City of College Station Blog

By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, Oct. 24. 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#. 

6:38 p.m.

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

6:45 p.m.

Community Planning Month

Mayor John Nichols proclaimed October as Community Planning Month to celebrate the role planning plays in creating great communities. Planners work to improve the well-being of all people living in our communities by leveraging professional expertise, data-driven insights, and a long-term, comprehensive vision for the future. That approach leads to safe, prosperous, and more resilient communities.

6:50 p.m.

Municipal Courts Week

Mayor Nichols proclaimed Nov. 4-8 as Municipal Courts Week in recognition of our dedicated municipal judges, court clerks, court administrators, prosecutors, bailiffs, and warrant officers. Municipal Courts Week recognizes the essential role local courts and their personnel play in the criminal justice system and the larger community.

6:53 p.m.

Texas Arbor Day

Mayor Nichols proclaimed Nov. 1 as Texas Arbor Day to encourage planting and nurturing trees and celebrate how trees enrich our lives and stabilize our environment. The observance also helps inspire the next generation with a passion for forests through fun and educational activities.

6:59 p.m.

Hear Visitors

One person spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item not on the posted agenda.

• Brian Watford spoke about the necessity of city involvement in maintaining feral cat colonies.

7:34 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:

• A $324,447 change order for the 2016 design contract with Halff Associates for the Barron/Capstone Alignment Project.
• An extraterritorial jurisdiction release petition for about 98 acres at 14933, 14727, and 14788 Redman Lane.
• An extraterritorial jurisdiction release petition for about 96.5 acres at 5445 Stousland Road.
• An extraterritorial jurisdiction release petition for about 40.7 acres at 14268 South Dowling Road.
• The rejection of bids and the cancellation of the invitation to bid to construct the control house at the Northwest Electric Substation.
• A contract not to exceed $250,000 with The Reynolds Company for the annual purchase of Water SCADA infrastructure products and services.
• The replacement of the all-way stop with a two-way stop at Deacon Drive and General Parkway.
• The $445,984 purchase of network switches for the traffic signal network from Avinext.
• The $177,664 purchase by CSFD of Panasonic Toughbook Rugged Mobile Data Terminals, Cradlepoint routers, and Airgain antennas from Baycom.
• The BVWACS annual operating, maintenance, and capital budget.
• An $80,000 contract with Hunden Strategic Partners for a convention center feasibility study.
• The rejection of proposals and cancellation of bids for constructing the Stonebridge Drive and Scarborough Drive roundabout.
• The 2024 Property Tax Roll of $74,435,521.40.
• An ordinance amending parking on Milliff Road, Rosemary Lane, Redmond Drive, and Armistead Street.
• A $5.14 million contract with Larry Young Paving to rehabilitate William D. Fitch Parkway from State Highway 30 to Tonkaway Lake Drive, plus the City’s contingency of $514,078.
• A $372,319 contract with Marmon Mok Architecture for pre-design work for space programming, needs assessment, and site feasibility studies for the Public Works Facility Project.
• A $1.08 million contract with Tucker Construction for pickleball and futsal courts at Anderson Park, plus the City’s contingency of $108,000. The project was approved by voters in the 2022 bond election.

8:03 p.m.

Off-Campus Student Services

The council heard an update from Texas A&M’s Off Campus Student Services Office on its activities, programs, and operations since its re-establishment in 2023.

9:16 p.m.

Rental Inspection Certification Program

The council voted 4-3 to deny the establishment of a voluntary rental certification program to address rental property maintenance concerns. Councilwoman Linda Harvell and Councilmen Dennis Maloney and William Wright voted against the motion to deny.

9:16 p.m.

The council is taking a short break.

9:26 p.m.

The meeting has resumed.

11:19 p.m.

Northgate Conditional Use Permits

After a public hearing, the council voted 4-3 to require conditional use permits for new Northgate nightclubs, bars, and taverns. Existing establishments will not need one. Councilwoman Linda Harvell and Councilmen Bob Yancy and Dennis Maloney voted against the motion.

11:24 p.m.

Scott & White Signage

After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved amending the concept plan to allow additional wayfinding signs for the expanded medical facilities on the Scott & White Hospital campus.

12:05 a.m.

Tourism Advisory Committee

The council voted 4-3 to direct staff to bring a resolution to the incoming city council for a council-appointed Tourism Advisory Committee. Mayor John Nichols and Councilmen Dennis Maloney and William Wright voted against the motion.

12:12 a.m.

On-Street Parking Removal Policy

The council unanimously approved an on-street parking removal policy to provide guidance when staff receives concerns or complaints.

12:26 p.m.

New Water Wells

The council unanimously approved a construction manager at risk contract with Garney Companies for the project to build three new water wells and a collection line. Construction will start in early 2025 and be completed by August 2028.

The $69.3 million budget is covered through the Water Capital Improvement Projects Fund.

12:33 p.m.

Veterans Park Baseball Fields

The council unanimously approved a construction manager at risk contract with Crain Group for the project to build baseball fields at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. The project budget is $20 million.

12:42 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, Nov. 14.

If you liked this post, share it with the buttons below!