By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Oct. 13. 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.
5:20 p.m.
The workshop has started.
5:55 p.m.
Legislative Update
The council received a legislative update and a preview of the upcoming session of the Texas Legislature.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:07 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:
- College View School Zone: The proposed 30 mph school zone would be near the new College View High School. It will extend from 200 feet east of Holik Street to about 175 feet west of Timber Street. The zone also extends south along Timber about 160 feet from the intersection with George Bush Drive and north along Bizzell Street about 100 feet from the intersection. Holik Street will also have the 30 mph zone from the end of the existing zone to the intersection with Bush. Texas A&M has given the city permission to install and maintain a flashing beacon on Bizzell to notify motorists coming from campus that they are about to enter a school zone.
- RVP Funding Agreement: As part of the FY17 budget process, the council approved $350,000 from the general fund for the operations and maintenance of the Research Valley Partnership. Councilman James Benham reiterated his opposition to funding the RVP.
- ESRI Agreement: The ESRI Small Government Enterprise Licenses Agreement allows the city to use most ESRI products without limits on the number of licenses. The three-year contract has an annual cost of $50,000 and saves money when compared to acquiring the appropriate number of individual licenses and paying for annual maintenance and support agreements.
- Chamber of Commerce Funding: The Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce will receive $25,000 in hotel tax funds in FY17. Councilman Benham thanked retiring executive director Royce Hickman for his service.
7:20 p.m.
Roadway Impact Fees
The council discussed the Impact Fee Advisory Committee’s written comments about possible roadway impact fees and heard an update on the process for implementation.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:20 p.m.
The mayor suspended the workshop until after the regular meeting, which will begin momentarily.
7:31 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:34
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 Spc. Robert Asiaga as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program.
7:38 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A $179,760.87 change order for the contract with L.E. Myers Company for additional matting and track equipment due to extreme wet weather conditions on the Spring Creek transmission line upgrade project.
- A contract not to exceed $750,000 with McCord Engineering for electric engineering services related to the design of the Graham Road Substation.
- The second renewal of a blanket price agreement not to exceed $136,992 with Cleveland Asphalt Products for emulsified asphalt products for street maintenance.
- Renewal of a one-year contract not to exceed $200,000 with Rios Tree Service for landscaping, tree trimming and removal services.
- A 30 mph school zone on George Bush Drive, Timber Street, Holik Street and Bizzell Street near the new College View High School.
- Annual water meter purchases of $166,077.52 from Aqua Metric Sales through the Houston-Galveston Area Council contract.
- The first of two renewal options for the annual EMS supply purchase order not to exceed $80,000 with Boundtree Medical L.L.C.
- An FY17 funding agreement for $15,000 with the College Station Noon Lions Club.
- The FY17 budget, a general fund funding agreement for $35,000, and a hotel tax fund funding agreement for $91,000 with the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley.
- FY17 hotel tax affiliate funding and a marketing and public arts support funding agreement for $391,900 with the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley.
- A FY17 funding agreement for $51,190 with Keep Brazos Beautiful.
- The FY17 budget and a hotel tax funding agreement for $25,000 with the Memorial for all Veterans of the Brazos Valley.
- The FY17 budget and a hotel tax funding agreement for $2,122,616 with the Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau.
- The FY17 budget a hotel tax funding agreement for $25,000 with the Bryan/College
- Station Chamber of Commerce.
- The FY17 budget and a funding agreement for $102,690 with Easterwood Airport.
- A FY17 hotel tax grant program funding agreement of $400,000 with the Brazos Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.
- A $150,000, three-year Small Government Enterprise ArcGIS License agreement with ESRI.
The council voted separately on this consent item:
- By a 6-1 vote approved a FY17 general fund funding agreement for $350,000 with the Research Valley Partnership. Councilman Benham voted against the motion.
8:06 p.m.
Capstone-Barron Realignment
The council voted unanimously to move forward with the reconstruction and alignment of Capstone Drive and Barron Road from Fitch Parkway through Wellborn Road. Barron and Capstone will be realigned to intersect Wellborn Road, and the existing asphalt road will be replaced with concrete.
The $5.6 million project was approved in the FY16 city budget and was among the projects recommended by the 2015 Citizen Advisory Committee.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:09 p.m.
Capstone-Barron Project Easements and Right-of-Way
The council voted unanimously to authorize city staff to negotiate the purchase of right-of-way and easements for the Capstone-Barron Realignment Project.
8:14 p.m.
Wellborn SUD Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to Wellborn Commercial for the Wellborn Special Utility District office, which is located on three acres northeast of the Greens Prairie Road West-Live Oak Street intersection.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:29 p.m.
Tarrow Townhomes Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Office to Planned Development District for about 1.6 acres at the intersection of Tarrow Street and Autumn Circle. The change will allow the development of townhouses.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:32 p.m.
Parking Removal on Louise and Second Street
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to remove parking along one side of the 300 block of Louise Street and the 400 block of Second Street to allow aerial fire department access to the proposed Louise Townhomes development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:35 p.m.
Easement Abandonment at A&M Church of Christ
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon part of a public utility easement on the A&M Church of Christ property at 2475 Rudder Freeway.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
10:01 p.m.
Northgate Mobile Food Court
The council voted 5-2 to approve a conditional use permit for a long-term mobile food court at 203 First Street in the Northgate District. Beer and wine sales must cease at midnight and a minimum of two security officers must be provided from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Councilmen Steve Aldrich and Karl Mooney voted against the motion.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
10:01 p.m.
The council is taking a short break.
10:07 p.m.
The meeting has resumed.
10:09 p.m.
Easement Abandonment at School Sites
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon part of a public utility easement near the Willow Branch and Oakwood school sites.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
10:11 p.m.
Summit Crossing Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Planned Development District to Townhouse for about 14.6 acres north of Harvey Road and west of FM 158. The change will allow the continuation of the existing Summit Crossing townhouse development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
10:13 p.m.
Easement Abandonment on Redmond Drive
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon a public utility easement to accommodate the design of a residential development on Redmond Drive.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
10:14 p.m.
BioCorridor Board Appointment
The council voted unanimously to appoint Johnny Burns to replace Barry Moore as one of the Planning & Zoning Commission’s representatives on the BioCorridor Board. Moore resigned to run for city council.
10:15 p.m.
BVSWMA Board Appointment
The council voted 6-0 to appoint Mayor Pro Tem John Nichols to the BVSWMA, Inc. Board of Directors. Nichols abstained. Mayor Nancy Berry’s term on the board expired Sept. 30.
10:15 p.m.
The mayor adjourned the regular meeting. The workshop meeting will resume.
10:18 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, Oct. 27.
About the Author
@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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