The Early City Council opened up their meeting by approving the minutes for the regular meeting held on May 9, 2023, and the special meeting held on May 30, 2023.

There were no citizens’ comments.

Mayor Robert Mangrum made a proclamation for Brown County Museum of History Day to be on June 29^th, 2023. Mayor Mangrum recognized the importance of the Brown County Museum of History preserving Brown County’s history. Mayor Mangrum also recognized museums’ vital role in society. He stated studies show younger adults are more likely to visit museums, museums provide valuable educational experiences and economic contributions, and most people believe museums are important.

The Early City Council then held a public hearing to consider a use variance to the Single-Family Zone District to place a manufactured home at 121 Northline Drive. The lot has been empty for some time and has violated city codes in the past for having trash and tall weeds. The property owner wants to put a newer single home on the lot. This will produce revenue from the taxes and it will better ensure the lot stays in compliance with city codes. Letters were given out to the surrounding residents within 200ft and there were no letters or comments back. The Council approved the use variance to the Single-Family Zone District to place a manufactured home on the lot.

For the matters of new business, the first agenda item that the Early Council discussed was who to award the bid for the proposed sidewalk addition for Early Town Center recreational development. This is for the sidewalk around the Town Center Park portion. The City of Early went out for bids to construct 4,000ft of the sidewalk. After considering the options of respondents, the City Council awarded the bid to Flatworks Concrete for $232,532. Flatworks Concrete put their start time on June 15^th and ending on August 1^st. There will be additional sidewalks to build for the Town Center.

Next on the agenda, the Early City Council approved entering into an agreement with Volkert for engineering services on the TxDOT Transportation Alternative (TA) grant sidewalk project. The sidewalks that will be improved are multiple sidewalk areas around Early including McDonald Park, Longhorn Drive, Early Boulevard, Longhorn Town Homes, and more. The City of Early will pay $92,000 for the project but be reimbursed by TxDOT.

Moving on, the Early City Council approved entering into an agreement with Volkert for surveying services of Mangrum Street and the Town Center Project. The total will be $30,000 for an on-call deal. The real price will be $15,988. The rest is for on-call services as new things are implemented throughout Town Center Project development.

Lastly, the Early City Council did a first reading of a funding request for the Time to Shine sundial project that was created by the Early TMCN Leadership team. This is an agreement between the Early Municipal Development District and the TMCN Leadership in an amount not to exceed $25,000.

Next, City Administrator Tony Aaron gave a report on several updates within the city. The Early Fire Department is getting Fire Engine 88 repaired, and it will be completed by the end of the month. It will cost $17,000 to repair the main pump on the engine. Other repairs to the fire engine will be $31,000 dollars. According to Councilman Eoff, who is a former Early Fire Chief, that is a cheap price.

Then Aaron gave an update on the Town Center Project. They have been having issues digging out of the lake, due to the rain. After that, the next part of development is shoreline stabilization, habitat work, and coordinating for the docs to be brought in. The City of Early has 60% of the plans back for Mangrum Street and parking lots and 60% of the plans back on the boardwalk. They are expected to have 90% of the plans back by the end of June, and 100% of those plans back by the end of July. Aaron is expected by August to award the bids for those projects. Additionally, Aaron stated that the City of Early is closer to having real estate transactions and bringing those forwards for the City Council to consider.

Lastly, Aaron gave a department personnel update. Aaron recognized Tiffani Sikes as the new Administrative Assistant / Public Communications Specialist for the City of Early. Additionally, the Sanitation Department has filled the main sanitation truck driver position. There have been other changeovers in the city departments as well. Right now, the City of Early has two part-time positions open.

The Early City Council then announced its first budget workshop. The Council will be having budget workshops throughout the summer considering insurance coverage, employee benefits, the tax rate, etc. The City Council will try to adopt a tax rate by August 22^nd. The budget workshop dates are June 27^th, July 17^th, July 25^th, August 8^th, and August 22^nd.

City Administrator Aaron noted that the general liability was increased by 6% and workman compensation was a flat rate increase. Last night was supposed to focus on health insurance coverage. The question on health coverage was, should the city increase its contribution toward medical benefits or keep it the same? However, there was a question about inflation and how the city balances increased medical coverage with pay raises and other employee benefits. Councilmen Acker recommended that the Council take a holistic approach to the compensation structure for city employees. The council will revisit the health insurance package on June 27^th.

At the end of the meeting, the Early City Council hosted a presentation and discussion on assessing the interest and feasibility of a YMCA facility in Early for all Brown County residents. Abilene YMCA approached the City of Early to branch out a YMCA in Early.  The City of Early is already assessing the cost, fees, and finances it would take to build and operate a YMCA.  Last month, the City of Early had 150 responses to a survey that evaluated the community’s needs and desires for recreation for citizens of all ages. The survey did not mention the YMCA. It had lots of good feedback from the community.

YMCAs are not franchises. They are each their own independent facility within the national organization. They are each funded by charities, donors, program fees, membership dues, grants, etc. While each YMCA is in the national structure, they are independent of each other. Each YMCA is run by its own board of directors.

This also means that no YMCA is the same, and each is usually tailored to fit the needs and desires of the community it is placed in. Some YMCAs, for example, partner with school districts to figure out amenities for students and athletes. Options for YMCAs include pool facilities for fun but also rehabilitation, social areas such as coffee bars, childcare and daycare, summer camps, after-school programs, gyms, senior programs, cycling, certain sports facilities, and more. The design and amenities are tailored to community needs.

The City of Early has already toured other YMCA facilities and talked with engineers to get an idea of how this could work. Now the City of Early is wanting responses from the citizens of Brown County to engage their interests in a YMCA. The City of Early is conducting a survey for citizens of Brown County. This allows citizens to give their opinion on the YMCA and assess community needs and desires on what a YMCA in Brown County should have. Click here to take the survey.

Lastly, the City of Early hosted a Town Hall Meeting to inform residents of Autumn Drive how the reconstruction project will impact them on a day-to-day basis. Citizens’ information on how construction will impact residents can be found here.