By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Nov. 12. 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.
Before this afternoon’s executive session, the council took a tour of the College Station Fire Department’s new 61-foot hazmat response vehicle (below), which is based at Fire Station No. 6.
5:43 p.m.
The workshop has started.
5:51 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. Councilmembers pulled these consent items for workshop discussion:
- Down Payment Assistance: The change would limit loans through the city’s Down Payment Assistance Program to $49,999.
- School Traffic Movements: Three consent items requested by the College Station Independent School District and a resident would change traffic movements near three elementary schools during student pick-up and drop-off times: a) No left turns from Welsh Avenue into the Rock Prairie Elementary driveway; b) No left turns from Brothers Boulevard into the Southwood Valley Elementary driveway; and c) No left turns from Eagle Avenue into the public alley north of Newport Lane near Creek View Elementary.
6:39 p.m.
Rental Registration Software
The council heard a presentation about new software that allows for online registration of rental properties and easier access to rental property information.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:10 p.m.
BCAD Office Building
A resolution on tonight’s consent agenda would approve the purchase of property and construction of a $2.7 million office building by the Brazos Central Appraisal District. The council discussed the pro and cons of the plans with members of the BCAD board of directors.
7:10 p.m.
Mayor Nancy Berry suspended the workshop. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
7:24 p.m.
The regular meeting has started. Boy Scout Troops 967 and 60 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7:29 p.m.
Municipal Judge Ed Spillane administered the oath of office to Place 4 Councilman John Nichols and Place 6 Councilman James Benham (below), who begin their second terms on the city council. They were unopposed in last week’s election.
The mayor suspended the meeting for a short reception.
7:43 p.m.
The regular meeting has resumed.
8:06 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously voted to approve these consent items:
- Rejection of a bid from Power Line Solutions for the installation of subdivision pad mount/pole mount transformers and pad mount transformer removal/replacements.
- Bids of $669,552 for transmission poles and conductors for the Spring Creek Reconductor Transmission Line project.
- Changed the city’s Down Payment Assistance Program to include a not-to-exceed limit on the amount of loan assistance to no more than $49,999.
- The first renewal of the price agreement not to exceed $136,992 with Cleveland Asphalt Products for emulsified asphalt products for street maintenance.
- A $462,809.25 contract with HDR Engineering for the design, bidding, construction administration and construction materials testing for phases 2-5 of the University Drive Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project.
- Prohibited left turns from Welsh Avenue into the Rock Prairie Elementary driveway.
- Prohibited left turns from Brothers Boulevard into the Southwood Valley parent pick-up and drop-off driveway.
- Prohibited left turns from Eagle Avenue into the public alley near Newport Lane during drop-off and pick-up times at Creek View Elementary.
- Amended the city’s code of ordinances regarding how often food vendors are required to leave mobile food courts.
- An inter-local agreement with Brazos County and the City of Bryan to provide emergency medical ambulance services to Brazos County.
- Renewed an annual contract of $1.2 million with Brenco Marketing Corporation for gasoline and diesel fuel.
The council voted on this consent item separately:
- By a 4-3 vote, the council approved a motion by Councilman James Benham to postpone action until the next meeting on a new office building proposed by the Brazos Central Appraisal District. Voting against the motion were Councilmen John Nichols, Karl Mooney, and Steve Aldrich.
8:07 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 Pfc. Stephen E. Wyatt as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 19-year-old Kilgore native died on Oct. 13, 2003 when his convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device and small arms fire in Balad, Iraq.
8:18 p.m.
Rezoning at 14996 Live Oak
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to change the zoning district boundaries from Rural to Suburban Commercial for about 0.59 acres between Live Oak Street and Wellborn Road near Greens Prairie Road West. The change will allow for low-density commercial development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
8:18 p.m.
Arts Council Board Appointment
The council voted unanimously to appoint Patricia Burchfield to the Arts Council of Brazos Valley’s Board of Directors.
8:28 p.m.
The mayor adjourned the regular meeting. The council will resume the workshop agenda.
8:58 p.m.
Impact Fees
The council discussed how impact fees could be implemented to pay for some of the infrastructure needs created by the city’s growth. In 2010 and 2011, the council declined to implement impact fees for transportation, water, and wastewater.
Before any fees would be considered, formal studies will be required at a cost of about $150,000. The consensus of the council was to move forward with the studies.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
9:04 p.m.
The mayor adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items, and committee reports.
The council meets again on Monday, Nov. 23.
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