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By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, June 11. The meeting starts after 6 p.m. and is streamed live on Optimum Channel 19 and cstx.gov/cstv19. It's not the official minutes.
You can participate online via 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#.
6:01 p.m.
The meeting has started. The Council took no action after its executive session.
Councilman David White is absent tonight.
6:13 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Three people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the Council on any item not on the posted agenda.
- Robert Rose expressed concerns about the proposed SpaceX Terafab facility in nearby Grimes County.
- Ivan Svrcek spoke against the use of Flock license plate readers in College Station.
- Kenneth Winner spoke about the condition of the Aggie Field of Honor.
6:25 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The Council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:
- A $4.26 million contract with Norman Construction Services for the second phase of water and wastewater infrastructure relocations required for TxDOT's State Highway 6 widening project.
- A $185,000 contract with The Playwell Group and Playworks to replace the aging playground equipment at John Crompton Park, using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
7:21 p.m.
E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety
The Council discussed next steps to improve the safety of micromobility devices, such as e-bikes and e-scooters. Crashes involving micromobility devices, bicycles, and pedestrians have increased dramatically since 2021.
The presentation included growing safety concerns, enforcement challenges, infrastructure needs and public education. It also highlighted opportunities for closer collaboration with community partners, including Texas A&M, and included recommendations and implementation strategies identified in the recently adopted Active Transportation Master Plan.
The strategies include infrastructure improvements, signage, intersection safety enhancements, and educational initiatives intended to support safer micromobility travel.
7:42 p.m.
Code Compliance Education
The Council discussed code compliance education for College Station's transient student population. Ongoing efforts include educational outreach and collaboration with Texas A&M to ensure that temporary residents are well informed about common violations.
8:12 p.m.
FY 27 Action Plan and CD Budget
The Council reviewed the FY 27 Annual Action Plan and Community Development Budget. The proposed five-year Consolidated Plan is being presented alongside the one-year Annual Action Plan, which outlines $3.52 million in available federal grant funds, including $1.24 million in new Community Development Block Grant funds, $511,238 in new HOME Investment Partnership Program funds, and $1.77 million in carryover funds and program income.
The funding will be used for projects that address urgent community needs and to support affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents. Historically, the City has used these funds for affordable housing assistance (including homebuyer assistance, security deposit assistance, rehabilitation, new construction, and minor repair), funding for nonprofit services benefiting low-income families, demolition, economic development, infrastructure improvements to parks and streets, grant administration, and public facility improvements within primarily low-to moderate-income areas.
The 30-day comment period runs from June 11-July 13, followed by Council approval on July 23. The plan must be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development by Aug. 16. The draft Annual Action Plan is on pages 306-512 of the meeting packet.
8:25 p.m.
Landscape Maintenance Contract
The Council unanimously approved a $1.44 million contract with Green Teams for city-wide landscape maintenance and mowing. The previous contract was not renewed after a one-year term.
The contract covers City buildings, the Northgate District, CSU electric substations and buildings, CSU water and wastewater sites, parks, cemeteries, street rights-of-way and medians. The contract is budgeted in the General Fund (Streets, Facilities, and Parks), the Electric Fund, and the Water/Wastewater Funds.
9:37 p.m.
Destination Strategic Plan
The Council unanimously approved Visit College Station’s Destination Strategic Plan, a roadmap designed to expand the local tourism economy beyond Texas A&M athletic events. Backed by a detailed market study, peer benchmarking, and a lost-business analysis, the plan centers on six strategic pillars to foster sustainable, year-round tourism.
Recommended initiatives would be funded through the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund. The complete plan document is on pages 548-598 in the meeting packet.
9:43 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 Thursday, June 25.
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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