Live Blog: Thursday’s City Council Meetings (Sept. 27)

This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Sept. 27. It’s not the official minutes.

The workshop and regular meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Ch. 19, or online. An archive of previous council meetings also is available on the site.

6:13 p.m.

The workshop meeting has started.

6:32 p.m.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks Project

The council received a presentation on the $1.5 million Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks Projects, which is on the consent agenda for tonight’s regular meeting. In the first step in the treatment process, untreated wastewater flows into the headworks from the collection system. Large objects and sediment are removed so the wastewater can continue through the rest of the process.

Although key equipment is worn out and needs either replacement or rehabilitation, this project includes only items needed to restore functionality to existing equipment. The improvements are for the screw lift pumps, grit and grease removal systems, oiler system, odor controls and junction box, which will allow the headworks to operate until information is received from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality about future permit restrictions, which could require major changes to the headworks structure.

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City Council, Public Communications

Live Blog: Thursday’s City Council Meetings (Sept. 13)

This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Sept. 13. It’s not the official minutes.

The workshop and regular meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Ch. 19, or online. An archive of previous council meetings also is available on the site.

3:05 p.m.

The workshop meeting has started. Councilmember Dave Ruesink is out of town.

3:35 p.m.

Conference Center Options

The council heard a brief history of the College Station Conference Center, an overview of its operations and discussed options for its future. The facility was closed in early July because of safety concerns. Staff estimates that necessary repairs and upgrades would cost between $1.6 million and $2.1 million.

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City Council, Public Communications

Five Things to Watch at Thursday’s City Council Meetings

The College Station City Council will meet on Thursday at city hall for its workshop (3 p.m.) and regular (7 p.m.) meetings. With so many key items on this week’s agenda, the council will start its workshop at 3 p.m., and after breaking for the executive session at 5, will resume the workshop at 6. The regular meeting will start at 7 p.m., as usual.

Here are five things to watch on Thursday:

1. FY13 Proposed Budget and Tax Rate: After reviewing the $253.1 million budget proposal and making final changes during the workshop, the council will adopt the budget and new tax rate in the regular meeting. The proposed budget reduces the property tax rate for the second straight year and focuses on providing efficient core services with an emphasis on public safety and infrastructure. The city’s FY12 tax rate already was the fifth lowest in the state among similar-sized cities. A 5 percent increase is proposed for wastewater rates, but the budget includes no other utility rate increases.

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City Council, Public Communications

Live Blog: Thursday’s City Council Meetings (Aug. 23)

This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Aug. 23. It’s not the official minutes.

The workshop and regular meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Ch. 19, or online. An archive of previous council meetings also is available on the site.

6:01 p.m.

The workshop meeting has started.

6:04 p.m.

Mayor Berry proclaimed September as Library Card Sign-Up Month.

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City Council, Public Communications

City Council Meeting Preview (August 23)

Here’s a quick look at some of the items the College Station City Council will be discussing at its workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, August 23. This blog is not the complete and official agenda.

The workshop and regular meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Ch. 19, or online. Previous council meetings are archived on the website. A detailed live blog from the meetings will be posted on this site and can also be accessed through the city’s Facebook page.

Workshop Meeting (6 p.m.)

Wastewater Collection Projects

The council will hear a report on the status of major wastewater collection construction projects, which will require significant capital investment in the next decade to meet demands and enable development. The major projects they will discuss are the Bee Creek Trunk Line, Wellborn Gravity Sewer Line, East Side Sewer System, Northeast Trunk Line, and the Spring Creek Corporate Campus and Lick Creek Trunk Lines.

South Knoll-The Glade Utility Rehabilitation Project

The council will receive a presentation on the South Knoll-The Glade Utility Rehabilitation Project. The council will consider the construction contract for the project as part of the consent agenda. The project includes the rehabilitation of water and wastewater utility infrastructure in the area generally bordered by Glade Street, Haines Drive, Langford Street and Bee Creek Drive.

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City Council, Public Communications

Live Blog: Thursday’s City Council Meetings (Aug. 9)

This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Aug. 9. It’s not the official minutes.

The workshop and regular meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Ch. 19, or online. An archive of previous council meetings also is available on the site.

6:05 p.m.

The workshop meeting has started. Council members Jess Fields and Dave Ruesink are absent.

6:44 p.m.

Proposed City Budget

The council got its first look at the city’s proposed Fiscal Year 2013 budget, which includes a reduced property tax rate and no rate increases for most utilities for the second straight year, including electric and water. The tax rate is the city’s lowest in 12 years. A public hearing will be Aug. 23, and the council is set to adopt the budget on Sept. 13. The council will review the proposed budget at a series of workshops scheduled for Aug. 16-17 and Aug. 20-21.

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