By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Aug. 13. It’s not the official minutes.
The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. To hear the meeting online, go to Zoom or call 888-475-4499 and enter meeting number 945 5259 1668.
6:03 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action from its executive session.
6:10 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council discussed these items from the consent agenda, which will be considered in tonight’s regular meeting:
- George Bush Drive Landscaping: The agreement with TxDOT is for the maintenance of landscaping along George Bush Drive. TXDOT will be installing raised medians from Rosemary Lane to Timber Street. Planter boxes will be installed within the medians along with trees, shrubs, turf plantings, irrigation systems, and other aesthetic elements. The city would maintain landscape elements in the right-of-way.
- FM2818 Landscaping: The agreement with TxDOT is for the maintenance of landscaping along FM 2818. As part of the FM 2818 widening project, TXDOT will install landscaping improvements from University Drive to Wellborn Road. The improvements will include trees, shrubs, turf plantings, irrigation systems, and other aesthetic elements. The city would maintain landscape elements in the right-of-way.
- Aggie Football Postgame Traffic Control: The $104,965 contract with Buyers Barricades is for 2020 Texas A&M football postgame traffic control. After each A&M home game, Public Works manages several operations to improve mobility along the roadways. A contractor deploys traffic control devices that close some access points to increase capacities to move football fans safely and efficiently away from Kyle Field. The university reimburses the city for 50% of costs.
6:43 p.m.
Rental Registration
The council heard a presentation about the rental registration program’s history since its adoption in 2009.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
6:45 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports, Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop. The regular meeting starts after a short break.
6:52 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:56 p.m.
Hear Visitors
No one spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.
6:57 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda.
- Amended the dates and times for early voting in the general and special runoff election on Nov. 3 to elect four city council members.
- An agreement with TxDOT for the maintenance of landscape along George Bush Drive.
- An agreement with TxDOT for the maintenance of landscape along FM 2818.
- An interlocal agreement with the College Station ISD for standby ambulance service.
- Awarded a $139,496 contract to CF McDonald Electric to install previously purchased VFD at Dowling Road Pump Station.
- The 2020-24 Consolidated Plan.
- The FY2021 Annual Action Plan and Community Development Budget.
- A $34,727 advance funding agreement with TXDOT for the city’s contribution for signal improvements at the Wellborn Road-Holleman Drive intersection.
- A $246,681 advance funding agreement with TXDOT for the city’s contribution for utility relocations for the Wellborn-Road-Holleman Drive intersection project.
- A $91,427 advance funding agreement with TXDOT for the city’s contribution for signal improvements at the intersections of Texas Avenue at Walton Drive and University Drive at Nimitz Street.
- An award not to exceed $750,000 to Southern Electric Corporation of Mississippi for overhead electric distribution construction and maintenance.
- A $600,000 contract with Electrical Consultants for engineering services.
- An inter-local agreement with Brazos County and the City of Bryan for the 2020 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program. College Station has been allocated $13,416.40 for law enforcement programs.
- A $104,965 contract with Buyers Barricades for 2020 Texas A&M Football postgame traffic control.
- An annual contract not to exceed $150,000 with Rios Tree Services for tree trimming and removal services.
- A resolution selecting a depository bank and authorizing the mayor to enter into the contract on the city’s behalf.
- An annual price agreement not to exceed $189,000 with Techline for air switches.
- An amendment not to exceed $99,982 to an agreement with Invoke for additional implementation services for Microsoft solutions.
7:01 p.m.
FY21 Budget Public Hearing
The council conducted a public hearing on the city’s proposed FY21 budget, which is scheduled to be adopted on Aug. 27. The budget was presented to the council on July 23, followed by three budget workshops on July 27-29.
No one signed up to speak in the public hearing.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:02 p.m.
FY21 Tax Rate
The council is discussing the proposed FY21 property tax rate of $0.534618 per $100 of assessed value, which is the same as the current rate.
Under the Texas Property Tax Code, if the council considers a tax rate that does not exceed the no-new-revenue or voter-approval tax rates, the city does not have to hold a public hearing. If the council considers a tax rate above the no-new-revenue rate, but below the voter-approval rate, the city will call a public hearing.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
About the Blogger
Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as the associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.
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