By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, Jan. 23. 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#.
7:06 p.m.
The meeting has started. The council took no action on items discussed in its executive session.
7:15 p.m.
Walk Across Texas Month
Mayor John Nichols proclaimed February as Walk Across Texas Month with a presentation to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. The eight-week program aims to increase physical activity with friendly competition and group support to encourage adults and youth to become more active.
People of all ages benefit from participating in regular physical activity, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more times a week.
7:34 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Seven people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item not on the posted agenda.
- Shelby Behm spoke about the lack of progress in the Midtown development.
- Shirley Dupriest, Fred Dupriest, Richard Woodward, and Jacob McFarland spoke about the enforcement of the no-more-than-four ordinance.
- Justin Manning thanked the council for listening to Northgate stakeholders as the community plans for the area's future.
- Scott Lovett spoke about the City's stance on ETJ release petitions.
7:47 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- The second and final renewal of an annual $1.65 million price agreement with Techline for electric fiberglass composite distribution poles.
- A $165,500 aid-in-construction agreement with Bryan Texas Utilities for overhead power upgrades for Water Wells 10,11,12 and the collection line project.
- A $3.68 million contract with Freese and Nichols for the design and construction administration of the Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project.
- A resolution authorizing the submission of an application for a $300,000 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Recreational Trails Grant for Texas Independence Park.
- The City's Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), where identified firms provide on-call services for onsite construction representation.
- A $240,000 contract with Freese and Nichols for a regional pumping and regulatory requirements analysis to assess the effects of proposed regional groundwater pumping from the Simsboro aquifer on College Station's wells.
8:18 p.m.
Capital Projects Update
The council was updated on the City’s ongoing capital improvement projects.
8:32 p.m.
Legislative Committee
The council discussed the creation of a subcommittee on legislative affairs to respond to state legislation that affects the community. Councilwoman Melissa McIlhaney and Councilmen David White and William Wright will serve on the committee with community members to be determined later.
8:54 p.m.
FY 25 Budget Amendment
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a $14.7 million amendment to the City's FY 25 budget, mostly to cover the annual encumbrance roll for goods budgeted and ordered in FY 24 or before and not received, including fleet purchases for the Fire Department.
8:59 p.m.
Holleman & Cain Land Use/Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to change the land use to General Commercial for about one acre east of Cain Road and Holleman Drive South to allow commercial uses on the mostly undeveloped property.
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to change the zoning to Townhouse/General Commercial for about 3.3 acres east of Cain and Holleman. The applicant is planning townhomes and a commercial development.
9:13 p.m.
Thomas Park Design Contract
The council unanimously approved a $949,820 contract with TBG Partners for the design and construction observation of Mabel Clare Thomas Park.
9:16 p.m.
TIBP Closeout
The council unanimously approved a $10.96 million deductive closeout change order with Vaughn Construction for the canceled Texas Independence Ballpark project contract.
9:20 p.m.
Comp Plan Evaluation Committee
The council made the following appointments to the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Evaluation Committee:
- Council Members: Melissa McIlhaney, Scott Shafer, Mark Smith
- Planning & Zoning Commissioners: TreVion Watson, Warren Finch, Michael Buckley
9:40 p.m.
Committee Appointments
The council made the following appointments to boards, committees, and commissions:
- Architectural Advisory Committee: Samuel Lampe
- Arts Council: Emily Rakov
- Audit Committee: Michelle McMillin
- BCS Library Board: Virginia Higdon, Megan Wilson
- CDBG Public Service Agency Funding Review Committee: Jordan Faust, Cheletia Johnson
- Historic Preservation Committee: Sherry Frisk, Lisa Mouton, Karen Story
- Parks and Recreation Board (Chair): Thomas Marty
9:49 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, Feb. 13.
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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