By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan Board of Public Affairs met on Tuesday, April 2nd, at 5 p.m. After the minutes from the March 19th meeting were approved, the board welcomed the hearing of public concerns.
Mr. Metz greeted the board and reiterated much of what was spoken at the Bryan City Council meeting the night previous, expounding that many municipalities are moving towards a simple live stream of their meetings.
Mr. Metz then detailed his concerns with using Spotify as the publishing platform for the audio of the meetings, with it being shared that there have been significant lags in time between meetings and when the audio is published lately.
Mr. Metz shared that he doesn’t know if there have been any recent personnel changes, but that it should be looked into.
Metz continued that BMU’s switch from YouTube to Spotify was not publicized, and he was informed that it was posted to the website.
It was decided that, due to a combination of issues and complications, that the meeting would resume being posted to YouTube.
The BPA then passed a formal resolution adopting guidelines for public participation, limiting each speaker to five minutes in order to preserve the effectiveness of the meeting.
A resolution approving an addendum to the rules and regulations of the Communications Department, to effectively end the current Bryan City email service effective July 31st, 2024.
The running of the Bryan City fountain was then discussed, as it currently has been exceeding the limit set for operations cost.
The limit, $5,000, was set in 2014, and is evaluated for renewal every five years, with a 20-year commitment having been made upon its completion. This is the second evaluation, marking 10 years so far.
Factors that influence the costs of operation for the fountain were discussed, with it being shared that these factors should be considered for change, to help bring the operating costs closer to the $5,000 provision.
It was then added that the provision could be increased, so that the fountain could operate with less moderation, as the other free services provided to the city do.
It was decided that more conversation would need to happen with more people to gather all relevant information, and that a decision will be made once all facts about the fountain’s operation have been determined.
The board then moved to pay the bills as presented, as well as authorized an annual letter of commitment for participation in AMP via resolution for a grant towards the substation upgrade project.
Everyone was reminded to participate in the Williams County 200th celebration’s selfie stand set up across the county, as the first 500 who complete the route will be eligible for a swag bag.
Two employees were given the highest of regards before the Bryan Board of Public Affairs voted to enter into executive session for the purposes of property acquisition as well as employment and compensation.
