Thursday’s Brownwood City Council meeting saw the approval of security cameras and IT operations equipment for the new Event Center, as well as the design of a parking lot adjacent to the facility.
First, Council approved purchasing security cameras from TFE through TIPS co-op for $59,384.81 to be paid from City reserves.
TFE provided a quote for the purchase of security cameras for the Event Center Complex. These would be installed inside and outside of the complex. This purchase would be through the purchasing co-op TIPS for a total of $59,384.81, which includes the cameras, server, cables, accessories, and installation.
The City currently has 142 days in reserve – including funds generated from surplus sale tax revenue from the last several years. This approval represents about a half day of reserves.
Next, Council authorized the purchase of a variety of equipment subject to procurement rules and regulations for $133,140 to be paid from City reserves.
The needed types of equipment for the nearly-completed complex include Operations Equipment at $96,800, Wifi Access Points at $23,000, a SonicWall Firewall at $7,000, plus 5% for shipping and contingency at $6,340, for a grand total of $133,140.
Staff requested funding from City reserves and authority to purchase these items in accordance to City procurement rules and regulations – any single purchase over $5,000 will require 3 quotes and any purchase over $50,000 will require additional Council approval either through the bidding process or a purchasing co-op contract.
Staff will make every effort to purchase items locally, when possible. Staff is requesting from reserves a dollar amount for these purchases that is 5% over estimated costs to cover any possible shipping and contingency. This approval represents less than 2 days of the City’s reserves.
It was noted during the meeting that additional purchase requests for the Event Center will be coming in the near future for signage, art, and additional sidewalk work.
Also on the Event Center front, an agreement was approved with BRW Architects for the design of a parking lot on Washington Street for $44,800, also to be paid from City reserves.
The City has leased property from BNSF Railway for the development of a parking lot to service the Event Center. Staff received estimates for the design of this parking lot, which would include sidewalks, lighting, a paved parking area, and overflow parking.
Two design proposals or estimates were received for this parking lot – one for $44,800 and one for $58,500. Staff recommended approval of the proposal from BRW Architects for $44,800 for the design of this parking lot. The anticipated cost of the parking lot construction is $450,000, which will go out for bid once the design is complete.
This expenditure would be paid from City reserves as outlined in previous Council meetings and workshops for additional Event Center Complex expenses.
Also during Thursday’s meeting, Council awarded the Customer Service Line Relocation Project to Black Plumbing at a cost of $232,500, utilizing the American Rescue Plan. Any remaining cost would require a year-end budget amendment.
City staff solicited proposals for plumbing services for the Customer Service Line Relocation Project. Three proposals were received with a low bid from Black Plumbing. Bids were received and read aloud on January 31, 2024, and after reviewing the submittals and scoring the bids, City Staff agreed that all of the bids met the requirements.
ARPA Designated Utility Infrastructure Funds are as follows:
Estimated Lift Station Projects budgeted at $200,000, estimated at $238,000 Customer Service Line Relocation Project budgeted at $200,000, estimated at $232,500
Total budgeted at $400,000, estimated at $470,500
The City does not anticipate the 2023-24 fiscal year budget will be negatively impacted due to the projects anticipated completion dates. Staff will ensure that the 2024-25 budget will include funds needed to cover this project if needed.
The Customer Service Line Relocation Project is anticipated to be completed by January 1, 2025.
The new Downtown Master Plan was discussed as an open house style public reveal of the full draft plan is planned for Monday, Feb. 26 at the Lyric Theatre. After the open house a three-week long public comment period will be open through March 15 for feedback at brownwooddowntownplan.com
A formal in-depth presentation to City Council will then be made by Freese and Nichols in April to answer questions and discuss feedback to the proposed master plan.