This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Jan. 23. 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.
6:12 p.m.
The workshop meeting has started.
6:30 p.m.
Historic Preservation Committee Report
HPC Chair Linda Harvell updated the council on the committee’s activities in 2013, including the 75th Anniversary event at the George Bush Library. She said a final expense report for the city’s 75th anniversary activities will be presented to council at a later date with recommendations for the use of any remaining funds. Harvell also presented the committee’s recommendations for 2014 HPC programs.
6:49 p.m.
Conference Center Sale
The council received a presentation on a $788,430 real estate contract for the sale of the College Station Conference property on George Bush Drive to the College Station Independent School District. The contract is part of the consent agenda at tonight’s regular meeting. The facility, which includes about 2.15 acres, was closed in July 2012 for safety reasons. The property was acquired in 1980 through a swap with the school district, which retained first right to purchase the property back from the city at fair market value. The sales price represents an appraised value of $972,477 minus a demolition cost of $184,047.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
6:56 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items and committee reports, the workshop was adjourned. The regular meeting will begin momentarily.
7:08 p.m.
The regular meeting has started. Members of local Boy Scout Troop 967 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7:12 p.m.
Hear Visitors
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. Royce Hickman, president of the BCS Chamber of Commerce, thanked the city for its support of the Chamber's Economic Outlook Conference.
7:12 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:
- An amendment to the Purchase & Sale Agreement between with the Research Valley Partnership.
- A real estate contract for $788,430 for the sale of the College Station Conference Center at 1300 George Bush Dr. to the CSISD.
- The purchase of $106,120 worth of equipment from Brazos Technology for electronic capture of citation data (eCitations).
- Renewal of an annual pricing agreement for $75,000 with Mustang Rental Services for the rental of heavy machinery.
- A Hotel Tax funding agreement of $25,000 for FY14 with the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce, and the organization’s budget related to the funding.
- An advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for CapRock Crossing.
- The purchase of equipment, software and services not to exceed $234,690 from Unique Digital for the Electronic Storage Upgrade Project.
7:40 p.m.
Land Use Change on Harvey Mitchell
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-1 to change the land use designation for 2021 Harvey Mitchell Parkway –located near the intersection of Rio Grande and Harvey Mitchell – from Suburban Commercial, Urban, and Natural Areas Reserved to Urban and Natural Areas Reserved to allow a developer to build townhouse-style apartments. Councilmember Blanche Brick voted against the motion and John Nichols recused himself.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:49 p.m.
Phillips Park Encroachment
After a public hearing, the council unanimously voted to allow the planned extension of WS Phillips Parkway on a small portion of parkland in the Castlegate II subdivision after staff determined the alignment is the only feasible location for the extension.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
8:03 p.m.
Great Oaks Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council unanimously voted to rezone about 294 acres near the Great Oaks subdivision from Single-Family Residential and Rural to Restricted Suburban to allow for development. The property is generally bounded by the Great Oaks Subdivision to the west, Rock Prairie Road to the south, Quail Run Subdivision to the north, and Holleman Drive to the east.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
8:40 p.m.
Board and Commission Appointments
With the move to November elections in 2012, appointments to citizen boards and committees were moved to January starting this year. Terms for committee members were extended six months to accommodate the new process.
The council unanimously approved the following appointments:
- B/CS Library Committee: Gary Ives, Larry Ringer
- Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board: Robert Lighfoot, Cindy Arnold, Scott Shafer, James Batenhorst
- Construction Board of Adjustments: Gerald Brown, Johnny Burns, Carol Fountain; Alternates: Janet Kountakis, Christopher Novosad
- Convention and Visitors Bureau: Peggy Calliham, Scott Shafer
- Design Review Board: Steve Schloss, William Mather, Elizabeth Natsois, Marsha Sanford; Alternate: Mary Edwards
- Joint Relief Funding Review Committee: Natalie Pine
- Parks and Recreation Board: Full Term: Marc Chaloupka, Gary Erwin, David Sahm, Shawn Reynolds, Kirsten Walker; Unexpired Term: Douglas Kingman; Chair: Debe Shafer
- Planning and Zoning Commission: Full Term: Jane Kee, Casey Oldham, Jerome Rektorik, Jim Ross; Unexpired Term: Brad Corrier; Chair: Bo Miles
- Zoning Board of Adjustments: Johnny Burns, Rick Floyd, David Ohendalski; Alternates: Patrick Fogerty, John ONeill, Carol Fountain. Chair: Hunter Goodwin.
8:40 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned. The council meets again Thursday, Feb. 13.