Written by Amanda Coers – The Brownwood City Council met at 9 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall on Tuesday, May 22nd, to discuss items posted on the agenda. During the recognitions portion of the meeting, the council recognized the Brownwood Public Library.

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Becky Isabell with the library introduced Shelly Holly with the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association. Holly announced the Brownwood Library received the Library Excellence Award. Of the 548 libraries in the state of Texas, only 52 received recognition. 

“This award recognizes a year’s worth of effort,” Holly explained to the council. “It is the most difficult award to receive in the state of Texas.” Qualifying libraries were required to work in ten different areas, including literacy support, ESL work, and summer reading. 

“You have to offer services to everyone in the community to improve their quality of life,” Holly said and congratulated the Brownwood Public Library for their accomplishments in doing so. 

The council discussed a request to hold a monthly meeting during evening hours to accommodate members of the community who wish to attend council meetings after normal business hours. 

Mayor Haynes explained former City Manager Bobby Roundtree had told Mayor Haynes there was less attendance for the evening meetings, at which he was required to pay overtime to city employees to accommodate those meetings and it was not, in Roundtree’s opinion, a viable option to continue. 

“I do think we ought to look at times when people want to come and have more input, when we set budget. People may want to come an attend those meetings,” Mayor Haynes said of possible evening city council meetings. 

City Councilman Ed McMillian voiced his approval for a once a quarter council meeting to be held in the evening. Councilman Larry Mathis agreed there was a need for special meetings to be held in the evening for certain matters of importance. He also brought up the possibility of streaming council meetings on local cable channels. 

The next budget hearing will be held in July and the council agreed it may be helpful to hold that meeting in the evening to allow for easier public attendance. The next Budget Workshop will be held on July 24th in the evening, and is open to the public. 

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Brownwood Municipal Development (BMDD) Director Guy Andrews addressed the council regarding a Building Improvement Incentive Grant for Scott Callison with CrossFit Brownwood. The grant is for $15,000 to assist with building improvements for their facility located on Stephen F. Austin. Callison will be making over $48,000 worth of improvements to the building. The council approved the grant to assist with developments. 

The council was then asked to consider a ratification of the BMDD Board for modifications of the contract with Starr Sales for a 1.912 acre tract on Drisco Drive. The BMDD also asked the council for approval for an economic development incentive to pay for half the cost of a 16” cast iron water line on the tract to be sold to Starr Sales. The Incentive would amount to $10,775 which would be contingent on Starr Sales closing on the property. The council approved unanimously. 

Next, the council was asked to consider ratification of a contract with Don Hatcher, P.E. For civil engineering, surveying, and rezoning work to be done in conjunction with the designation of 37 acres from the BMDD’s 124-acre tract as residential property in an amount not to exceed $25,000. The council approved unanimously. 

BMDD Director Guy Andrews did announce he had accepted another position, serving as the economic development director for the city of San Angelo. Andrews’ last day will be May 31st.

“I wanted to say to each and everyone one of you how much I have appreciated the privilege to serve Brownwood for the past three years,” he told the council. “We leave with mixed feelings, we love Brownwood. We will encourage to support Brownwood. San Angelo is not in competition with Brownwood and there may be opportunities (for those two cities to work together) in the future.”

Also listed on the agenda: 

• The council approved an ordinance to regulate the use of vehicles and motorized sports vehicles in city parks. The ordinance was approved unanimously. 
• The council approved authorization for the City Manager to sign an agreement and any subsequent addendums, amendments, and acceptance of additional funds during the term of the contract for Brownwood-Brown County Health Department with the Texas Health and Human Services to provide immunization services to the community. The council approved the authorization for the City Manager.