By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, March 10. 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.
6:26 p.m.
The workshop meeting has started.
6:47 p.m.
Water Master Plan Update
The council heard a presentation about the city’s updated Water Master Plan, including population and demand projections, system analyses, and plans for capital improvements.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
6:50 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. Councilmembers pulled this consent item for workshop discussion:
- Holleman Drive South Widening Project: The $1.01 million contract with Binkley & Barfield is for engineering services related to the design of the Holleman South Widening Project. The $10.3 million project will reconstruct Holleman from North Dowling to Rock Prairie Road West. A four-lane divided concrete section will replace the pavement and will include either bike lanes or a multi-use path. The project is expected to be completed by 2018.
7:05 p.m.
Underground Power Lines
The council heard a presentation about the maintenance program for College Station Utilities’ underground power lines. About 56 percent of CSU’s electric network is underground.
Electric Services Director Timothy Crabb said although underground lines can increase the reliability of the system, they can also cause more lengthy outages. In addition, the premature failure of expensive underground equipment such as padmount transformers and switchgear due to corrosion can be costly.
To avoid such outages and expenses, CSU has an annual maintenance program to inspect, refurbish, and replace the padmount transformers and switchgear as needed. The systematic, multi-year program maximizes reliability while minimizing outages and replacement costs.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:13 p.m.
The mayor adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items, and committee reports. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
7:19 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:23 p.m.
CSFD’s Kelly designated as executive fire officer
Mayor Nancy Berry presented CSFD Battalion Chief Christopher Kelly an award designating him as an executive fire officer. Kelly recently completed a rigorous four-year National Fire Academy leadership program. Pictured below (l-r) are CSFD Assistant Chief Paul Gunnels, Captain Greg Rodgers, Andrea Kelly, Chris Kelly, Fire Chief Eric Hurt, and Fire Marshal Eric Dotson.
7:26 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. Rey D. Cuervo as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 24-year-old Laguna Vista native died Dec. 28, 2003, when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle in Baghdad, Iraq.
7:27 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve these consent agenda items:
- An agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to contribute $450,000 toward improvements to Wellborn Road at its intersection with Greens Prairie Trail Road.
- An agreement with Union Pacific Railroad and Brazos County to allow the city to operate and maintain an at-grade crossing at Greens Prairie Trail contingent on Brazos County closing its crossings at Wade Road and Straub Road.
- A $58,670 bid award to Techline for the purchase of motor operators.
- A $346,400 amendment to the FY16 hotel tax funding agreement with the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley for affiliate funding, programs, and marketing.
- A $1.01 million contract with Binkley & Barfield for professional engineering services related to the design of the Holleman South Widening Project.
- A contract not to exceed $811,413 with Iteris to purchase services, equipment, and maintenance of hardware and software associated with the second-year of the Intelligent Transportation System Master Plan implementation.
This item was voted on separately:
- By a 6-0 vote, the council approved an interlocal agreement with Blinn College for the College Station Fire Department to provide clinical sites to Blinn EMS students. Mayor Berry recused herself because of a conflict of interest.
7:36 p.m.
Raymond Stotzer Parkway Land Use
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to change the land use designation from Business Park to Urban and General Commercial for about 17 acres near the intersection of Turkey Creek Road and the Stotzer Parkway frontage road. The change is a step in permitting a mixed-use development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:39 p.m.
Raymond Stotzer Parkway Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to change the zoning from Rural to Multi-Family and General Commercial for about 17 acres near the intersection of Turkey Creek Road and the Stotzer Parkway frontage road. The change is a step in developing a mix of commercial and multi-family residential uses.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
10:12 p.m.
Arrington Road Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-2 against a motion to deny a request to rezone about 17 acres south of the intersection of Arrington Road and Decatur Drive to allow for the development of a multi-family complex and greenway trails. Councilwoman Blanche Brick and Councilman Karl Mooney supported the motion.
A second motion to approve the rezoning request passed, 5-2. Brick and Mooney voted against the motion. The change a by changing the zoning from Office and General Commercial to Multi-Family and Natural Areas Protected.
In the public hearing, 27 people spoke and another 23 people submitted written comments.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
10:12 p.m.
The mayor adjourned the meeting. The council gathers again on Thursday, March 31.
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So….”live” blog? it’s been about 1 hr and 40 min without an update….
You’re right. Council has been listening to dozens of citizens speaking out against the requested rezoning of a 17-acre tract near Decatur Drive and Arrington Road. As of 9:25 p.m., we are just now getting to council questions and comments. The next update likely will occur once council votes on the item.