By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, March 26. 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#.
6:48 p.m.
The meeting has started. The Council took no action after its executive session.
6:56 p.m.
Mayor's Monarch Pledge Day
Mayor John Nichols proclaimed Saturday as Mayor's Monarch Pledge Day. The iconic monarch butterfly's population has declined more than 90% since 2000. The proclamation encourages citizens to make a difference by planting native milkweed to provide habitat for the monarch and other native pollinators. Pictured below with the Mayor are Parks and Recreation staff members.
The College Station Parks and Recreation Department invites the community to its annual Monarch March on Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon at the Gary Halter Nature Center.
7:00 p.m.
American Red Cross Month
Mayor Nichols proclaimed March as American Red Cross Month in honor of those who make the organization's humanitarian mission possible. Their daily acts of kindness bring relief, comfort and hope when help can't wait. Pictured below with the Mayor are Rick Kattner, Valerie Vetrone and Valen Cepak of The Heart of Texas Board.
The collective efforts of those who serve with the American Red Cross, Heart of Texas Chapter, are a powerful reminder that the strength of our community lies in our shared commitment to each other.
7:05 p.m.
National Multiple Sclerosis Month
Mayor Nichols proclaimed March as National Multiple Sclerosis Month in recognition of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's commitment to finding the cause and cure for MS, and to thanking those dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Mayor is pictured below with members of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will host the finish of the annual Bike MS ACC Texas MS150 at Aggie Park on April 26.
7:09 p.m.
National Community Development Week
Mayor Nichols proclaimed April 6-10 as National Community Development Week in recognition of federal grants that have made tremendous contributions to the viability of our community's housing stock, infrastructure, public services, and economic vitality. Pictured with the Mayor below are members of the Community Development Division of Planning and Development Services.
Since their inception, the Community Development Block Grant Program and HOME Investment Partnerships have delivered a combined $66 million to the City of College Station to assist low- and moderate-income people.
7:19 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Three people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the Council on any item not on the posted agenda.
- James Sun and Kody Fox spoke against the use of Flock cameras by the College Station Police Department.
- Anna Lowary spoke about adding a dog park to Phase 1 of Texas Independence Park.
7:37 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The Council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:
- A contract not to exceed $146,200 with The Arkitex Studio for designing wayfinding signage for Veterans Park and Athletic Complex.
- A memorandum of understanding with the Texas Division of Emergency Management regarding Texas Emergency Management Assistance Teams.
- Adopted the Brazos County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan for 2024-2029.
- An award not to exceed $1.04 million to KBS Electric Distributors for single-phase and three-phase transformers for electric warehouse inventory.
- An amendment to the contract with LifeScan Wellness Centers to increase the term of the agreement and the contract amount by $23,000 for a total of $118,000.
- The addition to the construction materials testing category on the approved Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) list, which identifies pre-qualified firms to provide on-call professional services, as needed.
- A $73,286.31 change order with DCCM Infrastructure for additional design services for the James Parkway and Puryear Drive rehabilitation projects.
- A $92,406 change order with DCCM Infrastructure for additional engineering design and project management services for the Rock Prairie Road East Widening Project.
- A $300,000 contract with Freese and Nichols for the 2026 Water and Wastewater Impact Fee Update Study.
- A $432,300 deductive change order with Weisinger, providing a credit to the construction contract for the Water Well 3 rehabilitation project.
- A purchase not to exceed $108,902 for two 2,000 KVA pad-mount transformers from Magnetron USA for upcoming water well rehabilitation projects.
- An ordinance amendment prohibiting parking on Lenert Circle.
- A $9,630 change order to the contract with Zero Six Consulting for the Municipal Court Building Envelope Repair and Maintenance Project. The revised contract is $104,530.
- A $120,000 contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for the 2026 Roadway Impact Fee 5-year Update Study.
- The adoption of program guidelines for an Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Disposition for Homebuyers Program.
- A contract not to exceed $176,400 with Zone Industries for the replacement of two variable frequency drives for high-service pumps at the Dowling Road Pump Station.
- Change Order No. 1 not to exceed $391,000, including $56,000 for two additional months, with Alexander's Contract Services for electric and water meter reading services.
- Appointed Tina Duncan to an unexpired term on the Tourism Committee.
7:54 p.m.
