By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, July 27. 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.
6:05 p.m.
The workshop has started. Councilman James Benham is participating tonight via teleconference.
6:06 p.m.
Mayor Karl Mooney recognized City Secretary Sherry Mashburn, who is working her final council meeting before heading into a well-deserved retirement. She received a standing ovation in the council chambers.
6:07 p.m.
Council appoints McNutt city secretary
The council voted unanimously to appoint Tanya McNutt as city secretary to replace Mashburn. McNutt has served as deputy city secretary since 2008 after nine years as city secretary in Madisonville.
6:07 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.
6:26 p.m.
Community Development Budget/Action Plan
The council reviewed the proposed FY18 Community Development Budget and Action Plan that will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. New federal grants available for the FY17 fiscal year include $994,211 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and $372,260 in HOME Investment Partnership Grants (HOME).
CDBG funds may be used to meet local needs through a range of community development activities, while HOME funds may only be used for affordable housing activities. The council will consider the final budget and action plan on Aug. 10.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:57 p.m.
Planning & Development Services Fees
The council reviewed the city’s planning and development services fees, along with studies and other efforts that supported past fee increases.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:58 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
7:07 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:15 p.m.
Rotary 10 Business Performance Awards
Mayor Karl Mooney recognized the 2017 winners of the Bryan Rotary 10 Business Performance Awards presented last month to the area’s 10 fastest-growing, privately owned small businesses: Magruder Homes; Bombers Baseball; Renner Chiropractic; Computers, Electronics, Office, Etc.; America’s Choice Roofing; Ecozapp; Frogslayer; The Barracks Construction Group; A Brush Above Services; and Exothermix. The winner of the Lifetime Business Achievement Award, Fries Financial Services, also was honored.
7:20 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Two 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 Army Spc. Isela Rubalcava as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 25-year-old El Paso native died May 8, 2004, when a mortar round exploded near her in Mosul, Iraq.
- Ken Tripp commented about the closure of Cain Road near the railroad tracks. He asked the city to consider an extension from Deacon to Cain.
7:22 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- Authorized a general election on Nov. 7, 2017, to elect city council members to places 1, 3, and 5, and established polling places and early voting locations.
- An interlocal agreement with Brazos County to conduct and manage the city’s general election on Nov. 7.
- A $836,833.50 bid award for annual price agreements for various electrical items to Anixter ($22,958), KBS Electric ($101,254), Texas Electric Cooperatives ($114,303), and Techline ($598,318.50)
- A $299,506.20 annual bid award for electric meters and sockets to Anixter ($58,500), Priester-Mell & Nicholson ($203,768.70), and KBS Electric ($37,237.50).
- A contract granting $200,000 in Community Development Partnership Grant funds to Brazos Valley Community Action Programs for the acquisition of a four-bedroom, single-family home at 1112 Waynesboro Ct. that will be maintained as an income-eligible, affordable rental unit.
- The negotiation of an estimated $382,265 agreement with Cigna Health & Life Insurance Company for medical, dental and prescription drug plan for city employees for 2018.
7:38 p.m.
RVP Compliance Report
The council reviewed the Research Valley Partnership’s 2016 Incentives Compliance Report.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:21 p.m.
Rudder Freeway/Raintree Land Use
After a public hearing, the council voted 4-3 to approve a request to change the land use designation from Suburban Commercial to General Commercial for about 3.3 acres on Earl Rudder Freeway north of Raintree Drive. Mayor Karl Mooney and Councilwomen Blanche Brick and Linda Harvell voted against the motion. Five people spoke during the public hearing.
The change will allow the owner to market the property for a broader range of commercial uses.
Here are the PowerPoint presentations:
8:28 p.m.
Rudder Freeway/Raintree Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted 4-3 to approve a request to change the zoning designation from Suburban Commercial to General Commercial for the same property in the previous item. Mooney, Brick, and Harvell voted against the motion. Four people spoke during the public hearing.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:33 p.m.
Budget Amendment No. 2
The council voted unanimously to amend the FY17 budget by $584,700 and a contingency transfer of $125,000.
The bulk of the amendment ($500,000) is for the replacement of a milling machine in the Public Works Department. Another $25,000 is for a project manager position to manage the construction and renovation of city buildings and facilities.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:52 p.m.
Harvey Mitchell Parkway Land Use
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the land use designation from Urban and Natural Areas Reserved (NAR) to General Commercial and NAR for about 12½ acres west of Rudder Freeway along Harvey Mitchell Parkway. Two people spoke during the public hearing.
The change allows the owner to develop a mix of residential and non-residential uses.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:56 p.m.
Harvey Mitchell Parkway Zoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning designation from General Suburban, Planned Mix-Use District with OV Corridor Overlay, and Office, to General Commercial with Corridor Overlay, Multi-Family, and Natural Areas for about 28 acres in the same area as in the previous item. One person spoke during the public hearing.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:57 p.m.
The council is taking a short break.
9:05 p.m.
The meeting has resumed.
9:09 p.m.
Lock N Roll Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to change the zoning designation from Commercial Industrial to General Commercial for about eight acres north of Harvey Road along the east side of Rudder Freeway. The change will allow for infill redevelopment opportunities on the property occupied by Lock N Roll Storage.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:18 p.m.
Rudder Freeway South Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to change the land use designation from General Suburban and Business Park to General Commercial for about 100 acres on the east side of State Highway 6 and north of the Texas World Speedway. The change will allow for commercial development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:20 p.m.
Rezoning at University-FM158
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to change the zoning designation from Rural to General Commercial for about 36 acres on the south side of University Drive East-FM158 intersection. The change will allow for infill commercial development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:24 p.m.
George Bush Drive Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to change the zoning designation from General Suburban to General Commercial for one acre on the south side of George Bush Drive East. The change will allow for infill commercial development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:30 p.m.
Single-Family Landscape Requirements
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to amend the city’s Unified Development Ordinance regarding trees in single-family developments, the screening of retaining walls, and the visual treatment of drainage features.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:32 p.m.
Utility Easement Abandonment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon a small public utility easement to allow a building to be expanded at Oakwood Middle School.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:39 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
9:39 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council gathers again on Thursday, Aug. 10.
About the Blogger
Colin Killian (@ColinKillian) has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 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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