By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Jan. 10. 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.
5:33 p.m.
The workshop has started. No action was taken in executive session.
5:37 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:
- General Parkway Extension: The General Parkway Extension Project includes the extension of General Parkway to Cain Road. The railroad crossing at Cain Road and Wellborn Road is being closed due to safety concerns, and a new railroad crossing will be at Deacon Drive and Wellborn as part of the Deacon/Cain Railroad Crossing Project. The extension of General Parkway will improve transportation flow.
- Highway 6 Waterline Project: The project includes the construction of a section of 20-inch waterline along the northbound frontage road of State Highway 6 near Pavilion Avenue. Phase IIIA extends north from the intersection of State Highway 6 and Pavilion Avenue about 700 feet. Phase IIIA is being expedited as part of the Phase III project in coordination with ongoing development.
5:38 p.m.
Harvell elected mayor pro tem
The council unanimously elected Councilwoman Linda Harvell as mayor pro tempore. She will act as mayor during the absence or disability of Mayor Karl Mooney.
6:00 p.m.
Brazos Transit District routes
The council heard a presentation from the Brazos Transit District’s Wendy Weedon about the district’s future routes.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:03 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
6:12 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:22 p.m.
100th Historical Marker
The Historic Preservation Committee presented Chris and Emily Jane Cowen the city’s 100th historical marker for their home at 603 Guernsey St. The structure was built in 1932. The Historical Marker Program was launched in 1991.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:22 p.m.
The meeting has been suspended for a short reception for the 100th historical marker.
6:31 p.m.
The meeting has resumed.
6:36 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.
- Councilwoman Elianor Vessali recognized Army 1LT Kile West as part of The American Fallen Soldiers Project. The 23-year-old Hutto native died May 28, 2007, when his Bradley Fighting Vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in Abu Sayda, Iraq.
6:37 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A contract not-to-exceed $150,000 with Hilltop Securities for financial consulting services.
- A $350,619 contract with Palasota Contracting for the construction of the General Parkway extension.
- A $235,310 contract with Elliot Construction for the State Highway 6 Waterline Phase IIIA Project.
6:53 p.m.
Comp Plan and UDO Annual Reviews
After a public hearing, the council unanimously accepted the annual reviews of the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance.
Here are the PowerPoint presentations:
7:27 p.m.
Wellborn Road Land Use Change
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to change the land use designation from Wellborn Estate to Wellborn Commercial for about 7.4 acres on the west side of Wellborn Road about 500-feet south of Barron Cut-off Road. The change will allow for commercial development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:31 p.m.
Tower Point Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to change the zoning from Rural and General Commercial to General Commercial for about 2.5 acres at 4320 State Highway 6 South near the intersection of Arrington Road and State Highway 6. The change will allow for commercial development.
Here are the PowerPoint presentations:
7:36 p.m.
Board and Commission Appointments
The council appoints citizens and fellow council members to represent the City of College Station on joint committees with other governmental agencies and community groups. The council also has several internal committees.
These appointments were unanimously approved:
Arts Council of the Brazos Valley (College Station representatives)
- Bob Brick, appointed 12/17
- Patricia Burchfield, appointed 11/15
- Hans Hammond
BioCorridor Board (2-year terms)
- Linda Harvell, appointed 1/19
- Johnny Burns, appointed 12/16
- Casey Oldham, appointed 1/17
Blinn College Brazos County Advisory Committee
- Karl Mooney, appointed 12/16
- Bob Brick (alternate), appointed 12/17
Aggieland Humane Society
- Peggy Sherman, appointed 12/17
- Charles Fleeger, appointed 2/16
Brazos Appraisal District
- Ronald Kaiser, appointed 11/17; 10/11; 9/13; 9/15; 11/9
Brazos County Health Department
- John Nichols, appointed 12/17
- Linda Harvell, appointed 12/16
Brazos Valley CEOC Policy Advisory Board
- Karl Mooney, appointed 11/16
- Linda Harvell, appointed 12/17
Brazos Valley Economic Development Council
- Karl Mooney, appointed 12/17
- Dennis Maloney, appointed 1/19
Brazos Valley Council of Governments Board of Directors
- Karl Mooney, appointed 11/16
Brazos Valley Council of Governments Intergovernmental Committee
- Karl Mooney (chair), appointed 01/15; 11/16
- Bob Brick, appointed 12/17
Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency Board of Directors
- Karl Mooney (chair), appointed 10/11; 8/14 (1-yr term); 9/15; 9/18 (3-yr term)
- John Nichols, appointed 10/16
- Richard Floyd, appointed 2/12; 8/14; 9/17 (3-yr term)
Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications System
- Elianor Vessali, appointed 1/19
Bryan/College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization
- Karl Mooney, appointed 11/16
- John Nichols, appointed 12/17
Experience Bryan/College Station
- Linda Harvell, appointed 10/18
- Jerome Rektorik, appointed 10/17
- Mechelle Milliorn, appointed 10/17
- Karen Bonarrigo, appointed 06/18 unexpired term
- Steve Miller, appointed 10/17 (1-year); 10/18
- Robert Holzweiss, appointed 10/17 (1-year); 10/18
- Jay Primavera, appointed 10/17 by Bryan and CS (hotel operator)
Keep Brazos Beautiful
- Venessa Garza, appointed 3/12
Regional Transportation Committee for Council of Governments
- Bob Brick, appointed 12/17
RELLIS External Advisory Council
- Karl Mooney, appointed 2/17
- Elianor Vessali, appointed 1/19
Research Valley Partnership
- Karl Mooney, appointed 11/16
- Jerome Rektorik, appointed 12/17
- Johnny Burns, appointed 5/18 – Effective June 1, 2018
Spring Creek Local Government Corporation
- Karl Mooney, appointed 2/17
- Jerome Rektorik, appointed 1/19
- John Nichols, appointed 2/17
- Julie Schultz, (citizen member) appointed 2/17
- Jane Kee, (citizen member) appointed 2/17
INTERNAL COMMITTEES
Architectural Advisory Committee
- Bob Brick, appointed 12/17
- Elianor Vessali, appointed 1/19
- Linda Harvell, appointed 12/17
- Bradford Brimley, (citizen) appointed 01/18
- Ward Wells, (citizen) appointed 01/18
Audit Committee
- Karl Mooney, (chair) appointed 11/11
- Elianor Vessali, appointed 1/19
- Dennis Maloney, appointed 1/19
- Mike Ashfield, appointed 04/17
- Nate Sharp, appointed 04/17
Budget and Finance
- Karl Mooney, appointed 12/12
- John Nichols, appointed 1/19
- Jerome Rektorik, appointed 1/19
Compensation and Benefits
- Bob Brick, appointed 12/17
- Karl Mooney, appointed 01/15
- Elianor Vessali, appointed 1/19
Economic Development
- Karl Mooney, appointed 11/16
- Jerome Rektorik, appointed 1/19
- John Nichols, appointed 12/17
Transportation and Mobility
- Karl Mooney, appointed 11/16
- Bob Brick, appointed 12/17
- Linda Harvell, (BPG chair) Appointed 12/17
7:39 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
7:39 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Jan. 24.
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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