Live Blog: Thursday’s City Council Meetings (Oct. 25)

6:14 p.m.

The workshop meeting has started. Council member Blanche Brick is absent tonight.

6:17 p.m.

Mayor Nancy Berry presented a proclamation recognizing Nov. 9 as Buddy Poppy Day. Receiving the proclamation were Gerry Hince (left), auxiliary president of the American Legion – Earl Graham Post 159 in Bryan, and auxiliary treasurer Gail Marion (right).

6:20 p.m.

Conference Center Evaluation

The council agreed to delay any action concerning the College Station Conference Center until January’s strategic planning workshop. The facility was closed for safety reasons in early July.

7:01 p.m.

TAMU Transit and the dual-ridership program

The council heard a presentation from Brazos Transit District President/CEO John McBeth on Texas A&M Transit and the district’s dual-ridership program, and future expansion of transit services to South College Station. The council discussed future funding partnership opportunities similar to the bus shelter matching grant. The city doesn’t provide direct financial support for these transit providers.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

7:01 p.m.

The council has suspended the workshop and will take a short break before starting the regular meeting.

7:14 p.m.

The regular meeting has started.

7:19 p.m.

Brazos County Response to West Nile Virus

The council finished up the workshop agenda with an update from the Brazos County Health Department on its West Nile Virus response. The health department receives $326,500 in annual funding from the city.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

7:20 p.m.

No one spoke during hear visitor’s, when citizen’s may address the council on items not posted on the agenda.

7:24 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council unanimously approved there consent agenda items:

• The 2012 property tax roll of $25,503,096.29.
• Authorized the city manager to award a contract for $461,900 to MC Sandblasting & Painting, and a contingency transfer of $115,000 from Water Capital Projects’ contingency budget to recoat a water storage tank.
• An interlocal agreement with the Texas Department of Public Safety related to OmniBase Services.
• The city’s investment policy, broker-dealer list and investment strategy.
• $59,776 for equipment and accessories for athletic fields maintenance.
• The termination of a franchise agreement with BCS Stop N’ Go Potties for the collection of demolition and construction debris from residential properties.
• The second reading of a franchise agreement with Brazos Valley Recycling and Big Dumpster  for the collection of construction and demolition debris, recycling, and organic waste from multifamily apartments and businesses, and residential roll-off construction and demolition debris.
• An additional $20,000 for Lloyd Gosselink for professional legal services for various water and wastewater issues.
• An interlocal agreement with Texas A&M University about maintenance and cost sharing for the Jones-Butler Road Extension project.
• The first renewal of a contract not to exceed $544,000 with Brazos Paving Inc., for the annual blanket order of concrete curb/gutter and flatwork to maintain city infrastructure.

The council voted 5-1 to approve these consent agenda items. Council Member Jess Fields voted against all four motions:

• A FY13 funding agreement for $46,240 with Keep Brazos Beautiful for operations, maintenance, grants and events.
• A FY13 funding agreement for $10,000 with the College Station Noon Lions Club for the annual Fourth of July celebration at the Bush Library.
• The fourth of five annual economic development incentive payments of $250,000 to the Texas A&M Institute for Preclinical Studies.
• A contract with Brazos Valley Community Action Agency for a grant of $114,794 in federal funds for the construction of an affordable single-family home at 1205 Carolina.

7:46 p.m.

Brian Bachmann Community Park

After a public hearing, the council voted 6-0 to change the name of Southwood Community Park to Brian Bachmann Community Park in honor of the local constable who died in the line of duty in August. The city received more than 130 letters supporting the change. Four people spoke in support during the public hearing.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

8:28 p.m.

Annual Review of Comp Plan and UDO

The council unanimously accepted the annual review of the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The review included significant actions, accomplishments and problem areas. No one spoke during the public hearing.

Click here to view an interactive version of the review document.

Here’s the PowerPoint version of the review:

 

8:41 p.m.

Normand Drive Extension — Specialized Health Hospital

The council unanimously approved an economic development agreement to support a specialized health hospital with the extension of Normand Drive near the College Station Medical Center. Under the agreement, the property owner would build an off-site extension to Normand Drive and sell several acres to a prospective developer, who is expected to invest $10 million and create 200 full-time jobs with the new facility. In exchange, the city would contribute $300,000 to the off-site project — $165,000 in set-aside bond funds and $135,000 received from the College Station Medical Center for the Normand extension.

The council will have a detailed discussion about the hospital in November.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

8:42 p.m.

Planning & Zoning Appointments

The council unanimously approved Brad Corrier  to a one-year-term and Vergal Gay to a two-year term on the Planning & Zoning Commission. The vacancies were created when James Benham was declared elected to the city council and Craig Hall resigned.

8:46 p.m.

After discussing the council calendar, future agenda items and receiving committee reports, the meeting was adjourned. The council meets again on Nov. 8.