This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Aug. 22. 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.
6:09 p.m.
The workshop meeting has started.
6:13 p.m.
Mayor Nancy Berry proclaimed Sept. 2-6 as Brazos Valley Fair Week with a presentation to the Brazos Valley Fair & Expo. Pictured below with the mayor are Brazos Valley Fair & Expo President Jim Mazurkiewicz (right) and executive committee member Jim McCord (left).
7:02 p.m.
Several items from the consent agenda were pulled for discussion, including the Wellborn SUD Wheeling ILA, user fees for game day parking at Tarrow Park, professional auditing services contract, funding agreement with the B/CS Chamber of Commerce and the Northgate loading zone.
7:20 p.m.
New Sidewalk Priorities
The council unanimously accepted a workshop report on priorities for new sidewalks to improve connectivity, accessibility and safety. The Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan proposes more than 110 miles of new sidewalks to be constructed. In July, the Bicycle, Pederstrian and Greenways Advisory Board agreed on a new list of priority projects:
- George Bush Drive East from Dominik Drive to University Oaks Blvd.
- Dominik Drive from George Bush Drive East to Regency Village Apartments.
- Dexter Drive from Winding Road to Gabbard Park.
- Munson Avenue from connection to Harvey Road.
- Dexter Drive from Gabbard Park to Llano Place.
- Dominik Drive from Stallings Drive to Munson Avenue.
- Harvey Road, gaps from Texas Avenue to State Highway 6.
- Scarlett O’Hara Drive from University Oaks Blvd. to Harvey Road.
- Georgia Street from Holleman Drive to Nevada Street.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:22 p.m .
The workshop has been suspended and the regular meeting has started.
7:23 p.m.
Hear Visitors
No one spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
7:24 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved these consent agenda items:
- A general election for Nov. 5 to elect a mayor and a city councilmember (Place 2). The council also established early voting locations, polling places and made provisions to conduct the election.
- An interlocal agreement with Brazos County to conduct and manage the city’s general election on Nov. 5.
- Railroad crossing agreements with Union Pacific Railroad for the installation of electric conduits under the tracks at Wellborn and Patricia, Louise, Maple and an overhead crossing at Wellborn and F&B Road. The agreements include a one-time licensee and administration fee of $70,300.
- The first restatement of the interlocal agreement for the Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications System with the City of Bryan, City of Brenham, Brazos County, Washington County, and Texas A&M University.
- Designated the Brazos Valley Council of Governments as the managing entity for the Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications System.
- User fees for cars and recreation vehicles in the Tarrow Park parking lot during designated weekends. The daily fee is $10 for a single car space and $30 for a self-contained RV camping space.
- A contract for $140,704 with Elliott Construction to repair the 24-inch water line at Dartmouth and F.M. 2818.
- Authorized the city manager to spend up to $75,000 in FY13 under the Wellborn SUD Wheeling inter-local agreement.
- Renewal of a $95,000 contract with Ingram, Wallis & Co. for professional auditing services for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30.
- Renewed a contract not to exceed $60,000 with Cal’s Body Shop for annual automobile and truck paint and body repairs.
- Renewed a $944,200 contract with Brazos Paving for hot mix asphalt.
- Created a loading zone on University Drive east of College Main to meet the desires of Northgate merchants.
The council pulled this consent item for a separate vote:
- By a 6-1 vote, the council approved a hotel tax funding agreement for $25,000 with the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce. Councilmember Jess Fields voted against the motion. The council also approved the chamber’s budget related to the funding.
7:27 p.m.
Public Hearing on FY14 Budget
No one spoke during a public hearing on the city’s proposed FY14 budget. Final adoption of the $255.4 million budget is set for Sept. 12.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:38 p.m.
Barracks II Rezoning
By a 6-0-1 vote, the council approved the rezoning of about 59 acres at 3100 Haupt Road (Barracks II) from Planned Development District to Planned Development District with additional uses, which include a micro-brewery, rental condo units and development sales office. Councilmember Julie Schultz abstained because of a conflict of interest. The rezoning also realigns streets and alleys near park areas, reduces commercial acreage along Old Wellborn Road, and adds three blocks of townhomes.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:38 p.m.
The regular meeting was adjourned. The council will resume the workshop agenda.
7:45 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items and committee reports, the workshop meeting was adjourned. The council meets again Sept. 12.