During Monday afternoon’s meeting, the Brownwood City Council authorized a resolution for the Brownwood Police Department to submit a grant application to the Office of the Governor for new body worn cameras.

Assistant Police Chief Jesse Mares told the Council that the police department has utilized the Watchguard camera system for more than 10 years and current body worn cameras have become obsolete and without a maintenance warranty. Many cameras have reached their end of life and are unrepairable. These cameras are used daily by patrol officers and detectives and allow us to record our interactions with the public.

In the past, the department has been able to purchase some new cameras but believe this grant will allow us to place a larger order and get all of patrol on the same system without impacting the City’s overall budget. The department anticipates purchasing between 16 and 20 cameras and two charging stations.

The Council also authorized City Manager Marshal McIntosh to sign a contract with Keep Texas Recycling to haul materials.

Currently, the Landfill staff calls vendors inquiring about buying recycled materials. Once a buyer is determined, staff must load and haul these materials to the vendors. These trips average 200 miles round trip. Staff has been able to acquire a contract with KTR which is a program within Keep Texas Beautiful that will haul the materials.

In the past, the City was not always able to contract the hauling of these materials due to not having have full truck loads. KTR can pick up full and partial loads because of its networking capabilities with other recycling entities.

KTR’s cost for this service is 10% of the sales of the material, which is less than it takes staff to haul these loads. Additionally, having KTR as a partner allows the City access to grant funding opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be available now that Keep Brownwood Beautiful has dissolved.

Council moved to order a General Election to be held on Saturday, May 2, to elect a Mayor and Council positions for Ward 1 and Ward 4.

Stephen Haynes has served as mayor since 2010, H.D Jones represents Ward 1 and Draco Miller Jr. is the Ward 4 representative. The deadline to file to run for one of the positions is Friday, Feb. 13.

Council approved a resolution declaring old vehicles, parts, furniture, and equipment as surplus property and authorizing staff to sell, scrap, or donate. Proceeds from the landfill wheel loader and articulated dump truck will be used to pay down the note while all other proceeds are to be placed in the capital improvement fund.

Council approve a resolution accepting the petition from the BMDD to annex 3.27 acres located at CC Woodson, also known as the “borrow pit,” into the city limits of Brownwood.

Following an executive session, Council authorized Deputy City Manager Ray Tipton to negotiate contracts and bring back recommended contracts for discussion and ratification with the Council with properties located at 521 East Baker and 116 Brown Street.