Here’s a quick look at some of the items the College Station City Council will be considering Thursday, Sept. 8, at its workshop and regular meetings. This blog is not intended as a complete and official agenda. Click here to see the entire agenda packets.
Workshop Meeting (3 p.m.)
Research Valley Partnership
The city council will receive a presentation from the Research Valley Partnership (RVP) on the organization’s budget request for FY 2012. The RVP promotes economic development in the Brazos Valley. The group’s budget request for the next fiscal year is $350,000. The RVP currently receives $300,000 from the city’s general fund.
Fire Station No. 6 Community Engagement Plan
The council will review the city’s public engagement plan for Fire Station No. 6. Located at the intersection of Tarrow and University drives, the station is expected to open late in 2012. Public meetings are set for Sept. 13 and Sept. 20 with groundbreaking scheduled for Sept. 27. The station will serve the University Drive Corridor and will provide improved fire and emergency medical services to North College Station and Texas A&M.
Council Strategic Plan
The council will review the progress on its strategic plan update and provide direction to staff. The council began updating the plan at its annual retreat in July, when it reviewed current and projected conditions that affect the operation of city government, and affirmed its commitment to the adopted Vision Statement, Organizational Mission Statement, and Core Values.
Regular Meeting (7 p.m.)
Consent Agenda
This is not a complete list of consent agenda items. Click here to view all the consent items.
November Special Election
The council will consider ordering a special election on Nov. 8 to submit proposed amendments to the city charter to the voters, establishing early voting locations and polling places and making provisions for conducting the election. When the council voted in August to have a charter amendment election, Brazos County had not yet considered precinct lines and whether any adjustments might be needed. This election could cost the county as much as $90,000 dollars. The city will have to pay a proportionate share of the expenses, which is estimated to be as much as $35,000.
Lick Creek Hike and Bike Project
The council will consider a professional services contract not to exceed $64,365 with Halff Associates, Inc. for the Lick Creek Hike and Bike Trail project. The project will include about 4 1/2 miles of trails along Lick Creek from Victoria Avenue near Westfield Park to Lick Creek Park. It will connect residential neighborhoods and College Station Independent School District property. The contract includes a preliminary design study and public engagement for development of the trail, which is part of the city’s Bikeway Master Plan. A total of $4.4 million is budgeted for this project from the Streets Capital Projects Fund, with $100,000 budgeted for the preliminary design study phase.
New Skate Park Name
The council will consider official adoption of a name for the new skate park at the Southwood Athletic Complex, which was approved by voters in the 2008 bond election. This city had a contest in early August to solicit input from citizens and skate park users for an exciting, creative and unique name for the facility. The Parks and Recreation staff and Public Communications staff selected the final name from those submitted and presented it to the City Manager, who discussed it with the City Council at its Aug. 25 meeting. The name was revealed to the public as part of the park’s grand opening on Sept. 3.
BVSWMA, Inc. Proposed FY 2012 Budget
The council will consider the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency’s proposed FY 2012 budget and business plan. The BVSWMA, Inc. Board of Directors approved the budget in August, and must now be approved by the cities of College Station and Bryan. BVSWMA’s proposed budget revenue is $6.56 million and expenses are $11 million.
Purchase of Water Meters
The council will consider approving annual water meter purchases worth $382,978 from Aqua Metric Sales Company through the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) contract. The water meters will be purchased, stocked in the Water/Wastewater inventory, and expensed as necessary for the ongoing water meter replacement program. Funds are budgeted and available in the Water/Wastewater Fund.
Regular Agenda
Public Hearing on City’s Proposed FY 2012 Budget
The council will conduct a public hearing and discuss the city’s proposed FY 2012 budget, which includes the lowest property tax rate in a decade and no increases in the electric, water or sanitation rates. The City Charter requires the city council to have a public hearing on the proposed budget, and after that hearing the council may insert or decrease items as long as the total of any changes don’t increase the total budget by more than 3 percent. The council is scheduled to adopt the proposed budget and tax rate on Sept. 22.
Click here to view the complete proposed FY 2012 budget.
Watch Live on Ch. 19
The workshop and regular meetings can be seen live on Suddenlink Ch. 19, or online. Previous council meetings are archived on the web site.
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