This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Feb. 28. It’s not the official minutes.
Both meetings are being broadcast live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and can also be watched online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
6:13 p.m.
The workshop meeting has started.
6:16 p.m.
Mayor Nancy Berry proclaimed March as National Nutrition Month with a presentation to the Mid East Texas Dietetic Association (METDA). Pictured below with the mayor (right) is Meghan Windham, president-elect of METDA.
7:15 p.m.
State of Police Department
The council received the annual State of the Police Department Report from College Station Police Chief Jeff Capps, who reviewed 2012 crime statistics and outlined local criminal activity trends. Capps reported that major crimes in College Station declined by 19 percent in 2012 while property crimes fell by 21 percent.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:16 p.m.
The workshop meeting has been suspended and will resume after the regular meeting, which will start after a short break.
7:25 p.m.
The regular meeting has started. Police Chief Capps led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the opening prayer.
7:28 p.m.
No one spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council about items not listed on the posted agenda.
7:30 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:
- The semi-annual report on impact fees.
- A $69,069 contract with Brazos Paving Inc. for the Dexter Street Sidewalks Project.
- A $66,959 contract with Siemens Industry Inc. for the installation of building access security and closed circuit security cameras.
- A contract for $364,529 with Arcadis US, Inc., for the design, bidding, administration services and materials testing for improvements to the Sandy Point Pump Station.
- A contract for $175,691 with Vox Construction, LLC, for the University Drive Sidewalk Improvements Project.
- A bid award of $1,077,410 million for various electrical items and electric meters to be stored in inventory: HD Supply ($35,989); Techline ($352,124); Priester-Mell & Nicolson ($134,684); Texas Electric Cooperatives ($277,062); KBS Electrical Distributors ($218,999); Wesco ($58,552).
- Annual water meter purchases for $300,868 from Aqua Metric Sales Company through the Houston-Galveston Area Council contract.
- The first renewal of the annual price agreement not to exceed $809,550 with Techline for wire and cable.
- Release of lien for 65 acres the city owns on Rock Prairie Road.
- The traffic contact report required annually by the State of Texas.
- A contract for $54,905 with Dudley Construction, LTD, for rehabilitation, additions and upgrades to waterlines and existing water fountains in Wolf Pen Creek Park.
- The application and acceptance of an Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division Grant for the purchase of equipment for the Police Department.
- The city internal auditor’s contract administration audit report.
- The Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications System Capital Improvement Project and the city’s cost share of $72,428.93.
8:20 p.m.
Neighborhood Parking Recommendations
After a public hearing, the council voted 6-1 to approve recommendations by the Joint Task Force on Neighborhood Parking, which was created early in 2012 to address community concerns about neighborhood parking issues and emergency access. Details can be found in the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
8:22 p.m.
Easement Abandonments at 301 Southwest Parkway
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the abandonment of two 0.006-acre public utility easements and a 0.072-acre public utility easement at 301 Southwest Pkwy. to allow for construction of a multi-family development.
8:34 p.m.
Rezoning at 301 Southwest Parkway
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the rezoning of 6.326 acres at 301 Southwest Pkwy. to allow for construction of a multi-family development.
8:36 p.m.
Rezoning at 1402 Earl Rudder Fwy. South
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the rezoning of about 1.27 acres at 1402 Earl Rudder Fwy. South to allow for a small office development.
9:00 p.m.
Church Avenue Realignment
The council unanimously approved a City Participation Agreement for $111,095 for the design and reconstruction of Church Avenue in association with the development of the Rise at Northgate.
10:00 p.m.
City Wide Towing Contractor
The council heard a proposal for the Police Department to continue to accept bids for vehicle towing and storage services and to move away from a rotation system. Each year, the department oversees a time-intensive inspection and permitting process with 29 wrecker companies, and the collected fees do not cover the cost to the city. The consensus of the council was for the Police Department to move forward with accepting bids, and that the council would consider the proposal and other options at a future council meeting.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
10:00 p.m.
The regular meeting was adjourned. The council will resume the workshop agenda.
10:13 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items and received committee reports, the workshop workshop was again suspended and returned to executive session. The council meets again March 14.
