By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, July 13. It’s not the official minutes.
The meeting starts after 6 p.m. and is streamed live on Optimum Channel 19 and cstx.gov/cstv19. 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. Mayor John Nichols is absent tonight, so Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Maloney is presiding.
6:07 p.m.
Ann Hays Recognition
The council recognized Ann Hays for her service to the Parks and Recreation Board, the Historic Preservation Committee, and the Senior Advisory Committee.
6:10 p.m.
College Station Parks Foundation
Mayor Pro Tem Maloney presented a proclamation recognizing the creation of the College Station Parks Foundation, a private non-profit corporation supporting the enhancement of local parks and recreation.
6:32 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.
- Nick Sutton asked the council to enhance compensation for firefighters.
- John Halsell spoke against the city’s northeast sewer line going down Rosemary Drive.
- Charles Coats spoke in support of the middle housing zoning option.
- Jes Linne, speaking on behalf of a group of seven, spoke against the city’s northeast sewer line going down Rosemary Drive.
6:45 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A contract not to exceed $852,307 with Mitchell & Morgan for the Highway 6 Widening Utility Relocates Project.
- A $119,873 change order to the contract with CSA Construction for the Lick Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant capacity expansion.
- A three-year contract not to exceed $3.39 million with Pannell Co. for electric right-of-way tree trimming services.
- An amendment adding two 1-year renewals for a total contract of $1.77 million to the lease of 3.1 acres, including a 28,949 square foot building, at 2611 Texas Avenue South to International Leadership of Texas.
- A bid award not to exceed $314,540 to KBS Electrical Distributors for substation gas circuit breakers and a bid award not to exceed $357,561 to Texas Electric Cooperative for outdoor vacuum circuit breakers.
- A contract not to exceed $857,400 with Kimley-Horn and Associates, plus the city’s contingency of $30,000, for a total appropriation of $887,400 for the College Heights Utility Rehabilitation Project.
- A $199,554 contract with A1 Pump for construction services for the Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Fuel Island Project, plus the city’s contingency of $21,450, for a total appropriation of $221,004.
- A $887,186 contract with Brazos Paving, plus the city’s contingency of $88,720, for a total appropriation of $975,906 for drainage improvements at University Oaks Boulevard and Stallings Drive.
- The termination of an economic development agreement with Viasat.
6:56 p.m.
Emergency Management Update
The council heard an update about the city’s emergency management operations and collaboration with other agencies.
7:13 p.m.
Enclosed Tennis Courts
The council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the development of enclosed tennis courts at Bee Creek Park. The new College Station Parks Foundation has proposed fundraising activities for the project.
7:59 p.m.
Annual Action Plan and Budget
The council unanimously accepted an update about community development activities and an overview of the proposed PY 23 action plan and FY 24 budget. The city typically uses federal grants for affordable housing assistance, services for low-income families, economic development, infrastructure improvements, and grant administration.
8:10 p.m.
Sienna ROW and Easement Abandonment
The council voted 4-2 to approve a request to abandon a .8236-acre right-of-way on Sienna Drive southwest of Marion Pugh Drive and Holleman Drive West.
The council voted 4-2 to approve a request to abandon a .6922-acre public drainage easement on Sienna Drive southwest of Marion Pugh Drive and Holleman Drive West.
Mayor Pro Tem Maloney and Councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha voted against the motions. The applicant wants to change the lot layout.
8:43 p.m.
Ponderosa Drive Parking Removal
The council voted 5-1 to approve a request to remove parking on the south side of Ponderosa Drive from Longmire Drive to State Highway 6. Councilwoman Cunha voted against the motion.
Area businesses had expressed concern about large commercial trucks and trailers parking along the street. Issues include trucks limiting visibility near the Longmire stop sign, crashes at the intersection, and long periods when the trucks and trailers are parked.
A earlier motion remove parking on the south side of Ponderosa for 280 feet from Longmire Drive failed by a 3-3 vote.
9:02 p.m.
BVEDC’s Incentive Compliance Report
The council unanimously accepted the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation’s annual Incentive Compliance Report.
9:05 p.m.
City Manager Bryan Woods paid tribute to City of Bryan Parks and Recreation Director David Schmitz, who passed away earlier this week. Schmitz previously served more than a decade as College Station’s parks and recreation director.
9:10 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Maloney 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 for workshops on the proposed FY 24 budget next Monday through Wednesday. The next regular meeting is Thursday, July 27.
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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