By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Jan. 26. 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.
6:00 p.m.
The workshop has started.
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 this consent item for workshop discussion:
- Cemetery Foot Markers: This ordinance change would standardize foot markers in city cemeteries and would allow one flat foot marker not to exceed 72 inches in length when family or double monuments are placed on at least two adjoining standard spaces.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:45 p.m.
High-Speed Rail Update
The council received an update on the high-speed rail project between Houston and Dallas that will include a stop in the Brazos Valley.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:51 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items, and committee reports. The regular meeting will start at 7 p.m.
7:01 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:08 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 Marine Cpl. Matthew E. Matula as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 20-year-old Spicewood native died April 9, 2004, from hostile fire in Iraq.
- Bob Reinhardt encouraged the city to do all it can to attract additional internet providers to town.
7:09 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- Authorized the city manager or designees to execute grant applications for state Homeland Security Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities funds from the Office of the Governor.
- Annual tire purchases and retread services not-to-exceed $230,000 from Southern Tire Mart.
- An annual blanket purchase order not to exceed $120,000 from Siddons-Martin Emergency Group for repair parts and labor for fire trucks.
- A $166,100 contract with Jacobs Engineering Group for a needs assessment and program for the Utility Service Center.
- A $62,593 change order to a contract with Palasota Contracting for a street rehabilitation project along Nimitz Street from Lincoln Avenue to Ash Street.
- An ordinance amendment adding stop signs at various intersection approaches.
- An ordinance amendment adding yield signs on Holleman Drive South at FM 2818, Koppe Bridge Road at South Dowling Road, and the Scott and White Drive roundabout.
- An ordinance amendment adding foot marker exceptions for family or double monuments in city cemeteries.
- The fourth and final renewal of a general services agreement not to exceed $120,000 with Emergicon to provide ambulance billing, accounts receivable and delinquent account collection services.
7:16 p.m.
Budget Amendment No. 1
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a $6.1 million amendment to the city’s FY17 budget, including $5.9 million that was budgeted an encumbered in FY16 but won’t be received until FY17.
The encumbrance roll includes $2.39 million to establish a Community Development Block Grant local account and $1.3 million for a new ladder truck for the Fire Department. Other items in the budget amendment are $63,500 for park improvements – a budget clean-up item that corrects an error in FY17 appropriations – and $200,000 for a sewer line extension on Lakeway Drive.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:23 p.m.
Planned Development District Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to rezone about 39 acres northeast of the intersection of Jones-Butler Road and FM2818. The change would result in the addition of three acres into the existing Planned Development District, which includes multi-family housing and preserves flood-prone areas.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:36 p.m.
Itinerant Vendor Ordinance Amendment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to exempt mobile medical clinics and related mobile services from the city’s itinerant vendor requirements and to expand the number of days allowed for outdoor tent sales to 36 per year.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:41 p.m.
Historic Preservation Committee
The council voted unanimously to appoint Louis Hodges as chair of the Historic Preservation Committee.
7:47 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Feb. 9.
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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