FINAL PAYMENT FOR NEW POLICE STATION APPROVED
By ARTHUR HAHN, Managing Editor, The Banner Press
Brenham’s new police station is now paid for.
City council members Thursday approved a final payment of $328,379 to Teal Construction, closing out the $6,543,257 project.
The police department moved into its new 26,000 square-foot station last October.
Assistant City Manager Kyle Dannhaus said the final payment was delayed slightly because of issues with security software.
City officials, said Dannhaus, are pleased with the building.
“It’s a great building and a great contractor,” he told the council.“We feel like we got an outstanding project.”
The contract came in about $70,000 under Teal’s original bid because the city did some landscaping itself, said Dannhaus.
The council also:
• Recognized Brenham High School athletic program for their accomplishments, including a state finals appearances by the Cub football team and Cubette volleyball team, and state tournament appearances by the boys soccer and the baseball teams. The track teams were also recognized.
Mayor Milton Tate said the city “is proud of these young men and women,” calling them “role models and leaders.”
Athletic director Glen West said, “It’s been a privilege all season to wear ‘Brenham’ on our uniforms and represent this community.”
• Approved the appointment of Gene Hammons to the Airport Advisory Board and Johnny Andrade to the Building Standards Commission.
• Heard comments from local business owner C.H. Harvey about taxes.
During the “citizens comments” portion of the meeting, Harvey said governmental entities are continuing to face budget shortfalls and warned that property owners are expecting tax relief this year.
“Taxpayers are not expecting the status quo. The taxpayers are expecting a tax cut,” he told the council.
Harvey said his own company had to make tough budget decisions when sales dropped from $1 million a month to $300,000 and urged city officials to begin finding ways to cut spending now.
• The council held an executive session to discuss property acquisition needed for U.S. 290 improvements but took no action.
During a workshop, the council:
• Received a report on the Economic Development Foundation’s 2008-09 fiscal year.
Page Michel, EDF president/CEO, said the organization had “a very productive year,” and project manager Wesley Brinkmeyer recounted activity.
• Discussed updating the city’s ordinances dealing with taxi services.
City secretary Jeana Bellinger said she has received several inquiries from companies wanting to begin operating taxi services here, but the ordinance dealing with them has not been updated since1981 and allows “very little regulation by the city.”
Bellinger presented a draft ordinance that includes more regulation, including requiring companies to obtain operating permits.
Reprinted with permission from
The Banner-Press
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