By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Monday, Oct. 7. It’s not the official minutes.
The sessions can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
6:04 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action out of the executive session.
6:09 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:
- Munson Avenue Sidewalks: The $193,000 contract is for an eight-foot-wide sidewalk along the west side of Munson Avenue from Dominik Drive to Harvey Road. The project was identified in the city’s ADA Transition Plan and was requested by a resident with access needs.
6:10 p.m.
Mayor Karl Mooney suspended the workshop, which will resume after the regular meeting.
6:11 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:15 p.m.
Municipal Court Week
Mayor Mooney proclaimed Nov. 4-8 as Municipal Court Week. Judge Ed Spillane and College Station Municipal Court staff are pictured with Mayor Mooney.
6:21 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 Capt. Michael A. Norman as part of the Fallen Heroes Project. The 36-year-old Killeen native died Jan. 31, 2008 when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device in Baghdad, Iraq.
6:22 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A $109,014 contract with Mitchell & Morgan for the conceptual design of the extension of Bird Pond Road from Highway 6 to Lakeway Drive.
- A $192,629 contract with Palomares Construction for sidewalk improvements along Munson Avenue.
- A $162,665 contract with Dell Marketing for computer equipment.
- A three-year agreement not to exceed $225,000 with ESRI for GIS systems software licensing and support.
- The city’s investment policy and strategy, reviewing and recording changes, a collateral policy, and investment officers for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2020.
- A FY 18 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant of $911,476.
- The city’s Traffic Calming Policy.
- The addition of a school zone for River Bend Elementary on Rock Prairie Road West and Holleman Drive South and changes to the operational times and posted hours of several school zones to better align with the presence of crossing guards.
- Reduced the speed limit on Holleman Drive South between North Dowling Road to the Rock Prairie West Road Intersection to 40 mph on the southern section and to 45 mph for the northern section.
6:34 p.m.
Midtown Area Road Name Changes
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to rename Midtown Loop as Durham Loop, Bird Pond Road west of Rock Prairie Road as Town Lake Drive, Pebble Creek Parkway from Highway 6 and Lakeway Drive as Corporate Parkway, and Lakeway Drive between Highway 6 and Fitch Parkway as Midtown Drive.
The city is marketing its next business park with the Midtown mixed-use development, and the street name changes will help distinguish the area as a destination.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:49 p.m.
Fitch-Rock Prairie Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to Restricted Suburban, General Commercial, Office, and Natural Areas Protected for about 210 acres at the intersection of Rock Prairie Road and William D. Fitch Parkway. The change would allow for a 175- acre continuation of the Pebble Creek Subdivision with an additional non-residential component of about 18 acres.
The proposal also includes the protection of 17 acres of floodplain next to Pebble Creek Country Club.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:57 p.m.
1700 George Bush Drive Land Use
After a public hearing, the council voted 6-1 to deny a request to change the land use from Natural Areas Reserved to Urban and Natural Areas Reserved for about 2.7 acres at 1700 George Bush Drive. Councilwoman Elianor Vessali voted against the motion to deny.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:08 p.m.
Police Station Equipment
The council voted unanimously to approve $2.85 million for furniture, appliances, information technology items, shelving, security equipment, audio/visual items, dispatch equipment, and evidence storage for the new police station. Because of the progress of the project, the city expects a $400,000 reduction to the construction encumbrance in FY20, which leaves a balance of $2.9 million for this contract and related expenses.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:14 p.m.
Experience BCS Appointment
The council voted unanimously to appoint Councilmember Jerome Rektorik, Karen Bonarrigo, and Greg Stafford to the Experience Bryan-College Station Board of Directors, along with Jay Primavera as the chair.
8:20 p.m.
Impact Fee Committee Appointment
The council appointed James Jones as the extraterritorial jurisdiction representative to the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee, which is also known as the Impact Fee Advisory Committee.
8:25 p.m.
Mobility Authority Appointment
The council voted unanimously to appoint Veronica Morgan to the Brazos County Regional Mobility Authority, an independent local government agency that has the authority to finance, acquire, design, construct, operate and extend transportation projects.
8:28 p.m.
After the council discussed and reviewed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The workshop meeting will resume after a short break.
8:39 p.m.
The workshop has started.
8:46 p.m.
Promoting Tourism on Channel 19
The council discussed opportunities to promote tourism and local events through the city’s cable channel or online. Channel 19 (CSTV19) is operated by the City of College Station and funded through a state franchise agreement with local cable provider Suddenlink Communications.
Channel 19’s programming is restricted to activities funded, sponsored, or are otherwise relevant to the City of College Station and the College Station Independent School District. The programming is intended to increase awareness of local government and encourage community participation in decision-making processes.
Programming includes live and recorded broadcasts of city council and Planning & Zoning Commission meetings, public service announcements, special event promotions, job opportunities, and other pertinent issues and notices.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:51 p.m.
Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports.
The council meets again on Thursday, Oct. 24.
About the Blogger
Colin Killian 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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