Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, July 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.
5:40 p.m.
The workshop has started. Place 3 Councilman Karl Mooney is absent tonight. Place 6 Councilman James Benham is participating by teleconference.
6:04 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:
- Bowell Street: The proposed ordinance would make Boswell Street a one-way a street at all times by removing the time-of-day restriction, which makes it difficult for residents along Boswell to obey the state traffic code. Thirteen parents, residents and property owners attended a public meeting on July 6, and all preferred one-way traffic with zero parking restrictions as opposed to two-way operation with parking restrictions during parent pick-up and drop-off times at South Knoll Elementary School.
- Roadway Impact Fees: The resolution would set Sept. 8 as the second public hearing date regarding the possible imposition of roadway impact fees on new development. The consensus of the council was to delay the item.
6:57 p.m.
Qualifications for Boards and Commissions
The council discussed ways to expand the candidate pool for appointments to the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board, Design Review Board, and Landmark Commission. These boards have specialized criteria that sometimes makes it difficult to fill vacancies.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:00 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.
7:10 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:16 p.m.
Bryan Rotary Business Performance Awards
The council recognized the 2016 winners of the Bryan Rotary 10 Business Performance Awards, which were presented last month to the area’s 10 fastest-growing, privately owned small businesses. Winners of the Lifetime Business Achievement and Research Valley Commercialization Rising Star awards also were honored. We'll add a photo here later.
7:18 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The resolutions setting public hearings on Sept. 8 regarding roadway, water and wastewater impact fees was pulled from tonight’s consent agenda and will be revisited at a later date.
The council voted unanimously to approve the rest of the consent agenda:
- The FY17 Community Development Budget and PY16 Annual Action Plan to be submitted to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- A $159,200 bid award to Wesco Distribution ($94,260) and Hitachi HVB ($64,940) for electrical substation equipment.
- An ordinance amendment making Boswell Street a one-way street all the time.
- A $1.38 million contract with Freese and Nichols for the design and construction phase services for Phases I and II of the Lick Creek Parallel Trunk Line Project.
- A bid award not to exceed $1.82 million to Knife River ($1.4 million) and Brazos Paving ($427,000) for an annual blanket order for Type D hot mix asphalt for the maintenance of streets.
- A $326,905 contract with Restocon Corporation for concrete and masonry repairs to the Northgate Parking Garage.
- An ordinance amendment removing stopping, standing, and parking along Langford Street and Boswell Street near South Knoll Elementary School.
- An annual water meter contract for a maximum of $463,000 with National Meter & Automation.
- An $82,291 contract with Smith Pump Company for the rehabilitation of Transfer Pump No. 3.
- The first renewal of the annual price agreement not to exceed $65,000 with ProSTAR Industries for janitorial supplies.
- An ordinance authorizing a general and special election on Nov. 8 to elect a mayor and Place 2 city councilmember, and fill a vacancy for the remaining two years of the unexpired term for Place 4 and the remaining one year for Place 3.
The council unanimously approved a motion by Councilwoman Blanche Brick that the roadway impact fees public hearing be held no later than Nov. 10.
The council also unanimously approved a motion by Councilwoman Brick that the water and wastewater impact fees public hearing be held no later than Sept. 22.
7:26p.m.
Hear Visitors
Three 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 Marine Pfc. Ricky A. Morris, Jr. as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 20-year-old Lubbock native died March 18, 2004, as a result of enemy action in Al Qaim, Iraq.
- Safia Naqi spoke about the poor maintenance of a private alley that serves residents who live in townhomes north of Southwest Parkway, facing Welsh Avenue and Leona Drive.
- Dorothy Kirkland also spoke about the alley.
7:35 p.m.
FY16 Budget Amendment No. 2
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve Budget Amendment No. 2, which amends the FY16 budget by $628,873 and includes interdepartmental contingency transfers of $378,266. For items included in the amendment, see pages 187-189 of the regular meeting packet.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:43 p.m.
5068 Stotzer Parkway Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-0-1 to approve a request to change the zoning district boundaries from Rural to Planned Development District for about six acres at 5068 Raymond Stotzer Parkway to allow for the development of a mixed-use office complex. Councilwoman Julie Schultz recused herself from the vote because of a conflict of interest.
The property is located at the southeast corner of the Stotzer Parkway and HSC Parkway.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:56 p.m.
Wellborn Zoning Districts
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to amend the city’s Unified Development Ordinance in regard to the creation of the Wellborn Estate, Wellborn Restricted Suburban, and Wellborn Commercial zoning districts under the Wellborn Community Plan.
Adopted in 2009, The Wellborn Community Plan identifies 10 future land use and character designations and calls for the creation of zoning districts that align with the plan’s objectives. The two new residential districts and one new commercial district will only be permitted in the Wellborn Community Plan Area.
The new districts were developed from feedback received from community members along with the Wellborn Community Plan:
- Wellborn Estate: This designation is generally for areas that, due to public service limitations or a prevailing rural character, should have limited development activity. These areas will tend to consist of low-density single-family residential lots of two acres or more but may be one acre if clustered around undeveloped open space.
- Wellborn Restricted Suburban: This district is generally for areas that should have a moderate level of development activity. These areas will tend to consist of medium-density single-family residential lots (minimum 20,000 square feet) and may be clustered for reduced lot sizes (minimum 8,000 square feet). When using the cluster option, open space should be provided so density is not increased. Such open space should be in addition to a minimum open space requirement of 15 percent of the developing area.
- Wellborn Commercial: This district is generally for concentrations of commercial activities that focus primarily on nearby residents. Such uses will be limited in size and not accommodate for drive-thru services. Specific design elements should be incorporated into such developments to limit the visual impact and enhance the community’s defined character.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:58 p.m.
Wellborn Zoning District Animal Control
The council voted unanimously to amend the city’s Code of Ordinances to allow domestic livestock, fowl, and rabbits without a permit in the newly-created Wellborn Estate zoning district.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:01 p.m.
Design Review Board Appointments
The council voted unanimously for two appointments to the Design Review Board.
8:01 p.m.
The mayor adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, August 11.
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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