Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Feb. 12)

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

6:24 p.m.

Appraisal District Building

The Brazos Central Appraisal District gave a presentation about options for a new office building for the agency. The BCAD rescinded its earlier proposal to purchase 1.75 acres and construct a $3.8 million facility at the corner of Copperfield and Sagebriar Drive, just off University Drive.

Any proposal must be approved by three fourths of the taxing units entitled to vote on the appointment of board members. The original resolution was approved by College Station Independent School District, but turned down by Brazos County and the Bryan Independent School District. BCAD also rescinded the proposal before the Bryan City Council.

The current City of College Station allocation for BCAD is $271,494. 

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:

• Swing Set Repair, Site Work at Bee Creek and Thomas Parks: After reviewing bids and scope of work, staff recommended rejecting all bids for budgetary reasons. Through initial research, staff had hoped renovation of existing park equipment would yield bids that would save money, but installation of new equipment has turned out to be more cost effective. The project has since been re-bid with the scope becoming replacement with new equipment.
• Agreement with Brazos Valley Umpires Association: The contract is for officiating services for city-operated athletic leagues, programs and tournaments. The rates remain the same as the previous contract. Payment for umpire services is made to the BVUA prior to each season based on the scheduled games. The BVUA then pays individual umpires for actual games called. A “true up” is calculated at the end of each season to verify actual games called with the BVUA and the Parks and Recreation Department.

7:16 p.m.

Economic Development Mission Trip to Belgium

The Research Valley Partnership updated the council on the evolving economic development relationship with government and industry representatives from Belgium.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

Following the presentation, the council viewed a special KBTX-TV documentary that recapped the recent economic development mission trip to Belgium and the grand opening of the Texas Aggies Go to War exhibit in Bastogne.

7:26 p.m. 

After the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items and committee reports, the workshop meeting was adjourned. The regular meeting will start after a short break.

7:34 p.m.

The regular meeting has started.

7:40 p.m.

Tanya McNutt Recognition

Deputy City Secretary Tanya McNutt was recognized for her recent graduation from the Texas Municipal Clerks Certification Program. Graduates complete about 200 hours of individual study over a four-course curriculum and attend eight two-day seminars for an additional 100 hours of classroom study. Tanya has been with the City of College Station since 2008. Pictured below (l-r) are City Secretary Sherry Mashburn, Linda Smart (Tanya’s mother), McNutt, Mayor Nancy Berry and Morgan McNutt (Tanya’s daughter).

 

7:47 p.m.

Hear Visitors

One person spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda. Ben Roper recognized Army Capt. Sean Sims as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 32-year-old El Paso native died in Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 13, 2004 when his unit received small arms fire while clearing a building. Sims was a graduate of Texas A&M, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets.

7:48 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:

• The $64,370 purchase of 30,000 rounds of 5.56 mm 56 grain TSX ammunition ($32,370) and 80,000 rounds of Ruag .223 55 grain FMJ ammunition ($32,000) from Black Hills Ammunition Company.
• The $71,728.22 purchase of training, simmunition, and on-duty ammunition from G.T. Distributors.
• The second renewal of an annual agreement not to exceed $190,000 with the Brazos Valley Softball Umpires Association for officiating services for city athletic leagues, programs and tournaments.
• Rejection of all bids for swing set repair and site work at Bee Creek and Thomas Park.
• Separate contracts with Milsoft Utility Solutions ($132,450) and Partner Software ($26,000) for the purchase and installation of a Geographic Information System and a design and project management system.
• Awarded a three-year, $1.28 million contract to All-Around Tree Service for electric system right-of-way clearing and tree trimming.
• An annual price agreement of $80,000 with NAPA Auto Parts for the purchase of auto parts, shop equipment and services through the Purchasing Solutions Alliance contract.
• Revised the city’s investment policy to allow the use of certain investments related to the city’s municipal utility.

7:50 p.m.

Easement Abandonment in Williams Creek

After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved an ordinance abandoning a 4,324-square-foot public utility easement in the Williams Creek Subdivision to allow for development.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

7:52 p.m.

Easement Abandonment in Greens Prairie Center

After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved an ordinance abandoning a 2,110-square-foot public utility easement in Greens Prairie Center to allow for development.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

8:10 p.m.

The Barracks II Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted 6-0 to approve the rezoning of several tracts of property between Old Wellborn Road and Holleman Drive South near The Barracks II Subdivision to allow for development. Councilwoman Julie Schultz recused herself from the vote.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

8:10 p.m.

The regular meeting has been adjourned. The next regular meeting is Feb. 26.