Live Blog: Monday's city council meetings (Aug. 25)

This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Monday, Aug. 25. 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.

6:02 p.m.

The workshop has started.

6:09 p.m.

Council Agenda Discussion

The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. These items were pulled for workshop discussion:

• Branch Banking & Trust: This item is for assignment of the bank depository contract with Citibank and BB&T, and an agreement to extend the depository contract with BB&T. The existing contract with Citibank was part of BB&T’s acquisition of CityBank in June. As a show of good faith, BB&T executed a letter of intent acknowledging the existing contract between Citibank and the city and agreed to honor the pricing through September 30, 2015, the last renewal period.
• Chimney Hill Janitorial Services: This item is for the second renewal of a contract with Professional Floor Service for routine cleaning in the Chimney Hill Center and Northgate District. A change order will remove the janitorial services at Chimney Hill upon sale of the property.

6:12 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.

7:14 p.m.

Historic Marker Presentation

The city council and its Historic Preservation Committee presented a historic marker to Carla Fisher for her home on  Winding Road. Ms. Fisher's home is the 88th recipient under College Station's Historic Marker Program.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

7:20 p.m.

Hear Visitors

Two people signed up to speak during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda. One spoke about the city's need to work with developers to preserve College Station's character by renovating and restoring older homes and structures. Ben Roper recognized Army Pfc. Anthony S. Miller as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. A native of San Antonio, Miller was 19 years old when he was killed in Iraq by indirect enemy fire on April 7, 2003.

7:20 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council voted unanimously to approve these consent items:

• A three-year agreement not to exceed $64,450 with Selectron Technologies for the IVR solution for customer inquiry and over-the-phone payment of utility bills.
• A $273,850 contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for design, bidding, and construction phase services for the Rock Prairie Road West Widening Project.
• A $19,000 funding increase -- for a total not to exceed $67,000 -- to Miller Uniforms for police uniforms.
• Assignment of the bank depository contract with Citibank and Branch Banking and Trust, and an agreement to extend the depository contract with BB&T.
• The $91,670 purchase of equipment to monitor and analyze electrical usage in water production and wastewater treatment.
• The second renewal of a contract not to exceed $59,627 with Professional Floor Service & Janitorial for annual janitorial services for the Northgate District and Chimney Hill Center.
• The second renewal of a $145,444 contract with Shelby Building Maintenance & Janitorial for annual janitorial services for city buildings.
• Three contracts with N. Harris Computer Corporation – a software license agreement ($191,040), a software implementation services agreement ($645,696), and a support and maintenance agreement (First Year: $47,760).

7:28 p.m. 

Land Use Change at Rock Prairie and Holleman

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to amend the city’s Comprehensive Plan by changing the land use designation for 3751 Rock Prairie Road West from Restricted Suburban to Suburban Commercial to allow for a convenience store. The property is generally located at the southwest corner of Rock Prairie Road West and Holleman Drive.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

8:16 p.m. 

E-Cigarette Regulations

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to defer an ordinance regulating electronic cigarettes until the Sept. 11 council meeting. The proposed regulations would prohibit minors (17 years old and younger) from purchasing or possessing e-cigarettes and would also ban the use of e-cigarettes where tobacco smoking isn't allowed. A motion by Councilmember James Benham to pass the ordinance with only the restrictions on minors failed by a 5-2 vote. Karl Mooney also voted for the motion.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

8:30 p.m.

Agreement with StataCorp

The council voted unanimously to approve an economic development agreement with StataCorp that abandons part of Technology Way, expedites permitting, waives of the right-of-way abandonment application fee, and dedicates of about 30 acres of greenways to parkland. In exchange, StataCorp will construct a $3 million commercial office building at 210 Technology Way, and add 15 professional positions or an annual payroll increase of $1 million. If StataCorp fails to meet its obligations, the company will reimburse the city $2.80 per square foot of the abandoned right-of-way along with the abandonment application fee.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

8:31 p.m.

BVSWMA Board Appointment

The council voted unanimously to approve the reappointment of Karl Mooney and Rick Floyd to the BVSWMA, Inc., Board of Directors. Mooney will serve a one-year term and Floyd will serve three years.

8:31 p.m.

The regular meeting has been adjourned. The council meets again Sept. 11.