Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (June 27)

This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, June 27. 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.

6:08 p.m.

The workshop has started.

6:33 p.m.

Legislative Session Update

The council was updated on the recently completed session of the Texas Legislature and discussed legislation that will impact the city. Among the items the legislature approved were a revision to the hotel occupancy tax rate in Brazos County for the purpose of renovating Kyle Field, and the creation of Rock Prairie Municipal Management Districts No. 1 and 2.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

7:08 p.m.

CSISD Natatorium Review

The council heard a presentation on the inclusion of a natatorium in the upcoming College Station Independent School District bond package and discussed possible involvement by the City of College Station.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

7:17 p.m.

After the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items and committee reports, the workshop was adjourned. The regular meeting will start momentarily.

7:25 p.m.

The regular meeting has started. Councilmember Julie Schultz is out of town.

7:30 p.m.

Mayor Nancy Berry helped recognize implementation of a Community Wildlife Protection Plan by the College Station Fire Department and Texas A&M Forest Service. The plan was developed in accordance with the Healthy Forests Restoration Act. Pictured below with Mayor Berry are CSFD’s Assistant Fire Chief Jon Mies, Captain Joe Warren, Lt. Tim Hamff and Public Education Officer Christina Seidel, as well as Forest Service Wildland Urban Interface Specialists Melanie Spradling and Luke Kanclerz.

7:36 p.m.

One person signed up to speak during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda. He praised city staff for the way they handled a situation this week regarding development activities near the Raintree Subdivision.

7:59 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council unanimously approved these consent items:

• A bid award of $69,195 to KBS ($51,210) and Wesco ($17,985) for the purchase of pole-mounted and pad-mounted distribution transformers to be maintained in inventory.
• The annual reconfirmation and use of service and equipment provided by the City of College Station in the event of a radiological incident at Texas A&M’s Nuclear Science Center.
• An inter-local agreement with Brazos County and the City of Bryan for the application and acceptance of a 2013 Justice Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for various Police Department projects, training and equipment.
• A contract for $97,300 with Bury & Partners for the Wastewater Aeration Equipment Replacement Project.
• An annual price agreement not to exceed $248,000 with Brazos Paving for cement stabilized base rock.
• An annual price agreement for $121,660.65 with Crafco Texas for crack sealant and detack material.
• A bid award not to exceed $462,000 with Superior Crushed Stone for the annual purchase of crushed stone.
• A contract for $190,200 with Jones and Carter, Inc., for design, bidding, and construction administration services for the Area 2 Waterline Project.
• A change order of $7,963 to the professional services contract with HDR, Inc., for the Lick Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Miscellaneous Improvements Project.
• The second reading of a franchise agreement amendment with Texas Commercial Waste for the collection of construction and demolition debris, recycling, and organic waste from multifamily apartments and commercial business locations, along with residential roll-off construction and demolition debris.
• The payment to Reynolds & Reynolds of $40,000 in Retention and Expansion, and Payroll Grants.

The council voted separately on these consent items:

• Unanimously voted against a real estate contract with Triangle Oaks, L.P. (seller) for the purchase of 1.31 acres of land at 1500 University Oaks Blvd. for the Greenways Program as part of the city’s floodplain management.
• Voted 5-1 to extended the closing date for the sale of city-owned property on First Street to Asset Plus Realty Corporation. Councilmember Jess Fields voted against the motion.