Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Sept. 11)

This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Sept. 11. 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.

5:52 p.m.

The workshop has started.

5:53 p.m.

No consent agenda items were pulled for discussion.

6:18 p.m.

Updated Southeast Parks Master Plan

The council heard a workshop presentation on the updated master plan for Southeast Community Park, Lick Creek Greenway and use of the Rock Prairie Landfill property, which has potential for park development. The Southeast Park property is expected to become a community park with baseball and softball facilities. The Lick Creek Greenways property includes a major section of the already-funded Lick Creek Hike and Bike Trail.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

6:24 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.

7:03 p.m.

The regular meeting has started. Boy Scout Troop 967 led Pledge of Allegiance. Troop 967 is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in College Station.

7:10 p.m.

Library Card Sign-up Month

Mayor Nancy Berry presented a proclamation from Brazos County and the cities of Bryan and College Station to the Bryan+College Station Public Library System in recognition of September being Library Card Sign-up Month. Bryan+College Station Public Library System Director Larry Koeninger handed out library cards — “the smartest cards in your wallet,” he said — to the council, city staff and those in the audience.

For more information on how to get a library card, click here.

 7:19 p.m.

Hear Visitors

Three people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda. Two spoke about the euthanization policies of the Aggieland Humane Society.

Ben Roper recognized Army 1^st Lt. Jonathan D. Rozier as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. A native of Katy, the 25-year-old Rozier died on July 19, 2003 when his unit was attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire at a vehicle checkpoint in Baghdad, Iraq.

 7:19 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council unanimously voted to approve the entire consent agenda:

• An amendment to the economic development agreement with Kalon Biotherapeutics.
• Updated water tap fees that cover the materials and labor provided by the city when setting meters and meter boxes for new water service taps.
• An all-way stop control at the intersection of Cross and Dogwood streets.
• A contract for the purchase of right-of-way along Rock Prairie Road between State Highway 6 and Normand Drive.
• A contract not to exceed $60,000 with Cal’s Body Shop for annual automobile and truck paint and body repairs.
• Election judges for the Nov. 4 General Election.
• A three-year, $93,818.70 enterprise agreement with SHI Government Solutions for Microsoft software.
• A bid award not to exceed $240,433 for the annual purchase of single phase transformers to be maintained in inventory and used as needed.

7:25 p.m.

Williams Lake Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted 6-0 to change the zoning district boundaries from Rural to Estate for about 71 acres generally located at 8601 Rock Prairie Rd. Councilmember Julie Schultz abstained, citing a conflict of interest.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

7:27 p.m. 

Public Hearing on FY15 Budget

The council conducted a public hearing on the city’s FY15 budget. No citizens spoke during the public hearing. The budget is scheduled for adoption Sept. 22.

The proposed $253.1 million budget was presented to the council on Aug. 14. Three budget workshops were conducted to review the proposal from Aug. 18-20.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

7:32 p.m.

Public Hearing on FY15 Property Tax Rate

The council conducted its second public hearing on a proposed 2.6-cent increase in the property tax rate, which will go primarily toward public safety and transportation needs. No one spoke during the public hearing.

The first public hearing was Sept. 3.

The infographic on the right illustrates the purpose of the new revenue. The tax rate is scheduled for adoption Sept. 22. The proposed tax rate of 45.25 cents per $100 assessed valuation will generate about $29.74 million to fund the city’s general debt service and a portion of the operations and maintenance costs of the General Fund.

Click here to read a recent blog post on the tax rate by Councilmember John Nichols.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

7:42 p.m.

Halcon Energy Mineral Lease

After a public hearing, the council unanimously voted to enter into a mineral lease with Halcon Energy for oil, gas and related hydrocarbons on about 26 tracts of land generally located near Wellborn Road and FM2818. The city will receive royalty payments and a lease bonus subject to the terms of the oil and gas lease.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

8:13 p.m.

E-Cigarette Ordinance

After a public hearing, the council unanimously voted to prohibit the purchase, possession and use of e-cigarettes by minors. The ordinance will become effective in 10 days.

On Aug. 25, the council tabled a proposed ordinance that also restricted where e-cigarettes may be used in public. Staff removed the location restriction from the approved ordinance.

Two citizens spoke during the public hearing. One supported prohibition of the devices in public places, and the other was against additional regulations.

A motion by Councilmember Blanche Brick to add the public use prohibition back into the ordinance failed by a 4-3 vote. Joining Brick in supporting the motion were Julie Schultz and Mayor Berry.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

8:13 p.m.

The regular meeting has been adjourned. The council meets again Sept. 22.