Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 21. It’s not the official minutes.
The meeting is being broadcast live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and streamed online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
Originally scheduled for Thursday, the meeting was moved to allow the council and staff to attend the Texas Municipal League Conference later this week. We won’t have a workshop today.
3:01 p.m.
The meeting has started. Councilman James Benham is absent.
3:04 p.m.
Constitution Week
Mayor Nancy Berry proclaimed this week as Constitution Week with a presentation to the Daughters of the American Revolution. Pictured with Mayor Berry (below) are representatives of the La Villita Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolutionare (l-r): Mary Elizabeth Dresser, Laura Harding, Faye Hartfiel, Leonora Owre and Tammy Tiner.
3:06 p.m.
Brazos Valley Fair Week
Mayor Berry proclaimed Oct. 12-18 as Brazos County Fair Week with a presentation to the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo. Representing the Brazos Valley Fair and Rodeo (below, l-r) were Tom Quarles, general manager of the Brazos County Exposition Complex, and Fiona Lockhart, senior manager of the Brazos Valley Fair and Rodeo.
3:09 p.m.
Big Event Award
Mayor Berry recognized Texas A&M’s Big Event for receiving the Governor’s Higher Education Community Impact Award. The Big Event was one of nine recipients receiving the award for making a significant community contribution through service and volunteering. Accepting a proclamation from Mayor Berry (below, l-r) were Kai Jones, Courtney Cotter and Student Government Association Municipal Affairs Vice President Wayne Beckermann.
3:10 p.m.
Hear Visitors
No one signed up to speak during Hear Visitors when citizens may address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
3:20 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- An agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to contribute right-of-way funds for the Wellborn Road-George Bush Interchange Project, including reimbursement of the city’s 10 percent contribution ($1.19 million).
- Granted authority to the city manager or his designees as authorized officials for the execution of documents necessary to submit the Texas Traffic Safety Grant application and agreement to the Texas Department of Transportation.
- Purchase orders with Osburn Associates ($42,193.75) and N-Line Traffic Maintenance ($42,447) for traffic signs and posts.
- Change orders from TxDOT totaling $69,832.17 for the Rock Prairie Road Overpass Project.
- A two-year service contract for 486,571.84 ($243,285.92 annually) with Andrews Building Service for annual janitorial services for city facilities and the Northgate District.
- A change order reduction of $51,150 the Royder-Live Oak Sewer Extension contract with Jones & Carter.
- A contract not to exceed $2,973,300 with Brazos Paving for the purchase and installation of Type D hot mix asphalt concrete and emulsion.
- Updated water tap fees to reflect current costs. Prior to last year, the fees hadn’t been updated in more than a decade.
- Excess liability and workers compensation insurance, property/boiler and machinery, commercial crime, EMT liability, and auto property damage policies for FY16. FY16 premiums for all lines of coverage total $454,685.31.
- A $152,575.69 contract with Vox Construction for pedestrian facility improvements at four intersections.
- The second of two readings of an ordinance amending the residential recycling collection franchise agreement with Texas Commercial Waste.
- Expenditure of FY16 funds for items exempt from competitive bidding under the Texas Local Government Code, costs for inter-local contracts or fees mandated by state law that are greater than $50,000. The action also authorizes the city manager to approve contracts and expenditures on the exemption list.
- A contract not to exceed $230,000 with Xpedient for utility bill, late notice and utility bill insert printing and mailing.
- A bid award of $178,388 for the purchase of electric capacitor banks.
- An inter-local agreement with the City of Fort Worth to provide oil and gas well inspections and related services.
- An annual EMS supply purchase order of for $80,000 with Boundtree Medical.
3:24 p.m.
Single-Family Parking Amendment
After a public hearing, the council unanimously amended an ordinance regarding single-family residential parking requirements for platting. The changes are designed to make the requirements easier to understand and provide additional options for more flexibility.
Staff met with the Joint Neighborhood Parking Task Force in June to discuss the proposed changes, and public feedback was received during a two-week public review period in July. After receiving several comments and questions, staff made appropriate changes.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
3:29 p.m.
Rezoning at Fitch Parkway-Barron Road
After a public hearing, the council unanimously voted to amend the zoning from Rural to Suburban Commercial for about eight acres southwest of the intersection of Fitch Parkway and Barron Road. The change will allow for the development of offices and other commercial uses. Councilwoman Julie Schultz abstained from the vote.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
3:56 p.m.
Eskimo Hut Conditional Use Permit
After a public hearing, the council voted 4-2 to approve a conditional use permit for a bar with a drive-thru window called the Eskimo Hut, which will be in the Woodstone Shopping Plaza on Harvey Road. Mayor Pro Tem Blanche Brick and Councilman Karl Mooney voted against the motion.
An earlier motion by Brick to approve the permit but not the drive-thru window was defeated by a 4-2 vote. Mooney joined Brick in voting for the motion.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
4:00 p.m.
Rezoning at Nimitz and Eisenhower
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-0 to change the zoning from Duplex to General Commercial for about .5 acres at 408 Nimitz Street and 409 Eisenhower Street to allow for development. The property is generally located north of University Drive East and south of Cooner Street.
Councilwoman Schultz abstained from the vote.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
4:08 p.m.
FY15 Budget Amendment
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a $2.64 million amendment to the city’s FY15 budget. Also included is an inter-fund budget transfer and a transfer in the general fund:
- Property and casualty fund defense costs ($1,367,463).
- Electric substation transformer purchase ($1,150,000).
- Debt Service Fund ($100,000).
- Fleet Maintenance Fund ($20,000).
- Incorporation of Recreation Fund into General Fund (budget transfers).
For more details, see page 177 in the council packet.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
4:42 p.m.
FY16 Budget Adoption
The council voted 5-1 to approve the city’s FY16 budget and ratify the increase in property tax revenue (not the tax rate). The budget totals $309.6 million. Councilwoman Schultz voted against the motion.
A motion by Councilwoman Schultz to approve the budget but vote separately on the funding request for the Convention and Visitors Bureau failed by a 5-1 vote. Schultz voted for the motion.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
4:45 p.m.
FY16 Tax Rate Adoption
The council unanimously approved the city’s FY16 property tax rate of 45.25 cents per $100 of valuation, no change from the FY15 rate. The tax rate includes 19.3052 cents for debt service and 25.9448 cents for operations and maintenance. It will generate about $32 million.
Here is the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
4:45 p.m.
The mayor adjourned the meeting. The council meets again Thursday, Oct. 8.