Audit and Financial Reports
The Council voted 6-1 to accept the City's independent audit reports and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. The ACFR provides transparency into the City's financial position and includes key metrics and statistics about city operations. Councilman Bob Yancy voted against the motion.
The clean audit found no material weaknesses, significant deficiencies or noncompliance regarding financial statements or federal awards. The Audit Committee reviewed and accepted the audit and report on March 23.
8:08 p.m.
Strategic Plan Update
The Council unanimously adopted its updated 2026 City Council Strategic Plan (pages 602-620 of the meeting packet). The Council discussed strategic priorities and updates to the plan at a retreat in February.
8:19 p.m.
Guaranteed Maximum Price for New Water Wells
The Council unanimously accepted the Guaranteed Maximum Price of $27.9 million from Garney Construction for drilling water wells 10, 11 and 12 (see map on page 623 of the meeting packet), along with mechanical piping and collection lines. The City's contingency of $697,000 brings the total appropriation to about $28.6 million.
8:37 p.m.
Turkey Creek Rezoning
After a public hearing, the Council unanimously approved a request to change the zoning from Rural to Multi-Family for about 7 acres at 8650 Turkey Creek Road, southwest of Turkey Creek Road and Health Science Parkway (map on page 844 of the meeting packet). The applicant intends to build a multi-family housing development. One citizen spoke against the changes in the public hearing.
The Council also unanimously approved a request to change the land use for the same property from Neighborhood Center to Urban Residential.
8:44 p.m.
Texas Avenue Mixed Use District
After a public hearing, the Council unanimously approved a request to change the zoning from Commercial Industrial to Planned Mixed Use District for about 1.24 acres at 200 Texas Avenue (site of the old Applebee's), northwest of Texas and University Drive (see map on page 878 of the meeting packet). The applicant plans to build a Hampton Inn.
The proposed concept plan shows the overall building and parking layout, as well as internal connections to nearby developments.
9:02 p.m.
Planned Development District Changes
After a public hearing, the Council unanimously amended the City's Unified Development Ordinance regarding requirements, concept plans, and community benefits for new Planned Development Districts (see the redline on pages 901-913 in the meeting packet). The Council first reviewed the modifications in November.
9:02 p.m.
The council is taking a short break.
9:08 p.m.
The meeting has resumed.
9:15 p.m.
Culpepper Easement Abandonments
In separate votes after a public hearing, the Council unanimously abandoned seven utility, sewer, and water easements at 725 University Drive in the Culpepper at TAMU Subdivision (see map on page 916 of the meeting packet). The applicant intends to build over existing easements on the site. Existing utilities are being relocated, and new easements have been dedicated.
9:21 p.m.
Mission Ranch Easement Abandonment
After a public hearing, the Council unanimously abandoned parts of a vacant public utility easement at 3735 Hardin Hills Drive in the Mission Ranch Subdivision (see map on page 1244 of the meeting packet). The applicant intends to build a swimming pool at the back of the property where the easement is located. A 10-foot public utility easement will remain on the back property line.
9:31 p.m.
Rental Housing Rehabilitation
After a public hearing, the Council unanimously approved the reprogramming of $485,680 in federal CDBG funds to acquire and rehabilitate housing units for affordable rental housing. The substantial amendment to the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan moves $400,000 from Public Facilities and $85,680 from Housing Services to Rental Housing Rehabilitation.
The change is necessary because of a delay in a Public Facility project, due in part to material availability and supply chain issues. HUD evaluates the timeliness 60 days before the end of the grantee's program year. A grantee is considered out of compliance if the ratio exceeds 1.5 times the annual allocation. Two major public facility activities are in the design phase and will be completed next year.
Funds will be awarded to an eligible nonprofit organization to acquire and rehabilitate units for affordable rental housing for families earning below 80% of the Area Median Income.
9:40 p.m.
Homebuyer – Acquisition Rehabilitation
The Council unanimously approved a substantial amendment to the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan to reprogram $339,505 in federal CDBG funds to convert the 2700 Wilderness project from a Rental Housing Rehabilitation activity to a Homeowner – Acquisition Rehabilitation activity.
The rehabilitated home will be sold to an income-qualified household similar to the City's Down Payment Assistance Program.
9:58 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 April 9.
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 at Texas A&M Athletics. 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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