By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, Jan. 25. 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#.
6:02 p.m.
The meeting has started. The council took no action after its executive session.
6:10 p.m.
Hear Visitors
The council is conducting Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.
• Edward Udell thanked the council for what it does for parks and recreation, especially for seniors.
• Tre Watson spoke about the need for cooling centers during hot weather.
• Nicole Gallucci spoke about the local candidates forum on Feb. 17 at the Ringer Library.
6:23 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A resolution adopting city fees, rates, and charges.
- Bid awards to KBS Electrical Distributors (not to exceed $300,000) and Techline (not to exceed $1.56 million) for annual price agreements for electric warehouse inventory items.
- An ordinance prohibiting commercial trucks from turning westbound onto Holleman Drive from Wellborn Road.
- An amendment establishing fees for public use of the Visitor Center and other city facilities.
- An amendment removing parking on the southwest side of Dakota Lane from Buena Vista to Alamosa Street and reinstating parking on the northeast side of Dakota Lane from Alamosa Street to Buena Vista.
- A resolution supporting a grant application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to extend the Spring Creek trail project from its current end behind the SoCo at Tower Point Apartments to Southern Oaks Park at Alexandria Avenue.
6:23 p.m.
Maloney Re-Elected Mayor Pro Tem
The council unanimously re-elected Dennis Maloney as mayor pro tem to fulfill mayoral duties when the mayor is incapacitated or otherwise unavailable.
6:41 p.m.
FY 24 Budget Amendment
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a $13.57 million amendment to the city’s FY 24 budget mostly because of the annual encumbrance roll for goods budgeted and ordered in FY23 or earlier and not received.
For a complete list of items, see pages 99-101 of the meeting packet.
6:50 p.m.
UDO Amendment – Plat Approval
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance regarding delegating non-discretionary plat approval to the administrator. State law now allows city staff to approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove a plat.
7:45 p.m.
Greens Prairie Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to change the zoning from Restricted Suburban to Planned Development District for about 250 acres between Greens Prairie Road and Diamondback Drive. The applicant wants to provide smaller lots and home sizes requiring less maintenance and upkeep for young professionals and seniors.
7:55 p.m.
Fitch Parkway Concept Plan
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to amend the Planned Development District concept plan for about 20 acres at 525 William D. Fitch Parkway, east of Victoria Avenue. The amendment removes the building and parking layout while keeping previously approved uses.
8:02 p.m.
Avenue A Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to change the zoning from General Suburban to Middle Housing and High Occupancy Overlay for about one acre at 818-826 Avenue A. The applicant intends to build duplexes.
8:08 p.m.
Elder Aid Funding Agreement
The council unanimously approved $406,400 in Community Development Block Grant funding for Elder Aid to acquire and rehabilitate a duplex at 1032 Navarro to provide low-income rental housing for elderly residents.
8:18 p.m.
Fire Station No. 7 Design Contract
The council unanimously approved a $925,000 contract with Martinez Architects for designing Fire Station No. 7 at 2981 Greens Prairie Road. The $18 million project was approved by voters in 2022 to improve response capabilities in southern parts of the city, including the Wellborn area.
8:40 p.m.
Committee Appointments
The council made the following appointments to city boards, committees, and commissions (I’ll fill this in shortly):
• Planning and Zoning Commission: Warren Finch, Scott Shafer, Melissa McIlhaney (chair)
• Construction Board of Adjustments: Joe Fix, Tiona Broussard, Trevor Young, Michael Martinez
• Zoning Board of Adjustment: Justin Collins, Bill Lartigue (chair), James Hutchins, Michael Martinez, George Sassano, Jaymeson Hacker (alternate)
• Bicycle, Pedestrian, & Greenway Advisory Board: Nancy Chmelar, Neo Yang, Councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha (chair)
• Historic Preservation Committee: Carla Elliott, Tre Watson, Pat Patterson
• Parks and Recreation Board: Amy Arredondo, Thomas Marty, Anthony Branch
8:48 p.m.
Mayor John 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, Feb. 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. 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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