Here’s a quick look at some of the items the College Station City Council will be discussing Thursday at its workshop and regular meetings. This is not intended to be a complete and official agenda. Click here to see the complete agenda packets.
Workshop Meeting (3 p.m.)
Fair Housing Ordinance Changes
Staff will provide a presentation on proposed changes to the city’s fair housing ordinance. The city’s objective is to ensure that all people have a fair and equal opportunity to purchase, own, lease or occupy housing in the city without discrimination. The ordinance plays a key role in discouraging illegal and unethical housing practices. Staff is asking council for input and direction.
Joint Meeting with Cemetery Committee
The cemetery committee will discuss with council the committee’s recommended changes to cemetery rules and regulations. Under the current regulations, an unspecified number of plants, flowers, and objects of a temporary nature may be placed on graves, which has affected aesthetics and increased maintenance requirements. The committee wants to limit the number of items per space to two and implement a standard schedule of cleanup days.
The committee also recommends the removal of the existing variance request process, which historically has been used for monument issues. The current appeals process allows cemetery lot owners to present variance requests to the Cemetery Advisory Committee, with appeals regarding those decisions being made to the city council.
The committee has worked to preserve the look of the cemeteries that is a result of monument restrictions that have been in place since 1948. The committee feels that allowing exceptions to the monument size restrictions goes against the intent that has been established. In addition, the committee feels there is no compelling reason for not complying with current restrictions.
Impact Fee Report for Water/Wastewater
Staff will present the draft impact fee report to council for informational purposes only. Staff will explain the calculations that lead to maximum impact fees, discuss issues raised by the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee, and respond to questions from the council.
Regular Meeting (7 p.m.)
Consent Agenda
This is not a complete list. Go to page 3-4 of the agenda packet to view all the consent items.
*Ordinance to call a special election to recall Mayor Nancy Berry and council members Katy-Marie Lyles (Place 4) and Dave Ruesink (Place 6). The ordinance calls for the special election to be held on the general election date of May 14.
*Franchise agreement amendment with Brazos Valley Recycling to add the collection of food waste for recycling, multifamily apartments and commercial businesses to its agreement.
*Resolution to hold the second public hearing for potential system capacity impact fees for water and wastewater. As required by state law, this resolution directs council to approve April 14 for the public hearing and for the hearing to be properly noticed in the local newspaper.
*Contract for city hall building security supplied by Siemens Industry, Inc., at a cost of $66,740. The approved FY11 budget includes $60,000 for security improvements. A staff committee has been reviewing security needs to identify ways to ensure the protection and safety of citizens and employees. The contract includes installation of four interior and four exterior cameras, a monitor with remote view capacity, and programmable card readers to control building access. This is likely the first phase in security improvements.
*Annual traffic contact report, which is required by state law. The CSPD employs an independent consultant to analyze traffic stop data for this report. This year’s report finds no significant anomalies regarding racial profiling and indicates the CSPD is in compliance with state law.
*Semi-Annual Report on Impact Fees, provided to council in accordance with state law. The city has five impact fee areas where all associated utility construction is complete.
Regular Agenda
Budget Amendment No. 1
The city charter provides that, after a public hearing, the council can amend the annual budget if funds are available. The proposed budget amendment is to increase appropriations by a total of $3,187,407. The items covered are listed in detail on pages 79-80 of the agenda packet.
Soliciting Construction Bids for Victoria Avenue Improvements
The Victoria Avenue roadway extension will improve circulation around the new high school, which is scheduled to open in August 2012. The roadway section will have two travel sections, a continuous two-way center turn lane, bike lanes and sidewalks. The project also includes a water line extension, sanitary sewer line improvements, storm drainage and street lighting. A total of $2,455,000 is budgeted as part of the 2008 General Obligation Bond funds. The design is complete and staff is seeking permission from council to solicit construction bids.
We’ll post a summary here tonight after the regular session ends.
