Live Blog: Monday’s city council meetings (Nov. 24)

This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Monday, Nov. 24. 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.

6:08 p.m.

The workshop meeting has started.

6:09 p.m.

Brick Elected as Mayor Pro Tem

The council unanimously selected Place 1 Councilwoman Blanche Brick to a one-year term as mayor pro tem to act as mayor when the mayor is absent or disabled.

6:28 p.m.

Consent 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:

• Sale of Property Near Lick Creek Park: The $1.55 million contract is for the sale of 63.187 acres on Rock Prairie Road next to Lick Creek Park. In 2011, council directed staff to market and dispose of the property, which has been owned by the city since 1992. The contract represents the highest of 12 offers.
• Sandy Point Pump Station Improvements: The $4.36 million contract with Dudley Construction is for the Sandy Point Pump Station Improvements, which include the expansion of cooling towers and the upgrade of the chemical feed system. When this project is complete, the maximum daily capacity will increase from 29 million to 31 million gallons per day, with future cooling capacity reaching up to 37 million per day. The project was re-bid due to inconsistencies in the type of cooling tower proposed by the bidders and supplier issues.
• Four-Way Stop at Holleman and Jones-Butler: The all-way stop at the intersection of Holleman Drive West and Jones-Butler Road would reduce driver confusion, reduce driver delay, and improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility. Increased traffic in the area has resulted in high levels of delay along Jones-Butler and has increased the risk of crashes at the intersection.
• Signal Rehabilitation at Southwood and FM2818: The $262,385 contract with Allstate Signal and Construction is for traffic signal rehabilitation and sidewalk improvements at the intersection of Southwood Drive and FM2818. The project will provide pedestrians with safe access to the hike and bike trail on the north side of FM2818.

 7:13 p.m.

Neighborhood Integrity Advisory Group 

The council received an update on the city’s recent neighborhood integrity efforts and discussed the possible formation of a neighborhood integrity advisory group. The city recently strengthened its rental registration ordinance, provided additional code enforcement resources and intensified its public communications efforts.

Staff recommended a 9-12 member task force or resource team appointed by the council that would meet as needed. The group would include representatives from neighborhoods, homeowners associations, university students and administrators, rental property investors, and realtor and apartment associations.

Ideally, the group would act as a sounding board on neighborhood issues, foster better relations between students and neighborhoods, advise on code enforcement issues and assist with communication among neighborhoods, students and the city.

The consensus of the council was for the city’s efforts to be evaluated in a about six months before any advisory group is formed.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

7:13 p.m.

The workshop has been suspended and will resume after the regular meeting, which will begin after a short break.

7:25 p.m.

The regular meeting has started.

7:30 p.m.

Recognition of Fire Marshal Eric Dotson

The council recognized Fire Marshal Eric Dotson for earning the title of Executive Fire Officer from the United States Fire Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Dotson is the fourth member of CSFD to complete this prestigious program.

Pictured with Fire Marshal Dotson (below) are his wife, Amanda, his son, Derek, Fire Chief Eric Hurt, Assistant Fire Chief Paul Gunnels and Mayor Nancy Berry.

 7:36 p.m.

Texas Army National Guard Presentation

The council recognized The Texas Army National Guard for its sponsorship, involvement and support of the 2014 Games of Texas. Seventy ANG volunteers worked about 3,000 hours during the four-day event. The Texas Army National Guard also presented a certificate of appreciation to the Parks & Recreation Department. The cities of College Station and Bryan, along with Texas A&M, were co-hosts of the event.

Representing the ANG (below) were Commander Major Loren Holland, Staff Sergeant Eric Strelsky and Sergeant Sean Lauer. Our sincere thanks for helping host a great event. Also pictured are representatives from College Station Parks & Recreation and the B-CS Convention & Visitors Bureau.

7:49 p.m.

Hear Visitors

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

• Denise Snyder spoke against council requiring citizens to state their names and addresses before speaking before council, and also called for a moratorium on fracking or the sale of water for fracking until the city’s oil and gas regulations can be updated.
• Ben Roper recognized Army Spc. Jose A. Perez as part if the Fallen Heroes Memorial. A 22-year-old native of San Diego, Texas, Perez was killed in Iraq on May 28, 2003.
• Linda Harvell and Gene Hawkins spoke in support of creating a neighborhood integrity advisory committee.
• Lisa Halpern asked council to listen to the citizens regarding neighborhood integrity.

