Back (L-R): Linda Harvell, Jerome Rektorik, James Benham, Barry Moore. Front (L-R): Blanche Brick, Mayor Karl Mooney, Julie Schultz.
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, March 23. It’s not the official minutes.
The meeting is being broadcast live on Suddenlink Channels 19 and 119 (HD) and online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
6:03 p.m.
The workshop has started.
6:17 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:
- All-Way Stop at Eagle-Alexandria: The city’s Traffic Management Team recommends adding an all-way stop at the Eagle Avenue-Alexandria Avenue intersection to improve safety and mobility for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists near Creek View Elementary School. Data shows that the longest delay for northbound Alexandria traffic is 21 seconds per vehicle between 7-8 a.m. With the all-way stop, the average delay on all approaches at that time will be 10-12 seconds. Alexandria also has more vehicles in the morning peak time than Eagle, while the number of vehicles is similar the rest of the day.
- All-Way Stop at Graham-Alexandria/Schaffer: The city’s Traffic Management Team recommends adding an all-way stop at the intersection of Graham Road and Alexandria Avenue/Schaffer Road to improve safety and mobility for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists near Cypress Grove Elementary School. Data shows that the longest delay for northbound Alexandria traffic with a two-way stop is about 51 seconds per vehicle in the worst conditions. The northbound approach has more than a three-minute delay between 7-8 a.m. With the all-way stop, the average delay in the morning peak will be 23 seconds and in the afternoon will be 16 seconds. Frequent crashes at the intersection also would be mitigated by an all-way stop.
6:26 p.m.
Audit Reports, Annual Financial Report
The council voted unanimously to accept the city’s annual audit reports and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the FY16 fiscal year. The reports summarize the organization’s financial position through Sept. 30.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:05 p.m.
Bee Creek Floodplain Management
The council discussed management of the Bee Creek floodplain.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:13 p.m.
Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
7:23 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:33 p.m.
World War I Remembrance Day
The mayor proclaimed April 6 as World War I Remembrance Day with a presentation to the Brazos County World War I Centennial Committee. More than 8,000 World War I veterans are buried in Brazos County, including 30 who died in the war. Pictured below are (L-R): Ellen Fuller, Gerry Hince, Greg Bailey, John Blair, Mayor Mooney, Pamela Marshall, Shawn Carlson, and Steve Beachy.
7:36 p.m.
183rd Reconnaissance Aviation Company
The mayor recognized the 183rd Reconnaissance Aviation Company that served in Vietnam. Veterans of the 183rd will have a major reunion March 30-April 2 in Bryan.
7:52 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Four people spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
- Ben Roper recognized Marine Cpl. Daniel R. Amaya as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 22-year-old Odessa native died April 11, 2004, from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
- Suzanne Droleskey, Mary Wells and Rachel Smith spoke against a requested replatting in the College Hills neighborhood.
7:52 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A resolution directing publication of notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation, series 2017; and providing an effective date.
- The renewal of a contract not to exceed $1.5 million with H&B Construction for electric system construction and maintenance labor.
- An amendment to the city’s Code of Ordinances regarding the single-stream recycling program that updates definitions and proper use of containers and includes assisted collections for disabled homeowners.
- Added an all-way stop at the intersection of Eagle Avenue and Alexandria Avenue.
- Added an all-way stop at the intersection of Graham Road and Alexandria Avenue/Schaffer Road.
- Removed parking along Luther Street West between FM 2818 and Marion Pugh Drive.
- Removed stopping, standing, and parking along Gilchrist Avenue near Williams Street.
- Prohibited U-Turns on Wellborn Road at the Wellborn Road and Harvey Mitchell Parkway interchange.
- A resolution declaring intention to reimburse certain expenditures with proceeds from debt not to exceed $1.2 million for information technology and gateway improvement projects that were included in the FY17 Capital Improvements Program Budget.
8:05 p.m.
Rezoning for Harvey Road Apartments
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to Multi-Family and Natural Areas Protected for about 16 ½ acres along Harvey Road west of the Linda Lane intersection. The change will allow for the development of an apartment complex.
Here are the PowerPoint presentations:
8:07 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
8:07 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, April 13.
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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