By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Monday, May 15. It’s not the official minutes.
The meeting is streamed live on Optimum Channel 19 and cstx.gov/cstv19. In addition, you can participate online through Microsoft Teams by entering Meeting ID: 223 427 023 174 and Passcode: MvPmTr. You can also call 833-240-7855 and enter Conference: 952 310 468#.
6:01 p.m.
The meeting has started. The council took no action after its executive session.
6:10 p.m.
Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month
Mayor John Nichols proclaimed May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month to remind drivers and riders that safe practices and cooperation among road users reduces highway fatalities and injuries.
6:13 p.m.
Rotary Club Youth Leadership and Literacy
The College Station Rotary Club presented a $500 check to the Larry J. Ringer Library from a fundraiser supporting youth leadership and literacy.
6:49 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Seven people are signed up to speak during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.
• Neo Jang spoke in support of tactical urbanism.
• Fred Dupriest, Lloyd Davis, Shirley Dupriest, Eden Fielder, and Liana Vincent spoke about enforcement of the no-more-than-four residential occupancy ordinance.
• Abby Krolczyk spoke against the potential sewer line through south Bryan.
6:50 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
• Appointed Hay Glover, Uri Geva, and Mark Lindemulder to the Rock Prairie Management District No. 2 board of directors.
• The city’s event, program, and activity sponsorship policy.
• Awarded bids not to-exceed $95,327.64 to KBS Electrical Distributors and not to exceed $278,075.82 to Techline for underground distribution materials needed for relocating electric facilities for the TxDOT State Highway 6 widening project.
• A $110,140, five-year term amendment to the contract with Milsoft Utility Solutions to add electric utility functionality and customer text notifications.
• The semi-annual report on system-wide water, wastewater, and roadway impact fees.
• The city council’s updated meeting procedures.
7:46 p.m.
Water/Wastewater System Rehabilitation
The council discussed the city’s water and wastewater rehabilitation program and recent actions by the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District.
8:30 p.m.
Tourism Program Update
The council reviewed strategic focus areas and highlights from the city’s tourism program, including attracting meetings, conventions, sports tournaments, and leisure travel.
9:30 p.m.
Wellborn District Plan Update
The council discussed the ongoing update to the Wellborn District Plan, including goal language and the planning boundary. The plan’s two goals are to preserve the Wellborn area’s rural character to promote a safe, efficient, and connected mobility system. Jeff Lehde expressed concerns on behalf of a group of residents.
9:30 p.m.
The council is taking a short break.
9:40 p.m.
The meeting has resumed.
11:45 p.m.
Impact Fee Collection Rates
The council voted 5-2 for staff to bring back an ordinance raising the water impact fees (50% of the maximum in 2024, 55% in 2025, and 60% in 2026) and roadway impact fees (20% of the maximum in 2024, 25% in 2025, and 30% in 2026). Wastewater fees won’t change.
Councilwoman Linda Harvell and Councilman Bob Yancy voted against the motion. In the citizen comments, John Crompton spoke in support of raising the fees, while Austin McKnight and Craig Regan were against. Developers James Murr and Hunter Goodwin also spoke against the increases.
11:52 p.m.
CDBG Regional Mitigation Funds
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve funding applications for $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant Mitigation grant funds administered by the Texas General Land Office and allocated through the Brazos Valley Council of Governments’ method of distribution.
11:59 p.m.
Graham Road Land Use, Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council approved a request to change the zoning to Suburban Commercial and the land use to Neighborhood Commercial for properties at 100-170 Graham Road near the Wellborn Road intersection. The applicant plans to expand a daycare center.
• The council voted unanimously to change the zoning from Light Commercial to Suburban Commercial for about 1.7 acres at 100 and 140 Graham Road near the intersection with Wellborn Road.
• The council voted unanimously to change the zoning from Heavy Industrial to Suburban Commercial for a half-acre at 170 Graham Road.
• The council voted unanimously to change the land use from Business Center to Neighborhood Commercial for about 2.6 acres at 100-170 Graham Road.
12:03 a.m.
Egremont Court Drainage Contract
The council voted unanimously to approve a $287,807 contract with Gulf Coast a CRH Company to eliminate water ponding in the Egremont Court cul-de-sac. The work includes replacing the concrete pavement and installing a drainage system.
12:10 a.m.
Interlocal Fire/EMS Agreement
The council voted unanimously to approve an interlocal agreement with the City of Bryan for fire and EMS automatic and mutual aid. The deal reduces Bryan’s reliance on College Station’s EMS resources and provides an annual payment of $550 per EMS run for the difference between aid given and received.
The City of Bryan considers the agreement on June 13.
12:20 a.m.
TxDOT Grant Resolutions
The council approved three resolutions supporting grant applications to the Texas Department of Transportation to enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety, mobility, and connectivity.
• The council voted unanimously to approve an application for shared-use paths along State Highway 6 in College Station and Bryan. TxDOT plans to widen State Highway 6 from State Highway 21 in Bryan to Fitch Parkway in College Station.
• The council voted unanimously to approve an application for a shared-use path from the Ringer Library to Texas Avenue to provide bicycle and pedestrian facilities on the south side of Harvey Mitchell Parkway. A shared-use path from Jones Crossing to the Ringer Library (from a 2021 grant) is already being designed.
• The council voted unanimously to approve an application for a Complete Streets Plan to create additional safe and accessible connections for users near Texas A&M and other destinations in the city’s core area. A complete streets plan helps provide safe access for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders.
12:29 a.m.
Mayor Nichols adjourned the meeting after the council discussed its calendar, items of community interest, committee and board reports, and future agenda items.
The council meets again on Thursday, May 25.
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. He has also worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., Killian graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.
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