By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, Aug. 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 287 987 474 175 and Passcode gZw5cS. You can also call 469-480-7460 and enter Conference Number 168 564 318#.
6:21 p.m.
The meeting has started. The council took no action after its executive session.
Pastor Jason DeVerna gave the invocation.
6:23 p.m.
Hear Visitors
No one spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item not on the posted agenda.
6:40 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- FY 25 funds for items exempt from competitive bidding and other expenditures for interlocal contracts or state-mandated fees greater than $100,000.
- A $135,960 contract with Weaver and Tidwell for professional auditing services.
- Designation of Cathedral Pines Drive as a one-way street.
- The first reading of a franchise agreement with Waste Falcon for collecting recyclables from commercial businesses and multi-family locations.
- Consent to Rock Prairie Management District No. 2’s annexation of about 20 acres into the district.
- A $128,800 contract with Buyers Barricades Houston for Texas A&M football postgame traffic control.
- An interlocal agreement with Texas A&M to equally share the cost of deploying traffic control devices under the Texas A&M Postgame Traffic Control Plan.
- The Atmos Mid-Tex 2024 Rate Review Mechanism ordinance.
- A $148,395.90 contract with Paragon Sports Constructors for emergency repairs to Veterans Park and Athletic Complex fields.
7:31 p.m.
Recreation Center Analysis
The council reviewed a market analysis regarding a potential recreation center and directed staff to proceed with the second phase of the study, including site options, space program options, and rough capital costs.
7:33 p.m.
FY 25 Tax Rate Public Hearing
No one spoke during a public hearing on the proposed FY 25 property tax rate of 51.3086 cents per $100 assessed value, which will increase tax revenues.
7:52 p.m.
FY 25 Budget Adoption
The council unanimously voted to adopt the city’s $541.5 million FY 25 budget and to ratify the increase in property tax revenue reflected in the budget.
7:58 p.m.
FY 25 Property Tax Rate
The council unanimously adopted a FY 25 property tax rate of 51.3086 cents per $100 assessed value, the same rate as FY 24. The debt service portion of the rate is 21.1441 cents, and the operations and maintenance part is 30.1645 cents. The tax rate will generate about $73.1 million in revenue.
8:18 p.m.
FY 25 Fee Resolution
After a public hearing, the council voted 6-0 to adopt the city’s fees, rates, and charges for programs and services. Councilman Bob Yancy abstained.
8:33 p.m.
Woodcreek ROO
The council voted 5-1 to approve a request for a Restricted Occupancy Overlay to the zoning for 130 lots between Lake Forest Court South and Stonebrook Drive in the Woodcreek Subdivision. The change provides subdivision-specific regulations of no more than two unrelated occupants per single-family dwelling or accessory living quarters.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha voted against the motion. Councilman Dennis Maloney recused himself since he lives in the neighborhood.
8:34 p.m.
The council is taking a short break.
8:39 p.m.
The meeting has resumed.
8:59 p.m.
Nimitz/Eisenhower/Lincoln HOO
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a zoning change from General Suburban to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for nearly 4 acres bounded by Lincoln Avenue, Nimitz Street, and Eisenhower Street. The rezoning allows shared housing uses.
9:00 p.m.
Richards/Crest/Sterling HOO
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a zoning change from General Suburban to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about 28 acres along Richards Street, Crest Street, and Sterling Street. The rezoning would allow shared housing uses.
9:02 p.m.
Midtown Reserve Easement
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved abandoning a 0.034-acre portion of an unused public utility easement in the Midtown Reserve subdivision to allow development.
9:04 p.m.
Midtown Reserve Right-of-Way
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved abandoning a 0.103-acre portion of an unused right-of-way on the southbound side of Midtown Drive east of Durham Loop in the Midtown Reserve subdivision to allow development.
9:09 p.m.
Bachmann Park Buildings
The council unanimously approved a $6.04 million contract with C. A. Walker Construction for two new buildings at Brian Bachmann Community Park, plus the City’s contingency of $750,000 for a total appropriation of $6.79 million. Voters approved the project in the 2022 bond election.
The Little League building includes a concession area, expanded bathrooms, storage rooms, drinking fountains, and an officials’ room. The fields will get new bleachers, dugouts, and covered seating.
The Senior League/Soccer building includes a concession area, larger restrooms, storage rooms, and drinking fountains. The baseball fields will receive new bleachers and additional shade.
9:22 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, Sept. 12.
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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