By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, Nov. 9. 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#.
6:45 p.m.
The meeting has started. The council took no action after its executive session.
6:52 p.m.
National Diabetes Awareness Month
Mayor John Nichols recognized November as National Diabetes Awareness Month to encourage citizens to support efforts to increase public awareness so individuals can recognize symptoms and understand available resources and options.
6:56 p.m.
Veterans Day
Mayor Nichols recognized Saturday, Nov. 11, as Veterans Day with a presentation to city employees who have served, and continue to serve, the country. About 13 percent of the city’s workforce consists of veterans or active reservists.
World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, making Nov. 11, 1918, the end of “the war to end all wars.”
The restoration of Veterans Day to Nov. 11 not only preserves the date’s historical significance but focuses on its essential purpose as a celebration to honor our veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
6:58 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A $331,122 purchase of 10 monitor/defibrillators 12-lead ECG from Zoll Medical Corporation for the College Station Fire Department.
- Authorized the police chief to release grant funds from the Office of the Governor Homeland Security Division for SWAT team night vision equipment.
- Accepted a $239,279.10 grant from the Office of the Governor for rifle-resistant body armor for the police department and city marshals.
- A $818,085 purchase of electric transmission and related materials from KBS Electrical Distributors.
- Master agreements for professional surveying services with Baseline Corporation ($100,000), Kerr Surveying ($20,000), and Walker Partners ($20,000).
- A $1.72 million contract with Larry Young Paving to rehabilitate Luther Street from Marion Pugh Drive to Penberthy Boulevard.
- A $520,520 agreement with Freese and Nichols for the Alum Creek Trunkline Project.
- The 2023 Property Tax Roll totaling $70,766,287.79.
- A $421,016.30 contract with Freeit Data Solutions for additional Rubrik data storage.
7:55 p.m.
Truck and Trailer Parking
The council directed staff to bring back an ordinance prohibiting commercial vehicle parking citywide but delay enforcement for 6-12 months to allow truck drivers time to adjust.
8:38 p.m.
Capital Projects Update
The council heard an update about the city’s 79 active capital projects, including eight that were approved in the 2022 bond election.
8:41 p.m.
Anderson Easement Abandonment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve abandoning two public utility easements at 1115 Anderson Street. Underground electrical lines would better serve the applicant’s proposed site changes.
8:54 p.m.
Oak Hill Rehabilitation
The council voted 6-1 to approve a contract with LULAC Oak Hill for an additional $585,675 in Community Development Block Grant funds for the rehabilitation of the apartments at 1105 Anderson. Councilman Bob Yancy voted against the motion.
8:59 p.m.
Utility Relocation Easement
The council voted 6-1 to authorize eminent domain proceedings to acquire less than a half-acre of property from Clarke & Wyndham, Inc., for an easement needed for utility relocations related to TxDOT’s State Highway 6 widening project. Councilman Yancy voted against the motion.
The city made an offer for the property, but the landowner’s representative is unwilling to negotiate. The TxDOT project will widen State Highway 6 from State Highway 21 in Bryan to just north of State Highway 40 in College Station. Construction is expected to start next summer, and utilities must be relocated soon.
9:03 p.m.
Utility Relocation Easement
The council voted unanimously to authorize “friendly” eminent domain proceedings to acquire about 1.5 acres of property from Post Oak Mall for three easements needed for utility relocations related to TxDOT’s State Highway 6 widening project.
The mall requested condemnation of the easements to expedite acquisition due to the lienholder’s and multiple tenants’ required consent. The landowner has indicated the initial offer is agreeable for the easements.
The TxDOT project will widen State Highway 6 from State Highway 21 in Bryan to just north of State Highway 40 in College Station. Construction is expected to start next summer, and utilities must be relocated soon.
9:08 p.m.
Business Center Property Sale
The council voted unanimously to approve a $3.49 million contract to sell about 11.6 acres at the southeast corner of Gateway Boulevard and Lakeway Drive in the College Station Business Center to HFLPI-College Station for a warehouse and office.
9:17 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 Monday, Nov. 20.
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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