Brownwood City Council members approved a Parks & Recreation Master Plan Survey form at Tuesday’s city council meeting and authorized the survey to be conducted.
According to Parks and Recreation Director David Withers, the first Park & Recreation Master Plan was developed with the help of the Lower Colorado River Authority and was adopted by the Brownwood City council on January 9, 2001, with an updated version being approved on April 22, 2008.
The survey, according to both Withers and City Manager Bobby Rountree, will allow residents to have input in determining Brownwood’s future Parks & Recreation Master Plan. The plan is a major part of what allows the City of Brownwood to receive grants from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), explained Rountree.
To date, the city has received $1,235,691 million in grants over the last ten years. These grants are as follows:
Dr. Kevin Kelly and his class at Howard Payne University will assist in getting the survey disseminated to the public through a public information campaign, according to Withers. The survey will be available in hard copy as well as online once completed. The information will also be tabulated by the students and Dr. Kelly once it is complete.
The survey, according to Rountree was developed by the city staff and has been approved by the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.
In other unrelated matters on Tuesday’s agenda:
*A public hearing was conducted regarding a petition from CP Homes to extend the city limits of the City of Brownwood, to include a parcel of land being approximately 5 acres situated in Brown County, Texas, being out of the Taylor Smith Survey 600, Abstract 821, located on the west side of Hwy 377 South at the intersection of FM 3064 (which runs between 3M and the Section Hand Steak House). CP Homes plans to build an assisted living complex at this site. An ordinance was passed on first reading regarding annexing the said parcel of land. The matter will come before the council again at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
*Council approved an ordinance on first reading to freeze the total amount of ad valorem taxes imposed on the homesteads of persons with disabilities and/or persons sixty-five years of age and older. The matter will come before the council in second reading at the next regularly scheduled meeting, most likely on the consent agenda according to Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes.
*Council approved a resolution in support of the Texas Recreation & Parks Account (TRPA) and the Texas State Parks System. According to Rountree, this account is where the funding for grants such as the parks and recreation grants come from. Funding for the account and Texas State Park System comes from a portion of the sales tax on certain sporting goods. Withers explained in a council briefing sheet that the funding for the program was eliminated in the last state legislative session and resolutions are being considered by city councils and commissions to restore funding in the program and support the move to fully fund the Texas Parks and Wildlife grant program and 94 State Parks and Historical sites it manages across the state. This resolution would benefit Lake Brownwood State Park, according to Withers.
*An ordinance was approved by the council on second and third/final readings to close two sections of Rogan Street between Blocks 32 and 33 of the Cleveland Addition at Avenue D and continuing Northwesterly approximately 160’ to the Southeast side of an alley and Blocks 36 and 37 at the Northwest side of an alley being approximately 180’ Northwest of Avenue D then continuing in a Northwesterly direction approximately 161’ to the end of Rogan Street.
*Council approved an ordinance on second and third/final readings to close Sixth Street beginning at Magnolia Street and continuing Southeast for a distance of 400’, and an alley located in Block 20 of the Morningside Addition beginning at Magnolia Street and continuing Southeast for a distance of 400’.
*Rountree reported that the new fire station is getting very near completion with a 2nd walk through tomorrow and hopefully a final contractor’s punch list being developed.
*Construction on Fisk Street is progressing well according to Rountree, with slight weather delays due to freezing temperatures. Paving on Broadway may be completed this week.
*Soccer Field update: Rountree stated that the irrigation contractor is on site this week and irrigation is anticipated to be completed in 60 days. The construction of the restroom/concession stands is underway with dirt work and base work.
