Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (March 25)

City of College Station

5 years ago

7 min read

Standing (l-r): John Crompton, Bob Brick, John Nichols, Dennis Maloney. Sitting (l-r): Linda Harvell, Mayor Karl Mooney, Elizabeth Cunha.

By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, March 25. 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 webinar number 934 3024 3812. if the call-in number isn't working, access will be limited to Zoom.

6:14 p.m.

The meeting has started. The council took no action in executive session.

6:38 p.m.

Consent Agenda Discussion

The council discussed these items that appear on the regular meeting’s consent agenda:

Meter Reading Services: The one-year contract not to exceed $448,068 with Alexander’s Contract Services is for electric and water meter reading services. The contract includes an option for two one-year renewals.
Columbarium Niches: The amendment to the city’s Code of Ordinances allows a maximum of two cremates per columbarium niche at city cemeteries. Only one is allowed under the existing ordinance.
Louise Avenue Parking Removal: The parking removal on the north side of Louise Avenue between College Main and Second Street would ensure Fire Department access to the proposed high-rise project at Louise and College Main.
Rock Prairie MD No. 2 Parks: The council is pulling this item (3.10) from tonight's agenda for consideration at a later date.
Fiscal and Budgetary Policy: The proposed revisions to sections of the city’s FY21 Fiscal and Budgetary Policy Statement results from February’s winter storm.

6:49 p.m.

FY20 Audit and Financial Report

The council voted unanimously to accept the city’s annual audit reports and Annual Financial Report that summarize the city's financial position as of Sept. 30, 2020, when FY 20 ended.

Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:

8:09 p.m.

Parkland Dedication Changes

The council directed the Parks and Recreation Department to continue exploring three possible changes to the parkland dedication section of the Unified Development Ordinance — reducing the number of zones, combining the neighborhood and community park distinctions into a single category, and requiring an annual review of fee-in-lieu and improvement fee elements.

Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:

8:19 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.

8:26 p.m.

The regular meeting has started.

8:28 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.

8:29 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council voted unanimously to approve these consent agenda items:

Renewal of an annual price agreement not to exceed $132,052 with Titan Utility Services for the dielectric testing of electric utility vehicles, tools, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
A one-year contract not to exceed $448,068 with Alexander’s Contract Services for electric and water meter reading services.
Annual water meter purchases estimated at $174,427 from Aqua Metric Sales Company through the Houston-Galveston Area Council contract.
Renewal of a $358,770 annual price agreement with KBS Electric Distribution for electric single-phase transformers.
Appointed Environmental Compliance and Recycling Manager Caroline Ask as the city’s representative to the Keep Brazos Beautiful Board.
Amended the city’s Code of Ordinances to allow a maximum of two cremates per columbarium niche at city cemeteries.
Rejected and canceled bids for the Switch Station Transformer Upgrade Project, which has been postponed until FY 23.
Amended the city’s Code of Ordinances by removing parking on the north side of Louise Avenue between College Main Street and Second Street.
Revised sections of the city’s FY21 Fiscal and Budgetary Policy Statement resulting from February’s winter storm.

The council pulled this item from the consent agenda:

8:35 p.m.

Budget Amendment No. 2

The council voted unanimously to approve a $1.26 million amendment to the city’s FY 21 budget consisting primarily of $822,000 in Community Development Block Grant COVID-19 Relief Funds. For a complete list of amendment items, see pages 150-151 in the agenda packet.

Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:

8:38 p.m.

Carter Lake Easement Abandonment

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve the abandonment of a small portion of a 10-foot public utility easement in the Carter Lake Subdivision to allow development.

Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:

8:41 p.m.

Traditions Easement Abandonment

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve the abandonment of a small portion of a 10-foot public utility easement in the Traditions Subdivision to allow the applicant to change the lot layout.

Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:

8:43 p.m.

Williams Creek Reserve Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to Estate/Natural Areas Protected for about 57 acres east of the Rock Prairie Road-William D. Fitch Parkway intersection. The property includes an active oil and gas well and is a planned expansion of Williams Creek Reserve.

Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:

8:46 p.m.

Raymond Stotzer Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural and Commercial Industrial to Business Park for about 10 acres at 4520 Raymond Stotzer Parkway near the BioCorridor. The request is the first step in developing the subject tract and an adjacent parcel.

Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:

8:48 p.m.

Graham Road Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from M-2 Heavy Industrial to Commercial Industrial for about 2.6 acres near the Graham Road-Victoria Avenue intersection. The property was planned as a business park in 2019. The change would allow similar development while offering more uses.

Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:

9:27 p.m.

Thomas Park Improvements

The council council voted unanimously to approve a $646,642 contract with Binkley & Barfield to design improvements to Mabel Clare Thomas Park and James Parkway and Puryear Drive's rehabilitation from Francis Drive to Kyle Street. A phased improvement plan for the park’s south side will also be included.

Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:

9:32 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, April 8.

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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