City of College Station Blog

By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, Jan. 8. 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. Councilman David White is participating remotely.

6:25 p.m.

Walk Across Texas

Mayor John Nichols proclaimed Jan. 24-March 20 as “Walk Across Texas!” to encourage the local community to participate in the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s annual Walk Across Texas fitness challenge.

Anyone who wants to participate can form teams of up to eight people to log their physical activity and work together to surpass the 832 miles it takes to “walk across Texas.”

6:33 p.m.

Hear Visitors

The Council conducted Hear Visitors, where citizens may address the Council on any item not on the posted agenda.

6:41 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The Council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:

• A $3.55 million contract with Elliot Construction for the Medical District Trunkline Phase II and III project.
• A $1.24 million contract with Weisinger for the Water Wells 1 and 2 rehabilitation project.
• A $217,729.22 deductive change order to the contract with Norman Construction Services for the Carter Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall Project.
• The removal of outdated yield controls and the establishment of consistent stop control at intersections in Creek Meadows, Mission Ranch, and other locations.
• Renamed Church Avenue between University Drive and Legacy Point Drive as Legacy Point Drive.
• Authorized the chief of police to apply for an $80,233 grant from the Office of the Governor – VOCA Grant (Victim Services).
• Authorized the city manager to execute a TXDOT permitting agreement for installing Flock ALPR cameras on TXDOT rights-of-way and documents associated with the MVCPA grant project.
• Authorized the chief of police to execute an application to receive grant funding from the Texas State Crisis Intervention Program through the Office of the Governor.
• Prohibited right turns on red lights at the intersection of Greens Prairie Road and Royder Road.

7:24 p.m.

Mental Health Resources

The Council reviewed the community’s mental health resources and discussed the College Station Police Department’s strategies and initiatives for addressing critical mental health concerns.

Police officers receive 40 hours of crisis intervention training in the police academy. In 2018-19, CSPD officers were trained on the same material. Most calls involving mental health consumers are taken by patrol officers.

CSPD’s Crisis Intervention Team consists of 20 members who are also trained as certified Mental Health Peace Officers who respond to more unique or challenging calls involving mental health consumers. The team has solidified the department culture for addressing those with mental health disorders.

7:37 p.m.

FY 26 Budget Amendment

After a public hearing, the Council unanimously approved a $32.7 million amendment to the City’s FY 26 budget, including $19.25 million in capital projects and the annual encumbrance roll of goods and services budgeted and ordered in FY 25. The net revised FY 26 budget is about $507 million.

The encumbrance roll is primarily composed of fleet purchases not yet received, including a Fire department preorder of two pumper trucks, one grass truck and one aerial truck. The fleet preorders total $7.9 million and make up 75% of the encumbrance roll.

The amendment also includes eight interfund transfers from the General Fund, Hotel Tax Fund, Memorial Cemetery Fund, and Impact Fee Funds to contribute cash for capital for the additional Capital Projects.

The City has resources to cover the appropriations in the amendment. The City Charter allows the City Council to amend the annual budget when revenues are available to cover expenditures and after holding a public hearing.

For a complete list of amendment items, see pages 258-261 of the meeting packet.

7:55 p.m.

Toledo Bend Rahab Agreement

The Council voted 6-1 to approve a $320,000 contract granting HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds to Brazos Valley Community Action Programs (BVCAP) to purchase and rehabilitate a three-bedroom single-family home at 1015 Toledo Bend Drive. Councilwoman Melissa McIlhaney voted against the motion.

The property will create an affordable rental opportunity for an income-qualified family, with BVCAP owning and managing the home. It has partnered with the City since 2013 to provide affordable rental housing using federal HOME and CDBG funds.

BVCAP operates 19 affordable housing units serving families at or below 60% or 80% of the area’s median income. The units include one four-plex, six duplexes, and three single-family homes. All three single-family homes are in neighborhoods with homeowners’ associations, and the City has never received complaints from surrounding residents regarding any existing BVCAP rental properties.

As a qualified nonprofit organization, BVCAP is exempt from property taxes, including the MMD tax, through a Community Housing Development Organization exemption filed with the Appraisal District.

The City annually receives HOME funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address the growing need for more affordable, decent housing units, to create a suitable living environment, and to expand economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income residents.  The funds will be provided to BVCAP on a reimbursement basis and are budgeted and available through the Community Development FY 2025 Federal HOME Investment Partnerships Grant budget.

8:13 p.m.

Citizen Committee Appointments

The Council made the following appointments:

• Planning and Zoning Commission: Aron Collins, Jason Cornelius (chair)
• Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board: Kathy Langlotz, Carla Robinson
• CDBG Public Service Agency Funding Review Committee: Anna Lowary, Carla Robinson
• Historic Preservation Committee: Linda Harvell (chair), Bradford Lancaster, Marilyn Maddox
• Housing Plan Advisory Committee: Aaron Shipp, Bruan Yung
• Parks and Recreation Board: Andrew Arizpe, Cameron Gallucci, Ryan Pittsinger

The Council will make appointments to additional boards, committees and commissions at its Jan. 22 meeting.

The application deadline for the Architectural Advisory Committee, Construction Board of Adjustments, Design Review Board, Building and Construction Standards Commission, and Zoning Board of Adjustments was extended to 2 p.m. on Monday. Applicants must reside in and be registered to vote in College Station.

8:17 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 Jan. 22.

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