This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Monday, Nov. 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.
6:09 p.m.
The workshop has started.
6:09 p.m.
The council voted 6-0-1 to reject a request by Deluxe Burger Bar -- which has a lease agreement with the city -- to purchase city-owned property on First Street. The council rejected the request as untimely since the city already has entered into a contract with a buyer. Councilmember Steve Aldrich abstained.
6:10 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem
This item was postponed until the Dec. 12 meeting.
7:05 p.m.
Hotel Tax Revenue Uses
The council received a presentation from the Texas Lodging Association on the allowable uses of the city’s hotel tax funds. The city collects more than $4 million a year in hotel occupancy tax revenue, which must be used to directly enhance and promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry, and must fit into a statutorily provided category.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:05 p.m.
The workshop has been suspended and will resume after the regular meeting.
7:06 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:10 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.
7:12 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:
- A resolution amending the authorized representatives on TexPool, the local government pool account that provides investment services to more than 1,700 Texas communities.
- A resolution amending the authorized representatives on Texas Short Term Asset Reserve (“TexSTAR”), the local government pool account that provides investment services to more than 600 Texas cities, counties, school districts and other public entities.
- An annual price agreement of $60,375 with Daco Fire Equipment for fire protective clothing.
- A contract for $633,900 with DIJ Construction for the installation of roadway traffic markings.
- A contract for $143,600 with Bleyl and Associates for professional engineering services for the Rock Prairie Road East Rehabilitation Project.
- A real estate contract for 174,805 for the purchase of right-of-way along Rock Prairie Road between State Highway 6 and Normand Drive.
- Reduction of the posted speed limit from 55 mph to 40 mph on Bird Pond Road between Rock Prairie Road and the east city limit.
- Renewal of the annual contract for gasoline and diesel fuel with Brenco Marketing Corporation for one year, and authorized the annual estimated expenditures of $1.56 million.
- A contract for $590,039.03 with Power Secure, Inc., for construction of the F&B Road overhead feeder.
- The last of five annual payments of $250,000 as an economic development incentive for the Texas A&M Institute for Preclinical Studies.
- Named three neighborhood park properties, two in the Castlegate subdivision (Phillips Park and Wallace Lake Park) and one in The Barracks (Barracks Park).
7:35 p.m.
Water Conservation Update
The council received an update on the city’s water conservation activities from Ron Kaiser, chair of the Texas A&M Water Program. Water Services has been working with A&M for several years to improve the city’s conservation efforts. The focus has been to provide individual water use information to high-usage homeowners with suggestions on how they can reduce their usage and save money. Letters are mailed out in the early spring and actual water usage is tracked over the summer. The most recent letter included an estimated water budget for each home and average water usage in their neighborhood.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:41 p.m.
Wastewater Industrial Pre-Treatment Program
By a 7-0 vote, the council approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Bryan to create an industrial wastewater pretreatment program in the Biocorridor area. In part of the Biocorridor area, Bryan has provided sewer service within the College Station city limits, and College Station has assisted Bryan in enforcing its program as required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The Bryan City Council approved the agreement last week.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:44 p.m.
Rezoning for 1600 University Dr.
After a public hearing, the council voted 7-0 to rezone about 4.4 acres at generally located at the corner of University Drive East and Glenhaven Drive from office to general commercial to allow for development by Pappas Restaurants.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
8:05 p.m.
Council Chambers A/V Upgrade
The council received an update on planning for the Council Chambers Audio/Visual Project, which would replace and upgrade the A/V equipment in the council chambers. The equipment was last updated in 2005. The Information Technology Department’s operations budget includes $147,301 for the upgrade.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
8:06 p.m.
Aldrich Appointed to Audit Committee
The council unanimously selected Councilmember Steve Aldrich to fill the spot on the Audit Committee vacated by former Councilmember Jess Fields. Aldrich joins Mayor Nancy Berry and Mayor Pro Tem Karl Mooney on the committee, which provides general direction to the audit function conducted by the city’s internal and external auditors.
8:06 p.m.
The regular meeting was adjourned. The council will resume the workshop agenda.
8:36 p.m.
The council finished its discussion on uses for the city's hotel occupancy tax revenues.
8:51 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items and committee reports, the meeting was adjourned. The council meets again on Thursday, Dec. 12.
Happy Thanksgiving!