By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, April 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#.
6:15 p.m.
The meeting has started. The council took no action after its executive session.
6:22 p.m.
Student Government Association
Mayor John Nichols recognized Campbell Gattis and Grant Hockenberry, who represented the Texas A&M Student Government at College Station City Council meetings this school year.
6:27 p.m.
Citizens University Graduates
Mayor John Nichols recognized the graduates of the 28th Citizens University Program, which provides an inside look at City operations and empowers residents to become active participants in our community.
The graduates are James Banks, Kathy Banks, Melissa Bauman, Sabryna Brown, Lisa Cantu, Valen Cepak, Demetris Collier, Colin DeWitt, Nallely Galvan, Marianne Hassman, Dorothy Hernandez, Jordana Koch, Rhonda Kogut, Sherry McKenzie, Carrie Siatunuu, Wilbens Siguineau, Sue Stanton, Rusty Surette, Cody Walston, Hollie Walston, and Pey Zeigler.
6:32 p.m.
National Bike Month
Mayor John Nichols proclaimed May as National Bike Month to encourage people to try bicycling as a sensible mode of transportation and recreation.
College Station is nationally recognized as a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community, as designated by the League of American Bicyclists. The designation reflects our commitment to a multimodal mobility system that serves all user types.
Pictured below are Planning & Development Services staff, members of the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Committee, and community members, including families and riders of the College Station High School mountain bike team.
6:37 p.m.
Brison Park Recognition
Mayor John Nichols recognized Brison Park’s recent certification as a Lone Star Legacy Park by the Texas Recreation and Parks Society. To qualify, a park must have endured the test of time and become iconic to those who have visited, played, and rested on its grounds.
As part of College Park – the first off-campus residential area created for Texas A&M faculty – Brison Park was initially developed as Dexter Park in 1921. It became College Station’s first municipal park in 1947 and was renamed Brison Park in 1980 to honor Fred R. Brison, a nationally renowned horticulture professor and community advocate.
Pictured below are Parks & Recreation Department staff and members of the Parks Board and the Historic Preservation Committee.
6:46 p.m.
Hear Visitors
The council is conducting Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item not on the posted agenda.
- Neo Jang spoke about expanding bike paths and connectivity in College Station and thanked the City for recent improvements.
- Andrew Applewhite and Ben Crockett spoke about working with the City to find alternatives to the local overoccupancy ordinance.
6:52 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:
- The $289,056 purchase of control panels from Control Panels USA for the Northwest Substation.
- A contract not to exceed $373,405.88 with Sterling Global Industries for electric overhead distribution construction.
- Renewal of an annual price agreement not to exceed $4.4 million with Larry Young Paving for installing concrete curb, gutter, and flatwork.
- The second reading of a franchise agreement ordinance with Maroon Dumpsters for collecting recyclables from commercial and multi-family locations.
- The second reading of a franchise agreement ordinance with Texas Commercial Waste for collecting recyclables from commercial and multi-family locations.
- The ratification of a change order increasing a contract with RESA Service by $94,983 for a new contract total of $325,678 for additional tasks associated with refurbishing a substation transformer for the Northwest Substation.
- Rejection of the bid received and cancellation of the invitation to bid for constructing a firewall at the Southwood Valley Substation.
- The second reading of an ordinance approving a five-year, $7.87 million residential recycling collection franchise agreement and general service agreement with BVR Waste and Recycling.
- The first amendment to a funding agreement with Greater Brazos Partnership for services related to Plug and Play.
- An annual agreement for services not to exceed $125,000 with the Brazos Valley Softball Umpires Association for officiating services for City athletic leagues, programs, and tournaments.
7:38 p.m.
Detention Pond Standards
The council discussed the City’s detention pond standards and possible new requirements.
8:34 p.m.
Neighborhood Parking
The council discussed on- and off-street parking related to single-family density and overoccupancy concerns in residential areas and directed staff to engage the public to gather feedback.
8:43 p.m.
Legislative Engagement
The council discussed the City’s engagement activities with the Texas Legislature.
8:51 p.m.
Fire Station No. 7 Contract
The council unanimously approved a contract amendment with Lott Construction for a guaranteed maximum price of $12.4 million for building construction, utilities, and paving work for Fire Station No. 7.
The City’s contingency of $1.1 million provides a total appropriation of $13.5 million for building the voter-approved facility at 2981 Greens Prairie Road.
The official groundbreaking is set for April 29 at 10 a.m.
8:57 p.m.
Baseball Field Design Committee
The council unanimously approved the establishment of a Baseball Field Design Committee to steer the design of three new fields for local youth leagues and sports tourism at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex.
9:02 p.m.
Recreation Center Planning Committee
The council unanimously approved the establishment of a Recreation Center Planning Committee to guide the second phase of the feasibility study regarding a potential facility.
9:13 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, May 8.
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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