By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Monday, Nov. 21. 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 also available on the website.
6:00 p.m.
The workshop has started. Councilwoman Julie Schultz is absent tonight.
6:02 p.m.
Canvassing of Election Returns
The council canvassed the Nov. 8 election returns and declared the results. Karl Mooney is elected mayor and Jerome Rektorik, Linda Harvell and Barry Moore are elected to the city council.
6:07 p.m.
Oaths of Office for New Mayor, Council Members
Karl Mooney took the oath of office as College Station’s 15th mayor and Barry Moore, Jerome Rektorik and Linda Harvell were sworn in as council members. We’ll post photos here later.
6:28 p.m.
Welcome and Farewell
A short reception welcomed the new council members and bid thanks and farewell to outgoing Mayor Nancy Berry and Councilmen Steve Aldrich and John Nichols. New Mayor Karl Mooney proclaimed today "Nancy Berry Day" in honor of her 6 1/2 years in office. We’ll post photos here later.
The meeting will resume shortly.
6:56 p.m.
The workshop will resume.
6:59 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:
- School Resource Officers: The inter-local agreement establishes the Police Department’s intent to provide school resource officer services to the College Station Independent School District through the end of the 2016-17 school year.
7:03 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items, and committee reports.
7:03 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:10 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 Sgt. Gerardo Moreno as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 20-year-old Orange native died April 5, 2004, from injuries received from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
- Christopher Gold asked the council to provide adequate funding for the city's greenways and to improve accessibility to pathways.
7:11 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A $530,177 contract with Halff Associates for engineering services related to the Capstone & Barron Alignment project.
- An inter-local agreement with the College Station Independent School District regarding school resource officers.
- Renewal of an annual one-year contract estimated at $900,000 with Brenco Marketing Corporation for gasoline and diesel fuel.
- A $580,400 contract for replacement screw lift pumps at the Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- A contract not to exceed $907,200 with Brazos Paving for concrete curb, gutter and flatwork installation.
- A license agreement with Pitman Custom Homes allowing a small encroachment into a public utility easement in the Creek Meadows Subdivision.
Item 2d was pulled from tonight's consent agenda and will return at a later date. It was a $203,469 contract for sidewalk improvements along Eisenhower Street, Live Oak Street, Cross Street, and San Saba Drive.
7:27 p.m.
Comp Plan, UDO review
After a public hearing, the council accepted the annual review of the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance. The review is part of a continuing effort to keep the documents current and relevant.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:29 p.m.
Caprock Crossing Easement Abandonment
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the abandonment of a 0.76-acre portion of a 50-foot wide public access easement near Old Arrington Road in the Caprock Crossing area. The abandonment allows future development of the property.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:39 p.m.
Committee Appointments
Ty Elliott, Internal Auditor, provided information on a proposed change to the Audit Committee. The council voted 6-0 to change the make-up of the committee to include three councilmembers and two accounting or audit professionals as non-voting members.
Here’s his PowerPoint presentation:
7:40 p.m.
The council has gone into executive session.
8:25 p.m.
After the executive session, the council made the following committee appointments:
- Brazos Valley CEOC Policy Advisory Board: Karl Mooney
- BVCOG Board of Directors: Karl Mooney
- BVCOG Intergovernmental Committee: Karl Mooney, Blanche Brick
- BVSWMA: John Nichols, Karl Mooney, Richard Floyd
- BVWACS: James Benham
- Brazos Valley MPO: Karl Mooney, Blanche Brick
- Regional Transportation Committee for Council of Governments: Blanche Brick
- Research Valley Partnership: Karl Mooney, Julie Schultz, Jim Jett
Internal Committees:
- Audit: Jerome Rektorik, Linda Harvell, Karl Mooney (chair)
- Budget and Finance: Karl Mooney, Barry Moore, James Benham
- Compensation and Benefits: Jerome Rektorik, Blanche Brick, Karl Mooney
- Economic Development: Karl Mooney, James Benham, Julie Schultz
- Transportation and Mobility: Karl Mooney, Linda Harvell, Blanche Brick (chair)
8:29 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Vote Delayed
The council decided to delay the election of a mayor pro tempore until Councilwoman Julie Schultz returns for the next meeting. The mayor pro tem acts as mayor during the mayor’s disability or absence.
8:29 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Dec. 8.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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 been 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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