By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, April 10. 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#.
6:05 p.m.
The meeting has started. The council took no action after its executive session. Pastor Ben Hailey gave the invocation.
Councilman Mark Smith is absent tonight.
6:14 p.m.
World Shakuhachi Festival Week
Mayor John Nichols proclaimed April 14-20 as World Shakuhachi Festival Week. Over 55 shakuhachi masters and string performers, composers, and scholars from Japan, China, Taiwan, Europe, Australia, the United States, and the Americas will attend the World Shakuhachi Festival Texas from April 17-20 on the Texas A&M campus and in Round Top.
Pictured below with Mayor Nichols are Kiku Day (2018 London Executive Director), Marty Regan (2025 Texas Executive Director), and David Wheeler (1998 Boulder Executive Director).
6:17 p.m.
National Community Development Week
Mayor John Nichols proclaimed April 21-25 as National Community Development Week to highlight how Community Development Block Grant and HOME-funded programs build strong and resilient communities.
This year celebrates 51 years of CDBG. The City of College Station has received over $47 million through the CDBG Program to address the needs of residents. Nearly 1,250 state and local governments receive annual CDBG allocations to support housing rehabilitation programs, public infrastructure projects, small business assistance, emergency housing assistance, and other public service programming.
Pictured below with Mayor Nichols are employees from Planning & Development Services and Community Services.
7:01 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Fifteen people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item not on the posted agenda.
- Chandler Arden, Cari Bullington, Jennifer Fredericks, Hunter Goodwin, James Murr, JT Laramore, Joshua Ramirez, Veronica Morgan, Steve Pittman and Jeff Robertson spoke against City impact fees assessed on new development.
- Valen Cepak and Charles Coats spoke about the need for affordable housing in College Station.
- Richard Woodward and Dennis Maloney spoke in favor of City impact fees for recouping the costs of providing capital improvements for new developments.
- Shelby Behm spoke about the lack of progress in the Midtown development.
7:02 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:
- The first reading of a franchise agreement ordinance with Maroon Dumpsters for collecting recyclables from commercial and multifamily locations.
- The first reading of a franchise agreement with Texas Commercial Waste for collecting recyclables from commercial and multifamily locations.
- The rejection of bids and cancellation of the Invitation to Bid for the City Hall Bus Shelter project.
- A $116,324 agreement with Central Square for upgrading the records management system server.
7:50 p.m.
Strategic Plan Update
The Council unanimously approved its annual Strategic Plan with changes. The final version will be available soon at cstx.gov/council.
8:20 p.m.
Legislative Engagement
The Council voted 6-1 to approve letters from Mayor John Nichols to Rep. Paul Dyson and Sen. Charles Schwertner regarding pending state legislation. Councilman Bob Yancy voted against the motion.
8:20 p.m.
The council is taking a short break.
8:56 p.m.
Existing Conditions Report
The Council unanimously accepted the 2024 Existing Conditions Report, a snapshot of local conditions from 2019-23. The report includes conditions and trends in the natural environment, demographics, economic development, land use, public facilities, and transportation.
The report is a key component of the ongoing five-year update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. >> Related Podcast >> Public Survey
9:05 p.m.
Single-Family Architectural Standards
The Council discussed single-family architectural standards.
9:28 p.m.
Southgate Village Update
The Council discussed the gas outages at Southgate Village Apartments in late 2024, including a timeline of events and code requirements.
9:51 p.m.
BVR Agreement
The Council unanimously approved a five-year $7.87 million residential recycling collection franchise agreement and general service agreement with BVR Waste and Recycling for collecting recyclables from single-family dwellings and City facilities.
9:54 p.m.
Housing Plan Advisory Committee
The Council unanimously appointed Dr. Avis Garcia to the Housing Plan Advisory Committee.
10:01 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, April 24.
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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