The Brownwood City Council on Monday unanimously approved seeking sealed bids for reconstruction/installation of sidewalks, curb cuts/ADA access, pavement repair, installation of 20 sidewalk street lanterns, and other improvements around the 500 block of E. Baker Street – the block around the Brownwood Coliseum. This project will be the first phase of construction related to the City’s new event center project.

The City of Brownwood has been awarded the maximum grant amount of $350,000 for a Downtown Revitalization Program Grant from the Texas Community Development Block Grant program administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. The Community Development Block grant fund is for public infrastructure to eliminate deteriorated conditions and foster economic development in historic areas and rural downtown areas.

The original idea for the use of the money from the grant was for a sidewalk and lights to be placed around the former Timmins building in conjunction with the construction of the new events center, but the grant will have expired before the project will be ready for that step.

Also Monday, Brownwood Police Chief Ed Kading provided a report on the results of the Coggin Park area traffic survey.

A total of 135 surveys were sent to households around Coggin Park and 54 were returned completed. The largest number of responses favored speed bumps on Roselawn and Parkway, however, Kading said three responses vehemently against the idea were also received. The second-most popular solution, and Kading’s recommendation, was to install four-way stop signs at First and Parkway.

Mayor Stephen Haynes suggested a four-way stop sign also be placed at First and Roselawn. Council member Walker Willey remained in favor of speed bumps, but stated he would support the four-way stop signs as a first measure and if improvement is not seen, speed bumps should be implemented.

No action was taken on the matter, though the item is expected to return to the agenda for a vote possibly at the next council meeting.

Lisa Dick with the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department provided a COVID update, where conversation shifted toward the distribution of vaccines as educators have now been moved to the top of list of those who can receive vaccines.

Those who meet priority group 1A (health care workers, residents of nursing facilities, first responders) or 1B (adults over 75, those at high risk due to pre-existing conditions) status, along with educators, can register online through the City of Brownwood website and Facebook page, as well as the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department website and Facebook page. Those who originally registered but did not include their status as an educator are advised to register again.

For those who have still not yet received their second vaccine from the month February, Dick stated a second vaccine clinic will likely take place next week. The health department has not yet received all the second doses. Dick stated the second dose should be administered between 24-42 days for those with concerns.

Asked by Mayor Haynes when the vaccine will become available to everyone, Dick stated when the bulk of those with 1A and 1B status have received their vaccines.

Hendrick Medical Center-Brownwood will be receiving 3,000 doses of the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine and Dick stated the hospital will be working with the health department regarding how the vaccines will be distributed. More information will come on that in the near future.

Also Monday, a report was given on how the February winter weather affected Brownwood.

Insurance claim submissions totaled $62,400.63 with the bulk of that number coming from Water and Waste Management ($31,249), the Waste Water Treatment Plant ($14,257) and Brownwood Regional Airport ($12,744.30).

There were also 22 main line water leaks and six meters that froze and busted, which led to 397.25 hours of overtime.

Also, Brown County Home Solutions reported 29 people – including 17 who lost power, water of heat – stayed at the facility during the cold weather snap, which translated to 116 bed nights.