Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (April 28)

By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, April 28. 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.

6:17 p.m.

The workshop has started. Councilman James Benham is absent tonight but is participating via teleconference.

6:26 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:

• Gateway Monument: The council is considering a gateway monument agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to allow the city to construct and maintain a gateway monument in the northwest quadrant of the State Highway 6 and University Drive intersection. The monument will be within TXDoT right-of-way and visible to southbound traffic along State Highway 6. Here’s a conceptual rendering:

• Weapons, Ammunition, Body Armor: During the FY16 budget process, approval was given to replace the Police Department’s rifles and shotguns that were in disrepair. BuyBoard and Texas Procurement and Support Services are purchasing cooperatives for public agencies. Products and services available for purchase through their contracts have been competitively bid and awarded. The total cost is $89,533.98, including $29,077.75 for ammunition, $8,127.10 for body armor for two new tactical team members, and $52,329.13 for the replacement of rifles and shotguns.

6:37 p.m.

Council Strategic Plan Update

The council discussed updates to its 2016 Strategic Plan.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

6:47 p.m.

Big Event Review

The council reviewed Texas A&M’s recent Big Event community service effort.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

6:58 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.

7:07 p.m.

The regular meeting has started. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the council observed a moment of silence to commemorate the third anniversary of the passing of City Manager Frank Simpson.

7:11 p.m.

Travel and Tourism Week

Mayor Nancy Berry joined with Bryan Mayor Jason Bienski in proclaiming May 1-7 as Bryan-College Station Travel and Tourism Week to recognize the social, economic and cultural impact of travel and tourism on our city, state, and nation.

Pictured below with the mayor are (l-r) Cynthia Brown, Sophie Curtis. Kindra Fry, and Dominique Powell of the B-CS Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

7:14 p.m.

International Firefighters Day

The mayor proclaimed May 4 as International Firefighter’s Day in honor of the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are safe.

Pictured below are (front row, l-r): Councilwoman Blanche Brick, Pete Moongian, Mayor Berry, Chief Eric Hurt, Lt. Chad Phillips, and Andrew Kincell; (back row, l-r): Bert Kretzschmar, Councilman Steve Aldrich, Councilman John Nichols,  Joshua Moore, Assistant Chief Joe Warren, Derek Gallion, Battalion Chief Greg Rodgers, Fire Marshal Eric Dotson, Councilwoman Julie Schultz and Councilman Karl Mooney.

7:18 p.m.

Internal Auditor Earns National Award

The mayor recognized the city’s Internal Auditor’s Office for receiving the 2015 Exemplary Knighton Award for its 2015 Streets Maintenance Audit. 

Pictured below (l-r) are Councilman Aldrich, Mary Margret Mason, Councilman Mooney, City Auditor Ty Elliott, Councilwoman Brick, Madison Rorschach, Councilwoman Schultz, Mayor Berry and Councilman Nichols.

7:24 p.m.

Hear Visitors

Two people 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 Master Sgt. Kelly L. Hornbeck as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 36-year-old Fort Worth native died Jan. 18, 2004, when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle, south of Samarra, Iraq.
• Another citizen spoke against the state’s open carry laws.

7:25 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:

• A gateway monument agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to allow the City of College Station to construct and maintain a Gateway Monument northeast of the intersection of State Highway 6 and University Drive.
• The Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications System’s FY17 operating budget and the city’s annual payment of $175,540.19, and BVWACS’s FY17 capital equipment replacement reserve fund budget and the city’s annual payment of $96,612.65.
• The not-to-exceed $89,533.98 purchase of weapons, ammunition and body armor from GT Distributors through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative and Texas Procurement and Support Services.
• A $797,783 contract with Green Teams and a $147,735 contract with Grassmasters for landscape maintenance.
• A closeout payment of $194,520.93 for the 2012 Advance Funding Agreement with the State of Texas for the Rock Prairie Road Bridge Improvements.
• An annual $61,965 agreement with Texas A&M for Fitlife testing for firefighters.

8:11 p.m.

604 Tarrow St. Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted 6-1 to approve a request to change the zoning from Light Commercial to General Suburban to allow for the construction of a single-family home at 604 Tarrow St. Councilwoman Brick voted against the motion.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

8:16 p.m.

14941 Wellborn Rd. Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to Suburban Commercial for a small tract north of the Wellborn Road-Green Prairie Road intersection to allow for office space.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

8:20 p.m.

Wellborn Settlement Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to Suburban Commercial for about three acres between Wellborn Road and Royder Road to allow low-density commercial uses to cater to nearby residents.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

8:23 p.m.

209 University Drive East Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Office to General Commercial for at small tract at the northwest corner of the University Drive-Eisenhower Street intersection to allow a restaurant.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

8:30 p.m.

801 Wellborn Road Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from General Commercial/General Suburban to Planned Development District for about 4.25 acres at the southeast corner of the Wellborn Road-Luther Street intersection. The planned development includes multi-family housing with a commercial restaurant.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

8:32 p.m.

Right-of-Way Abandonment at 600 Maryem St.

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon a 15-foot wide alley right-of-way at 600 Maryem St. to allow for development.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

8:34 p.m.

Electrical Easement Abandonment

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon a 20-foot wide electrical easement at 801 Wellborn Rd. to allow for development.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

8:36 p.m.

Sanitary Sewer Easement Abandonment

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon a 12-foot wide sanitary sewer easement at 801 Wellborn Rd. to allow for development.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

8:43 p.m.

Strategic Partnership with MUD No. 1

The council conducted the first of two public hearings required before approving the Strategic Partnership Agreement with Brazos County MUD No. 1. The second public hearing is scheduled for the May 16 council meeting.

The agreement outlines the terms and conditions for annexing Brazos County Municipal Utility District No. 1. The district encompasses the property where the Texas World Speedway is located.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

9:04 p.m.

Comprehensive Plan Amendments

After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved revisions to the city’s Comprehensive Plan that were recommended by the Annexation Task Force, which was created in 2015 to update the timing, priorities, and phasing of annexations.

The changes are intended to establish the necessary policy guidance and associated strategies to maintain the city’s growth in a sensible, predictable, and fiscally responsible manner.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

9:06 p.m.

Corrections to IFC Amendments

After a public hearing, the council unanimously adopted corrections to the 2015 International Fire Codes.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:

9:08 p.m.

Appointment to Zoning Board of Adjustments

The council unanimously approved the appointment of Scott Simpson as chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustments.

9:08 p.m.

The mayor adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, May 12.

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About the Author

Colin Killian (@ColinKillian)has been with the City of College Station since 2010. He previously served 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also done extensive volunteer work for the U.S. Olympic Committee and worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.

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