By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, July 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#.
6:19 p.m.
The meeting has started. The Council took no action after its executive session.
6:26 p.m.
Texas Crime Prevention Association Day
Mayor John Nichols proclaimed today as Texas Crime Prevention Association Day to promote partnerships that enhance our quality of life, forward-thinking strategies to keep our neighborhoods safe and thriving, and to support first responders.
The Association hosts its 50th Annual Conference in College Station from July 21–24, drawing public safety professionals and community leaders from across Texas to collaborate, share best practices, and explore innovations aligned with our community’s goals of proactive public safety, thoughtful urban planning, and community-centered engagement.
Pictured below with the mayor are Dee Donovan-Murph (Central Texas Crime Prevention Association President), Vickie Stonaker (Texas Crime Prevention Association President).
6:31 p.m.
Aggie Real Estate Network Week
Mayor Nichols proclaimed the week of July 13-19 as Aggie Real Estate Network Week to encourage citizens to support the Aggie Real Estate Network in advancing education through scholarships and mentorship, facilitating professional development through industry-leading seminars, and strengthening our community through real estate excellence and civic engagement.
The Network will host its 50th Annual Conference in College Station from July 17–19, an expanded gathering in honor of its milestone anniversary and reflecting our community’s dedication to prosperous economic development and investing in the future of the real estate industry.
Pictured below with the mayor is Dr. Charles Gilliland of Texas A&M’s Texas Real Estate Research Center.
6:36 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Month
Mayor Nichols proclaimed July as Parks and Recreation Month to promote building strong, vibrant, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation.
This year’s theme of “Where You Belong” celebrates the many ways parks and recreation services foster a sense of belonging by providing welcoming and inclusive programs, essential services for all ages and abilities, and safe, accessible spaces to build meaningful connections.
Pictured below with the mayor are Parks Director Kelsey Heiden and Parks and Recreation staff members.
6:41 p.m.
25th Anniversary of the BV Veterans Memorial
Mayor Nichols issued a joint proclamation – also signed by Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez and Brazos County Judge Duane Peters – celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial, which was officially recognized as a non-profit organization on July 17, 2000.
The Memorial at the City of College Station’s Veterans Park and Athletic Complex features a 250-ton Wall of Honor, 18 memorial sites, 24 life-sized bronze statues, and a pathway that tells the story of our nation’s military history. The Wall of Honor bears the names of nearly 6,800 veterans.
Pictured below with the mayor are Brazos Valley Veterans Association board members.
7:05 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Nine people spoke during Hear Visitors, where citizens may address the Council on any item not on the posted agenda.
- Anna Lowary, Nicolette English, and Shelby Behm spoke about the Midtown development.
- Susan Ferreri, Cheryl Wenck, Arvind Mahajan, Laura Burris, and Fredrick Wenck spoke about the drainage issues in the Emerald Forest Subdivision.
7:08 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The Council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:
- A contract amendment not to exceed $150,060 with The Arkitex Studio for additional design services for the Texas Independence Park at Midtown Project.
- A contract not to exceed $141,148 with All City Management Services for crossing guard services.
- A $106,455 contract with CS MF24I, LLC for a public utility, public access, and landscape easement for the Marion Pugh Rehabilitation Project.
- A $104,606 contract with College Station Treehouse, Ltd. for a public utility, public access, and landscape easement for the Marion Pugh Rehabilitation Project.
- Approved of qualified firms for real estate services under the City’s Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity policy.
- A resolution consenting to the issuance of bonds not to exceed $14.5 million by Brazos County Municipal Utility District No. 1 for road improvements.
- A resolution accepting $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant mitigation funding from the Texas General Land Office and distributed through the Brazos Valley Council of Governments, and committing $8,175 in General Funds and $69,063.22 in Community Development Block Grant entitlement funds.
8:39 p.m.
FY 26 Outside Agency Funding
The Council discussed funding requests from local agencies and community partners as part of the City’s FY 26 proposed budget, which was presented to the Council on Monday. The Council will make decisions about the requests during its budget workshop on July 16.
Overall, outside agencies requested $350,118 in new funding, including $241,319 from the General Fund, $117,799 from the Hotel Tax Fund, and $1,000 from the Solid Waste Fund. A complete list of Outside Agencies and their requests is on Page 175 of the proposed budget.
8:39 p.m.
The Council is taking a short break.
8:48 p.m.
The meeting has resumed.
9:28 p.m.
Neighborhood Parking Update
The Council discussed potential options for neighborhood parking restrictions and directed staff to initiate a public engagement process that would include a survey, an open house meeting, notifications, and other outreach and education efforts.
Potential options include removing street parking, limiting overnight street parking, or residential or overnight parking permit programs. Considerations include full or partial removal, time frames, defining the area, and special events such as Aggie football game days.
10:37 p.m.
Greater Northgate Small Area Plan
The Council reviewed the Greater Northgate Small Area Plan Engagement Report. Through extensive and well-publicized public outreach efforts, City staff facilitated engagement and translated community ideas into implementable actions. The stakeholder committee decided which action items would be included for consideration in the report.
From January through April, community stakeholders contributed input through seven public meetings, two online engagement platforms, and a walking tour. The activities yielded over 275 map-based comments, hundreds of participant quotes, and more than 50 action recommendations.
10:40 p.m.
Brazos Valley TDC Agreement
After a public hearing, the Council unanimously approved a development agreement with Brazos Valley TDC for 49.5 acres on the east side of Arrington Road in the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. The single-family residential neighborhood will feature lots under 1 acre, rural character roads, rural trails, modified subdivision standards, City wastewater service, and private parkland.
Before the preliminary plan is approved, the landowners will petition the City for voluntary annexation.
10:51 p.m.
FY 26 Action Plan/CD Budget
The Council conducted a public hearing after reviewing the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, the FY 2026 Annual Action Plan, and the FY 2026 Community Development Budget.
Federal grants available next year include $1.23 million in Community Development Block Grant funds and $475,718 from the HOME Investment Partnership Program. The Council will consider final adoption of plans on July 24.
CDBG and HOME funds may only be used to benefit low- and moderate-income people, aid in the elimination of slum and blighting influences, or meet an urgent community need. CDBG funds may be used to meet local needs through a wide range of community development activities, while HOME funds may only be used for affordable housing activities.
Historically, the City has used the federal funds for a variety of programs and activities, such as affordable housing assistance programs (homebuyer assistance, security deposit assistance, rehabilitation, new construction, and minor repair), funding for direct services to low-income families through non-profit programs, demolition, economic development, infrastructure improvements, grant administration, and public facilities in low-to-moderate-income areas.
The City has received $43.8 million in CDBG funds since 1974 and $16.6 million in HOME funds since 1994.
11:00 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 for a special budget workshop on July 16, and the next regular Council meeting is July 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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