By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Sept. 8. 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. Mayor Nancy Berry is absent tonight.
6:15 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:
- Park Playground Improvements: The $638,000 contract with TF Harper is for improvements and repairs to playgrounds at 15 city parks. The work is expected to be finished by early 2017.
- Green Prairie-Arrington Road Design Contract: The $145,000 contract with Kimley-Horn is for engineering and survey services associated with improvements to the Greens Prairie Road-Arrington Road intersection. The project consists of a channelized right-turn lane, a pedestrian island, a traffic signal, extension of existing drainage structures, signage, and striping.
6:51 p.m.
Game Day Traffic Plan
The council heard a presentation about the city’s partnership with Texas A&M to efficiently move traffic away from Kyle Field after football games. The city has worked with the university and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute in this effort for several years.
The partners develop and share preseason traffic control plans that specify road closures and traffic direction on and off campus.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:52 p.m.
The workshop has been suspended and will resume after the regular meeting, which will start after a short break.
7:01 p.m.
The regular meeting has started. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Pro Tem John Nichols requested a moment of silence for the A&M student who died this morning in an accident involving a city sanitation truck.
7:09 p.m.
400 Fairview Historic Marker
The Historic Preservation Committee presented Historic Marker No. 90 to Fred and Shirley Dupriest family for their residence at 400 Fairview. This presentation summarizes the property’s history:
The Dupriests are pictured below with Mayor Pro Tem John Nichols.
7:15 p.m.
Thank a Police Officer Day
Mayor Pro Tem John Nichols proclaimed Saturday, Sept. 17 as Thank a Police Officer Day. Pictured below are (l-r) Craig Anderson, Chris Suel, Leeann Alverez, Jeff Seale,Mayor Pro Tem John Nichols, Brandy Norris, Chuck Fleeger, Barrett Field, and James "Jim Bob" Arnold.
7:24 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Four people spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
- Ben Roper recognized Marine Pfc. Dustin M. Sekula as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 18-year-old Edinburg native died April 1, 2004, due to enemy fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
- Tim Powell spoke against the recent rezoning of a large tract of land near the Indian Lakes Subdivision.
- Landry Tucker spoke about banning earbuds while driving.
- Jonathan Coopersmith spoke in support of impact fees.
7:25 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A $76,929.21 contract with Kraftsman Commercial Playgrounds & Water Parks for the removal and installation of a new slide at Adamson Lagoon.
- A $638,471.75 contract with TF Harper for improvements and repairs to various playgrounds at city parks.
- A $150,929 contract with GrantCaffey Construction for the City Gateway Signage Project.
- A $145,000 contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for engineering and surveying services associated with the Greens Prairie and Arrington Road Intersection Improvements Project.
- A $456,453 contract with Palasota Contracting for a street rehabilitation project along Nimitz Street from Lincoln Avenue to Ash Street.
- Price agreements with Osburn Associates ($42,193) and N-Line Traffic Maintenance ($42,447) for roadway signs, posts, and brackets.
- A resolution authorizing city staff to negotiate the purchase of right-of-way and easements needed for the University Drive Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project.
- The appointment of the presiding judges and alternate judges for the Nov. 8 general and special election as recommended by Brazos County Elections Administrator Trudy Hancock.
7:30 p.m.
Single Family Height Protection
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to amend the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to provide lower density residential height and distance protection.
The change clarifies the provision and adjusts exceptions for properties that may be located in a designated redevelopment area or if the adjacent single-family use doesn't conform to the property’s zoning.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:35 p.m.
Harvey Hillsides Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to rezone from Rural to Suburban Commercial a small property at the corner of Harvey Road and Pamela Lane. The change would allow for development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:38 p.m.
Public Hearing on Proposed Budget
No one spoke during a public hearing on the city’s proposed $341 million budget for FY17. The budget is scheduled for adoption at the next council meeting at 3 p.m. on Sept. 22.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:51 p.m.
Public Hearing on Proposed Property Tax Rate
Three people spoke during the second public hearing on the city’s proposed property tax rate of 47.25 cents per $100 of assessed value, which will generate about $37 million. The proposed rate represents a two-cent increase.
Robert Rose, Robert Forrest and Richard Dusold spoke against the proposed rate.
The first public hearing on the tax rate was held August 31. The tax rate is scheduled for adoption at the next council meeting at 3 p.m. Sept. 22.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:52 p.m.
The regular meeting was adjourned. The workshop meeting will resume.
9:01 p.m.
Water/Wastewater Impact Fee Update
The council received written comments from the Impact Fee Advisory Committee about the proposed water and wastewater impact fee and was updated on the process for possible implementation.
A public hearing and formal action regarding the fees are scheduled for the Sept. 22 council meeting.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:02 p.m.
The mayor pro tem adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items, and committee reports. The council meets again on Thursday, Sept. 22.
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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