Brownwood City Council recognized three ladies during Tuesday’s meeting for their help in organizing the annual Juneteenth Celebration in Brownwood.
According to City Councilman Draco Miller, the celebration was a success in many ways, with great attendance, activities and history of the African American Culture.
“These ladies worked tirelessly, they worked hard to pull this off, Miller said. “But I cannot leave out our most important part of our implementing this program, Chief Corley and his department. I definitely want to give you all kudos.”Miller presented each with a certificate of recognition from the City of Brownwood and explained the significance of the celebration.
“Juneteenth is an event that is nationally celebrated and commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The Brownwood event celebrated with music, games, and kept all of the rememberings of African Americans in mind,” said Miller. “This event included people of all races, nationalities, religions and truthfully acknowledged the period in our history and the shaping of our country that influences our society today.”
Miller further explained that the work of these ladies helped to keep the participants aware of their local and national history. Participants’ safety and enjoyment were of primary importance, according to Miller.
“I would really like to thank the Police Department, especially Officer Fuller, even if you didn’t see him, he was always there,” said one of the organizers Gladys Bryant.
Pictured above are Wanda Jean Rainey (representing her daughter Kimberly Jones Williams), Gladys Bryant and Erma Hall during the presentation by Councilman Miller.
In other matters on Tuesday’s agenda:
*Council approved an ordinance on first reading changing the zoning classification of 10.87 acres being the East End Addition, Block 2, Part of Lots 1 and 2, located at 900 Goodwin Street from R1 Single family residential District to A1 Agricultural District. Landowner Richard Ashton requested the change in zoning to allow his daughter-in-law, Leona Cleveland, to build a dog boarding facility. According to Cleveland, the facility would be a climate controlled building with area for the dogs to run and play outside while being boarded temporarily. No dog breeding would take place on the facility. This matter will appear on a future agenda of the council before final approval.
*Council authorized the expenditure of $7900 to purchase a new Total Station in the Public Works Department to replace a 20-year-old surveying unit which is no longer working and would have to be sent to Germany for refurbishing.
*Council ratified the Brownwood Economic Development Corporation Board action to lease two acres of property owned by the BEDC on FM 45 to Tim Thornhill for up to six months for $200/acre. Thornhill will store the building recently disassembled from the United Supermarket construction site (former Bruner Chevrolet building), according to City Manager Bobby Rountree. Thornhill will reconstruct the building at a different location which is yet to be determined.
*Authorization was granted of the mayor’s signature on an agreement with DFC Texas Land, LLC, for the disposal and treatment of domestic wastewater at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. According to a briefing sheet, a representative of King’s Point development at Feather Bay on Lake Brownwood applied for a wastewater discharge permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to treat and dispose of the effluent from the King’s Point section. The permit application is anticipated to be approved in approximately 6 months with at least 6 months of construction to be completed after the permit is approved. Currently there are a few houses under construction and the new club house that need a place for their wastewater to go until the WWTP is completed onsite. Currently the wastewater is being pumped and hauled to Cross Plains; however, because of the cost to transport and treat at that location, DFC contacted the City of Brownwood to take their wastewater. An amount of 6,000 gallons a week is currently being pumped with a few more houses anticipated to be completed before the plant is built. This wastewater is domestic in nature and is mostly water. It will have no adverse effect on the City of Brownwood’s WWTP operation due to the low volumes. The contract will add revenue to sufficiently offset the treatment of this wastewater (at a cost of 11¢ per gallon).
*Council approved an ordinance on first reading officially naming the new street between Market Place Boulevard and Riverside Park Drive as “Market Street.”
*Council amended the ordinance passed on first reading on June 10, 2014 to establish a stop sign for northbound traffic on Market Place Blvd. at Market Place Extension and stop sign for eastbound traffic on Market place Extension at Riverside Park Drive and establish a traffic signal controlled intersection at East Commerce Street/Riverside Park Drive and Opal Drive by changing “Market Place Extension to Market Street,” which was approved on second and third/final readings as well.
*Council approved on first reading an ordinance establishing a stop sign for southbound traffic on Mustang Drive at Milam Drive and stop sign for northbound traffic on Mustang Drive at Golding Road.
*Mayoral appointment of Ashley Chilcote to fill the unexpired term of Lisa Tipton on the Zoning Board of Adjustments which will expire 12/31/14. Tipton resigned from the board earlier in June. Nancy Jo Humfeld has agreed to serve as an alternate member for a term which will expire 12/31/17.
