By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, July 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#.
6:00 p.m.
The meeting has started. The Council took no action after its executive session. Mayor Pro Tem Mark Smith is absent tonight.
6:08 p.m.
Smart Irrigation Month
Mayor John Nichols proclaimed July as Smart Irrigation Month to encourage residents to install smart irrigation controllers for substantial water savings through the City’s rebate program and sign up for irrigation recommendations through the Brazos Valley WaterSmart program.
July is a peak month for irrigation, and appropriate irrigation technology, combined with best practices, can significantly reduce water usage and runoff while creating healthy lawns, landscaping, and sports turf.
Pictured below (L-R): Pete Caler (Assistant Director of Public Works), Gene Ballew (Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation), Mayor Nichols, Jennifer Nations (Water Resource Coordinator), Kelsey Heiden (Director of Parks and Recreation), Jennifer Cain (Director of Capital Projects), Gary Mechler (Director of Water Services), and Alan Gibbs (Assistant Director of Water Services).
6:09 p.m.
Hear Visitors
No one spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the Council on any item not on the posted agenda.
6:42 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The Council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda. Two citizens commented on items.
- A $259,400 contract with Terra Bella Construction, plus the City’s contingency of $25,940, for a total appropriation of $285,338 for drainage repairs on Frost Drive, Driftwood Drive, Huntington Drive, and a retaining wall in Southwood Forest.
- A $849,050 contract with Colliers Engineering & Design to design the city-wide sidewalks/shared-use paths project.
- The 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan.
- The FY 2026 Annual Action Plan and FY 2026 Community Development Budget.
- The Community Development Program Guidelines.
- Amendments to the Housing Program Guidelines.
- A $118,012 contract with Elliott Construction, plus the City’s contingency of $20,000, for a total appropriation of $138,012 for the 18-Inch wastewater line repair at Harvey Road and Carters Creek.
- Delegation of authority to the city manager to execute a facility use agreement and related contracts not to exceed $250,000 with Texas A&M for the 2025 TAAF Summer Games of Texas.
7:06 p.m.
FY 26 BVSWMA Budget
The Council unanimously approved BVSWMA’s FY 26 budget. The gate rate for College Station and Bryan is $0.00 per ton.
8:35 p.m.
Convention Center Feasibility Study
After reviewing the second phase of a feasibility study for a possible College Station convention center, the Council directed staff to continue the discussion at a future workshop. The presentation included the facility, programming, site evaluation, feasibility, financing options, economic impact, and return on investment.
The study’s first phase, completed earlier this year, focused on market demand.
9:04 p.m.
Veterans Park Master Plan
The Council reviewed the master plan for Veterans Park and Athletic Complex, which includes various upgrades and improvements, such as landscaping, shade structures, and wayfinding signage.
9:04 p.m.
The Council is taking a short break.
9:10 p.m.
The meeting has resumed.
9:28 p.m.
Veterans Park Baseball Fields
The Council unanimously approved the concept plan for three new baseball fields at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. The new “baseball for all” facility will advance opportunities for local youth leagues, sports tourism, and serve as the home of the Brazos Valley Bombers.
9:36 p.m.
FY 26 Budget Public Hearing
After conducting a public hearing on the City’s proposed FY 26 budget, the Council unanimously scheduled budget adoption for its Aug. 28 meeting. No citizens spoke during the hearing, but one submitted written comments.
The $474.2 million budget features a 5% reduction in the property tax rate to $0.487430 per $100 of assessed value. The budget is 12.4% less than FY 25, thanks to a 51.7% decrease in the capital budget to $84.2 million. The operations and maintenance budget of $390.1 million is a 6.3% increase from FY 25.
A tax rate public hearing will be part of the Aug. 28 Council meeting.
9:47 p.m.
General Obligation Bond Issue
The Council unanimously approved issuing up to $17.2 million in general obligation bonds for projects approved by voters in the 2022 bond election. The GOs are for the new fire station, the Rock Prairie Road East improvements from Fitch Parkway to Town Lake Drive, and park improvements.
Moody’s has reaffirmed the City’s Aa1 bond rating and upgraded its outlook from Stable to Positive. A positive outlook indicates an upward rating revision is likely in the near to medium term. S&P Global reaffirmed the City’s AA+ bond rating and kept the outlook at Stable.
9:54 p.m.
Certificates of Obligation Bond Issue
The Council unanimously approved issuing up to $17.25 million in certificates of obligation for projects identified and approved as a part of the annual budget. The COs are for city-wide radio replacements ($4 million), new water wells ($5 million), a diversion lift station and a force main at the Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant ($4 million), and other rehabilitation and improvements at the Carters Creek Plant ($4.25 million).
Moody’s has reaffirmed the City’s Aa1 bond rating and upgraded its outlook from Stable to Positive. A positive outlook indicates an upward rating revision is likely in the near to medium term. S&P Global reaffirmed the City’s AA+ bond rating and kept the outlook at Stable.
9:58 p.m.
Brazos Valley Bombers LOI
The Council unanimously approved a letter of intent to negotiate an agreement with the Brazos Valley Bombers baseball club. The negotiations will determine the organization’s participation in the facility design at Veterans Park, sponsorship rights, concessions, gate control, and other operational aspects.
10:07 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’s next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 14.
About the Blogger
Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010, following a 23-year tenure as 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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