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. 13. 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.
5:03 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action from executive session.
Earlier this afternoon, the council recognized the city’s employee of the year along with employees reaching 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service.
5:28 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:
- Dog Leashes at Lick Creek Park: The ordinance would remove the Lick Creek Park exception to the city’s dog leash requirement and add a designated leash-free area.
- Lick Creek Park Shade Structure: The $139,516 shade structure over the amphitheater at Lick Creek Park would provide protection from the elements. The cost includes installation.
- Water Line along Greens Prairie and Arrington: The $81,089 oversized participation request is to increase the size of about 5,272 linear feet of water line from an 8-inch to a 12-inch line. The line ties into an existing 12-inch line on the south side of Greens Prairie Road West and extends west and south through the Greens Prairie Reserve subdivision and through the Phase 101 area.
- Water Line through Greens Prairie Preserve: The $25,251 oversized participation request is to increase the size of about 1,786 linear feet of water line from an 8-inch to a 12-inch line. The line extends through the Phase 102 area and ties into the proposed 12-inch lines to the north and south being installed with Greens Prairie Reserve Phase 101.
- Gasoline and Diesel Fuel: The $1.4 million contract has firm fixed prices for profit and delivery, allowing the city to pay costs (which fluctuates) plus markup. The estimated expenditures are based on past fuel usage and expenses.
- Impact Fees Semi-Annual Report: The report documents the fees collected in the service areas. The city adopted system-wide impact fees for water, wastewater, and roadways in late 2016. Fee implementation occurred in phases with full implementation occurring this month.
5:50 p.m.
Legislative Update and Preview
Legislative Consultant Jennifer Rodriguez provided the council with a legislative update and a preview of the 86th Texas State Legislature.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:11 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment
The council received and discussed the results of the recent Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment survey conducted from Oct. 17-Nov. 16 by National Service Research.
The city will use the survey to assess and prioritize parks and recreation services and needs.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:23 p.m.
Veteran’s Park Field Naming
The council discussed the naming of the new artificial turf fields at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:30 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.
6:40 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:46 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 PFC Larry Isaiah Guyton as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 22-year-old Brenham native died in May of 2007 after a bomb detonated near his vehicle during combat in Iraq.
7:02 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve these consent agenda items:
- The $104,674.25 purchase of five police motorcycles from The Ranch Harley Davidson. The action also includes a $4,590 one-year extended warranty and the $30,000 trade-in of five 2015 motorcycles.
- Removal of the Lick Creek Park exception to the dog leash requirement in the city’s Code or Ordinances and added a designated leash-free area.
- Authorized the city manager to approve and execute employee benefits contract documents and expenditures related to the employee benefits contracts provided that such expenditures are appropriated from available funds approved from the annual budget and consistent with state and local laws. The action also renewed the city’s contract with Cigna for stop-loss reinsurance for 2019.
- A $1.23 million contract with Binkley & Barfield for engineering services related to the design of the Greens Prairie Widening Project.
- A $104,671 contract with Gessner Engineering for construction materials testing for the new police headquarters.
- An $81,089 oversized participation agreement that upsizes about 5,272 linear feet of water line from an 8-inch to a 12-inch line along Greens Prairie Road and Arrington Road.
- A $25,251 oversized participation agreement that upsizes about 1,786 linear feet of water line from an 8-inch to a 12-inch line through Greens Prairie Reserve.
- Renewal of a contract not to exceed $250,000 for pavement markings and roadway striping.
- Extended for one year a $1.4 million contract with Brenco Marketing Corporation for gasoline and diesel fuel.
- The semi-annual report on system-wide impact fees for water, wastewater, and roadways.
This item was voted on separately:
- The council voted unanimously to approve a $139,516 contract with USA Shade & Fabric Structures for a cantilevered shade structure for the Lick Creek Park amphitheater. The contract includes installation.
7:37 p.m.
Rezoning North of Emerald Forest
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to change the zoning from Rural to Restricted Suburban and Natural Areas Protected for about 46 acres near North Forest Parkway north of the Emerald Forest Subdivision. The change will allow for residential development similar to the existing area.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentations:
7:41 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
7:41 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting.
The council meets again next Wednesday to canvass the votes from Tuesday’s run-off election, and Dennis Maloney will take the oath of office as the Place 6 councilman. The council’s next full-agenda meeting is Thursday, Jan. 10.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Public Communications Manager Colin Killian (@ColinKillian) has been with the city since 2010 after 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian 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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