Live Blog: Monday’s city council meetings (May 12)

This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Monday, May 12. 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.

6:00 p.m.

The workshop has started.

6:20 p.m.

Stormwater Management

The council was updated on the city’s stormwater management program. A consent agenda item in tonight’s regular meeting authorizes the mayor to endorse the 5-year plan that will be submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

6:49 p.m. 

Sign Ordinance Changes

The council discussed potential amendments to the city’s sign ordinance that would allow electronic message boards to change hourly and would change the allowable size of fuel price signs. The sign ordinance has been amended several times in response to changing technology and the marketplace.

At a February council meeting, several people requested the change for electronic message boards during Hear Visitors. Since then, another individual requested the change regarding price signs.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

7:10 p.m.

Ringer Library Audit

The council heard a presentation on the recent audit of Ringer Library operations by the city’s internal auditor. The report is part of the consent agenda in the regular meeting. The audit found that the majority of library patrons are satisfied with the materials, services and programs offered. But also found areas in which the library’s effectiveness and efficiency could be improved.

The audit also found that the library has insufficient space to adequately meet the needs of the community, and that the Bryan-College Station inter-library agreement places disproportionate costs on College Station.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

7:10 p.m.

The workshop has been suspended. The regular meeting will start momentarily.

7:20 p.m.

The regular meeting has started.

7:23 p.m.

National Bike Month

Mayor Nancy Berry proclaimed May as National Bike Month, with a presentation to the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board. National Bike Month is sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities across the country. Established in 1956, National Bike Month showcases the benefits of bicycling. Pictured below are Greenways Program Manager Venessa Garza and board member Robert Rose.

7:27 p.m.

Hear Visitors

Two people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.

7:27 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:

• The appointment of Peggy Sherman to represent College Station on the Aggieland Humane Society Board.
• The reappointment of Brian Hilton as College Station’s emergency management coordinator.
• A $249,990 contract with Freese & Nichols to update the city’s Water System Master Plan.
• A general permit to discharge under the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
• The rejection of all bids submitted for transformers in the Biocorridor area.
• The Ringer Library Operations Audit conducted by the city’s internal auditor.
• A contingency transfer of $30,000 for the purchase and installation of radio repeaters in front line Fire Department response vehicles.

8:02 p.m.

Chimney Hill Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted 6-0 to approve the rezoning of about eight acres in the Chimney Hill Retail Plaza from General Commercial and Corridor Overlay to Planned Development District. Councilmember Blanche Brick was absent. The proposed project will retain mostly ground-floor commercial uses while allowing for residential in the northeast corner of the site and on the upper floors of the main building. Hotel use is also permitted in the residential area.

The concept plan proposes to demolish the existing buildings and construct a vertical mixed-use building and four one-story buildings that orient toward an interior plaza. A parking garage will be attached to the vertical mixed-use building.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

9:04 p.m. 

Seismic Survey Regulations

After a public hearing, the council voted 6-0 to approve fees and local regulations for permitting seismic surveys, which are geologic or geophysical activities that determine the potential location of subterranean mineral deposits for oil and gas exploration. Councilmember James Benham abstained from the vote.

For details, see pages 154-156 of tonight’s regular meeting packet.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

9:04 p.m.

The regular meeting has been adjourned. The workshop meeting will resume.

9:11 p.m. 

After the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items and committee reports, the workshop was adjourned. The council meets again May 22.

— Public Communications Office