City of College Station Blog

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By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, Aug. 13. The meeting starts after 6 p.m. and is streamed live on Optimum Channel 19, cstx.gov/cstv19, and YouTube. 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#.  

6:02 p.m.

The meeting has started. The Council took no action after its executive session. Councilman Bob Yancy is absent tonight.

6:19 p.m.

Hear Visitors

Four people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the Council on any item not on the posted agenda.

• Melanie Scarpace of Scotty’s House spoke about the organization’s mission in our community.
• John Hamilton and Ivan Svrcek spoke against the use of Flock license plate readers.
• Maury Jacobs spoke about pedestrian and bicycle safety and advocated for a statewide safe passing law.

6:34 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The Council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:

• An interlocal government agreement with Brazos County for the conduct and management of the City of College Station General and Special Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
• Authorized a General and Special Election on Nov. 3 to elect a mayor, City Council Places 1 and 2, and to fill the two-year unexpired term for Place 5. The action also establishes early voting locations and polling places.
• The Semi-Annual Report on System-Wide Water, Wastewater and Roadway Impact Fees.
• A change order amending the Lincoln Center Area Improvements construction contract with BH Harris Construction by increasing the contract contingency to $61,912 and adding $58,100.16 to the scope of work for the revised sanitary sewer layout, shade shelter foundation and landscaping.
• The $162,910 purchase of columbarium units and spare fronts from Architarium.
• The $221,182 purchase of custom benches for the Patricia Street Promenade from DC Export.
• A $397,940.81contract with Yellowstone Landscape for the Patricia Street Promenade maintenance improvements, plus the City’s contingency of $39,794.08 for a total appropriation of $437,734.89.
• The first reading of a franchise agreement ordinance with Texas Disposal Systems for the collection of recyclables from commercial businesses and multi-family locations.
• An ordinance removing parking on designated portions of Welsh Avenue and Moss Street and adding parking on part of Gilchrist Avenue.
• An ordinance removing the no left turn restriction and adjusting the afternoon posted time on Edelweiss Avenue at the Rock Prairie Elementary School driveway, amending the operational time of multiple locations, and combining the Cypress Grove Intermediate School and Creek View Elementary School Zones into a single zone.
• A three-year contract not to exceed $3.66 million with Pannell for electric right-of-way tree trimming services.
• A three-year $623,452 agreement with Trimble for Trimble Unity software licenses.
• A contract award not to exceed $199,800 to MBCM Management for removing and replacing the primary access gate to the College Station Utilities Electric Yard.
• Authorized a Local Parks Grant application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for up to $750,000 in grant funds.

7:29 p.m.

Bee Creek Drainage

The Council reviewed policy options regarding the impacts of increasing impervious cover limits in areas of the Bee Creek Drainage Basin that were developed before modern stormwater management standards were developed.

8:10 p.m.

FY 27 Tax Rate

The Council unanimously called a public hearing for Aug. 27 on the City’s proposed FY 27 property tax rate of 53.0254 cents per $100 of valuation. Approval of the proposed budget and the final tax rate is also scheduled for the Aug. 27 meeting.

The proposed Voter Approval Adjusted for Sales Tax rate represents a 1.8382-cent increase from FY 26. For a homeowner with a taxable value of $350,000, the increase (if adopted) would be about $64.34 a year, or $5.36 a month. The FY 26 tax rate is 51.1872 cents (30.9204 for operations and maintenance, 20.2668 for debt service). 

The Brazos County Tax Assessor/Collector certified the following tax rate calculations (per $100 of valuation):

• No New Revenue Rate: 50.6934 cents
• Voter Approval Adjusted for Sales Tax: 53.0254 cents
• Voter-Approval Rate with Unused Increment: 53.7862 cents

Property taxes fund the City’s general debt service and part of the operations and maintenance costs in the General Fund. College Station’s share of the local tax bill is about 27%. CSISD’s share is about 51% (.9753), and the County’s share is about 22% (.4197). 

The Brazos County Tax Assessor/Collector’s certification of the tax rate calculations is on page 405 of the meeting packet. The tax rate calculation worksheet is on pages 406-416.

8:33 p.m.

Rock Prairie West Rezoning

After a public hearing, the Council voted 5-1 to approve a request to change the land use from General Commercial to Urban Residential and 6-0 to change the zoning from Rural to Multi-Family for about 12.4 vacant acres at 2950 Rock Prairie Road West, west of Rock Prairie and Old Wellborn Road. Mayor John Nichols voted against the land use motion.

The property was originally zoned Rural when annexed by the City in 2002. A recent rezoning request to Mixed-Use was conditionally approved in 2025, but the condition has not been satisfied. The rezoning repeals the previously approved Mixed-Use rezoning.

8:47 p.m.

Victoria Avenue Rezoning

The Council unanimously approved a request to change the zoning from Rural to Multi-Family/Middle Housing/Natural Areas Protected for about 35 undeveloped acres north of Victoria Avenue and William D. Fitch Parkway. The proposed development consists of a multifamily complex in the front along Victoria and townhomes in the back.

9:16 p.m.

Legislative Program

The Council unanimously adopted the City’s legislative program for the 90th session of the Texas Legislature. As directed by the City Council and the Council’s Legislative Engagement Committee, the City engages in the state and federal legislative processes by monitoring and advocating for policies that support, safeguard, protect, and enhance the interests of residents and businesses.

The City’s actions are guided by the City Council-approved Legislative Action Plan, drafted by the Legislative Engagement Committee with input from College Station citizens. The program ensures the City’s interests are protected and enhanced through active involvement in the legislative process and strong intergovernmental relationships.

The City actively monitors state and federal legislation and takes appropriate action, when required, to protect the City’s interests and local legislative authority. The program provides a structure for engaging community leaders and partner organizations to advocate on behalf of College Station’s citizens. 

9:21 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, Aug. 27.

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