This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, July 26. It’s not the official minutes.
The workshop and regular meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Ch. 19, or online. An archive of previous council meetings also is available on the site.
6:04 p.m.
The workshop meeting has started. Council member Jess Fields is absent.
7:01 p.m.
Economic Development Master Plan
The council heard an update on the first phase of the Economic Development Master Plan, which is being prepared as part of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The first phase focuses on demographics, socioeconomic data, a preliminary assessment of market conditions, and preliminary identification of opportunities and challenges in the local market.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:02 p.m.
The workshop meeting has been adjourned. The regular meeting will start momentarily.
7:18 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:28 p.m.
The council received a special presentation about the Museum of the American GI, which included a short film produced by the Arts Council of Brazos Valley. The museum is located on Hwy. 6 in South College Station.
7:35 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Two people spoke to the council during hear visitors. One spoke about the Lick Creek Greenways Trail and the other to request a no parking zone in the cul-de-sac behind the old Albertson’s in the Chimney Hill area.
7:36 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:
- An annual blanket purchase order of $65,000 with Boundtree Medical L.L.C. for EMS supplies.
- An annual contract not to exceed $923,200 with Brazos Paving, Inc. for the maintenance of streets.
- A contract for $60,000 with Bryan Texas Utilities for the temporary operation of College Station’s electric transmission system.
- An Inter-Local Agreement with the College Station Independent School District to provide three school resource officers.
7:53 p.m.
Payroll Policies and Procedures Audit
The council heard the results of an audit of the city’s payroll policies and procedures. The internal auditor found no evidence of fraud but identified areas where internal controls could be strengthened.
9:53 p.m.
Public Hearing on Proposed Charter Amendments
Six citizens spoke during a public hearing about proposed amendments to the City Charter. Two spoke in favor of the proposed changes, and four were against. Lynn McIlhaney, chair of the Citizens Charter Review Commission, told the council that most of the recommendations were intended to bring the city charter in line with state law. The commission also recommended adding specific grounds for the recall of council members, which is not required under the current charter. Commission members Chuck Ellison, Buck Prewitt, Tony Jones, Brian Bochner and Terry Childers also offered their perspectives to the council.
After the public hearing, the council discussed the actual ballot language but made no final decisions. It unanimously agreed that the current requirements for signing a recall petition should remain in place. The charter says that recall petitions must be signed by a number of registered voters equal to at least 40 percent of the total votes cast for the office in question. The commission had recommended that it be limited to those who actually voted. The council also decided to change current charter language regarding conflict of interest to reflect state law.
9:56 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items and committee reports, the regular meeting was adjourned. The council meets again Aug. 9.
