By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Nov. 8. 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.
5:31 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action from executive session.
5:41 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:
- Lakeway Extension Change Order: Staff recommends approval of a $214,000 change order to the Lakeway Drive Extension Project construction contract with Larry Young Paving because of the unforeseen thickness of rock formations.
- CSU Service Center Expansion: Staff recommends approval of contracts to purchase almost 13 acres of land for $1.67 million with an option to buy two additional acres to expand the College Station Utilities service center.
- All-Way Stop at Victoria-Castlegate: The amendment to the city’s Code of Ordinances would implement an all-way stop at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Castlegate Drive.
6:33 p.m.
Bryan’s Neighborhood Protection Ordinances
Martin Zimmermann, assistant director of Planning and Development Services for the City of Bryan, gave the council a brief overview of Bryan’s Residential Conservation District and a recent ordinance amendment that defines and regulates stealth dorms as “Detached Shared Housing.”
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:48 p.m.
Televising Planning & Zoning Workshops
The consensus of the council is to televise the Planning and Zoning Commission’s workshop meetings. The regular meetings already are televised on the city’s cable channel.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:51 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.
6:59 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:02 p.m.
World War I Centennial Armistice
Mayor Mooney read a proclamation on the Bells of Peace World War I remembrance marking the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the fighting on Nov. 11, 1918. Some 116,516 Americans died in the war, and another 200,000 were wounded. The United States World War I Centennial Commission calls upon all Americans to toll bells at 11 a.m. on Sunday – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – in remembrance of those who served.
7:07 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.
- James Benham recognized his great uncle, Lt. Thomas W. Benham, for his service in the U.S. Army in World War I. He passed away in 1990 at the age of 94.
7:08 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A $350,000 contract with Duro-Last for roofing city hall and annex buildings.
- A $125,184.51 assist-in-construction request by Bryan Texas Utilities.
- A $350,000 relocation reimbursement agreement with Explorer Pipeline Company.
- A $213,963.46 change order to the Lakeway Drive Extension Project contract with Larry Young Paving.
- A contract with Olive Margaret Arnold for the $1.67 million purchase of 12.84 acres and the option to buy two additional acres needed for the expansion of the CSU service center.
- An ordinance implementing an all-way stop at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Castlegate Drive.
- A change order deducting $54,300 from the contract with Weisinger to replace the pump assembly and motor for Well 7.
7:24 p.m.
New City Hall Exterior Rendering
The council unanimously approved Kirksey Architecture’s exterior rendering of the new city hall, which will be located behind the existing facility on Texas Avenue. The rendering was completed with input from the council’s Architectural Advisory Committee:
The site was dedicated this afternoon:
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:49 p.m.
Electric Advisory Board
The consensus of the council was to continue exploring the creation of an electric advisory board to govern College Station Utilities.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:50 p.m.
Sister Cities Appointment
The council unanimously appointed Councilman John Nichols as College Station’s Representative to Sister Cities.
7:52 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
7:52 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Monday, Nov. 19.
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!