Written by Amanda Coers – The Brownwood City Council met at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 10th, in the Council Chambers at City Hall to discuss items posted on the agenda.

 

 

During the presentations portion of the meeting, Brownwood Police Chief Terry Nichols spoke with the council regarding his department’s recent award from the Texas Police Chiefs Association for their participation in the Law Enforcement Agency Best Practices Recognition Program. 

The Law Enforcement Recognition Program is a voluntary process where police agencies in Texas prove their compliance with 166 Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices. These Best Practices were carefully developed by the Texas Law Enforcement professionals to assist agencies in effective delivery of service, reduction of risk, and protection of individual rights. 

Chief Nichols recognized Lieutenant Troy Carroll for his work coordinating the effort on behalf of the department. 

“We are recognized again, and it’s something I’m very proud of,” Chief Nichols said. 

The council considered an ordinance on first reading authorizing stop signs to be installed at the south corner of Vincent Street and Idlewild Drive and the north corner of Idlewild Drive and Vincent Street. The traffic changes will establish a one-way traffic only flow on Vincent from Roanoke to Idlewild. 

No parking zones will also be established no the east side of Vincent Street beginning at Roanoke and continuing north 450 feet. Another no parking zone will be established on the south side of Idlewild Drive beginning at Vincent and continuing east 200 linear feet. 

The plan includes: Northbound one-way on Vincent between Roanoke and Idlewild to allow for students to be dropped-off and picked-up from the passenger side of vehicles, through-lane for travelers driving on Vincent who are not dropping off students, a 4-Way stop at the intersection of Idlewild and Vincent to prevent excessive lines of vehicles on Vincent and allow drivers to exit the school area efficiently, and nine additional parking spaces will be gained on Vincent Street with restriping.

The ordinance was approved on first reading and will be discussed again at the next city council meeting for any possible changes. 

After returning from an executive session the council moved to approve a Brownwood Municipal Development District $250,000 forgivable business loan to Ingram concrete to assist with the purchasing of a downtown building, conditional upon the acquisition of a downtown facility.

The BMDD met Monday at 1:30 to discuss the loan. The board approved a $250,000 forgivable business expansion incentive loan to Ingram Concrete to assist in purchasing a Downtown building with the following terms:

-Minimum 60 full time employees in Brown County Annually

-$2.5 million gross sales annually

-10 year agreement

-$25,000/year loan forgiveness based upon meeting the minimum annual employee requirements, and the annual gross sales requirements,

-BMDD receives a guarantee of payment of loan by a parent guaranty from U.S. Concrete, Inc.

Also listed on the city council agenda:

  • The council approved the purchase of a mini-excavator for the Wastewater Collection Department with unused capital funds in the WWC and Wastewater Treatment Plant Departments.
  • The council approve an ordinance regarding revisions to the Drought Contingency Plan. The change to the contingency plan includes wording that will allow the city council the flexibility to encourage water conservation through the use of temporary rate increases during a drought if necessary. 
  • The council authorized the mayor to sign an agreement and any subsequent addendum, amendments, and acceptance of additional funds during the term of the contract with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for the Senior Citizen Program.