Live Blog: Thursday's city council meeting (Feb. 22)

By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22. 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#. 

3:00 p.m.

City Employee of the Year

The council recognized Community Development Analyst Eric Barton as the city's 2023 employee of the year. Director of Capital Projects and Facility Management Jennifer Cain received the City Leadership Award, and Parks and Recreation Forestry Crew Leader Daniel Tice received the City Impact Award.

6:07 p.m.

The meeting has started. The council took no action after its executive session.

6:16 p.m.

CSISD Education Foundation Proclamation

Mayor John Nichols presented a proclamation to the College Station Independent School District's Education Foundation celebrating its 25^th anniversary. The foundation was established in 1999 by community leaders to help provide opportunities for businesses and individuals to support excellence in public schools by offering resources to promote learning, enhance teaching, and honor the accomplishments of CSISD students and teachers.

In addition, Century Square and Visit College Station presented a check for $1,300 to the foundation. The funds were collected from vendor registration at the annual Holiday Artisan Market at Century Square on Dec. 16. Over 25 vendors participated in the popular event, with some of the vendors nearly selling out of items.

6:22 p.m.

Hear Visitors

Two people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.

• Nicole Gallucci spoke about an event at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Ringer Library covering tax credits and rebates related to water and energy conservation.
• Tyler Pharr spoke in favor of College Station building a high quality disc golf course.

6:44 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council voted unanimously to approve these consent agenda items:

• The second reading of a franchise agreement with Container Source Storage & Roll-Off for collecting recyclables from commercial businesses and multi-family locations.
• The city council's Proclamation and Certificate of Recognition Policy Guidelines and its addition to the City Council Relations Policy and Code of Ethics.
• An ordinance amending the city's Code of Ordinances to indicate if a location is limited to two-hour parking 24/7 or two-hour parking 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays.
• A $40,452.12 change order increasing the contract to $535,737.17 with KBS Electrical Distributors for three-phase padmount transformers.
• A $200,000 contract with SEnergy for power generation resource development consulting services.
• Annual price agreements not to exceed $175,000 for copy, print and signage services with AlphagraphicsBCS and Copy Stop Print Signs and Graphics.
• A $124,200 contract with Burns & McDonnell for a comprehensive solid waste rate and feasibility study.

The council pulled this item for a separate vote:

• The council voted 6-1 to establish a speed limit of 45 mph on Greens Prairie Road between Arrington Road and Dalton Drive. The item originally asked for a 40 mph limit. Councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha voted against the motion.

8:25 p.m.

Amazon Drone Update

The council heard an update from Amazon Prime Air on its local drone delivery operations. A total of 13 residents spoke against the drones, primarily citing noise concerns, and seven others submitted written comments. Six spoke in support of Amazon and its involvement in the community.

In December 2022, College Station became one of just two locations nationwide with the Prime Air drone delivery service. Last fall, Amazon partnered with Amazon Pharmacy to deliver prescriptions by drone.

8:25 p.m.

The council is taking a break. The meeting will resume shortly.

8:38 p.m.

The meeting has resumed.

8:50 p.m.

Wellborn Grocery Rezoning

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning to Planned Development District with a base zoning of Wellborn Commercial for the Wellborn Grocery Store on about two acres on Wellborn Road. The proposed concept plan is split into two phases and includes the first phase's general building and parking layout.

The plan increases the allowable building square footage and provides a pedestrian path, modified sign lighting, and architectural elements to maintain the area's rural character. An amendment will be required for the second phase.

8:54 p.m.

Business Park Real Estate Contract

The council voted unanimously to approve a $3.37 million contract to sell nearly 12 acres in the College Station Business Center near Gateway Boulevard and Lakeway Drive to HFLPI-College Station for a warehouse and office.

8:57 p.m.

Brazos Transit System Board

The council voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of understanding with the City of Bryan regarding Brazos Transit District board appointments.

Under the MOU, each city will designate one elected official as a voting board member every four years and one non-voting ex-officio member every four years. The positions will rotate between voting and ex-officio every four years. College Station will have the first voting board position, and Bryan will have the first ex-officio position.

9:08 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, March 28.

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