 7:49 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:

• The 2015 Annual Council Calendar.
• A $1.55 million contract for the sale of 63.187 acres of city-owned property on Rock Prairie Road next to Lick Creek Park.
• A $4.36 million contract with Dudley Construction for the Sandy Point Pump Station Improvements.
• A bid award and $600,000 contract with WEG Electric for the purchase and installation of a substation transformer to serve added load.
• An interlocal agreement with Texas A&M University to equally share in the cost of rental or purchase of traffic control devices used to implement the Game Day Traffic Control Plan. The rental cost for the six home games is about $90,000, and the anticipated purchase price is about $240,000.
• A $76,505 contract with Freese and Nichols for the Wolf Pen Creek Erosion Control Phase II Project.
• Renewal of four master agreements, each not to exceed $35,000, for real estate appraisal services with S.T. Lovett & Associates, Integra Realty Resources (Houston), Atrium Real Estate Services, and Integra Realty Resources (Austin).
• The purchase of excess workers’ compensation and casualty insurance from the Colony Insurance Company for a premium of about $100,000.
• A contract not to exceed $864,000 with Brazos Paving for concrete curb, gutter and flatwork installation to maintain city infrastructure.
• The second renewal of the semi-annual price agreement not to exceed $960,000 with Knife River for Type D Hot Mix Asphalt for the maintenance of streets.
• Implemented all-way stop control at the intersection of Holleman Drive West and Jones-Butler Road.
• The $71,245 purchase of grounds maintenance equipment for the Parks and Recreation Department.
• A $262,385 contract with Allstate Signal and Construction for traffic signal rehabilitation and sidewalk improvements at the intersection of Southwood Drive and FM 2818.
• A $100,000 contract with Dudley Construction for playground replacement at Bee Creek and Thomas Parks.
• The second renewal of the general services agreement not to exceed $120,000 with Emergicon for ambulance billing, accounts receivable and delinquent account collection services.
• A contract with Anadarko E&P Onshore for pond water from Hanson South, the city’s wellfield property.
• Removal of parking along the access road for Texas Avenue south of Walton Drive.

8:18 p.m.

Fitch Parkway-Wellborn Road Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council unanimously voted to change the zoning district boundaries for about 1.5 acres south of the intersection of Fitch Parkway and Wellborn Road to allow for development of a Stripes gas station and convenience store.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

8:25 p.m.

FM2818 Townhome Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council unanimously voted to change the zoning district boundaries for about 2.3 acres generally located at 2440 Harvey Mitchell Parkway South to allow for the development of townhomes.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

8:37 p.m.

Sterling Heights Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council unanimously voted to change the zoning district boundaries for a single acre at 218 Sterling Street to allow for a multi-family development.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

8:41 p.m.

3751 Rock Prairie Road West Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council unanimously voted to change the zoning district boundaries for 2.236 acres generally located at the southwest corner of Rock Prairie Road West and Holleman Drive South to allow of the development of a convenience store.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

8:44 p.m.

Hookah Lounge Conditional Use Permit

After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the Annex Hookah Lounge in the Park Place Shopping Plaza at the southeast corner of Texas Avenue and Southwest Parkway. No alcoholic beverages will be sold at the location and no one under the age of 18 will be admitted.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

8:58 p.m.

Skyway Towers Conditional Use Permit

After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a conditional use permit to build a 150-foot wireless telecommunications tower on about .127 acres near the northeast corner of Graham Road and Victoria Avenue.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

 

9:11 p.m.

Rio Grande Townhomes Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted 5-1 to change the zoning district boundaries for 7.3 acres at 2021 Harvey Mitchell Parkway South to allow for development of townhouse-style apartments. Councilwoman Blanche Brick voted against the motion, and Councilman John Nichols abstained. A portion of the property is a designated floodplain but will be reserved from development with the requested Natural Areas Preserved zoning.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

10:25 p.m.

Oil and Gas Ordinance Update

The council was updated on the city’s ongoing review of its oil and gas regulations. The council previously asked for the review because of increased oil and gas activity in the area. Recommended changes to the existing ordinance include a prohibition on disposal wells, sump pits and sites in flood-prone areas, along with raising related fees and insurances requirements.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

 

10:25 p.m.

The regular meeting has been adjourned. The council will resume the workshop agenda.

10:31 p.m.

After the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items and committee reports, the workshop meeting was adjourned. The council meets again on Thursday, Dec. 18.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!