Brookshire council approves commercial-fence ordinance, two development agreements and several operational items

Brookshire City Council on June 4 approved a package of ordinances and resolutions and took several operational actions during a regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall.

The council adopted updates to the city’s commercial-fence rules to specify allowable materials — including wrought iron, stone and masonry — and to retain masonry requirements where commercial property abuts residential property. Mayor Richards (S1) summarized the change as an effort “to help improve the aesthetics of the city,” and the council approved the ordinance as presented after a motion and second; the motion passed.

Council members also approved two development agreements. Staff said the Chapter 380-style agreement with Nationwide Trailers had been brought before the council previously and that the resolution before the council would authorize the mayor to execute the agreement. Staff noted the item had been conditionally approved at a prior meeting; the council voted to authorize the resolution (Resolution 15-11). A separate resolution (15-12) to authorize a development agreement with Ace Hardware was approved in the same manner.

In nominations for mayor pro tem, council members considered candidates and the council selected Mister Green to serve another one-year term; Mayor Richards congratulated him on the confirmation.

Operational approvals included a $3,000 change order for police-department gate software — staff described the change as software that will allow officers to open gates via their existing radios — and authorization to declare several police vehicles surplus and auction them in accordance with state law and city policy. Staff presented mileage and idle-hour data for vehicles being declared surplus before the council moved and approved the auction authorization.

An item related to a hotel/motel grant was tabled for additional information. Several routine matters were also approved, including minutes from the May 21 meeting.

What’s next: Items the council asked staff to return with additional detail include benchmarking on part-time employee accruals and follow-up information on the tabled hotel/motel grant.