This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Sept. 26. 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.
6:06 p.m.
The workshop meeting has started.
6:06 p.m.
Templin Appointed City Manager
The council unanimously approved the appointment of Kelly Templin as city manager. Templin has been the city manager in Seabrook for the last two years after serving as deputy city manager there from 2007-11. He was the City of College Station’s Director Development Services from 2002-04.
Templin is a 1987 graduate of Texas A&M (environmental design) and also earned his master’s degree from A&M (urban and regional planning) in 1991. Deputy City Manager Kathy Merrill has served in an interim capacity since Frank Simpson died of a heart attack on April 27.
6:47 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items and committee reports, the workshop meeting was adjourned. The regular meeting will start at 7 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:02 p.m.
Hear Visitors
No one signed up to speak during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
7:04 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved these consent items:
- Election judges for the Nov. 5 general election.
- Extension of the closing date for the sale of the First Street property to Asset Plus Realty Corporation to no later than Dec. 2.
- A contract award to N-Line Traffic Maintenance for the installation of traffic pavement markings.
- An interlocal agreement with the Aggieland Humane Society for animal sheltering services.
- Adjusted the city’s animal control ordinance to expand the definition of animal shelter to include the shelter being a designated caretaker.
- An interlocal agreement with other area agencies to assist each other in times of adverse conditions or emergency situations.
- An advance funding agreement with the Northpoint Crossing developer on the reconstruction of the traffic signal at University Drive and Texas Avenue.
- Changed the lost ticket fee for the Northgate parking garage.
- Expenditure of funds for FY14 for items exempt from competitive bidding, and interlocal contracts or fees mandated by state law that are greater than $50,000.
- Renewed an annual contract for $230,000 with Xpedient Mail for the printing and mailing of utility bills, final notices and inserts.
- Renewed an annual price agreement of $428,697.14 with Ergon Asphalt Emulson for the purchase of emulsified asphalt products.
- Added a 35 mph school zone on FM 2818, Welsh Avenue and Nueces Drive near A&M Consolidated High School.
- Reduced the speed limit from 60 mph to 55 mph on FM 2818 from west of George Bush Drive to east of Wellborn Road.
The council voted separately on these consent items:
- By a 6-1 vote, the council set a public hearing for the Nov. 14 council meeting to update the impact fees for the Harley water line and the Graham Road, Spring Creek, Alum Creek and Steeplechase sewer lines. Councilmember Jess Fields voted against the motion.
- By a 6–1 vote, the council acknowledged the Semi-Annual Report for Impact Fees. Councilmember Fields voted against the motion.
- By a 6-0-1 vote, the council approved the first renewal of an annual contract not to exceed $59,627 with Professional Floor Service & Janitorial for janitorial services for the Northgate District and the Chimney Hill center. Councilmember Fields abstained.
7:05 p.m.
Appointment to BCAD Board
The council unanimously approved the appointment of Ron Kaiser to another two-year term as the city’s representative to Brazos Central Appraisal District’s board of directors.
7:06 p.m.
Appointment to BVSWMA Board
The council unanimously approved the reappointment of Mayor Nancy Berry to BVSWMA’s board of directors.
7:21 p.m.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the rezoning of 1.35 acres in Oak Terrace Addition, 1.46 acres in Tauber Subdivision, and 1.02 acres in Ramparts Subdivision to allow for the development of a parking garage and associated uses for St. Mary’s Catholic Center.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
12:46 p.m.
South Knoll Area Neighborhood Plan
After almost 5 1/2 hours of deliberations and a public hearing, The council unanimously approved the South Knoll Area Neighborhood Plan as part of the city’s Comprehensive Plan, with the following changes:
By a 5-2 vote, the council removed these provisions:
- Allow smaller areas within South Knoll to apply for overlay zoning further limiting the number of unrelated residents, if approved by a majority of the property owners.
- Require rental registration forms to list resident names and be updated annually as a means of enforcing current number-of-resident ordinances.
Councilmembers John Nichols and Blanche Brick voted against the motion.
By a 6-1 vote, the council removed this provision:
- Remove parking from both sides of all streets between the hours of 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., requiring resident vehicles be permanently parked on their private property while still allowing on-street parking outside of these hours for social gatherings, repairmen, etc.
Councilmember Brick voted against the motion.
By a 5-2 vote, the council voted to keep this provision:
- Allow residents to request on-street parking be removed for character reasons from one side of all streets when the majority of property owners are in favor.
Councilmembers Fields and Julie Schultz voted to remove that item.
By a unanimous vote, the council approved the highlighted change to the previous provision:
- Allow residents to request on-street parking be removed for character reasons from one side of all streets when a 2/3 majority (not a simple majority) of property owners are in favor.
By a 6-0-1 vote, the council approved an amendment to provide a bike route and allow parking on one side of Glade Street between 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Councilmember Schultz abstained.
A total of 44 people spoke or submitted written comments during the public hearing, which ended at 10:09 p.m. Of the speakers, 27 were in favor of the plan and 14 were opposed (unofficial tally).
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
12:46 p.m.
The regular meeting was adjourned. The council meets again Oct. 10.
