By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, March 14. 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.
5:23 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action out of the executive session.
5:36 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:
- Carter, Thomas Park Improvements: The $177,000 contract cover sidewalk repairs at Richard Carter Park and new shelter roofs at Carter and Thomas Parks.
- Fleet Management System: The $128,000 contract with FASTER Asset Solutions is for a fleet management system for Public Works. The department's existing system is nearing the end of its service life.
- Fiber Optic Lease Agreement: This item is the second amendment to the original lease with to the CEO Etc. and will add an additional 2.44 fiber strand miles.
- Crow Memorial Parkway: The resolution would support Rep. John Raney’s efforts to designate part of Texas Avenue between Villa Maria Road in Bryan and Krenek Tap Road in College Station as the Carolyn and John David Crow Memorial Parkway. It is a designation, not a renaming so addresses along the route will not change. Crow won the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s outstanding college football player in 1957.
- FY19 Fee Resolution: The resolution updates the fees, rates, and charges for Planning and Development Services, which are indexed to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, as well as certain Parks and Recreation fees for services that will occur this fiscal year.
- Mutual Termination of ILA with CSISD: Since the city no longer plans to construct a fire station at the location anticipated in the 2010 inter-local agreement — and the school district wants to use the land for other uses — the parties have mutually agreed to terminate the ILA.
5:46 p.m.
Annual Audit Reports and CAFR
The council unanimously accepted the city’s annual independent audit reports and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the FY18 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:20 p.m.
Parkland Dedication Audit Report
The council reviewed the city internal auditor’s Parkland Dedication Report.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:23 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.
6:31 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:36 p.m.
Legion Fields
Mayor Mooney presented a proclamation to the American Legion recognizing Legion Fields as the official name of a group of fields at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. Members of the local American Legion joined the mayor for the presentation (below).
6:40 p.m.
Fix a Leak Week
The mayor proclaimed March 18-24 as Fix a Leak Week as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s water conservation efforts. Joining the mayor was Water Resource Coordinator Jennifer Nations (below).
6:55 p.m.
Hear Visitors
?? people 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 Sgt. Maj. Julio C. Ordonez as part of The American Fallen Soldiers Project. The 54-year-old San Antonio native died with six others in a helicopter crash on Sept. 17, 2008, near Tallil, Iraq.
- Jim Elmquist asked the city to seek opinions from outside experts about the leakage problems at Thomas Pool.
- Fred Dupriest encouraged city leadership to listen to neighborhoods that want to change development rules.
- Mary Hirsch spoke against designating part of Texas Avenue the Carolyn and John David Crow Memorial Parkway.
7:01 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve these consent agenda items:
- A $177,000 contract with Jamail and Smith Construction for improvements to Richard Carter Park and Thomas Park.
- A $128,000 contract with FASTER Asset Solutions for a fleet management system for the Public Works Department.
- The second amendment to the lease agreement with CEO Etc. for the lease of city fiber optic cable facilities.
- An update to the fees, rates, and charges in the city’s Code of Ordinances.
- An amendment to the city’s Code of Ordinances related to plumbing fees.
- The mutual termination of an inter-local agreement with the College Station Independent School District regarding land that will no longer be used for a future fire station.
The council voted 6-1 to postpone until April 11 action supporting state legislation that would designate part of Texas Avenue as the Carolyn and John David Crow Memorial Parkway. Mayor Mooney voted against the motion.
7:13 p.m.
Fee in Lieu of Sidewalk Construction
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a change in the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to streamline the approval of sidewalk fees in lieu of construction in the platting process.
The change means the administrator will approve the requests instead of the Planning and Zoning Commission and will allow preliminary plans to be approved faster.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:27 p.m.
Bald Prairie Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to General Suburban for about 1.5 acres between Victoria Avenue and Renee Lane near Barron Road. The change allows the development of two single-family residential lots.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:55 p.m.
Boomtown Barbeque
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to amend the Planned Development District on a half-acre at 3125 Texas Avenue South near Deacon Drive to allow the development of a drive-thru Boomtown Barbeque restaurant. The property is located northwest of the existing Burger King.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:00 p.m.
Lick Creek Public Utility Corridors
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to authorize the establishment of public utility corridors for the Lick Creek Wastewater Trunk Line Project in certain parkland sections located south of Fitch Parkway, east of Pebble Creek Parkway and west of Rock Prairie Road. The action allows the city to build a 48-inch and 54-inch sanitary sewer trunk line from Fitch to the Lick Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:04 p.m.
Concrete, Curb, Gutter and Flatwork Contract
The council voted unanimously to approve a contract not to exceed $2.9 million with Larry Young Paving for annual concrete curb, gutter, and flatwork installation to maintain city infrastructure.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:07 p.m.
After the council discussed and reviewed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, March 28.
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!