By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, Sept. 26. 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#.
6:24 p.m.
The meeting has started. The council took no action after its executive session.
6:32 p.m.
Week Without Driving
Mayor John Nichols proclaimed Sept. 30-Oct. 6 as Week Without Driving to promote improving our transportation system with transit, light rail, biking, and walking pathways to meet the needs of area residents.
6:47 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Two people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item not on the posted agenda.
- Neo Jang spoke about the benefits of of using bicycles for transportation.
- Fred Dupriest (on behalf of a group of five) spoke about enforcement of the city's overoccupancy regulations.
7:03 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved these consent agenda items:
- A $110,000 change order to the design contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for the Jones Butler extension and roundabout project.
- A $397,798.44 contract with Sterling Global Industries for electric underground distribution directional bore projects.
- A resolution accepting a $3,874,618.44 FY 23 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant.
- A deductive $276,215.48 change order with Mitchell & Morgan for the Corporate Parkway extension design project.
- A $628,889 deductive change order with Weisinger for the Water Well No. 5 and Carrizo Well rehabilitation projects.
- The rejection of proposals and cancellation of an RFP for a natural gas electric generation facility.
- The rejection and cancellation of bids for concrete pull boxes for electric warehouse inventory. The rejection and cancellation of bids for substation maintenance because no bids were received.
- An amendment to the real estate contract with Fera Diagnostics and Biologicals Corporation for the sale of about 12 acres in the College Station Business Center to reflect the release of the shared cross-access easement.
The council voted separately on this consent item:
- The council unanimously approved a resolution regarding changes to the City’s investment policy and strategy, a collateral policy, and investment officers for FY 25.
7:11 p.m.
BVEDC Compliance Report
The council reviewed the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation’s 2023 Incentive Compliance Report.
7:16 p.m.
TAMU Student Government Association
The council heard an update from representatives of the Texas A&M Student Government Association.
7:26 p.m.
TCOS Refund
The council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to make an electric utility Transmission Cost of Service refund payment of $27.4 million, including interest through the Oct. 15 payment date. The payment is part of the FY 24 budget amendment on tonight's agenda.
7:34 p.m.
FY 24 Budget Amendment
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a $39.1 million amendment to the FY 24 budget, including the $27.4 million electric utility Transmission Cost of Service (TCOS) refund and $5.9 million in grant awards. The complete list of amendment items can be found on pages 174-176 of the meeting agenda packet.
7:55 p.m.
Housing Action Plan
After a public hearing, the council unanimously adopted the Housing Action Plan as part of the city's Comprehensive Plan to create and incentivize more housing of various types to meet demand and to produce and preserve affordable housing for residents.
The 13-member Housing Action Plan Steering Committee worked with City Staff to develop a plan based on extensive research, public outreach, and stakeholder engagement. The plan starts on Page 178 of the meeting agenda packet.
8:01 p.m.
$3.6 Million HUD Grant
After a public hearing, the council unanimously authorized an application for a $3.6 million grant from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help identify and remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation.
Recommended uses for the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing grant are a Density Bonus Study, Housing Capacity Study, and an Acquisition and Disposition Housing Program for rental and homeownership. The resolution identifies matching funds from future Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Program funds over the next five years.
8:06 p.m.
University Industrial Center Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to change the zoning from M-1 Light Industrial to Commercial Industrial for about 11 vacant acres in the University Industrial Center at 151 Graham Road.
The change allows uses not allowed by right under the retired M-1 Light Industrial zoning.
8:08 p.m.
BVSWMA Board Appointment
The council unanimously appointed Councilman Mark Smith to another three-year term on the the BVSWMA Board of Directors.
8:11 p.m.
Mayor Nichols adjourned the open 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, Oct. 7.
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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