By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13. 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#.
6:40 p.m.
The meeting has started. The council took no action on items discussed in its executive session.
6:47 p.m.
Black History Month
Mayor John Nichols proclaimed February as Black History Month with a presentation to representatives of the Brazos Valley African American Museum (Lisa Mouton, Mildred Davis, Felicia Benford, Â Natalyn Samuels, Jennifer Ross Hasan), the Lincoln Recreation Center (Markeesha Watson), and the City of College Station (Barbara Moore).
This year’s theme is “African Americans and Labor,” which highlights the significant ways that work, in all its forms, has shaped the collective experiences of Black people throughout American history.
6:54 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Two people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item not on the posted agenda. Shelby Behm and Eddie Damanafshan spoke about the lack of the progress in the Midtown area.
7:06 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A $255,668 contract with McDermott Construction, plus the City’s contingency of $25,566, for a total appropriation of $281,234 for the development of Summit Crossing Park.
- A $741,674 contract with Brazos Paving, plus the City’s contingency of $74,167 for a total appropriation of $815,841, for the Holleman Drive West and Jones Butler roundabout.
- The first reading of an ordinance renewing a non-exclusive natural gas franchise to Atmos Energy Corporation Mid-Tex Division.
- A resolution establishing a City of College Station Council Legislative Engagement Committee.
- The rejection of all bids related to purchasing and redeveloping the city-owned parking lot at 301 Patricia Street in Northgate.
- An ordinance providing a lien against an owner’s property for delinquent municipal utility service bills.
8:03 p.m.
Purchasing Policies
The council reviewed the City’s statutory requirements, policies, and procedures for spending public funds with a local preference.
8:39 p.m.
Police Department Update
The council reviewed the College Station Police Department’s 2024 operations and activities.
9:36 p.m.
Fire Department Update
The council reviewed the College Station Fire Department’s 2024 operations and activities.
9:36 p.m.
The council is taking a short break.
9:42 p.m.
The meeting has resumed.
10:29 p.m.
Multi-Family Property Issues
The council discussed code compliance and utility issues in aging multi-family properties.
10:34 p.m.
Rock Prairie/Wellborn Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to change the zoning to Mixed-Use for about 12.4 mostly vacant acres west of Rock Prairie Road West and Old Wellborn Road. The site plan will provide specific uses.
10:37 p.m.
Wellborn Road Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council unanimously changed the zoning to Wellborn Commercial for about four acres of undeveloped city-owned property at 15305 FM 2154. The change increases the property’s marketability for future commercial use.
10:40 p.m.
Fire Station No. 7 GMP
The council unanimously approved the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $827,573 for off-site utilities for the Fire Station No. 7 project as an amendment to the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) contract with Lott Brothers Construction. The $18 million fire station was approved by voters in the 2022 bond election and will be located at 2981 Greens Prairie Road.
The work includes demolition, off-site utilities, concrete replacement, landscape restoration, traffic control, and stormwater pollution prevention. A second amendment to be presented to the council in April includes the GMP for building construction, site utilities, dry utilities, and paving work.
10:41 p.m.
Zoning Board of Adjustments
The council appointed four members to the Zoning Board of Adjustments.
10:48 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. 27.
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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