The Brownfield City Council met Thursday morning Dec. 16, 2021, in two separate called meetings. During the first meeting, the Council took up a few agenda items that are normally on the regularly scheduled meetings. After the call to order, invocation, and pledges the Council went right into the first meeting.
There was no public comment and the Council approved the last meeting’s minutes. Next was the recognition of the Employee of the Month for December 2021. The honored recipient is Darren “Dee” Doyle. After the recognition of the Employee of the Month, then came the recognition of the 2021 City of Brownfield Employee of the Year. Beginning in July of 2021, the City of Brownfield department supervisors, during their monthly meeting, selected an Employee of the Month to be recognized by the Brownfield City Council during a meeting, it was then determined the “Employee of the Year” will be selected from the monthly nominees by the City Council each year in December. The 2021 Employee of the Year is City Secretary Kelly Burris.
Moving on to the next agenda item, was to hear and consider the quarterly update and report by the City of Brownfield Director of Electric Utilities, Cat Gonzales. According to Gonzales, there were 39 power outages from July 1, 2021, to September 33, 2021. The purpose of the power outages include 12 repair/replace services, 12 blown transformer fuses, four change-out cut-outs, three open breakers, two change-out transformers, two replaced poles, two blown line fuses, one cross arm change out and one broke jumper.
In item #6 the Council would consider and hear the quarterly update and report from the City of Brownfield Director of Water and Wastewater, James Nix. According to Nix, there have been 22 major water leaks since the beginning of 2021. Here is the list for each quarter.
Major Water Leaks
22 Major Water Leaks
1.) 15 Main Line Breaks (1st QTR)
2.) 3 Main Line Breaks (2nd QTR)
3.) 3 Main Line Breaks (3rd QTR)
4.) 900 Blk of West Main (9/11/2021)
During the report, Nix showed some major replacements, which include, the New High School sewer has been completed and paved. The Water Line and Sewer Line for the Dollar General on Tahoka Rd. were started and have since been completed. Also, the East Water Tower behind united has been begun being sandblasted, recoated, and is having improvements made to the access hatches and vents.
Nix also explained the work orders and water station services. According to Nix, in 2021 the water department has processed 407 Work Orders and fielded over 200 radio callouts. When it comes to servicing the water stations, surge protection at the Main Lift has been repaired after power surges destroyed it. An inventory count was conducted in September. There were Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA) outages on 9/27/2021, 10/5/2021 that were handled without any interruption in domestic service. Wastewater irrigation soil samples were completed on 9/10/2021. The East Lift Station pumps were pulled, cleaned, and returned to service two times in this quarter. Blower #3 had to be removed from the WWTP and sent in for repair. A new electric valve actuator has been purchased to replace the damaged valve on the East Water Tower. The 50 HP motor at the Wastewater Irrigation Holding Pond was pulled and bearing service was performed. Also, AIMS Sewer Trucks cleaned and inspected most of the Northwest corner of the sewer system while performing cross bore inspections.
Nix also explained in detail about the equipment repairs done, which was vehicle 64 was serviced by a mechanic to correct HVAC issues, Vehicle 63 was serviced by a mechanic to correct Overheating issues. The backhoe had 2 steel bushings replaced and the Vac Truck hose reel has been mended two times this quarter. With the water meters, the Water Department personnel changed out 112 meters this year due to leaks, lockdown, and damage. This accounts for roughly 3.2% of the total water metering infrastructure. Also according to Nix, the City lost 5,843,000 gallons of water, however, almost 200,000 gallons were delivered to the Southside of Coleman Park using the water hauler and sprinkler cannon.
Moving on to the next set of agenda items where the Council tackled two at one time was to consider post-funding of Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds to the Brownfield Chamber of Commerce for activities involving the 74th Annual Terry County Harvest Festival. On September 2, 2021, the Council approved the first half of funding for the Music and Motor
Concert and Car Show that was held on October 1, 2021, and approved the first half of funding for the 74th Annual Terry County Harvest Festival that was held on October 2, 2021, which was $1500 each. During this meeting, the Chamber requested for the second half of the funding from both activities in the amount of $1,500.00 each from HOT funds. According to City Secretary Kelly Burris, the Chamber met all criteria to receive all requested funding from the HOT funds. All members of the Council voted in favor, Councilman Eric Horton abstained from the vote.
The next item of business was to consider funding from the HOT funds for advertising through the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association. Under the current agreement with the Chamber of Commerce all advertising through the “Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue Fund” must be considered and approved by the City Council. The Brownfield Chamber of Commerce has requested funds for membership renewal in the Texas Hotel Lodging Association for marketing and advertising services for December 1, 2021, through November 30, 2022, in the amount of $1,802.50. The Council approved the measure, with Councilman Horton abstaining.
Item #10 the Council would consider an application submitted by the Terry County Heritage Museum (TCHM) for funding from the HOT funds. According to City ordinances, all expenditures through the “Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue Fund” must be considered and approved by the City Council. The TCHM has requested funds for historical preservation and operational expenses from January 1, 2022, through December 30, 2022, in the amount of $5,000.00. Funds in the amount of $5,000.00 are budgeted annually from the HOT Funds. The TCHM requests this amount annually. The Council approved the funding.
The final item of business was to extend the Declaration of Local Disaster-Mayoral Order due to public health emergencies to slow and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the City of Brownfield. The Council approved the order for another 30 day period.
The Council moved to adjourn the meeting. Six of the Council members were present, with Councilman Ricky Rocha and Councilman Michael Tackitt were absent.
