By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, June 28. 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.
5:09 p.m.
The workshop has started. Councilman James Benham is participating by teleconference. No action was taken out of executive session.
5:13 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. Councilmembers pulled this consent item for workshop discussion:
- Specialty Mix Contract: In April, the city joined Brazos County in a joint bid for one-inch overlay with specialty mix. The city recommends awarding its portion to Brazos Paving – the lowest responsible bidder – for an amount not-to-exceed $432,000.
6:08 p.m.
Dockless Bike Share Regulations
The council discussed possible regulations regarding Texas A&M’s dockless bike share program. The university contracted with a company to launch the program in March with 850 bikes. They plan to expand to at least 3,000 bikes this fall.
The consensus of the council was to move forward in drafting the ordinance.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:09 p.m.
The workshop has been suspended and will resume after the regular meeting, which will start after a short break.
6:19 p.m.
The regular meeting has started. Four local Boys Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance – Mark Johnson of Troop 802 and Camden Stackhouse, Patrick Stackhouse and Kieran Wylie of Troop 102.
6:22 p.m.
The council observed a moment of silence in remembrance of former Mayor Ron Silvia, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 80.
6:25 p.m.
Hear Visitors
No one signed up to speak during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
6:26 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A three-year contract not to exceed $797,355 with Shermco Industries for electric substation testing and maintenance.
- A $13,265 change order to a contract with TriTech Software Systems to add FireView to the Police Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.
- The repayment of $1,277,906 of unspent funds in TIRZ 1 to the College Station Independent School District.
- A contract not to exceed $432,000 with Brazos Paving for the installation of one-inch overlay with specialty mix.
- A $53,475 Change Order to the contract with JaCody for the Lincoln Recreation Center addition.
- A $327,000 contract with Dudley Construction for a basketball pavilion at John Crompton Park.
- Temporary speed limits at the FM60 and FM2818 interchange.
6:36 p.m.
Rezoning on Aurora Court
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to change the zoning from General Suburban to Duplex for about five acres on Aurora Court near the intersection of Anderson Street and Park Place. The change will allow the development of low- to medium-density residential uses.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:24 p.m.
Homestead Tax Exemption
The council voted 5-0 – with Councilwoman Linda Harvell and Councilman Bob Brick abstaining – to approve a five percent homestead property tax exemption on the appraised value of a residence homestead. The exemption would result in the loss of $644,000 in annual city revenue, which could be mitigated by a .759-cent property tax rate increase in the FY19 budget
An earlier motion to raise the percentage to 7.5 percent failed. A second motion to raise the percentage to 10 percent also failed.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:27 p.m.
Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenway Advisory Board
The council unanimously appointed Elizabeth Hatala and Allen Thornton to the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board.
7:29 p.m.
After the council discussed and reviewed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the regular meeting. The workshop will resume after a short break.
7:43 p.m.
The workshop has resumed.
9:11 p.m.
Accessory Living Quarters and Single-Family Parking
The council discussed possible changes to the accessory uses and off-street parking standards sections in the Unified Development Ordinance. A pair of community engagement meetings were conducted in late April, along with an extensive survey. See pages 14-78 of tonight’s meeting packet for full survey results, including comments.
The consensus of the council was to pursue ordinance changes that allow accessory living quarters to be rented with provisions regarding the number of unrelated occupants (two), additional parking (one with grandfathering options), limiting the number to one per property, and requiring the owner live on-site.
Council also directed staff to pursue changes that require one off-street parking space per bedroom in Neighborhood Conservation areas.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:43 p.m.
Single-Family Height Protection
The council discussed possible changes to the height protection section in the Unified Development Ordinance. A pair of community engagement meetings were conducted in late April, along with an extensive survey. See pages 86-120 of tonight’s meeting packet for full survey results, including comments.
The consensus of the council was to keep the existing requirements but clarify the ordinance language.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:48 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports.
The council meets again on Thursday, July 12.
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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