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. 9. It’s not the official minutes.
The meeting can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
6:11 p.m.
The workshop has started.
6:12 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council pulled no items for discussion from the regular meeting’s consent agenda.
7:09 p.m.
Local Tourism
The council heard a report from Experience BCS about strategies to increase area tourism.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:58 p.m.
Hands-Free Driving Ordinance
The council discussed a potential ordinance that would require hands-free use to talk on wireless communication devices while driving. City ordinance can’t preempt state law, which allows drivers to change their music, use their GPS or send or receive emergency messages.
Three citizens spoke in support of an ordinance.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
8:00 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar, Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
8:11 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
8:13 p.m.
Mayor Mooney recognized today as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
8:26 p.m.
Hear Visitors
One person spoke during hear visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.
- Fred Dupriest spoke in favor of regulating short-term rentals and informing investors that the regulations will be enforced.
8:27 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- Rejection of all bids for the purchase of electric meter pedestals.
- A bid award of $106,680 to Techline for electric capacitor banks.
- The second amendment to the Joint Research Valley BioCorridor development agreement that modifies project site boundaries, expands revenue sharing territory, and transfers the wastewater CCN (Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity) service area.
8:32 p.m.
University Drive-Eisenhower Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Office and Duplex to General Commercial for about one acre at the intersection of University Drive East and Eisenhower Street. The applicant is preparing the property for commercial redevelopment and lot consolidation.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:37 p.m.
Angry Elephant Expansion
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit for a 1,270 square-foot expansion of The Angry Elephant bar near the southwest corner of Arrington Road and William D. Fitch Parkway.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:38 p.m.
Appraisal District Appointment
The council voted unanimously to reappoint Ron Kaiser to the board of the Brazos Central Appraisal District.
8:45 p.m.
Spring Creek LGC Appointments
The council voted 4-2 to postpone until the Jan. 23 council meeting the appointments to the Spring Creek Local Government Corporation board of directors. The council directed staff to advertise the extension of applications for the board openings.
The corporation has the power to acquire, own, and dispose of real estate subject to the approval of the city council in the general vicinity of the Midtown Business Park and the College Station Business Center.
8:46 p.m.
Comp Plan Evaluation Committee Appointment
The council voted unanimously to appoint Councilman Dennis Maloney to replace Elianor Vessali on the Comprehensive Plan Evaluation Committee. Vessali resigned from the city council in November.
Over the next six months, the CPEC will provide policy guidance, help define land use and transportation scenarios, and make final recommendations for the preferred land use and transportation scenario to be included in the Comprehensive Plan 10-Year Evaluation and Appraisal Report.
9:12 p.m.
Committee Appointments
The council made these committee appointments:
Architectural Advisory Committee
- Ray Holliday
Audit Committee
- Mike Ashfield
- Lisa McMillin
B+CS Library Committee
- Dan Rudge
- Larry Ringer (chair)
Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board
- Kyle LeBlanc
- Dennis Jansen
- David Higdon
- Deborah Stoll
Construction Board of Adjustments
- Russell Farquhar
- Cynthia Giedraitis (chair)
- Kyle LeBlanc
- William Pugh
- Connor Russell
Design Review Board
- Katherine Cabrera
- Ray Holliday
- Samuel Marvel
- Dennis Christiansen (chair)
Joint Relief Funding Review Committee
- Suzanne Droleskey
- Lisa Halperin
Parks and Recreation Board
- Lisa Aldrich
- Joel Cantrell
- Ann Hays
- David Higdon
- Debe Shafer
- Janet Wood
Planning and Zoning Commission
- Dennis Christiansen
- Elizabeth Cunha
- Williams Gunnels
- Bobby Mirza
Zoning Board of Adjustments
- Fred Dupriest
- Howard Mayne
- William Pugh
- Rachel Smith
- Deborah Stoll (alternate)
9:12 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council’ meets again on Thursday, Jan. 23.
About the Blogger
Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as the 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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