Here’s a quick look at some of the items the College Station City Council will be considering Thursday, Oct. 27, 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.)
Rezoning and Sale of Property Near Lick Creek Park
The city council will discuss the rezoning and eventual sale of about 65 acres of city-owned property near Lick Creek Park on Rock Prairie Road. In July, the council directed staff to explore the possible sale of a number of city-owned properties.
Christmas at the Creek
The council will receive an update on the 2011 Christmas at the Creek event, which is a transition from the event location and activities from past holiday seasons. The Parks and Recreation Department has welcomed participation this year from many non-profit groups, several businesses, the Arts Center and numerous churches. Wolf Pen Creek Park will be heavily decorated as and will be a focal point for visitors throughout the season, beginning Thanksgiving weekend and continuing through New Year’s Day. The major activity nights will be the first two weekends in December. Festivities include photos with Santa, hayrides, two entertainment stages, hot chocolate and cookies, a children’s area, a baking contest, a pet night, a live Nativity, vendors selling arts and crafts, as well as food and drink. The primary costs associated with Christmas at the Creek are part of the Parks and Recreation General Fund operating budget. Sponsors are being solicited to help offset costs.
Council Strategic Plan
The council will receive an update on its own strategic plan. In July, the council reviewed conditions affecting the operation of the city government and affirmed its commitment to the adopted Vision Statement, Organizational Mission Statement and Core Values. Staff has incorporated the strategic initiatives and goals into the budget development and worked to finalize the update of the strategic plan.
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.
Housing Program Reconstruction
The council will consider approving the Housing Reconstruction Program Guidelines. Earlier this month, the council directed staff to amend the guidelines to establish a housing reconstruction program. The guidelines make reconstruction an option for clients to rehabilitate their homes under the city’s rehabilitation program. Homes would be reconstructed with federal HOME Investment Partnership grants through an agreement between the homeowner and contractor. A total of $107,159 in HOME funds was approved in the 2011 Action Plan.
The main provisions of the program:
- Assistance of up to $110,000 to demolish and reconstruct a single-family dwelling for owner occupancy.
- Assistance in the form of a mixed loan for up to half of the assistance amount, capped at
$40,000 as a deferred, 0 percent interest, forgivable loan amortized using a monthly rate based on the number of months in a 15-year lien period. That portion of the loan would be forgiven at this rate over the lien period. The remainder would be in the form of a 3 percent interest loan with monthly payments for a specified term.
- Applicants would apply under the Rehabilitation and Minor Home Repair Program. If their home is not eligible for rehabilitation, it would be considered for reconstruction.
- Other eligibility requirements are identical to the rehabilitation program.
Rehabilitation and Minor Home Repair Program Guidelines
The council will consider approving the revised Rehabilitation and Minor Home Repair Program Guidelines. Earlier this month, the council directed staff to amend the housing program guidelines to address minor repairs and home rehabilitation. A total of $15,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds and $107,159 in federal HOME Investment Partnership funds were approved in the 2011 Action Plan.
The guidelines include the following changes:
- Increase the assistance amount to $50,000 from a possible $35,000.
- Eliminate tier system loan structure and replace with a mixed loan, half of which would be forgivable over a 10-year term and the remainder would be repaid monthly with a 3 percent interest rate for a specified term.
- Require a credit score of 575, down from 600. The director would have the ability to waive this requirement.
Funding Agreements
The council will consider approval of funding agreements with several organizations. The council agreed to funding levels for these entities as part of the Fiscal Year 2012 budget process.
- Keep Brazos Beautiful: A total of $50,240 is available in the Sanitation Fund for Keep Brazos Beautiful -- $34,240 for operations and maintenance and $16,000 for beautification grants and projects.
- Noon Lions Club: A total of $10,000 is available in General Fund to provide the I Love America Fourth of July Celebration at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
- George Bush Presidential Library Foundation: A total of $50,000 is available in the Hotel Tax Fund for marketing and operational activities directly associated with the promotion of tourism and the hotel industry.
- The Memorial for all Veterans of the Brazos Valley: A total of $25,000 is available in the Hotel Tax Fund for the funding and design of additional war memorials along the Lynn Stuart Pathway at Veterans Park, which is directly associated with the promotion of tourism and historic preservation.
Regular Agenda
Unified Development Ordinance/Comprehensive Plan Review
The council will conduct a public hearing and discuss the annual review of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and the Comprehensive Plan. The annual review of the UDO is required by the ordinance and helps keep the city’s development relevant. The UDO also calls for an annual review of the Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 2009. The review assesses significant actions and accomplishments during the past year as well as problems.
Thoroughfare Plan Amendment to Comprehensive Plan
The council will conduct a public hearing and consider an amendment to the Thoroughfare Plan as part of its review of the Comprehensive Plan. The amendments include:
- The removal of the Raintree Drive extension to North Forest Drive.
- The extension of Birkdale Drive from Lakeway Drive to the SH 6 Frontage Road.
- The extension of Corsair Circle to Emerald Parkway.
- An increase from two lanes to three to Deacon Drive from Wellborn Road to Holleman South.
- A reduction from four lanes to three to Dartmouth Drive from Harvey Mitchell Parkway to Texas Avenue
- A reduction from six lanes to four to FM 60 from SH 6 to FM 158.
- The removal of an on-grade railroad crossing at Southwest Parkway and Wellborn Road and at Union Pacific Railroad, and the termination of Southwest Parkway at Wellborn Road.
Comprehensive Plan Chapter 2 Amendments
The council will conduct a public hearing and consider amending Chapter 2 (Community Character) of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The amendments include:
- The expansion of Growth Area IV, which is generally located north of William D. Fitch Parkway near the intersection of Fitch and Wellborn Road
- A change in land use and character designation from Urban Mixed-Use to Urban and a second portion from General Commercial to Urban Mixed-Use in the Richards Subdivision area, which is located east of Texas Avenue between Holleman Drive and Manuel Drive.
- The expansion of Growth Area V, which is generally located west of Holleman Drive South near the intersection of Holleman and Rock Prairie Road.
Food Establishments
The council will conduct a public hearing and consider an amendment to the Health and Sanitation chapter of the city’s Code of Ordinances. The amendment would meet Food and Drug Administration requirements to promote uniformity of rules, inspections and the prevention of food-borne illness at food establishments.
Parks and Recreation User Fees
The council will consider approving recommended user fees for the Parks and Recreation Department’s 2012 programs and facilities. The Parks and Recreation Department conducts annual reviews of user fees to determine direct costs and market rates, and the Parks and
The Recreation Advisory Board has established a policy statement to provide guidance in the establishment of fees. If approved, the new fees will become effective Jan. 1.
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 site.