This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Dec. 13. 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 website.
4:05 p.m.
The workshop meeting has started.
4:25 p.m.
City employee recognition
The council recognized several city employees who have reached 20, 25, 30 or 35 years of service. The lone 35-year employee was Water/Wasterwater System Operator Jeff Boriski (below with City Manager David Neeley and Mayor Nancy Berry), who began working for the city in the spring of 1977.
Water Service’s Environmental Technician James Boykin (below with Neeley and Berry) was named as the city’s 2012 Employee of the Year from a field of 13 nominees. When the city sought cost estimates for developing a comprehensive plan that flushes water lines and improves water quality, one proposal was for about $1 million. In his 13th year with the city, Boykin stepped up and said he could develop one just as good, and cheaper — and he did.
The council has gone into executive session and will return to the workshop agenda at about 6 p.m.
6:10 p.m.
The workshop meeting has resumed.
6:11 p.m.
Simpson named interim city manager
By a unanimous vote, the council named Deputy City Manager Frank Simpson as interim city manager effective Jan. 12, when City Manager David Neeley’s resignation becomes effective.
Simpson came to the City of College Station after seven years as city manager of Missouri City (2004-11). He previously served as city manager of Webster (2001-04) and Center (1995-01), and was an assistant city manager in La Marque (1994-95).
Simpson began his long municipal government career as a public utilities worker for the City of College Station in 1986 while attending Texas A&M. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1988 and a master’s in public administration from A&M in 1990. Simpson worked in various administrative capacities with the City of College Station from 1989-93.
6:35 p.m.
Enterprise resource planning upgrade/replacement
The council heard a presentation on a proposed $95,195 contract with BerryDunn to conduct an analysis of the city’s financial and management software and recommend alternatives. The council will consider approving the contract as part of the consent agenda in tonight’s regular meeting. The possible replacement of the software has significant implications regarding scope, complexity and potential cost.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
6:51 p.m.
Council strategic plan for 2013
The council discussed its annual strategic plan and reviewed potential agenda items for the workshops scheduled for Jan. 28-29. The council meets each year in a multi-day workshop to review and update its strategic plan in preparation for development of the following fiscal year’s budget. Agenda items requested by the council include a strategic plan review and update, disposition of the conference center, Lick Creek Nature Center design and programming, impact of recent budget reductions on city services, funding of infrastructure to undeveloped areas, and the city’s electric power supply.
7:07 p.m.
After discussing the council calendar, future agenda items and receiving committee reports, the workshop was adjourned. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
7:16 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:20 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:
- Authorized the mayor to submit an authenticated copy of the amended city charter to the Texas Secretary of State. Voters in the November election approved several changes to the charter.
- The 2013 Council Calendar.
- Removed from the city’s Code of Ordinances a requirement that the bond a mobile food vendor applicant executes needs to extend two years after the permit expires and clarifies that the bond is payable to the City of College Station.
- Renewal of the Stop Loss reinsurance for the city’s self-funded health plan with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBS) for 2013. Estimated annual premiums are $569,232.
- A new policy for employee life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), voluntary life and AD&D and dependent life insurance with Mutual of Omaha. The projected annual cost is $93,000.
- A contract for $95,195 with BerryDunn to conduct an analysis of the city’s financial software and recommend alternatives. This item was discussed in the workshop.
- A bid award of $483,617.06 for the purchase of steel, fiberglass, and concrete electric distribution poles to TransAmerican Power Products ($96,725), HD Supply Utilities ($160,936.40), Stress Crete ($208,231), and RS Technologies ($17,724.66).
- Declared intention to reimburse certain expenditures with proceeds from debt for the Rock Prairie Road Rehabilitation project.
- Delegated authority to the city manager to approve and execute routine documents on the city’s behalf.
- A contract for $101,945.98 with Texas Landscape Creations for the Barron Road Phase 2 Landscaping project.
- A change order for $41,500 to a contract with Mitchell & Morgan and approval of a resolution declaring intention to reimburse certain expenditures with proceeds from debt.
8:00 p.m.
Buena Vida Parking Removal
After a public hearing, the council voted 6-1 to remove parking from the fire hydrant side of Keefer Loop and Cullen Trail in the Buena Vida subdivision to allow easier access for emergency vehicles. Councilmember James Benham voted against the motion. By a 4-3 vote, the council rejected a proposal to also remove parking along one side of Toni Court. Councilmembers Karl Mooney, Jess Fields and Benham supported the motion.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
9:11 p.m.
Medical District Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone
After a public hearing, the council voted 6-1 to designate eastern and western portions of the Medical District as Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZs). Councilmember Jess Fields voted against both designations. With tax revenue from new development in the area, the TIRZ could help pay for about $60 million in needed infrastructure over the next 20 years.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
11:03 p.m.
Medical District Municipal Management Districts
After a public hearing, the council heard a presentation on the possible creation of two Municipal Management Districts (MMDs) in the Medical District. One MMD would be for the portion of the Medical District that’s already developed and the other for the portion that will be developed. In January, the council will consider a resolution to support state legislation creating the MMDs.
The MMD for the developed area would focus on marketing, promotion and enhanced services such as landscaping or wayfinding. The MMD for the undeveloped area would address the same issues but also would focus on the delivery of necessary infrastructure. The MMDs would have the authority to identify projects and establish assessments on the properties that benefit from them. Only in the undeveloped MMD is an additional ad valorem tax being considered. This tax, which must be approved by voters, would only apply to properties in the undeveloped MMD and would be used to compliment the TIRZ funding of infrastructure.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
11:03 p.m.
The council meeting was adjourned. The council meets again for a workshop on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
