During Tuesday morning’s meeting, the Brownwood City Council unanimously approved awarding a professional services agreement for administrative services to Public Management, Inc. for the Community Development Block Grant – Downtown Revitalization Program / Main Street Project.

The City of Brownwood directly solicited RFPs for grant writing and project administrative services for an anticipated 2022 TxCDBG grant, from three administrative service providers. The City only received one proposal, Public Management, Inc., by the requested due date.

The City of Brownwood is seeking to be awarded the maximum grant amount of $500,000 for a Downtown Revitalization Program Grant from the Texas Community Development Block Grant program administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

The Community Development Block grant fund is for public infrastructure to eliminate deteriorated conditions and foster economic development in historic areas and rural downtown areas. Grant Administration services are paid out only if the grant is awarded to the City. Public Management, Inc (PMI) does not charge an application fee to assist the City submitting an application.

The application is due July 8 and awards are anticipated to be made in the fall of 2022 or early spring of 2023. Should the City of Brownwood be awarded the grant and be funded, Public Management’s contract amount will be approximately 10% of the maximum grant award or not to exceed $48,000.

The City of Brownwood has an ongoing relationship with Public Management, and since 2019 has applied for over $700,000 in federal grant programs through their assistance. PMI’s extensive knowledge of the regulations and procedures of federal programs will assist the City with day-today program management. PMI specializes in infrastructure funding, planning, and economic development.

The City Council also voted unanimously a professional services agreement contract (resolution) for engineering services with Enprotec / Hibbs & Todd, Inc. (eHT) for the the Community Development Block Grant – Downtown Revitalization Program / Main Street Project.

The City of Brownwood directly solicited RFPs for engineering services for an anticipated 2022 TxCDBG grant, from eight engineering service providers. The City received two proposals from Jacob and Martin, and Enprotec / Hibbs & Todd, Inc. (eHT). Staff is recommending Enprotec / Hibbs & Todd, Inc. (eHT).

eHT is a civil, municipal, environmental and geotechnical engineering firm with offices in Abilene, Granbury and Lubbock in the State of Texas. Our staff consists of engineers, surveyors, geologists, scientists, construction material lab technicians and field operations professionals.

The City of Brownwood is seeking to be awarded the maximum grant amount of $500,000 for a Downtown Revitalization Program Grant from the Texas Community Development Block Grant program administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. The Community Development Block grant fund is for public infrastructure to eliminate deteriorated conditions and foster economic development in historic areas and rural downtown areas.

The prospective project will identify a downtown corridor such as Fisk Avenue for reconstruction/installation of new sidewalks, curb cuts/ADA access, pavement repair, and other eligible infrastructure improvements. The expected local contribution for both administrative services and engineering services is not to exceed $75,000 which will be paid from local funds as part of the required grant match and will not be expensed before the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Also Tuesday, the City Council conducted a public hearing and then unanimously approved on first reading an ordinance to change the zoning classification of 831 Burkett Street, Mamie Johnson Subdivision, Lot 6, Thames Thompson, Block B, Lots 1-6, Acres 13.74 from MH Manufactured Home District to A-1 Agricultural District.

The Planning and Zoning Commission met on April 7 to discuss and vote on a request to rezone property known as 831 Burkett Street. The owner Marta Jochims requested the zoning change to be in compliance with the City ordinance for keeping of livestock on her property. There was no opposition from citizens in the immediate neighborhood. The P&Z Commission voted in favor to grant the request to have the described property rezoned from M-H Manufactured Home District to A-1 Agricultural District.

The item will again be brought before the City Council at the next meeting to be approved on the second and final reading.