Brownfield City Council sets building use fees

by admin 06/04/2020

written by admin 06/04/2020

Brownfield City Council met in regular session on Thursday morning, June 4 in the Council Chambers. This was the first fully in person meeting the Council has held since March. Social distancing was practiced at the meeting.

There was discussion of the rates charged for renting City owned facilities at an earlier meeting. On the agenda for this meeting was the setting of the rates for use. The Party House deposit was set at $350, with the rental fee set at $100. The Amphitheater deposit was set at $500, with the rental fee set at $350. The Aquatic Center will have a $150 scheduling fee (which is essentially a deposit), with a $150 per hour rental fee. The scheduling fee will be credited to the rental fee when the party is held.

All the deposits will be returned to the renter after the event, if there are not damages to the facility or to any equipment or fixtures used.

“We need to lower the deposit in order to keep the places rented,” stated Councilman Chuck Nave. “When the amount due up front is over $1,000, it is hard to rent a place out even though the deposit money will most likely be returned. (Referencing the amphitheater and the previous deposit of $800.) If we lower it where the upfront amount is less than $1,000, I think we will be more likely to rent it out more often.”

The Council also voted to open up most recreational facilities owned by the City, including the public restrooms. City Parks and Recreation Director Scott Jackson stated, “We can set up a twice daily regimen of cleaning the public restrooms and making sure they are as sanitized as we can make them.” There was some discussion about reopening the restrooms to the public, but Councilwoman Michelle Cooper stated, “We can open them up and keep them as clean as we can, but it is the person’s own prerogative whether or not to use them. People are responsible for doing what makes them feel safe.” The Council seemed to agree with this sentiment and all public facilities will be opened up by Monday, June 8, with the exception of the Family Aquatic Center and the Brownfield Sports Complex.

City Manager Jeff Davis stated the ballparks were not completed, as of yet. “We still have some bare spots on the fields we are working on and this drought is not helping with that. But we are working on it. There are a few minor touchups needed here and there. We hope to have it ready by August 1.” There was some discussion of hoping to have some fall baseball and softball tournaments, once the fields are ready to go.

The Council did extend the Disaster Declaration Orders for another two weeks, again following the latest guidelines laid out by Governor Abbott’s latest order (GA-26). The Governor’s Phase III reopening orders were issued on Monday afternoon, June 3, and expand the opening and patronage of businesses and recreation facilities even more. (See related story published on TownTalk Radio on Monday, June 3, 2020)

The Council handed out scholarships to graduating Seniors at the meeting, as well. The City Council Scholarships were given to Lexie Nave, Malachi Garza, Mattie Saldana and Jeffrey Davis. The Officer Jeremy Shedd Scholarships were given to Jeffrey Davis and Lauren Mancilla. Jeffrey Davis was unable to attend the Council meeting.