By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, July 27. 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#.
6:00 p.m.
The meeting has started. The council took no action after its executive session. Councilwoman Linda Harvell is absent tonight.
6:07 p.m.
Hear Visitors
One person spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item not appearing on the posted agenda. John Vincent spoke about enforcing residential occupancy restrictions.
6:08 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
• A $1.09 million contract with McCord Engineering for the CSU Northwest Substation’s electric engineering and design services.
• A $260,000 advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for a traffic signal at University Drive and Veterans Parkway.
• A $6.95 million contract with Elliott Construction for Phase 3 of the Bee Creek Sanitary Sewer Trunk Line, plus a $250,000 contingency for an appropriation of $7.2 million.
• A $3.08 million contract with Teal Services for the Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Blower Building No. 2 and No. 3 project, plus a contingency of $320,000 for an appropriation of $3.4 million.
• Renewal of a 2013 interlocal agreement for sewer use and pretreatment in the City of Bryan’s Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) area in the College Station city limits.
7:12 p.m.
Truck and Trailer Parking
The council discussed options and citizen concerns about truck and trailer parking, including where trucks are parking and where parking has been removed.
7:20 p.m.
BVSWMA FY 24 Budget
The council unanimously accepted BVSWMA’s FY 24 budget, approved by the City of Bryan on July 11. BVSWMA’s projected revenue is $12.59 million, operating expenses are $9.34 million, and capital expenses are $4.67 million. The budget also reduces the gate rate for both cities from $12 to $9 per ton.
7:50 p.m.
FY 24 Budget Public Hearing
The council conducted a public hearing on the city’s proposed FY 24 budget. Lloyd Davis spoke on behalf of a group of five citizens primarily concerned about the city debt.
The $492 million proposal includes $357.1 million for operations and maintenance and $134.95 million in capital projects. The general fund totals $117.4 million.
8:13 p.m.
Action Plan Amendment
The council unanimously approved a substantial amendment to the PY 22 Annual Action Plan to reprogram $170,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds and $189,623 in HOME Investment Partnership Program funds.
The change will help produce affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents while allowing flexibility and options for non-profit housing partners.
9:39 p.m.
Agenda item 8.4 regarding federal grant funding agreements with Elder Aid has been moved to the Aug. 10 council meeting.
8:14 p.m.
The council is taking a short break.
8:24 p.m.
The meeting has resumed.
8:24 p.m.
Middle Housing Rezonings
After a public hearing, the council considered these Middle Housing rezoning requests:
Cooner Street (Area #1)
o R-4 Multi-Family to Middle Housing for a 0.28-acre lot at 207 Cooner Street.
o Duplex to Middle Housing for a 0.21-acre lot at 502 Cooner Street.
o Duplex to Middle Housing for a 0.66-acre lot at 510-514 Cooner Street.
o Duplex to Middle Housing for a 0.27-acre lot at 511 Cooner Street.
The council voted 4-2 to approve; Councilmen Mark Smith and Dennis Maloney voted against the motion.
Live Oak Street (Area #2)
o Duplex to Middle Housing for a 0.17-acre lot at 400 Live Oak Street.
The council voted 4-2 to approve; Councilmen Smith and Maloney voted against the motion.
Aurora Court (Area #3)
o Duplex to Middle Housing for about 5.41 acres at 400-513 Aurora Court.
The council unanimously approved.
Park Place, Highlands, Maryem, and Luther (Area #4)
o General Suburban to Middle Housing for a 0.18-acre lot at 302 Park Place.
o General Suburban to Middle Housing for a 0.36-acre lot at 306 – 308 Park Place.
o General Suburban to Middle Housing for a 0.35-acre lot at 611 – 613 Highlands Street.
o General Suburban to Middle Housing for a 0.17-acre lot at 607 Maryem Street.
o General Suburban to Middle Housing for a 0.16-acre lot at 301 Luther Street.
The council voted 3-3, so the motion failed. Councilmen Smith, Maloney, and William Wright were against; Councilman Bob Yancy, Councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha, and Mayor John Nichols supported the motion.
9:53 p.m.
Avenue A Middle Housing Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to change the zoning from General Suburban to Middle Housing for about 1.05 acres at 818-826 Avenue A. The applicant plans to build duplexes.
10:25 p.m.
Impact Fee Collection Rates
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-1 to approve the proposed water, wastewater, and roadway impact fee collection rates. Councilman Yancy voted against the motion. Residential water and roadway rates will increase beginning Jan. 1, with additional increases scheduled for 2025 and 2026.
Impact fees are a one-time assessment imposed on new development to help fund related capital improvements.
10:34 p.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, Aug. 10.
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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