Construction of the new Central Fire Station was awarded to Waldrop Construction at Tuesday morning’s meeting of the Brownwood City Council with a bid of just under $3 million.
According to Jennifer Bettiol and Ray Holiday, representatives of the City of Brownwood’s engineering firm for the project Brown Reynolds Watford (BRW), bids were taken through a competitive sealed bid process with five contractors submitting bids. Bettiol explained that one of the contractors’ bids did not meet requirements and was not considered. The other four were evaluated for best price, experience and overall value they would bring to the project.
Bettiol stated that she felt confident in the bid process.
“Waldrop construction was determined to be the highest evaluated contractor,” said Bettiol. “We’ve gone through and checked all of, like I said, their references and we are very confident that you are going to receive a contractor with Waldrop Construction that’s going to bring a great building and Central Fire Station.”
The bid of $2,996,133.70 stayed within the price that was necessary to meet the City’s requirement of not exceeding $3.55 million in allocated funds for the project, which came from the sale of Certificates of Obligation issued in 2012.
“We are below $3 million and are confident that everything is going to work out well for you,” Bettiol told the City Council.
Mayor Stephen Haynes asked how much the demolition of the Red Cross Building cost the city which is where the new Central Fire Station will be built. The City of Brownwood bought out a lease which was previously held with the Red Cross for $75,000 and then completed the demolition work with city crews.
Bettiol and City Manager Bobby Rountree explained that the work preparing the site will begin about a week or two after the Brownwood Reunion Celebration and that the contract is for a 10 month timeframe. It is expected that the Central Fire Station will be completed by next summer, hopefully in June or July, according to Rountree.
In other matters on Tuesday’s agenda:
*Council approved an ordinance on first reading adopting the $30,644,521 fiscal year 2013-2014 budget. This proposed budget is an increase of 1.19%, which is “well under the CPI and NPI rates of inflation,” according to City Finance Director Walter Middleton. Copies of the proposed budget are available on the City’s website, in the City Secretary’s office and at the Brownwood Public Library.
*Council approved an ordinance on first reading amending section 74-311, removing towing charges from the ordinance. These towing fees will be placed into the Fee Schedule Ordinance after approval of their removal is made at the council’s next regularly scheduled meeting. The City of Brownwood maintains a wrecker rotation for non-consent towing services. According to Assistant Chief of Police James Fuller, the fees are in place for incidents such as accidents or arrests where the roadway needs to be cleared quickly. A person may choose the “duty wrecker” to assist in towing their vehicle out of the roadway, or he explained, in the case of a vehicle accident, the person needing towing assistance still has the choice if they would like to call another wrecker of their choice. In the case of an arrest, the vehicle will be towed and the fees will apply according to the ordinance. The fees, according to Fuller, have not been increased since 2004 and are well below the rates of other comparable cities. Fees are paid to the duty wrecker company according to city officials.
*Council approved on first reading an ordinance amending Chapter 70, Section 70-273 of the Code of Ordinances making it unlawful to prevent access to city water meters. The ordinance, once completely adopted, will make this offense a Class C misdemeanor and may also result in a fine of up to $500 for each offense. City Finance Director Walter Middleton stated that there are approximately 7200 water meters throughout the city of Brownwood and that each month approximately 400 cut off notices are sent out; however only 60-80 require action to be taken each month.
Mayor Haynes explained that the ordinance will be used as a tool, when necessary, for city workers to be able to complete their jobs. Typically a note is left at the residence informing the resident that they have 24 hours to move the obstruction, otherwise a fine will be issued.
“This is intended to prevent people who are specifically trying to block the meter,” explained Haynes.
*Council approved the tax ordinance on first reading which raises the effective tax rate 0.5% to 0.7463 per $100 value, up from 0.7428. City Finance Director Walter Middleton explained that this is the same tax rate as last year, but with properties added to the tax roll, the city will receive tax revenues which elevate the effective tax rate $0.0035/$100 valuation, up from the previous year’s effective rate of $0.7428. Approval on 2nd, 3rd/final readings are set for adoption during the 9:00 a.m. meeting to be held on September 23rd in the council chambers at City Hall.
*Council approved on first reading a rate ordinance setting charges, fees, rates and deposits for customers on the Brownwood water, sewer and sanitation system for FY 13/14.
The following changes in rates have been proposed:
- Water Consumption Rate increased by 3.2% to cover increased cost of treated water from the Brown County Water Improvement District.
- Water Base Rate increased by 3% to cover increased costs in providing services
- Sewer Rate increased by 6% to cover bond payments on improvements to the Waste Water Treatment Plant
- Sanitation Rate increased by 3% to cover increased costs in providing services.
An additional $35 dollar service fee is also being proposed to be charged if a water meter is obstructed in such a way that the city is unable to access it and shall be charged each time the city returns in an attempt to access the meter but is unable to do so. Further expenses may be charged to the customer if the city has to remove the obstruction (which will be at the customer’s expense), such as towing a car that hasn’t been moved in a timely manner after notice is given.
These charges do not result in surplus increased revenue for the city, according to Middleton.
*Council approved on first reading an ordinance setting charges for fees, rentals, licenses, and permits for the City of Brownwood FY 13/14.
*Council approved a 10 year extension of a lease agreement between the Pecan Valley Regional Domestic Violence Shelter, Inc., DBA the Ark and the City of Brownwood and Brown County for the property located at 100 Melwood as well as property located at the 109 Melwood. The yearly rental is $10 with the lessee being held responsible for all real-property taxes.
*Council approved reappointments to the Brownwood Housing Authority for 2 year terms: Mary Acuna, Cathey Day, and Charlene Tedford.
