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. 14. 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 982 9390 0006. If the call-in number isn't working, access will be limited to Zoom.
6:35 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action out of its executive session.
6:45 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council pulled these items from tonight’s consent agenda for discussion:
- Midlothian Agreement: The agreement authorizes the City of College Station and the City of Midlothian to jointly prepare bids and proposals for the purchase of goods and services. It also allows the cities to piggyback each other’s bids and contracts when in our best interest.
- Xpedient Printing Contract: The renewal contract with Xpedient Mail for $210,000 is for utility bill printing and mailing services.
- Woodson Village Rehabilitation: The $5.05 million contract with Elliott Construction is for the rehabilitation of water and wastewater lines in the area of Haines Drive, Glade Street, and Dexter and Timm Drive.
- Agreement with CSISD: The $250,000 funding agreement with the College Station Independent School District for a Family Empowerment Program to serve families experiencing hardships caused by COVID-19.
- Elder Aid Grant: A $464,000 contract for the grant of federal HOME Community Housing Development Organization set-aside funds to Elder-Aid is for the purchase and rehabilitation of four affordable rental units at 3332-3334 Longleaf and 3308-3310 Bluestem.
6:50 p.m.
Brick Elected Mayor Pro Tem
The council voted unanimously to elect Bob Brick to serve a one-year term a mayor pro tem to act as mayor during the mayor’s disability or absence.
7:18 p.m.
Texas Legislature Update
The council heard a legislative update and preview of the 87th Texas Legislative session, which began Monday.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:19 p.m.
The worksop has been suspended and will resume after the regular meeting.
7:24 p.m.
Planning Excellence Award
Mayor Mooney recognized the Planning and Development Services Department for receiving the Planning Excellence Award from the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association.
7:39 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Three people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.
- Wyatt Galbreath proposed a new city flag that he designed.
- Lorraine Madewell spoke about reducing restrictions on chickens in residential areas.
- Michael Weinstein spoke against local COVID-19 restrictions.
7:40 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- Annual purchases not-to-exceed $150,000 for auto parts, shop equipment, and services from NAPA Auto Parts through the Purchasing Solutions Alliance.
- A cooperative purchasing inter-local agreement with the City of Midlothian.
- An annual blanket purchase order estimated at $150,000 for repair parts and labor for fire trucks from Siddons-Martin Emergency Group through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative.
- An annual blanket purchase order estimated at $180,000 for repair parts and labor for fire trucks from Lonestar Freightliner Group through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative.
- Annual tire purchases and retread services not to exceed $300,000 from Southern Tire Mart through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative.
- Renewal of a $210,000 contract with Xpedient Mail.
- Temporarily changed the speed limit on FM 2818 for the FM 2818 widening project.
- A $1.93 million contract with Freese and Nichols for the final design of the Carter Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant diversion lift station and force main project.
- A $5.06 million contract with Elliott Construction for the Woodson Village Rehabilitation Project.
- A purchase not to exceed $130,353 for a single 145kV S &C Mark V circuit switcher from Priester Mell & Nicholson.
- A $148,223.75 change order to a contract with Techline for pad-mounted solid di-electric switchgears.
- A change order deducting $100,000 from the contract with CF McDonald Electric to install previously purchased VFD at Dowling Road Pump Station.
- An annual blanket order not to exceed $668,000 with Brazos Paving for cement treated base and Type D Grade 1 cement treated recycled crushed concrete base.
- The removal of parking along Fall Circle.
- The removal of parking along Buena Vista Drive, Lonetree Drive, Estes Park, Black Hawk Lane, and Silverthorne Lane.
- A $250,000 funding agreement with College Station Independent School District for the COVID-19 Family Empowerment Program.
- A $464,000 contract for the grant of federal HOME Community Housing Development Organization set-aside funds to Elder-Aid for the purchase and rehabilitation of four affordable rental units at 3332-3334 Longleaf and 3308-3310 Bluestem.
7:45 p.m.
FY 21 Budget Amendment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a $4.22 million amendment to the city’s FY 21 budget that mostly covers expenditures budgeted in FY 20 that won’t be received until FY 21. The full amendment is detailed on page 131 of the meeting packet.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
8:04 p.m.
Comp Plan, UDO Review
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance Annual Review. The document highlights the major Comprehensive Plan initiatives and UDO amendments that occurred in FY 2020.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
8:09 p.m.
Pershing Pointe Zoning Change
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Townhouse to Planned Development District for about five acres of the Pershing Pointe Villas townhouse development near the intersection of Deacon Drive West and Holleman Drive South. The change would provide additional single-family housing types for the unplatted part of the development.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
8:19 p.m.
Cain Road Zoning Change
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from R-4 Multi-Family to Planned Development District for about 11 acres at 3445 Cain Road. The change would allow attached single-family townhomes.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
8:31 p.m.
Facilities Maintenance Relocation
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a $145,175 contract with The Arkitex Studio for the design of the Facilities Maintenance Relocation Project.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
9:14 p.m.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
The council was updated on local COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
9:16 p.m.
Disaster Declaration Extension
The council voted unanimously to extend the mayor’s COVID-19 disaster declaration.
9:34 p.m.
Council Member Appointments
The council made appointments to its internal committees.
9:48 p.m.
Board and Commission Appointments
The council made appointments to city boards, committees, and commissions.
9:55 p.m.
After the council discussed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The workshop will resume after a short break.
10:04 p.m.
The workshop has resumed.
11:03 p.m.
Residential Over-Occupancy
The council discussed options for addressing the symptoms of over-occupancy in residential neighborhoods. The discussion will continue to future council meetings.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
11:31 p.m.
Rental Registration Cost Analysis
The council discussed the Rental Registration Program and a cost analysis of the registration fee. The discussion will continue to future council meetings.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
11:34 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports, Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop. The council’s meets again on Thursday, Jan. 28.
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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