By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Sept. 24. It’s not the official minutes.
The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. To join the meeting online, go to Zoom or call 888-475-4499 and enter meeting number 980 8998 1712. Public comments will be allowed through Zoom. If the call-in number isn’t functioning, access will be through the internet link only.
4:18 p.m.
The workshop has started.
4:52 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council pulled for discussion these items from tonight's consent agenda:
- Fees, Rates, and Charges: The council adopts a new resolution each year to keep current the city's fees, rates, and charges as provided by the Code of Ordinances.
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Madden Media Contract: Experience Bryan College Station has been working with Madden Media for the past year and a half. Madden has performed digital advertising for all three tourism markets as well as search engine optimization and search engine marketing. With the dissolution of Experience BCS, and per consultation with the City of College Station Public Communications Department, Madden Media has been selected to continue digital marketing and advertising efforts an additional year for an amount not to exceed $336,520.
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Property Casualty, Excess General Liability and Excess Workers’ Compensation: Overall insurance premiums for FY 21 increased $138,783.45 over FY20, or about 24.3%.
- Arts Council Agreement: The $358,178 in this agreement is budgeted in the 2020-2021 Hotel Tax Fund budget. State law requires that the city council adopt the budget of any organization that is to be funded through hotel tax revenue. The Arts Council budget was presented for approval with the operations and maintenance funding agreement consent agenda item.
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Sewer Service Policy Exception for James Rourk: Mr. Rourk asked the city to provide sanitary sewer service to a home outside the city limits and within the certificated area for sewer. He has consented to bear all infrastructure cost for connecting to the city system. City policy prohibits the extension of sewer service outside the city limits without annexation, but it does allow exceptions under specific circumstances. In 2006, the Water Services Department constructed an adjacent sewer line and has allowed other exceptions.
5:38 p.m.
TxDOT Projects
The council discussed the Texas Department of Transportation’s projects in College Station.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
5:39 p.m.
The council is taking a short break.
6:03 p.m.
The workshop has resumed.
6:37 p.m.
Veterans Park Enhancements
The council discussed future enhancements to Veterans Park & Athletic Complex.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:38 p.m.
Definitions of Family and Related
The council discussed possible modifications to the city’s definition and enforcement of the terms "family" and "related" as they apply to the number of unrelated persons that may reside together. The consensus of the council was to make the definitions more inclusive.
Public hearings will be conducted in the fall before the council adopts the new definitions. Meanwhile, the development of a restricted occupancy overlay has been put on hold.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:40 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.
7:51 p.m.
The workshop has started.
7:55 p.m.
Constitution Week
The mayor proclaimed Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week.
8:05 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Two people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.
- Richard Dusold spoke against building a new Thomas Park swimming pool.
- David Flash said Council Member Linda Harvell has made false statements about him and tried to discredit him. He asked council members to adhere to the Aggie Code of Honor.
- Craig Regan asked that notices be sent to residents when major changes are considered in an area, such as the construction of the new water tower on State Highway 6.
8:06 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously voted to approve the entire consent agenda.
- A $321,644.66 contract with Utility Restoration Services for annual padmount equipment repair and restoration.
- A change order deducting $55,700 from a contract with Jones & Carter for the Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Electrical Improvements Project.
- A resolution adopting fees, rates and charges as provided in the city’s Code of Ordinances.
- A five-year, $657,160 technology services contract with Tyler Technologies for municipal court case management software implementation, licensing and maintenance, and support services.
- A change order adding $119,358 to a contract with Stantec Consulting Services for the Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Blower Buildings Nos. 2 & 3 project.
- A $287,000 contract with Kimley-Horn for the Rock Prairie Road East Widening Project.
- A resolution approving a negotiated settlement between the Atmos Cities Steering Committee and Atmos Energy Corp., MidTex Division, regarding the company's 2020 rate review mechanism filings.
- The rejection of bids for the Spring Creek Substation Battery House Enclosure.
- A contract not to exceed $336,520 with Madden Media.
- A $205,000 contract with SynchroGrid for electric consulting and engineering services.
- City of College Station Excess Liability and Workers’ Compensation Insurance, Property/Boiler & Machinery, Commercial Crime, EMT Liability, Auto Property Damage, Cyber Liability, Unmanned Aircraft liability and property; Special Events policies for Fiscal Year 2021. FY21 premiums for all lines of coverage are not to exceed $710,000.
- The purchase of electric warehouse inventory not to exceed $182,748 from Landis+Gyr Technology for the Automated Metering Infrastructure System.
- A resolution authorizing expenditures of $248,520 to the Aggieland Humane Society.
- A $358,178 agreement with Arts Council of the Brazos Valley for affiliate funding and art and tourism marketing.
- A $91,750 agreement with Arts Council of the Brazos Valley agency funding.
- A $350,000 funding agreement with the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation.
- A $22,500 funding agreement with the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce and the organization’s budget.
- A $46,730 funding agreement with Keep Brazos Beautiful.
- A $22,500 funding agreement with the Memorial for All Veterans of the Brazos
- Valley and the organization’s budget.
- A $143,550 contract with Iteris for services, equipment and software for automated traffic signal performance measures.
- The renewal of two contracts totaling $115,809.50 for sign posts and signs.
- An ordinance reducing the speed limit to 35 mph on North Forest Parkway between State
- Highway 6 and Appomattox Drive.
- A $150,000 sponsorship agreement with Santa’s Wonderland.
8:25 p.m.
The council unanimously voted to approve this item after it was pulled for continued discussion:
- A resolution allowing James Rourk to construct sewer infrastructure necessary to connect his home to the city’s sanitary sewer system as an exception to city policy.
8:26 p.m.
Comp Plan Evaluation and Appraisal Report
The council will consider the Comprehensive Plan’s 10-Year Evaluation and Appraisal Report at its Oct. 8 meeting.
8:30 p.m.
Hot Mix Asphalt Contract
The council unanimously voted to approve annual price agreements with Knife River ($1.4 million) and BPI Materials ($600,000) for Type D Hot Mix Asphalt to be picked up by city crews or delivered to the job site as requested for street maintenance.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
8:49 p.m.
Lick Creek Trunk Line Change Order
The council unanimously voted to approve a $571,314.94 change order to the contract with Thalle Construction for the Lick Creek Trunk Line project.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
9:08 p.m.
Jones Butler Road Extension Design
The council unanimously voted to approve a $1.28 million contract with Kimley-Horn for the design of the Jones Butler Road extension.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
9:10 p.m.
Extension of Disaster Declaration
The council unanimously voted to extend the mayor's COVID-19 disaster declaration.
9:12 p.m.
BVSWMA Board Appointment
The council voted unanimously to appoint Bill Lartigue to a three-year term on the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency’s Board of Directors.
9:19 p.m.
After the council discussed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council’s next workshop and regular meetings are set for Thursday, Oct. 8.
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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