By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Dec. 8. It’s not the official minutes.
The final council meeting of 2016 is being broadcast live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and streamed online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
Woolwine Named City Employee of the Year
Earlier this afternoon, the council recognized Recycling & Environmental Compliance Manager Heather Woolwine as the city’s employee of the year. Woolwine’s year was highlighted by transitioning the city from a curbside sort-and-bag recycling system to a single-stream recycling program.
Other nominees for the award were also honored, along with employees receiving 20, 25, 30 and 35-year service awards. Woolwine is pictured below with Mayor Karl Mooney and City Manager Kelly Templin.
6:09 p.m.
The workshop has started.
Coming out of executive session, the council voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to settle the dispute involving contracts with N. Harris Computer Corporation related to the city’s Enterprise Resource Planning System. The City of College Station will receive a payment no less than $260,000.
6:11 p.m.
Schultz Elected Mayor Pro Tem
By a 5-2 vote, the council elected Councilwoman Julie Schultz for a one-year term as mayor pro tempore to act as mayor during times when the mayor may be absent or disabled. Councilwomen Blanche Brick and Linda Harvell voted against the motion.
6:19 p.m.
Water Demand Forecasting Audit
The council reviewed the city internal auditor’s Water Demand Forecasting Audit. The audit found the city’s existing forecasting methods have been sufficient but as the city grows and diversifies, risks may become more apparent. The auditor said the city could benefit from more complex in-house water demand forecasting approaches that allow for more thorough analysis.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:38 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:
- Neighborhood Sidewalk Projects: The $203,269 contract with Palomares Construction is for sidewalks on the west side of Eisenhower Street, the south side of Live Oak Street, the north side of San Saba Drive, and an ADA accessible sidewalk on the south side of Cross Street. The projects will be funded by federal Community Development Block Grants.
- LED Street Lights: The $2.6 million contract with Seimens Industries will replace the city’s 5,500 street lights with more efficient LED (light emitting diode) fixtures. When the city installed the state’s first street light monitoring system in 2009, it used high-quality bulbs with a plan to investigate LED replacement options when the bulbs’ six-year warranty expired. College Station Utilities estimates a 7-8 year payback on the new system, which should have a 30-year life expectancy.
- Employee Benefit Expenditures: Total benefit expenditures for 969 city employees, retirees and COBRA participants in 2017 is expected to be about $11.23 million. This represents a cost of about $965 per employee each month, or $11,580 per employee each year. Benefits include Blue Cross Blue Shield (medical, dental, prescription, stop-loss coverage), vision insurance, basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term disability, long-term disability, critical illness/accident insurance, and the employee assistance program.
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses: The not-to-exceed $956,480 contract with Casco Industries is for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment for the fire department. The department’s existing SCBA packs are 1999, 2002, and 2007 editions. Manufacturer support and service for the older packs is limited and in some cases obsolete. The National Fire Protection Association mandates that air bottles have a 15-year life span, and more than half of the city’s bottles will be out of service in 2017. The purchase will bring the department into compliance with the NFPA standard.
- Electronic Credit Card Contract: The $85,000 monthly contract with OpenEdge is for banking fees and service charges related to electronic credit card processing and merchant account services.
7:00 p.m.
Wastewater Master Plan Update
The council reviewed a recent update to the city’s Wastewater Master Plan, including population and demographic projections, demand forecasts, an analysis of the collection system, the strategy for expanding the treatment plants, and the capital improvement plan.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:01 p.m.
The workshop has been suspended and will resume after the regular meeting, which will begin after a short break.
7:13 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:17 p.m.
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 Marine Lance Cpl. Michael B. Wafford as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 20-year-old Spring native died April 8, 2004, from injuries received from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
7:18 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A $203,469 contract with Palomares Construction for sidewalk improvements along Eisenhower, Live Oak, Cross Street, and San Saba.
- A $2.56 million contract with Siemens Industries for converting street lighting to LED light fixtures.
- Renewal of an inter-local agreement with BVSWMA for continued city sponsorship of BVSWMA, Inc. as an Associate Member of the Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications Service.
- Renewal of an inter-local agreement with BVSWMA for communications services provided by the city.
- $11.23 million for employee benefits for 2017 and the rejection of a request for proposal for stop-loss reinsurance.
- A purchase not-to-exceed $956,480.73 for self-contained breathing apparatus equipment from Casco Industries.
