Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (April 23)

This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, April 23. 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.

5:56 p.m.

The workshop meeting has started.

6:10 p.m.

Economic Development Master Plan Funding

The council discussed potential funding mechanisms for implementing the city’s Economic Development Master Plan, which was adopted in 2013.

Staff recommended using the existing City Council Economic Development Committee as an advisory group to guide future economic development efforts. Other options discussed were to reinstate the dormant College Station Business Development Corporation – 4B Board or creating an economic development corporation similar to the City of Bryan’s Development Foundation.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

6:43 p.m.

Mobile Food Vending Parks

After hearing a presentation on establishing permanent mobile food vending sites, including a summary of how food truck parks are regulated in other cities, the consensus of council was for staff to come back at at later date with a draft ordinance.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

6:47 p.m.

Consent Agenda Discussion

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

1. Parking Removal on Glade and Southwood: Parking would be removed on both sides of Glade Street and Southwood Drive within 300 feet of Southwest Parkway. Area residents are concerned about vehicles parking too close to the signalized intersections.

6:57 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.

7:06 p.m.

The regular meeting has started.

7:10 p.m.

B-CS Travel and Tourism Week

Mayor Nancy Berry proclaimed May 2-10 as Bryan-College Station Travel and Tourism Week with a presentation to representatives of The Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau. Pictured below are Mayor Berry and Shannon Overby, executive director of the B-CS CVB.

7:13 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. The citizen spoke about how multi-family housing is leading to the decline of single-family neighborhoods.

7:13 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:

• Annual contracts totaling $660,223 to Green Teams ($642,723) and Roots Landscaping ($17,500) for landscape maintenance and mowing of city sites.
• Removed parking along both sides of Glade Street and Southwood Drive within 300 feet of Southwest Parkway.
• An $80,000 contract with Segal Waters Consulting for a salary survey.
• An inter-local agreement with Texas A&M to operate Fire Station No. 4 and provide aircraft rescue and firefighting services to Easterwood Airport.
• A $633,081 contract with Kieschnick General Contractors for the Area 2 Water Line Project.

8:03 p.m.

B-CS CVB Update

The council heard an update from the B-CS Convention and Visitors Bureau, including its rebranding efforts, Hotel Occupancy Tax grants, the preferred access agreement with Texas A&M, and other initiatives.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

8:56 p.m.

Northgate High-Density Dwelling Units

After a public hearing, the council voted 6-1 to allow up to six unrelated individuals to reside together in a single-living unit in Northgate. Councilwoman Blanche Brick voted against the motion. Similar apartment-type structures intended for fewer than four unrelated individuals remain permitted in Northgate under the multi-family definition. 

The amendment adds this definition to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance:

Northgate High-Density Dwelling Unit: A residential structure providing complete, independent living facilities for three (3) or more households, living independently of each other and including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, eating, and sanitation in each unit. Households in a Northgate High-Density Dwelling Unit may include more than four (4) but not greater than six (6) unrelated individuals when one bedroom is provided per each unrelated individual.

The use will be permitted in all three Northgate zoning districts to provide developers the flexibility to offer a greater variety of unit types in an area where high-density residential development is desired.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

8:56 p.m.

The regular meeting has been adjourned. The next regular meeting is May 14.