By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Aug. 10. 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 p.m.
The workshop has started. Councilman James Benham is participating via teleconference. No action was taken out of executive session.
6:25 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:
- Traffic Movements near Schools: Several items on the consent agenda involve traffic movements near schools. Councilwoman Blanche Brick asked what residents should expect if council agrees to remove stopping, standing, or parking near Wellborn Middle School, Greens Prairie Elementary, and Pecan Trail Intermediate School, and prohibits right turns on school days from Royder Road to Ledgestone Trail and a nearby private alley.
- Electric Distribution Poles and Transformers: Councilman Jerome Rektorik asked about the bidding process for automatic contract renewals for these items.
- Copy and Print Services: Rektorik inquired about bids for the city’s annual copy and print services blanket orders with AlphaGraphics ($80,000) and Copy Corner ($40,000).
- Bastogne to Texas Lease Agreement: Brick asked for clarification of the rent concession part of the agreement. Councilman Benham asked to pull this item for a separate vote and to bring it back at a later date.
- Interlocal Infrastructure Agreement: Brick asked for an explanation of the terms of the agreement with Brazos County regarding core infrastructure near the Dartmouth Avenue and Harvey Mitchell Parkway intersection.
6:49 p.m.
Construction Activity Hours
The council reviewed the city’s noise ordinance, which regulates daytime and nighttime noise. Council will consider modifying what is defined as necessary construction hours (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) to adapt to seasonal times such as daylight savings time.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:59 p.m.
Ringer Library Expansion
The $8.4 million expansion of the Ringer Library is ready to bid for construction in September. The council reviewed final renderings and sample finishes. The library will remain open during the 15-18 month construction period.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:10 p.m.
Southeast Community Park
The council was updated on the Southeast Community Park project, including the site plan, renderings, project phasing plan, funding plan, and projected facility use and economic impact. Construction is expected to start in 2019.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:11 p.m.
The workshop has been suspended and will resume after the regular meeting, which will begin after a short break.
7:22 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:27 p.m.
Great American Gardeners National Award
The council recognized College Station resident Johanna Roman, who recently received The American Horticultural Society’s Great American Gardeners National Award for Teaching. The award is given to an individual whose ability to share horticultural knowledge has contributed to a better public understanding of the plant world and its influence on society.
7:34 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 Staff Sgt. Rene Ledesma as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 34-year-old Abilene native died May 15, 2004, when an improvised explosive device went off near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle in Baghdad, Iraq.
- Fred Dupriest spoke about the rising appraisals and increased tax burdens of properties in the Southside area.
7:58 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve these consent agenda items:
- A $120,793.42 contract with Facilities Sources for corrective maintenance services.
- Removed stopping, standing, or parking near Wellborn Middle School, Greens Prairie Elementary, and Pecan Trail Intermediate School.
- Prohibited right turns on school days from Royder Road to Ledgestone Trail and a private alley 300 feet south of Ledgestone Trail.
- Prohibited right turns on red from the Pecan Trail Intermediate School driveway and from Ledgestone Trail onto Greens Prairie Trail on school days.
- Extended the existing school zone along Greens Prairie Trail and short sections of school zones along George Bush Drive and Royder Road, Flagstone Court, and Ledgestone Trail.
- Renewed the $431,045 annual purchase award to Techline for electric distribution poles.
- The FY18 Community Development Budget and PY17 Annual Action Plan.
- The city’s annual copy and print services blanket orders not to exceed $120,000: AlphaGraphics ($80,000), and Copy Corner ($40,000).
- The first renewal of the $322,841 annual purchase award to KBS Electrical Distributors for single phase pad-mounted transformers.
- A $144,503 contract with Environmental Improvements to remove, repair, and reinstall metal equipment inside clarifier 3A at the Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- Called a public hearing on the city’s Proposed FY18 Budget for Monday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
- An Interlocal infrastructure agreement with Brazos County outlining participation in core infrastructure near the Dartmouth Avenue and Harvey Mitchell Parkway intersection.
- An ordinance adopting the recodification of the city’s Code of Ordinances.
- Adopted the fees, rates, and charges as provided by Chapter 2 in the city’s Code of Ordinances.
- An ordinance establishing infrastructure standards and requirements for wireless facilities located in the public rights-of-way.
These consent items were voted on separately:
- The council unanimously approved a ground lease agreement with Bastogne to Texas, Inc.
- The council voted 6-0 to approve a real estate contract to convey approximately 5 acres of land to Amstad Development in the College Station Business Center. Councilman Barry Moore recused himself because of a conflict of interest.
9:09 p.m.
Chimney Hill Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to amend the concept plan for about 8 acres in the Chimney Hill Retail Plaza on University Drive. The change will allow for the redevelopment of the property.
Here are the PowerPoint presentations:
9:28 p.m.
Research Valley Partnership Bylaws
The council voted 5-0 to reject bylaw changes proposed by the Research Valley Partnership. Mayor Karl Mooney and Councilwoman Julie Schultz abstained. The council directed the RVP to modify the bylaws regarding equal participation and representation among partners.
9:33 p.m.
Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board
The council appointed Jonathan Coopersmith and Neal Johnson to the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board.
9:35 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
9:36 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the regular meeting. The workshop meeting will resume.
9:45 p.m.
Proposed FY18 City Budget
The council got its first look at the city’s proposed budget for the 2018 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The council will review the budget in a three-day series of in-depth workshops starting Monday, with final adoption of the budget and tax rate set for Sept. 25. A public hearing on the tax rate is scheduled for Aug. 30, followed by a public hearing on the tax rate and budget on Sept. 11.
Related Blog: FY18 city budget spotlights public safety, infrastructure
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:45 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 24.
About the Author
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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