The Brownwood City Council on Tuesday authorized a budget amendment for the purchase of a rebuilt blower block for the aeration basins #1 blower at the Waste Water Treatment Plant and fund up to $17,400.

The Waste Water Treatment Plant equipment budget that would normally cover these costs has approximately $6,000 remaining as of May 1.

The extended aeration basins at the Waste Water Treatment Plant have five blowers that are utilized to keep the oxygen levels in the basin at acceptable levels. These units have been in operation since 2017 with 2 or 3 of them running everyday continuously accumulating to date approximately 526,600 hours of run time. The #1 blower has had some issues since it was installed all of which have been covered by warranty to date, now that it is no longer covered by warranty the repairs will be at the city’s cost.

Also Tuesday, the City Council moved to approve an ordinance, which passed on first reading, enacting a temporary moratorium on the City acceptance of applications or plans and the issuance of permits and/or special exceptions for the placement of towers supporting wireless telecommunications facilities in non-residential zoning districts in the City limits of Brownwood.

The temporary moratorium on the development of towers will allow the City time to amend its zoning ordinance to address setbacks and other tower development regulations

The City has recently experienced a situation where a number of people who resided in an M-1 Zoning District, which allows the construction of towers to support wireless telecommunications facilities, expressed their concern over the construction of a tower close to their homes. The City has numerous residential structures and homes located in industrial and commercial districts which could pose problems and/or concerns about safety and the location of Towers nearby. Currently, towers are not allowed to be built in residential zoning districts.

The City Council will meet again in a specially called meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, to approve the ordinance on second and final reading.

In other business Tuesday, the City Council approve a resolution declaring old city vehicles, office furniture, and equipment as surplus property and authorizing staff to sell, scrap, or donate specific items to The Ark. Proceeds from the sale of the surplus property shall be combined into a special purpose fund designated for the improvements to the Service Center and for personnel protective equipment.

Council is allowing vehicles, equipment, and furniture to either be sold or scrapped, while the Health Department would like to donate some old furniture to the Ark, namely a desk, a computer table, 15 office chairs, a table, a small bookshelf and a roll around file.

During the citizens presentation portion of the meeting, Susie Flores spoke on behalf of SALSA and asked the City to make additional improvements to the Wiggins Park area.

Among the suggestions were buying additional property to add 20 parking spaces as most of the parking in the area takes place on the street; the construction of a shelter from the shade for 60 to 80 people; and road, curb and sidewalk improvements/installation on Chestnut, Victoria, and Edwards Streets, along with Melwood Avenue.

Also Tuesday, Ward 4 council member Draco Miller took the oath of office Tuesday morning during the Brownwood City Council. Miller could not attend the swearing in ceremony that took place last week for re-elected officials.