By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular teleconference meetings on Thursday, July 23. It’s not the official minutes.
The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. To join online, go to Zoom or call 888-475-4499 and enter meeting number 984 6115 5646. Public comments will be allowed through Zoom.
4:28 p.m.
The workshop has started.
4:30 p.m.
Experience Bryan-College Station
The council voted unanimously to recommend that the Experience Bryan College Station board of directors approve, as part of winding up of EBCS’s corporate affairs, the proposed plan negotiated between the City of Bryan and the City of College Station to discharge the corporation’s liabilities and distribute its assets.
4:49 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council pulled these items for discussion from the regular meeting’s consent agenda:
- CSISD Family Empowerment: The funding agreement with CSISD uses Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funding of no more than $250,000 for the district's COVID-19 Family Empowerment Program.
- Fiber Leasing: CEO, Etc., has requested the use of additional fiber as part of its fiber optic cable lease agreement with the city. The amendment includes 42.3 additional fiber strand miles at a fee of $15,157.
- Parkland Expansion: About 196 acres of existing greenway property would be converted to parkland.
- Fees, Rates and Charges: City fees, rates, and charges in the code of ordinances are adopted each year and must be established before the permitting process begins.
- CSU Tree Trimming: The three-year, $2.4 million contract with Asplundh Tree Expert is for trimming trees to clear overhead power lines as well as easements and rights-of-way for new power lines.
5:09 p.m.
Proposed FY21 Budget
The council got its first look at the city’s proposed FY21 budget. In-depth budget workshops are scheduled next Monday-Wednesday to review the budget and consider key decision points. The workshops can be accessed through Zoom.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
5:39 p.m.
Utility Customer Service Update
The council received an update on Utility Customer Service's community assistance initiatives and activities.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
6:21 p.m.
Connectivity to A&M
The council heard a presentation about opportunities to increase bicycle, pedestrian and greenway connectivity with the Texas A&M campus.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
6:24 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports, Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop. The regular meeting starts after a short break.
6:43 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:51 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.
- Robert Rose spoke about his concern about electric utility disconnects and asked for a moratorium on cutoffs until the end of August.
6:51 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda.
- Authorized a general election (city council Places 1, 3 and 5) and a special runoff election (city council Place 4) on Nov. 3.
- The second renewal of an annual contract not to exceed $95,000 with BKD for professional auditing services.
- A funding agreement not to exceed $250,000 for CSISD’s COVID-19 Family Empowerment Program through Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funding.
- Called a public hearing on the city’s FY 2020-21 proposed budget on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. at College Station City Hall or via Zoom.
- An amendment to the second restatement of an inter-local agreement for the construction, acquisition, implementation, operation, and maintenance of BVWACS, and an amendment to the ILA for the managing entity by BVCOG for BVWACS, both adding Madison County.
- The third amendment to a leasing agreement with CEO that increases use of the city’s fiber.
- The renewal of the inter-local agreement with the City of Bryan for management of the Larry J. Ringer Library.
- The conversion of about 196 acres of existing greenway property to parkland.
- A resolution adopting fees, rates and charges as provided by the city’s code of ordinances. A $115,740 contract with Zero/Six Consulting for building envelope consulting services for the city hall project.
- A three-year, $2.4 million contract with Asplundh Tree Expert for electric right-of-way tree trimming services.
- Awarded $124,250 of Community Development Block Grant coronavirus funding to Project Unity for the COVID-19 Assistance Program.
- A $600,000 contract with McCord Engineering for services.
6:57 p.m.
FY20 Budget Amendment No. 2
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to decrease the city’s FY 20 budget by $5.5 million due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Electric, water, wastewater, and solid waste are not impacted.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
6:59 p.m.
Rock Prairie Easement Abandonment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon parts of a 15-foot wide public utility easement at 7103 Rock Prairie Road to address site constraints identified during the development’s design phase. The easement is no longer needed since the public water line will be in a different place.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:03 p.m.
Texas Avenue Easement Abandonment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon a small portion of a 20-foot wide sanitary sewer easement at 2711 Texas Avenue, which is located near the old police station site. The sewer line will be rerouted to accommodate development.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:05 p.m.
Disaster Declaration Extension
The council voted unanimously to consent to Mayor Mooney’s recent extension of the COVID-19 disaster declaration.
7:10 p.m.
After the council discussed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Aug. 13.
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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