Live Blog: Thursday's City Council Meetings (Aug. 23)

This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Aug. 23. 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.

6:01 p.m.

The workshop meeting has started.

6:04 p.m.

Mayor Berry proclaimed September as Library Card Sign-Up Month.

6:34 p.m.

The council discussed several items on the consent agenda, including the inter-local agreement with the Brazos Transit District for the construction of bus shelters,  the contribution of Hotel Occupancy Tax funds to the B/CS Chamber of Commerce and the consulting contract with First Southwest Company. The consent agenda will be considered during the regular meeting later tonight.

6:48 p.m.

Wastewater Collection Projects

The council heard a report on the status of the city's five major wastewater collection construction projects -- the Bee Creek Trunk Line, Wellborn Gravity Sewer Line, East Side Sewer System, Northeast Trunk Line, and the Spring Creek Corporate Campus and Lick Creek Trunk Lines. These projects will require significant capital investment in the next decade to meet demands and allow for development.

Here's the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

6:55 p.m.

South Knoll-The Glade Utility Rehabilitation Project

The council heard a presentation on the South Knoll-The Glade Utility Rehabilitation Project, which includes the rehabilitation of water and wastewater infrastructure in the area generally bounded by Glade Street, Haines Drive, Langford Street and Bee Creek Drive. The council will consider the construction contract as part of tonight's consent agenda.

Here's the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

6:56 p.m.

The council discussed its upcoming calendar, then took a short break. They will finish the remaining items on the workshop agenda after the regular meeting.

7:09 p.m.

The regular meeting has started.

7:14 p.m.

Mayor Nancy Berry asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of those who died in last week's shooting in College Station, as well as recent shootings across the nation. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Fire Chief R.B. Alley  led the opening prayer. Council  Member Karl Mooney thanked all the first responders and city staff who were involved with the crime scene and investigation, and thanked the community for the outpouring of support it gave to the victim's families.

7:20 p.m.

Mayor Berry recognized and presented Joanne Yeager with a proclamation for her service on the Senior Advisory Committee.

7:26 p.m.

One citizen spoke during hear visitors regarding the sudden closure of the College Station Conference Center.

7:30 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council unanimously approved these consent agenda items:

• An inter-local agreement with Brazos County for the administration of the city’s general and special election in November.
• A contract for $3.7 million with Elliott Construction for the South Knoll-The Glade Utility Rehabilitation Project, and a resolution declaring intention to reimburse certain expenditures with proceeds from debt.
• Renewal of the annual reconfirmation and use of service and equipment to be provided by the city in the event of a radiological Incident at the Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center.
• Amendments to contracts with the Brazos Valley Community Action Agency to revise the use of Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) proceeds from activities completed with HOME Investment Partnership Program grant funds, and to delete the requirement for the return of 25 percent of the proceeds generated from funds.
• A contract for $100,850 with Hawkins Architecture for the design of an expansion to the maintenance facility at Veterans Park.
• A deductive change order of $160,192.37 to the contract with Follis-Cole Construction for the
• Emerald Forest Drainage Improvements Project.
• Renewal of an easement agreement with the Texas A&M University System for the operation and maintenance of the traffic signal at Bizzell Drive and George Bush Drive.
• A contract for $61,406.31 with Dailey Electric to add electrical power at various locations throughout Wolf Pen Creek Park.
• Annual expenditures for copying and printing services estimated at $40,000 to Tops Printing,  $40,000 to Copy Corner, $20,000 to Office Depot, and $20,000 to Cerqa.
• A bid of $89,410 for the purchase of various pad-mounted distribution transformers by HD Supply Utilities ($53,150), Techline ($21,416) and KBS ($14,844).

The council voted separately on these consent items:

• Voted 6-1 to approve an inter-local agreement with the Brazos Transit District for the construction of two bus shelters, which includes a 25 percent match by the city of not more than $12,500 from the  Strong & Sustainable Neighborhood Grant program. Councilmember Jess Fields voted against the motion.
• Voted 6-1 to approve a Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund agreement for $25,000 with the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce. Councilmember Fields voted against the motion.
• Voted 5-2 to renew of a consulting contract for not more than $175,000 with First Southwest Company for financial advisory services. Councilmembers Fields and Karl Mooney voted against the motion.
• Voted unanimously to approve a motion by Councilmember Mooney to require the city to distribute a Request for Proposal for financial advisory services for the 2014 Fiscal Year.

8:11 p.m.

Public Hearing on Proposed Budget

No citizens spoke during a public hearing on the city’s Proposed FY13 Budget. Final adoption of the budget and tax rate is set for Sept. 13. After the public hearing, the council discussed several items in the budget and a number of motions were made, but no action was taken.

9:26 p.m.

Southside Area Neighborhood Plan

After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the Southside Area Neighborhood Plan, which is designed to stabilize and protect the neighborhood while encouraging appropriate redevelopment opportunities. The area generally is bounded by George Bush Drive, Texas Avenue South, Holleman Drive, Welsh Avenue, Southwest Parkway and Wellborn Road.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

9:26 p.m.

The council is taking a short break.

9:40 p.m.

The meeting has started again.

9:45 p.m.

International Building Code Amendment

After a public hearing, the council voted 6-1 to amend to the 2012 International Building Code by establishing a fire district. Councilmember Fields voted against the motion.