By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Sept. 27. 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.
5:20 p.m.
The workshop has started. No action was taken out of executive session.
5:30 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:
- Towing Ordinance: The proposed amendment would add any motor vehicle unlawfully parked or violating any city code may be towed at the owner’s or operator’s expense.
6:26 p.m.
Code Enforcement Ordinance Revisions
The council discussed possible amendments to city ordinances to provide more consistent code enforcement. Points of discussion include open storage, vegetation, right-of-way maintenance, abandoned shopping carts, and the parking or storing of recreational vehicles, trailers or trucks.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:38 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.
6:47 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:50 p.m.
Proclamations
Mayor Mooney presented a proclamation for College Station firefighters’ “Fill the Boot” campaign to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
6:58 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.
- James Benham recognized Marine Cpl. Richard Waller as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 22-year-old Fort Worth native died April 7, 2006, while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.
- Justin Ikpo spoke about criminal behavior in his neighborhood.
7:00 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve these consent agenda items:
- A BuyBoard contract purchase of $138,750 for traffic signal cabinets from Paradigm Traffic Systems Inc.
- Renewal of a $230,000 Xpedient Mail contract for printing and mailing services.
- The expenditure of funds for FY19 for items exempt from competitive bidding and other expenditures for inter-local contracts or fees mandated by state law that are greater than $100,000.
- Adopted fees, rates and charges as provided by Chapter 2 of the city’s Code of Ordinances.
- An increase the FY18 expenditure limit by $55,000 for a new FY 2018 expenditure limit of $145,000 for police uniforms, body armor and accessories from Miller Uniforms & Emblems.
- Added language to city ordinances for towing unlawfully parked vehicles.
- Amended city ordinances related to home solicitation.
- A contract for the grant of federal HOME Investment Partnership Program Grant Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) set-aside funds with Elder-Aid, Inc. in the amount of $200,000 for acquisition and rehabilitation of two dwelling units at 3416-3418 Normand to be used as affordable rental housing for income-eligible elderly households.
- The $54,224.50 purchase of traffic signs, prefabricated signs and sign blanks from Vulcan Signs Inc. for and the $61,585 purchase of traffic sign hardware and posts from Dobie Supply.
- An advance funding agreement with the State of Texas, acting through the Texas Department of Transportation, for the Cain/Deacon project.
- Six master agreements for Real Estate Appraisal Services: Duff & Phelps, LLC; JLL Valuation & Advisory Services, LLC; Lowery Property Advisors, LLC; Paul Hornsby & Company; S.T. Lovett & Associates; Valbridge Property Advisors.
- Amended the funding agreement with Experience Bryan College Station to increase the amount for FY18 by $194,423 for a total of $594,423 related to the CVB Grant Program.
- The second reading on a non-exclusive pipeline franchise ordinance with Hawkwood Energy Midstream for pipeline facilities for transporting petroleum products and byproducts.
- Amended the city’s Code of Ordinances regarding false alarm fees.
- Amended the city’s Code of Ordinances regarding Fire Department and Planning and Development Services afterhours inspection fees.
- Changes to guidelines for the city’s housing assistance program funded with grants from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Council voted on this consent item separately and approved it unanimously:
- FY19 premiums not to exceed $516,000 for excess liability and workers’ compensation insurance, property/boiler & machinery, commercial crime, EMT liability, auto property damage, cyber liability, unmanned aircraft liability and property, and special events policies.
7:08 p.m.
FY18 Budget Amendment
After a public hearing, the council approved a $3.8 million amendment to the FY18 city budget. See pages 282-284 for a list of amended items.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:13 p.m.
FY19 City Budget
The council unanimously approved the city budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year and ratified the increase in property tax revenue.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:20 p.m.
FY19 Property Tax Rate
The council unanimously adopted a property tax rate of .505841 cents per $100 of assessed value for FY19, a .08341-cent increase from the FY18 rate.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:22 p.m.
BVSWMA Board Appointment
The council unanimously appointed Mayor Mooney to another term on the BVSWMA Board of Directors.
7:24 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
7:24 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Oct. 11.
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.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!