election in the City of Brownwood during the Regular Election that will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011. The Brownwood City Council unanimously approved setting the above date as the election date for the council member positions of Wards 2, 3 and 5 on Tuesday.
Candidates must file an application for a place on the ballot during the filing dates of February 12th through March 14th between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm at City Hall, 501 Center Avenue in Brownwood. Applications can also be submitted by mail to P.O. Box 1389, Brownwood, TX 76804.
The council seats that will be on the ballot are Ward 2, currently held by Eddie Watson who was filling an unexpired 4 year term; Ward 3, currently held by Carl McMillan; and Ward 5, currently held by Jerry DeHay.
Other matters on the agenda were:
*The consent agenda was unanimously approved which included an ordinance on second and third/final readings to change the zoning classification for Block 25, Lot 1&2 of the Bailey Addition located at 700-704 Home Street from MH (Mobile Home District) to M-1 (Restricted Industrial District). The consent agenda also included approval for council to accept $3,000 for the sale of a rescue truck body from Brady Fire and EMS.
*Council approved on first reading amending the plumbing code material list for use of flexible gas pipe. City manager Bobby Rountree explained that this pipe is also called corrugated stainless steel piping and requires plumbers to be certified to use this material.
*A resolution was approved supporting the Villas of Brownwood Apartments II, L.P. to apply for Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) Home Funds. The Villas of Brownwood will be constructing a second phase consisting of a 36 unit complex which will be adjacent to the current location on Hwy 377S in Brownwood. This resolution will allow the company to possibly receive a federal tax credit. Mayor Stephen Haynes addressed the council stating that the apartments are well kept and that they screen their prospective occupants through credit and criminal background checks, which helps to make the complex a more desirable and needed residence for citizens who live in the complex.
*City manager Bobby Rountree gave the parks report, stating that the chain link fencing is nearing completion with only sides of some of the boys and girls fields needing completion. The utility, sanitation and landfill departments worked together during the wintery weather last week to assemble 18 of the 24 bleachers for the sports complex. He also noted that the City of Vernon had applied for the grant to build an Aquatic Center and was denied and gave credit to staff for getting the grant put together so that Brownwood was able to secure such a grant benefitting our citizens for not only the Aquatic Center, but also the Senior Center and Sports Complex.
*The schedule for hiring a new BEDC Executive Director was announced. Rountree stated that the city has four qualified applicants at this time for the position and has placed advertising on statewide websites as well as sent approximately 65 direct invitations for applications. Advertising for the position will run through February 23. It is hoped that a possible candidate will be selected between February 24th and March 3rd for council approval. This would allow for a March 8th announcement of a new BEDC Executive Director. The interview process will also include a 5 member committee similar to the one used to select the Chief of Police.