- Renewal of a month-to-month agreement with estimated banking fees and service charges not exceeding $85,000 monthly with OpenEdge for electronic credit card processing and merchant account services.
- Renewal of four master agreements for real estate appraisal services: Atrium Real Estate Services, CBRE, Inc., Integra Realty Resources – Austin, and S.T. Lovett & Associates.
- A $197,720 contract with H2O Partners for pavement and right-of-way data collection.
- A $250,000 contract with DIJ Construction for the installation of roadway markings.
- A $651,644.50 contract with Palasota Contracting the construction of the Well Field Collection System Loop Project.
- The 2017 Council Calendar.
- The first renewal of the annual blanket order with Techline for pad-mounted 15 kV solid dielectric switch gears.
7:22 p.m.
Falcon Point Easement Abandonment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon a 355-square-foot portion of a public utility easement at 1915 Dartmouth Street to allow for development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:24 p.m.
Fee Conflict Ordinance
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance resolving fee conflicts in the city’s Code of Ordinances.
In October, the council approved a resolution adjusting application and permit fees for Planning & Development Services and consolidated fees into Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances. The resolution had a delayed effective date of Jan. 1 and included fees that were embedded in other sections of the Code of Ordinances, creating temporary conflicts. The ordinance amends the applicable sections to remove the respective fee and states, “Fees shall be as established from time-to-time by resolution of the city council.”
9:35 p.m.
Land Use Change on Corsair Circle
After a public hearing, the council voted 4-3 to change the land use designation from Suburban Commercial to General Commercial for about two acres on Corsair Circle just north of Pavilion Avenue. Brick, Harvell, and Mooney voted against the motion. The change will allow for the possible development of a hotel.
In the public hearing, 20 people spoke against the change, and three submitted written comments.
An earlier motion by Councilwoman Brick to postpone the item to failed by a 4-3 vote. Brick, Harvell, and Mooney supported the motion.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:53 p.m.
Corsair Circle Rezoning
The council has been conducting a public hearing on the rezoning of the Corsair Circle property. The hearing will resume after a short break.
10:00 p.m.
The regular meeting has resumed.
10:20 p.m.
Corsair Circle Rezoning (continued)
After a public hearing, the council voted 4-3 to change the zoning from Light Industrial to General Commercial for about two acres on Corsair Circle just north of Pavilion Avenue. Brick, Harvell, and Mooney voted against the motion. The change will allow the development of a hotel.
In the public hearing, 10 people spoke against the change, and one submitted a written comment.
An earlier motion by Councilwoman Brick to postpone the item for three months failed by a 4-3 vote. Brick, Harvell, and Mooney supported the motion.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
11:40 p.m.
Sebesta Road Land Use Change
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-2 to approve a request to change the land use designation from Suburban Commercial to General Commercial for about 18 acres at 1370 Sebesta Rd. along State Highway 6. Brick and Harvell voted against the motion. The change will allow for the development of an automobile dealership and other commercial uses.
In the public hearing, 11 people spoke against the change, two supported it, one proposed a planned development district, and one submitted a written comment.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
11:47 p.m.
Sebesta Road Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-2 to approve a request to change the zoning from General Suburban, Rural and Research & Development to General Commercial for about 18 acres at 1370 Sebesta Road along State Highway 6.Brick and Harvell voted against the motion.The change will allow for the development of an automobile dealership and other commercial uses.
In the public hearing, two people spoke against the change, and two submitted written comments.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
11:49 p.m.
Committee and Board Appointments
The council voted unanimously to approve these appointments to various boards and commissions:
- Arts Council of the Brazos Valley: Linda Harvell replaces former councilman Steve Aldrich.
- BioCorridor Board: James Benham replaces former councilman Steve Aldrich.
- Blinn College Brazos County Advisory Committee: Karl Mooney replaces former mayor Nancy Berry.
- Brazos County Health Department: Linda Harvell replaces former councilman John Nichols.
- Bryan/College Station Convention & Visitors Bureau: Jerome Rektorik replaces former councilman John Nichols.
11:50 p.m.
The mayor adjourned the regular meeting. The workshop will resume after a short break.
12:01 p.m.
The council has gone into executive session and will complete the workshop agenda afterward. Since all that remains are discussions about the council calendar, future agenda items, and committee reports, your loyal blogger is calling it a night.
The council meets again on Thursday, Jan. 12.
We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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 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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