A good crowd was on hand for Tuesday night’s Brady City Council meeting with most attending speaking out against the proposed BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) facility to be located on about an acre of city owned land adjacent to the north substation on the northwest side of W 2nd St. Representatives from Austin-based Caprock Renewables, LLC explained to Council their plans for the 9.99 megawatt facility detailing measures they would take to be a good neighbor and lessen the impact to those living nearby. A number of concerns were raised revolving around the facility being too close to neighboring residences along with the risk of fire, the potential noise created by the facility and possible environmental impacts it could generate.
After about an hour of discussion and questions between the Council, Caprock Renewables representatives and members of the public, a motion was made and seconded to deny the request to locate a BESS facility next to the north substation by a vote of 4-1 with Council Members, Phillips, Ledezma, Roddie and Moreno voting in favor and Council Member Owens against.
In other business, The Council heard 2 reports from Finance Director Lisa McElrath regarding the 2nd Quarter Financial Report and the city’s procurement and purchasing process. Two public hearings were then held in regards to 2 separate requests for an SUP which were approved on first reading by Council later in the meeting. Approval was given to enter into an agreement with McCulloch County to split a portion of the cost of replacing the radio tower located on the hill behind G Rollie White Complex subject to the Finance department bringing forward a budget amendment for Council’s approval. Also approved was an engineering agreement to upgrade an existing 2” water line to a 6” line on Calf Creek Road.
Prior to adjourning into Executive Session, Public Works Director Steven Miller introduced Santiago Rodriguez as the new Wastewater Plant Operator.
