By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Aug. 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.
5:00 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action out of the executive session.
5:09 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:
- Radio Replacement: The $743,400 contract with Motorola Solutions is for the purchase of two-way mobile radios and portable radio replacements for Public Works and Water Services.
- Community Development Budget, Action Plan: The city is required to submit an annual plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that describes federal grant-funded projects and activities to benefit low-to-moderate income residents.
- Amended City Hall Contract: The amended contract with Kirksey Architects increases the design fee by $357,000 for the addition of square footage to the new city hall. During the schematic design phase, it was determined that some departments not included in the original scope should be incorporated in the new building.
5:26 p.m.
Training Reimbursement
The council discussed training and educational reimbursement for city employees. The city encourages employees to pursue training and education to enhance the quality of work and services they provide, including police and fire academies.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:26 p.m.
Home Sharing Rental Model
The council discussed voluntary collection agreements among cities and Airbnb, the primary provider of online short-term rental bookings. The presentation explored the home-sharing rental model and its effect on cities, including the impact on tax collection, regulation, and enforcement.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:29 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.
6:38 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:53 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Three 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 Capt. James A. Funkhouser as part of the Fallen Heroes Project. The 35-year-old Katy native died on May 29, 2006, in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during reconnaissance patrol operations.
- Marci Corry spoke about distracted driving and her SAFE2SAVE initiative.
- Les Fiechner spoke against the council's recent action to reduce the speed limit on Barron Road.
6:54 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- FY 2019 funding of $1,103,433 for the Public Agency Retirement Services OPEB Trust.
- A $743,418 contract with Motorola Solutions for two-way mobile radios and portable radio replacements.
- An annual contract not to exceed $120,000 with Bound Tree Medical for EMS supplies.
- The FY 2020 Community Development Budget and PY 2019 Action Plan.
- Renewal of the city’s annual copy and print services blanket orders not to exceed $120,000. The estimated annual expenditures are with Alphagraphics ($80,000) and Copy Corner ($40,000).
- An amendment to the contract with Kirksey Architects for design and construction administration services for the new city hall.
7:02 p.m.
Harvey Mitchell Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from General Suburban to Multi-Family for about one acre at 2346 Harvey Mitchell Parkway, which is located southwest of the Dartmouth Street intersection.
The applicant plans to incorporate the property into a multi-family development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:07 p.m.
Nonconforming Lots of Record
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a subsection to the Unified Development Ordinance that explicitly states that replats made nonconforming through annexation are allowed to replat to bring the property closer to compliance with zoning district standards.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:14 p.m.
After the council discussed and reviewed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting.
The council meets for a series of budget workshops Monday through Wednesday, with the next regular meeting set for Thursday, Aug. 22.
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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