This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, March 14. 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.
6:12 p.m.
The workshop has started.
6:59 p.m.
Arts Council Update
The council heard an update from Chris Dyer, executive director of the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, on the organization’s activities. In Fiscal Year 2013, the Arts Council is receiving $100,000 from the city’s General Fund for operations and $300,000 in hotel occupancy taxes for marketing and affiliate funding.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:00 p.m.
The workshop has been suspended and will resume after the regular meeting.
7:02 p.m.
The regular meeting has started. Fire Chief R.B. Alley led the Pledge of Allegiance and opening prayer.
7:05 p.m.
One person spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the city council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda. She spoke out against the proposed private landfill west of the city.
7:14 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved these consent agenda items:
- An owner agreement for Home Reconstruction Loan Program activity at 3385 Barron Cutoff Rd. and 1022 Crested Point.
- A contract for $1.17 million with Brazos Paving for the HSC Parkway Waterline Extension.
- A contract for $133,639 with AquaMetric Sales Co. for the purchase of water meters.
- The first renewal of a bid not to exceed $58,654.66 with ProSTAR Industries for the purchase of janitorial supplies.
- A contract for $57,200 with Gessner Engineering for a roadway condition analysis and pavement management plan update.
- Bid awards for annual street maintenance agreements: $79,000 with Brazos Paving for asphalt pavement repairs; $30,000 with Larry Young Paving for resealing concrete joints; $162,500 with Kuntz Contracting for crack sealing; and $342,000 with Viking Construction for microsurfacing.
The council pulled this item for a separate vote:
- By a vote of 6-1, the council authorized city staff to negotiate for the purchase of easements for the FM 2154 (Wellborn Road) Sidewalk Improvements Project. Councilmember Jess Fields voted against the motion. An earlier motion by Councilmember Karl Mooney to amend the language of the resolution failed by a 5-2 vote. Mooney and Fields voted for the motion.
7:20 p.m.
Right-of-Way Abandonment
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the abandonment of a 0.0201-acre right-of-way at 201 Montclair Ave. to allow for development.
7:23 p.m.
Utility Easement Abandonment
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the abandonment of a 0.55-acre portion of a 20-foot utility easement at 8751 HSC Pkwy. to allow for development in the BioCorridor.
7:24 p.m.
The regular meeting was adjourned. The council will now resume the workshop agenda.
7:26 p.m.
Council Strategic Plan Update
The council unanimously approved an update to its strategic plan. The council reviewed and revised the plan at its annual planning retreat in January. Several items were identified that will be discussed in workshops in the coming months, including the Compensation and Benefits Plan, Economic Development Master Plan and the Development Review Process Assessment. The council and an in-depth discussion of the plan prior to its executive session this afternoon. That discussion will be available online Friday.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:38 p.m.
After the council reviewed its calendar and received committee reports, the regular meeting was adjourned. The council meets again March 28.
