Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Jan. 23)

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. 23. 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.

5:29 p.m.

The workshop has started. No action was taken in the executive session.

5:29 p.m.

Consent Agenda Discussion

The council pulled no items for discussion from the regular meeting’s consent agenda.

6:52 p.m.

Short-Term Rentals

After discussing possible short-term rental housing regulations and hotel occupancy taxes, the council directed staff to draft an ordinance for the council’s consideration.

Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:

7:19 p.m.

Tree Preservation and Buffering

The council discussed potential regulatory options for new single-family homes to protect existing trees and provide a buffer to existing single-family homes in established neighborhoods. Staff was directed to explore a possible ordinance for the council’s consideration.

Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:

7:25 p.m.

After the council discussed its calendar and heard committee reports, Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop. The regular meeting starts after a short break.

7:36 p.m.

The regular meeting has started.

7:39 p.m.

Hear Visitors

No one spoke during hear visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.

7:40 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:

  • Changed the runoff election to April 18, if needed, after the Jan. 28 special election for Place 4 on the city council.
  • An annual purchase agreement not to exceed $115,000 with Fort Bend Services for dewatering chemical.
  • Annual purchases not to exceed $150,000 with NAPA Auto Parts (through the Purchasing Solutions Alliance) for auto parts, shop equipment and services.
  • An annual blanket purchase order estimated at $150,000 from SiddonsMartin Emergency Group (through the Buy Board Purchasing Cooperative) for repair parts and labor for fire trucks.
  • An annual blanket purchase order estimated at $180,000 with Lonestar Freightliner Group (through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative) for repair parts and labor for fire trucks.
  • Annual tire purchases and retread services not to exceed $300,000 with Southern Tire Mart (through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative).
  • A service contract not to exceed $210,000 with Xpedient Mail for utility bill printing and mailing services.
  • An annual service contract estimated at $1,200,000 with Paymentus Corporation for payment processing services.
  • The first amendment to an $18,160 agreement with Intrado Interactive Services Corporation for an economic development website.
  • A $305,000 contract with Dunham Engineering for designing and inspecting the recoating of the Greens Prairie Elevated Storage Tank.

7:50 p.m.

Building Setback Amendment

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to amend the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to allow the reduction of the side-yard building setback for certain single-family zoning districts down to five feet. Fifteen feet of building separation would have to be maintained between primary structures.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

8:04 p.m.

Tourism Consultant Study

The council directed the city manager to form a selection committee to hire a consultant this spring to study local tourism and explore opportunities to increase hotel occupancy.  The council voted unanimously to include a local hotelier as a member of the committee.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

8:06 p.m.

Experience B-CS Appointment

The council voted unanimously to concur with the City of Bryan in appointing Noel Mayes to fill an unexpired term on the Experience Bryan-College Station board. The term expires in October.

8:09 p.m.

Spring Creek LGC Appointments

The council voted unanimously to appoint Jane Kee and Thomas Jackson to the Spring Creek Local Government Corporation board.

8:15 p.m.

Committee Appointments

  • The council appointed Mark Smith as the chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustments.
  • The council appointed Gerald Burgner, Shirley Dupriest, Lou Hodges, Thomas Smith, and William Wright to the Historic Preservation Committee. Burgner was selected as chairman.

8:18 p.m.

After the council discussed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Feb. 13.

 


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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