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, Oct. 8. The meeting starts after 6 p.m. and is streamed live on Optimum Channel 19, cstx.gov/cstv19and 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#.  

6:14 p.m.

The meeting has started. The Council took no action from executive session.

6:23 p.m.

Texas Transportation Short Course Days

Mayor Pro Tem William Wright proclaimed Oct. 12-14 Texas Transportation Short Course Days in honor of the event’s 100th anniversary, celebrating a century of transportation innovation and the strong partnership between the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

Hosted in College Station for nearly its entire history, the Short Course has shaped state infrastructure from early roadway design to modern intelligent transit systems. The proclamation recognizes the vital contributions of the participating professionals and encourages residents to join in celebrating this landmark legacy. Joining Wright for the presentation were Greg Winfree of the Texas Transportation Institute and Jenni Sellers of TxDOT.

>> Read the Proclamation

6:25 p.m.

Betsy Ross Flag

Members of the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board presented the Council with the Betsy Ross flag that was flown over Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. Board members Steve Beachy and Ben Roper presented the flag.

7:05 p.m.

Hear Visitors

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

• Lloyd Davis (speaking on behalf of a group of six) spoke about slowing down plans for the City’s Public Works facility.
• Fred Dupriest spoke about the City’s impervious cover ordinance and ways to help manage overgrowth in neighborhoods.
• Leslie Hicks and Charles Barr spoke against the City’s middle housing zoning districts.
• Rebecca Johnson and Art Hicks spoke about developers trying to buy homes and redevelop neighborhoods.
• Ivan Svrcek spoke against using Flock license plate readers.
• John Hamilton suggested changes to CSPD’s LRP policies.

7:08 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The Council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:

Note: The contract with Landmark Aquatics for the Adamson Lagoon Slide Improvements Project was pulled from tonight’s agenda.

• A $5.54 million contract award to Integrated Power for transmission line construction, maintenance and repair.
• A $500,000 contract with H&B Construction for electric boring and construction projects on an as-needed basis.
• Prohibited parking on the east side of Big River Street from west of Little River Street through the cul-de-sac.
• BVWACS’ annual operating, maintenance and capital budget.
• An interlocal agreement with the City of Bryan and Brazos County for expenditures related to the FY 26 JAG grant.

7:37 p.m.

Off-Campus Student Services

The Council heard an update from the Texas A&M Off-Campus Student Services Office on its programs, services and outreach to students living off-campus. OCSS Assistant Director Jaclyn Upshaw-Brown and Community Liaison Nickie McDaniel are presenting.

Off-Campus Student Services’ mission is to help Aggies navigate off-campus living in ways that support their well-being and academic success. Through workshops, outreach, mediation, and individual consultations, OCSS helps students address challenges and build positive relationships within the Aggieland community.

8:13 p.m.

Cemetery Operations/Cost Recovery

The Council discussed the fund structure and fee policy for the College Station Cemetery and the Memorial Cemetery at the Aggie Field of Honor, including resident/non-resident fee structures, plot sale and resale policies and purchase limits.

The College Station Cemetery was created in 1948 from 31 acres purchased near the Shiloh community and received a State Historical Marker in 2023. The College Station Memorial Cemetery covers 56 acres, with 20 acres designated to the Aggie Field of Honor.

The Texas Avenue Cemetery Fund was established in 1996 to provide reliable funding for future care, maintenance, operations and improvements. Standard plots have not been available since 2024.

About 67% of Memorial Cemetery and Aggie Field of Honor sales cover debt service for the cemetery’s initial construction, perimeter fencing and a cemetery shop and sales office that was completed in 2023. About 33% of Memorial Cemetery and Aggie Field of Honor sales provide funding for future care, maintenance, operations and improvements.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended not adding resident differentiation or a cap on the number of spaces that can be purchased, adding ordinance language prohibiting resale for profit, and limiting purchases to individuals rather than organizations such as churches or congregations.

The Advisory Board also recommended a 10% increase in cemetery fees.

9:06 p.m.

Northgate Overlay District

>> Watch the Video Replay of the presentation

The Council discussed a potential overlay district to limit building height in Northgate, including recent engagement with property owners.

In June, the Council directed staff to start engagement efforts on the potential overlay in the area generally bordered by First Street, Lodge Street, University Drive and Church Avenue. The area includes developed lots such as The Spot, Rough Draught and Rebel Draft House.

9:38 p.m.

Safe Passing Ordinance

>> Watch the Video Replay of the presentation

The Council discussed a safe passing ordinance that would require motor vehicle drivers to maintain a minimum distance when passing bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists to reduce collision risk.

A safe passing ordinance is a legal regulation that requires drivers to maintain a minimum distance when passing vulnerable road users, such as bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists, to enhance safety and prevent collisions.

It requires three feet of separation for passenger vehicles and six feet for commercial vehicles. Vulnerable road users can include pedestrians, runners, physically disabled people, children, skaters, construction maintenance workers, tow truck operators, stranded motorists, equestrians, and people operating bicycles, motorcycles or unprotected farm equipment.

The Active Transportation Advisory Board reviewed the item in September and provided mixed feedback. The ordinance was deemed challenging to implement from a legal enforcement and benefit perspective, but it would support safety objectives and make College Station more bicycle-friendly.

A safe-passing ordinance would carry a fine range of $25-$500. Enforcement would involve issuing citations, which would be processed through College Station Municipal Court as a criminal citation.

The City’s hands-free ordinance is similar. Other statutes used by College Station Municipal Court include Failure to Control Speed-Accident (maximum $200 fine); Failure to Maintain Single Lane (maximum $200 fine); and Failure to Yield Right of Way-Pedestrian Non-Crosswalk (maximum $200 fine).

The existing Texas Transportation Code framework would limit the ordinance to a Class C misdemeanor, and because of the burden of proof, staff recommended not pursuing this type of ordinance at the time.

The Advisory Board also recommended incorporating the efforts into a “Share the Road” educational campaign as provided in the recently adopted Active Transportation Master Plan.

9:44 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tem Wright adjourned the meeting after the Council discussed its calendar, community interest items, committee and board reports, and future agenda items. The Council meets again on Thursday, Oct. 22.

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