By Rick Phelps

The Brownwood City Council dealt with a short agenda during their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday morning. The council heard from Dee Dee Gibbs, who voiced a concern regarding vandalism. She stated mailboxes have been “smashed”, windows broken out of vehicles and cars in alleys with the engines still running. Gibbs suggested a curfew would help lead to other ways for youth to find constructive ways to deal with their time. Mayor Stephen Haynes said the council could not address the request as it was presented during the citizens presentation portion of the agenda, but said it would be discussed in the near future. City manager Emily Crawford said, at the behest of the council, plans are in the works to extend the season of the city’s swimming pools. Crawford said they are looking to hire more lifeguards, and not just high school students who return to school activities at the beginning of August. She also said keeping the pools open longer would create a “break even” scenario for the city. Haynes stated keeping the pools open longer, even if it meant the city spending some extra money would be beneficial to the citizens who have paid for the complexes.

In other business:

• City secretary Christi Wynn administered the oath of office to new police officers Kris Salazar and Ray Slayton. Slayton is returning to the department after working elsewhere. Chief Mike Corley administered the oath of honor.
• Received a claims and account report from finance director Walter Middleton.