Live Blog: Thursday’s City Council Meetings (May 9)

This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, May 9. 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.

6:29 p.m.

The start of the workshop has been delayed due to extensive flooding in the south wing of city hall, including the council chambers. The water is being cleared and the meeting will start shortly. Here’s your friendly city blogger surveying the scene:

6:35 p.m.

The workshop meeting has started.

6:59 p.m.

Water Master Plan Update – Northgate Area

The council unanimously accepted an update to the Water Master Plan for the Northgate area. The updated plan identifies major water line connections needed in the existing system to allow the distribution system to operate more efficiently and abide by state regulations. The study concludes that the city is in good shape for the next several years but will need a new water main on the west side of town in about five years.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

7:04 p.m.

After the council discussed the council calendar and future agenda items, and received committee reports, the workshop was adjourned.

7:15 p.m.

The regular meeting has started. After a moment of silence for City Manager Frank Simpson, who passed away April 27, Fire Chief R.B. Alley led the Pledge of Allegiance and opening prayer. The city manager’s seat at the council table was left vacant in his memory:

7:20 p.m.

Bennie Luedke Training Room

The council unanimously voted to dedicate the training room in the College Station Utilities Meeting and Training Facility to Bennie Luedke and all long-serving City of College Station employees for their years of service, dedication and hard work. Luedke worked for the City of College Station from 1950 to 1990. The city’s first 40-year employee, Luedke passed away in 2008 at the age of 80, serving half his life with the City of College Station.

Here’s a video the council watched about Luedke:

Here’s a photo of the Luedke family with the commemorative plaque that will be mounted tomorrow in the CSU training room:

7:23 p.m.

National Bike Month

Mayor Nancy Berry proclaimed May as National Bike Month with a presentation to the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board. Click here to read a blog about bicycling in College Station.

7:25 p.m.

Trauma Awareness Month

Mayor Berry proclaimed May as Trauma Awareness Month with a presentation to St. Joseph Regional Health Center’s Trauma Service.

7:30 p.m.

Hear Visitors

Linda Harvell, chair of the 75th Anniversary Citizens Planning Committee, spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda. She voiced her support for the city’s efforts to observe the 75th anniversary of its incorporation later this year.

7:53 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council unanimously approved these consent agenda items:

• Authorized city staff to negotiate the purchase of easements for the Bee Creek Parallel Trunk Line Project.
• A contract for $1523,904 with D&S Contracting, Inc., for improvements to Iron Bridge Trail and Raccoon Run Trail in Lick Creek Park.
• The first of two readings of a non-exclusive franchise agreement with MedStar Services, LLC, for collecting and disposing treated and untreated medical waste from healthcare related facilities.
• The FY14 operating and capital budgets for the Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications System, and authorized the city’s annual payment of $210,732 for the operating budget and $73,460.53 for the capital budget.
• Amended the authorized representatives on the local government pool account, TexPool.
• Amended the authorized representatives on the local government pool account, Texas Short Term Asset Reserve.
• A contract for $1.26 million with Grid Utility, LLC, for annual electric system construction and maintenance labor.

This item was pulled for a separate vote:

• The council voted 4-3 to approve a contract for $281,500 with Ray + Hollington Architects, Inc., for the development of the Lick Creek Park Nature Center. Mayor Nancy Berry and councilmembers James Benham and Jess Fields voted against the motion.
• The council voted 6-1 to approve a real estate contract for $119,900 with Dorothy Ross for the sale of 1022 Crested Point with assistance provided through the HOME Reconstruction Loan Program, and authorized the city manager to sign a temporary residential lease with Ross for the property. Councilmember Fields voted against the motion.

9:09 p.m.

Rezoning at 2381 Earl Rudder Freeway

After a public hearing, the council voted 6-1 to approve the rezoning about 14.2 acres at 2381 Earl Rudder Freeway South, which is generally located north of Raintree Drive and south of Horse Haven Estates. Councilmember Karl Mooney voted against the motion. Rezoning about 7 acres of the area to Suburban Commercial increases the property owner’s development options and makes it more marketable. Rezoning the remaining seven acres to Natural Areas Preserve allows the floodplain and floodway to remain undeveloped.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

9:09 p.m.

The regular meeting has been adjourned. the council meets again May 23.