By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Feb. 25. 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.
6:04 p.m.
The workshop has started. Councilman Karl Mooney and Councilwoman Julie Schultz are absent tonight.
7:11 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:
- Meter Reading Outsourcing: The three-year, $1.65 million contract would outsource electric and water meter reading services as a solution to the substantial strain on staffing levels caused by the city’s growth. Alexander’s Contract Services has provided meter reading services to municipalities, water districts and other utility companies since 1968. The company would also assist in completing connect and disconnect work orders during heavy move-in and move-out periods.
- Rock Prairie Road-Wellborn Road to City Limits: The $194,500 contract with Binkley & Barfield is for the preliminary engineering report associated with the Rock Prairie Road West-Wellborn Road to City Limits Project. The project includes the reconstruction of Rock Prairie Road West from Wellborn Road to the west city limits. It was approved in the FY16 budget to be funded with certificates of obligation and was prioritized by the 2015 Citizen Advisory Committee.
- Police Station Design Contract: The $1.96 million contract with Pierce, Goodwin, Alexander and Linville (PGAL) is for the design of a new police station. The design will include a 79,000-square-foot facility with an option to increase the size to 100,000 square feet. The project also includes the design of a new surface parking lot and site improvements. Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
- Office Space Lease Agreement: The three-year, $350,000 agreement would ease overcrowding at city facilities by leasing office space at 511 University Dr. East. Staff has been working with a real estate brokerage firm to identify available properties to serve as temporary office space. The property on University Drive was the most cost-effective option to meet the city’s short-term needs.
- Veterans Park Electrical Upgrades: The $60,000 contract with All Star I&E is for the replacement of electrical panels and boxes that operate six athletic field lights at Veterans Park. The project would include a small metal roof over the new panels to help protect the equipment from the elements.
7:12 p.m.
At the request of Mayor Nancy Berry, the underground power line maintenance presentation will be postponed until the next meeting.
The workshop has been suspended and will resume after the regular meeting, which will start after a short break.
7:18 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:22 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. Ernesto M. Blanco as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 28-year-old San Antonio native died Dec. 28, 2003, when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle in Qaryat Ash Shababi, Iraq.
8:02 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted 5-0 to approve these consent agenda items:
- The City Sponsorship Policy.
- The City Internal Auditor’s College Station Police Department Inventory Audit.
- An annual price agreement not to exceed $75,000 with Mustang Rental Services for heavy machinery rentals.
- The Police Department’s annual traffic contact report.
- The Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Program Guidelines.
- The award of a three-year contract not to exceed $1.65 million to Alexander’s Contract Services for electric and water meter reading services.
- An $81,676 contract with Halff Associates for engineering services associated with the design of the Capstone & Barron Alignment Project.
- A $198,786 contract with Norman Concrete Services for the construction of sidewalk improvements along Wellborn Road.
- A $194,485.50 contract with Binkley & Barfield for the preliminary engineering report associated with the Rock Prairie Road West-Wellborn Road-to-City Limits Project.
- A three-year of $350,413.44 lease agreement with JAR Capital Investments for leasing office space for city employees at 511 University Dr. East.
- A $60,011.68 contract with All Star I&E for the replacement of electrical panels and boxes that operate six athletic field lights at Veterans Park.
- An inter-local agreement with Blinn College for the Fire Department to provide clinical sites to Blinn EMS students.
This consent item was discussed and voted on separately:
- The council voted 4-1 to approve a $1.96 million contract with Pierce, Goodwin, Alexander and Linville (PGAL) for the design of a new police station. Councilwoman Blanche Brick voted against the motion.
- A motion to delay the vote until the March 31 meeting was defeated, 3-2. Brick and Councilman Steve Aldrich supported the motion.
8:06 p.m.
Rezoning for Nursing Home
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-0 to approve a request to rezone about nine acres near the Rock Prairie Road-Medical Way intersection to allow for the development of a nursing home. The property is part of the Medical District.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
8:18 p.m.
Board and Committee Appointments
By a 5-0 vote, the council approved these appointments to city boards and committees:
- B/CS Library Committee: Gary Ives, Larry Ringer.
- Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board: Jon Denton, Molly Fierro, Andrew Middleton, Tina Evans.
- Construction Board of Adjustments: Tom Jackson, Bill Mather, Troy Smith, Johnny Burns (alternate), Elianor Vessali (alternate), Megan Hardy (alternate).
- Design Review Board: Mary Edwards, Elizabeth Natsios, Troy Smith.
- Historic Preservation Committee: Gerald Burgner, Katharine Edwards, Michael Hardy, Luis Hodges, Charlie Jones, Justin Lopez (unexpired).
- Joint Relief Funding Review Committee: Kay Parker.
- Landmark Commission: Mark Browning, Gerald Burgner, Tina Evans, Justin Lopez, Ian Muise, Tony Smith.
- Parks and Recreation Board: Marc Chaloupka, Paul Dyson, Gary Erwin, Ann Hays, Andrew Middleton, Keith Roberts.
- Planning and Zoning Commission: Jane Kee (chair), Casey Oldham, Jerome Rektorik, Jim Ross, Johnny Burns.
- Zoning Board of Adjustments: Sherri Echols, Justin Lopez, Keith Roberts, Johnny Burns (alternate), Troy Smith (alternate).
8:18 p.m.
The mayor adjourned the regular meeting and will resume the workshop agenda.
8:19 p.m.
The council has gone back into executive session.
9:11 p.m.
The council is out of executive session.
9:17 p.m.
The mayor adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items, and committee reports.
The council meets again on Thursday, March 10.
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