Live Blog: Thursday’s City Council Meetings (March 22)

This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, March 22. It is not the official minutes.

7:56 p.m.

The regular meeting has been adjourned. The council meets again on April 12.

7:55 p.m.

Substation Distribution Upgrade and Entergy Tie Bid

The council unanimously approved a $1.5 million bid by Pike Electric Corporation for the construction of Switch Station Substation Distribution improvements and an Entergy Texas, Inc. transmission line.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

7:32 p.m.

Amendment to 2008 Action Plan

The council unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s 2008 Annual Action Plan to include the revised use of federal funds (Community Development Block Grant Program) for sidewalk construction to low and moderate income neighborhoods along Holleman, Lassie, Manuel and Pedernales streets.

7:18 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council unanimously approved the consent agenda:

• Authorized city staff to negotiate for the purchase of easements needed for the Roydernive Oak Sewer Extension Project.
• Approved a professional services contract of $316,000 with Jones and Carter, Inc., for the design, bidding and construction phase services associated with the RoyderILive Oak Sewer Extension Project.
• Approved the publication of notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation, series 2012; and an effective date.
• Approved a professional services contract not to exceed $114,500 with Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. for the engineering design services for the Health Sciences Center Parkway Waterline Project, and a resolution declaring intention to reimburse certain expenditures with proceeds from debt.
• Approved a “Resolution Declaring Intention to Reimburse Certain Expenditures with Proceeds from Debt” for expenditures related to the East Side Sewer Service project and the city’s portion of the cost for the design and construction of the West Side Sewer project.
• Approved the application and acceptance of a U.S. Department of Justice, 2012 COPS Hiring Recovery Program grant.
• Approved the second renewal of a bid by Brazos Site Works for crushed stone in an amount not to exceed $162,919. No increase from the current year will be applied to this renewal.
• Approved the first of three readings of a non-exclusive franchise agreement with Waste Management Health Care Solutions, Inc. for collecting and disposing treated and untreated medical waste from various health care-related facilities.
• Approved an Inter-Local Agreement with the College Station Independent School District for the placement of radio antennas on each other’s facilities.
• Approved a credit  change order with Alsay Incorporated, reducing the contract for Water Well Rehabilitation by $65,403 and enabling the contract to close out.

7:13 p.m.

The Public Works and Water Services departments were recognized for receiving accreditation from the American Public Works Association.

7:04 p.m.

The regular meeting has started.

6:59 p.m.

The workshop meeting has been adjourned. The regular meeting will start momentarily.

6:47 p.m.

Technology Plan

The council received an update on the city’s five-year Technology Plan, which is prepared each year in support of the Strategic Plan and as a part of the budget preparation process. The plan is finalized once the budget is set and provides a planning tool for technology use throughout the city. The process looks at what is required to maintain the current level of technology as well as new technologies which may enhance services provided to citizens.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

6:22 p.m.

Bond Sale and Refunding

The council heard a presentation on the city’s 2012 bond sale and refunding, and financing structure. The presentation provided an overview of the 2012 proposed capital project funding list, a potential refunding opportunity and the structure of financing. The city has the opportunity to refund a portion of its General Obligation, Certificates of Obligation and Utility Revenue Bonds from 2003-05 to achieve savings with lower interest rates. Refunding is issuing new debt to replace and pay off existing debt. To take advantage of low interest rates and save on debt issuance cost, staff recommended combining the new money sale with the refunding, which would require a negotiated sale rather than the normal bidding process.

In Fiscal Year 2012, the city plans to issue $4.4 million in General Obligation Bonds and $17.4 million in Certificates of Obligation Bonds. Based on current estimates, the refunding of $30.3 million will reduce overall costs by at least 5.84 percent. Gross savings to College Station taxpayers will be more than $2.1 million over the next 10 years. The savings will help the city by providing an additional margin that council may use for projects not currently funded by an identified source.

The council will consider approving the publication of notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation as part of the consent agenda during the regular meeting.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

6:02 p.m.

The workshop meeting has started.

The workshop and regular meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Ch. 19, or online.