Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Feb. 9)

By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Feb. 9. 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.

6:02 p.m.

The workshop has started. Councilman James Benham is absent tonight.

6:03 p.m.

Consent Agenda Discussion

The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. No consent items were pulled for workshop discussion.

6:37 p.m.

Affordable Housing Development

The council unanimously supported the concept of an affordable housing development off Rock Prairie Road East and applications by developers for low-income housing tax credits through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The development will still need to come back to council for approval at a later date.

The 2015 Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan identified rental housing as a priority need for low-to-moderate income individuals and families, as well as the city’s elderly and disabled populations. The FY17 Action Plan and adopted budget allocate funds for acquisition and infrastructure costs related to supporting the development of affordable housing units.

Here are the PowerPoint presentations:

7:17 p.m.

Suburban Commercial Zoning Districts

The council reviewed the uses and design standards associated with Suburban Commercial zoning districts.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

7:20 p.m.

Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and heard committee reports.

The regular meeting will start after a short break.

7:29 p.m.

The regular meeting has started.

7:36 p.m.

2-1-1 Day Proclamation

Mayor Karl Mooney proclaimed Saturday as National 2-1-1 Day. United Way of the Brazos Valley’s 2-1-1 Texas program is a free information and referral center that connects residents to community resources. When callers dial 2-1-1, they are connected to specialists who ensure the caller’s specific needs are addressed with accurate and prompt referrals.

Pictured below are (L-R): Debbie Eller (City of College Station community services director), Peggi Goss (vice president of community impact), Mayor Mooney, Hilda Salazar (2-1-1 program manager), Katharine Gammon (program and resource coordinator), and CeAnne Jones (communications and outreach coordinator). 

7:41 p.m.

Local Housing Assistance Partnerships

The council recognized the city’s collaborative partnerships that address local housing assistance. State Farm also presented a check for $8,900 to Rebuilding Together-BCS, whose mission is to transform the lives of low-income homeowners by improving the safety and health of their homes and revitalizing their community. Click here to read Community Development Analyst David Brower’s recent blog post about the partnerships.

Pictured below are (L-R): Ron Lightsey (RT BCS board president) Bruce Boyd (State Farm agent), Kelli Smith (State Farm sales leader), Steve Godby (RT BCS executive director), and Janis Godby (RT BCS board secretary/treasurer).  

7:46 p.m.

Hear Visitors

One person spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.

• Ben Roper recognized Army Spc. Adolfo C. Carballo as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 20-year-old Houston native died April 10, 2004, when he was struck by shrapnel in Baghdad, Iraq.

7:47 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:

• Added the local government investment pool, LOGIC.
• Added the prime account in the local government investment pool, TexPool.
• The second renewal of an annual agreement not to exceed $190,000 with the Brazos Valley Softball Umpires Association to provide officiating services for city athletic leagues, programs, and tournaments.
• Authorized the city manager or his designees to execute grant applications for Criminal Justice Division funds from the Office of the Governor.

9:00 p.m.

Arrington Road Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted 5-0 to approve a request to rezone about 10.5 acres at the intersection of Arrington Road and Old Arrington Road.The change will allow the development of an apartment complex called Caprock 10. Councilman Barry Moore recused himself because of a conflict of interest. 

In the public hearing, seven people expressed concerns about traffic and other issues created by the development.

Here are the PowerPoint presentations:

9:04 p.m.

Crescent Point Land Use Change

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the land use designation for about six acres at the intersection of Crescent Pointe Parkway and Copperfield Parkway. The change will allow the development of The Crescent Pointe Townhomes. No one spoke during the public hearing.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

9:07 p.m.

Crescent Point Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning designation for about six acres at the intersection of Crescent Pointe Parkway and Copperfield Parkway. The change would allow the development of The Crescent Pointe Townhomes. No one spoke during the public hearing.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

9:09 p.m.

Stasney and Nagle Easement Abandonments

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon a pair of public utility easements on Stasney Street and Nagle Street to accommodate the design of a new apartment complex in Northgate. No one spoke during the public hearing.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

9:12 p.m.

RELLIS External Advisory Council

The council voted unanimously to nominate Mayor Mooney to the external advisory council for the Texas A&M University System’s new RELLIS campus. The nomination was made at the request of Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp.

9:15 p.m.

The council discussed future agenda items.

9:15 p.m.

Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Feb. 23.

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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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