This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Nov. 8. 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.
6:08 p.m.
The workshop meeting has started. Council member Katy-Marie Lyles is absent tonight.
6:22 p.m.
Employer Support of Guard/Reserves
Since Veteran’s Day is Sunday, the council received a special workshop presentation on the city’s support and hiring of veterans, and their participation in the Guard and Reserve. The council also recognized several service member/employees in attendance.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
6:47 p.m.
Historic Preservation Committee Report
The council received the semi-annual report from the Historic Preservation Committee and discussed the group’s goals and objectives for the coming year. The committee’s mission is to “aid in the collection and preservation of the history of the City of College Station and its environs and to provide for education of citizens on the history of this city.”
7:03 p.m.
Rock Prairie Road Corridor Projects
The council was updated on the various transportation improvement projects along the Rock Prairie Road Corridor, including the East side reconstruction, West side expansion and the Rock Prairie Road bridge. The infrastructure projects will support the Medical District.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:03 p.m.
The workshop has been suspended and will resume after the regular meeting. After a short break, the regular meeting will begin momentarily.
7:12 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:33 p.m.
The mayor proclaimed today as Salamanca Day in honor of Bryan/College Station’s sister city, Salamanca, Mexico. A delegation of 16 Salamanca residents, including eight high school students, are visiting the Brazos Valley this week as part of the Sister Cities program.
7:40 p.m.
One person spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens can address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda. He spoke about loading zones in the Northgate area.
7:41 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved these consent items:
- The third 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 multi-family apartments and commercial business locations, and collection of residential roll-off construction and demolition debris.
- A contract for $369,510.10 with Dudley Construction for the Plantation Oaks Waterline Replacement Project.
- A contract for $198,197 with Highway Technologies, Inc., for roadway traffic markings.
- A resolution endorsing Phase II of the University Pedestrian Improvement Project and the application for Texas Transportation Enhancement Funding to reimburse the city for 80 percent of the construction costs.
- An addendum to a contract with the Texas A&M Applied Exercise Science Laboratory to include physical fitness assessments for police and fire department employees.
7:44 p.m.
Easement Abandonment on Rudder Freeway South
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the abandonment of a 0.15-acre, 20-foot wide public utility easement at the location of Varsity Ford to allow for future development.
7:53 p.m.
Right-of-Way Abandonment on Emerald Parkway
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the abandonment of 1.03 acres of unimproved right-of-way on Emerald Parkway near Rudder Freeway South. Since the existing right-of-way includes utilities, the ordinance requires a separate dedication of a public utility easement before the property is abandoned.
8:12 p.m.
Southside Area Neighborhood Plan
After a public hearing, the council unanimously amended the city’s Code of Ordinances related to platting and replatting in older residential subdivisions, along with minimum parking requirements for new construction in part of the Southside neighborhood.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
8:17 p.m.
Rezoning on University Drive East
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the rezoning of about 1.1 acres to general commercial on the property occupied by Aggieland Outfitters at 303A and 303B University Dr. East, 410 Nimitz St., and 411 and 413 Eisenhower St.
8:23 p.m.
Medical District Reinvestment Zone Public Hearing
The council heard a presentation and conducted a public hearing on the future creation of Reinvestment Zone No. 17 for commercial tax abatement in the Medical District. Texas Hotel Management has agreed to sell about six acres to Strategic Behavioral Health for a specialized health hospital that is expected to create 200 jobs with an annual payroll of more than $7.6 million.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
8:23 p.m.
The regular meeting has been adjourned. The council will now finish up the workshop.
8:44 p.m.
After discussing the council calendar, future agenda items and receiving committee reports, the meeting was suspended and council went back into executive session.
9:20 p.m.
The council has come out of executive session and the meeting has been adjourned. Since city offices will be closed Nov. 22, the council will meet again Nov. 19, when the recent election will be certified and two new council members will be sworn into office.
