Live from City Hall: Thursday's City Council meeting (April 23)

By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, April 23. 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#. 

6:03 p.m.

The meeting has started. The Council took no action after its executive session.

6:10 p.m.

Fair Housing Month

Mayor John Nichols proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month to encourage citizens and housing professionals to support the standards of housing fairness and accessibility for current and future residents.

The City of College Station is dedicated to upholding federal standards under the Fair Housing Act and ensuring that housing opportunities remain open and accessible to all. Joining the Mayor for the presentation were Janna Burton (association executive, BCS Realtor Association) and realtors Katie DeHaven, Jodi Warner, and Erika Ervin.

6:16 p.m.

National Bike Month

Mayor Nichols proclaimed May as National Bike Month to showcase the many benefits of bicycling and encourage more people to give it a try. The observance was established in 1956 and is promoted by the League of American Bicyclists.

College Station will celebrate the joy, well-being, and freedom that bicycling inspires with a Cycle with Council event on May 2, National Ride a Bike Day on May 3, National Bike to Work Week May 11-17, and National Bike to Work Day on May 15.

Joining the Mayor for the presentation (below) were Carl Ahrens (staff planner, Transportation & Mobility), Jason Schubert (transportation planning administrator), Jesse Dimeolo (senior planner, Transportation & Mobility), Joseph Allen (Transportation & Mobility Team), and members of the College Station bicycling community.

6:20 p.m.

Drinking Water Week

Mayor Nichols proclaimed May 3-9 as Drinking Water Week to recognize water as our most valuable natural resource and encourage residents to help protect our source waters from pollution and practice water conservation for future generations.

Drinking water helps maintain our high quality of life by delivering public health protection, fire protection, and support for our economic activities. Joining the Mayor for the presentation were (below, L-R): Stephen Maldonado Jr. (Water Services assistant director), Kevin O'Neill (plant operations superintendent), Wes Dannar, Ray Slafka, Mayor Nichols, Jennifer Nations (Water Services program coordinator), Justin Tamplin, Joe Ridgeway (and daughter), and Gary Mechler (Water Services director).

6:24 p.m.

Visit College Station Travel and Tourism Week

Mayor Nichols proclaimed May 3-9 as Visit College Station Travel and Tourism Week to highlight the importance of tourism in shaping our community's future and to encourage residents and businesses to continue fostering a welcoming environment for all who visit.

National Travel and Tourism Week recognizes the tremendous social, economic, and cultural impacts of travel and tourism on our nation, state, region, and local communities. Joining the Mayor for the presentation were (below, L-R): Hunter Goodwin (Tourism Committee), Casey Barone (visitor engagement manager), Jeremiah Cook (assistant tourism director), Mayor Nichols, Jo Beth Wolfe (conventions manager), Kallie Disharoon (convention sales coordinator), and Michael Ostrowski (chief development officer).

6:42 p.m.

Hear Visitors

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

• Neo Jang thanked the Council for its support of the Active Transportation Master Plan.
• Charles Barr (speaking on behalf of a group of six) asked the Council to require short-term rental properties to post rules inside each of their rental units.
• Nakyshia Guyton and Tre Watson spoke about accountability in local policing and equal treatment of neighborhoods.

7:29 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The Council unanimously approved these consent agenda items:

• A $422,340 contract with AD Commercial Cleaning Services for janitorial services for city facilities and the Northgate District.
• The second reading of a franchise agreement with M27 Services for the collection of recyclables from commercial businesses and multi-family locations.
• The City’s Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity list, where identified firms are pre-qualified to provide on-call, as-needed, professional services. A category for Envelope Specialist Services is to be added to the list approved in November.
• An $894,160 contract with Mitchell and Morgan for road and utility design for Corporate Parkway, plus the City’s contingency of $90,000 for a total appropriation of about $984,160.
• A contract not-to-exceed $149,681 with DCCM for the design of sidewalk and drainage improvements at the Holleman and Anderson intersection.
• An annual price agreement not-to-exceed $2.64 million with Techline for distribution poles.
• An annual price agreement not-to-exceed $2.01 million with KBS Electrical Distribution for distribution conductors.
• An interlocal agreement with the City of Bryan and Brazos County for expenditures related to the FY 25 Justice Assistance Grant Program.
• A contract not-to-exceed $600,000 with USIC Locating Services for underground locating services for College Station Utilities.
• A resolution supporting the inclusion of a proposed Future Interstate Highway Formula Program in the next Federal Surface Transportation Authorization Bill.
• A $293,970 contract with Weisinger to replace pumping equipment at Water Well No. 6, plus the City’s contingency of $29,397, for a total appropriation of $323,367.

The Council voted separately on this consent item:

The Council voted unanimously to grant CSPD the authority to apply for the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority SB 224 Catalytic Converter Grant. The funds will be used to renew the contract for Flock Safety's automatic license plate reader cameras installed at key points in the City. The cameras reduce auto thefts and related crimes.

Four people spoke against the use of Flock cameras.

7:46 p.m.

Street Maintenance Program

The Council was updated by Public Works about the City’s street maintenance program, including specific plans over the next three years.

7:59 p.m.

State of the City Event

The Council directed City staff to explore creating an annual State of the City event to facilitate community engagement.

9:43 p.m.

Greens Prairie Road Rezoning

After a public hearing, the Council voted unanimously to change the zoning from Rural to Restricted Suburban for about 222 unplatted acres (also known as the Windham Tract) on Greens Prairie Road, east of the intersection with W.S. Phillips Parkway. Twelve people spoke in the public hearing.

The applicant intends to develop a residential subdivision comprising about 886 lots with a maximum density of four dwelling units per acre. In November, the City Council denied a request to rezone the property to General Suburban with a maximum density of eight units per acre.

9:50 p.m.

Shared Housing Amendment

After a public hearing, the Council voted unanimously to approve amendments to define shared housing as a congregate living facility and to designate which zoning districts allow shared housing in the City’s Unified Development Ordinance. Recent State legislation (SB 15767) prohibits the City from regulating shared housing under the existing definition.

10:01 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 Monday, May 18.

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