By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Dec. 14. It’s not the official minutes.
The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
Employee Recognition
Earlier this afternoon, the council recognized Sgt. Kevin Harris as the city’s employee of the year along with employees who have reached 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service.
5:26 p.m.
The workshop has started. No action was taken in executive session.
5:40 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:
- Francis Street Rehabilitation: The $3.7 million contract for the rehabilitation of Francis Drive includes pavement from Munson to Glenhaven and Walton to Munson. The project also includes replacing existing sidewalks along with water, wastewater and drainage improvements.
- University Drive Pedestrian Improvements: The $6 million construction contract is for Phase II of pedestrian safety and mobility improvements along University Drive from College Main to South College Avenue/Bizzell Street. Sidewalks along the north side of University Drive will be widened, median islands will be constructed, and traffic signals will be replaced and will have enhanced pedestrian timings. Also included are illumination improvements and an overlay of asphalt pavement.
5:41 p.m.
Benham Elected Mayor Pro Tem
The council voted unanimously to elect Councilman James Benham to a one-year term as mayor pro tem. Benham will act as mayor if Mayor Karl Mooney is absent or otherwise unable to fulfill his duties.
6:16 p.m.
Planned Development Districts
The council discussed Planned Development Zoning Districts (PDDs) and associated concept plans. The purpose of PDDs is to promote innovative development that’s sensitive to surrounding land uses and to the natural environment. If a proposed development varies from specific standards, it should demonstrate community benefits.
PDDs are appropriate where the land use plan reflects the specific commercial, residential, or mix of uses in the proposal. A PDD may be used to permit new or innovative concepts in land use not permitted by other zoning districts. While greater flexibility is given to allow special conditions or restrictions that wouldn’t otherwise enable the development to occur, procedures are established to ensure against misuse.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:17 p.m.
The workshop has been suspended until after the regular meeting, which will start after a short break.
6:25 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:29 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.
- Councilman James Benham recognized Army Spc. Chad H. Drake as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 23-year-old Garland native died Sept. 7, 2004, when his patrol vehicle came under attack by enemy forces in Baghdad, Iraq.
6:29 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- The 2018 Council Calendar.
- An agreement to purchase eight Zoll Medical X Series Manual Monitors/Defibrillators for $239,228.80 with a three-year extended warranty contract for $20,995.
- Renewal of four master agreements for real estate appraisal services: Atrium Real
- Estate Services (not to exceed $30,000), CBRE (not to exceed $30,000); JLL
- Valuation & Advisory Services (not to exceed $30,000); and S.T. Lovett & Associates (not to exceed $30,000).
- Renewal of an annual contract not to exceed $250,000 with DIJ Construction for pavement markings and roadway striping.
- A bid award not to exceed $286,650 to BPI Materials for cement stabilized material.
- A $3.7 million contract with Hassell Construction for the Francis Drive Rehabilitation Project.
- A $243,965 contract with Quality Works Construction for a security fence at the city’s public works facility on William King Cole Dr.
- A $6 million contract with Larry Young Paving for the University Drive Pedestrian Improvements Project.
- Authorized the city manager to approve contract documents and expenditures totaling $11.3 million for employee benefits for 2018 and a contract with Cigna for stop-loss reinsurance for 2018.
- Ratified additional expenditures up to $187,500 to pay current and future invoices under the current contract with Brenco Marketing Corporation for diesel fuel and gasoline. The total annual estimated cost is $1.09 million.
- Renewal of the annual one-year contract with Brenco Marketing Corporation for gasoline and diesel fuel and the annual estimated expenditures of $1.4 million.
- Repealed a resolution concerning the administration of the city’s contract forms, delegating authority to the city attorney to administer the forms and providing for a periodic legal compliance review of the forms.
- Amendments to the city’s Code of Ordinances related to civil parking offenses and civil parking fines.
- A five-year inter-local agreement establishing the Community Emergency Operations Center staffed by Brazos County, College Station, Bryan, and Texas A&M and contracting for equal sharing of facility rental costs, which comes to $340,695.90 for the City of College Station over five years.
- The city internal auditor’s Examination Engagement of the Research Valley Partnership.
- A bid award of $112,037.50 to Midsun Group for electric substation wildlife protection equipment to reduce substation outages.
- Partial assignment of the Infrastructure and Economic Development Agreement with College Station Town Center.
- A change order to increase a design contract by $33,925 with Pierce Goodwin Alexender & Linville for renovations to the Arts Council building located on Dartmouth Drive. The increase allows for civil engineering services provided by Kimley-Horn and Associates.
6:41 p.m.
Medical District Sewer Line
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to establish a 30-foot wide public utility easement on parkland and greenway property in the Medical District area that’s needed for the development of College Station Town Center and other parts of the city.
The route on parkland and greenway property is the only one feasible since it’s located directly between the developer’s property and the sewer trunk line along William D. Fitch Parkway. The easement is not expected to have any negative impact, and the site will be restored to its original condition, including the hike and bike path.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:48 p.m.
Jackson Hole Planned Development District
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning district boundaries to Planned Development District for about 2.2 acres at 3747 Rock Prairie Road West. The change to the concept plan’s preserve area mitigates unpermitted clearing that took place on the property, and a supplemental landscape plan provides for additional plantings.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:51 p.m.
Land Use Change on State Highway 47
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-2 to approve a request to change the land use designation from Business Park to Urban for about 11 acres east of the intersection of State Highway 47 and Raymond Stotzer Parkway. Councilman Bob Brick and Councilwoman Linda Harvell voted against the motion.
The change will allow for development that includes multi-family and other uses.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:58 p.m.
Rezoning on State Highway 47
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-2 to approve a request to change the zoning from Planned Development District (PDD) to Rural and PDD for about 11 acres east of the intersection of State Highway 47 and Raymond Stotzer Parkway. Brick and Harvell voted against the motion.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:11 p.m.
Preliminary Plan Approval Process
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to amend the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to streamline the development review process by allowing preliminary plans to be approved administratively unless the applicant is seeking a waiver or discretionary item.
In August, city staff hosted two public meetings to solicit feedback on proposed changes to the UDO, including preliminary plans. In September, staff briefed the Planning & Zoning Commission on the results of the public meetings and was directed to move forward with the changes to the ordinance.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:20 p.m.
Board and Committee Appointments
The council discussed the appointment of council members to represent the city on joint committees and with other governmental agencies and community groups. The council will consider citizen appointments in January.
8:22 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
8:22 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the regular meeting. The workshop will resume.
9:05 p.m.
Privatizing Solid Waste Services
The council discussed the pros and cons of privatizing the city’s solid waste services. The consensus was to continue the discussion at the annual council retreat in early 2018.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:08 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports.
The council meets again on Thursday, Jan. 11.
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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 worked as 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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