Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Nov. 12)
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Nov. 12. It’s not the official minutes.
The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. To join the meeting online, go to Zoom or call 888 475 4499 and enter meeting number 972 2077 4495. if the call-in number isn’t working, access will be limited to Zoom.
4:00 p.m.
The workshop has started.
4:07 p.m.
Canvassing Election Returns
The council unanimously accepted the canvassing returns and declared the Nov. 3 general election results for Places 1, 3, and 5 on the city council and the special runoff election for Place 4.
4:12 p.m.
City Council Oaths of Office
Council members Elizabeth Cunha, Linda Harvell and Bob Brick were sworn into office by Municipal Court Presiding Judge Ed Spillane.
4:13 p.m.
City Council Reception
The workshop was suspended for a reception for the new council members.
6:10 p.m.
The workshop has resumed. No action was taken from executive session.
6:24 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
These items from tonight’s consent agenda were pulled for workshop discussion:
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Runoff Election: The council will order a runoff election on Dec. 15 between John Nichols and Craig Regan for Place 5 on the city council.
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Brazos Valley Trash Valet and Recycling: The proposed agreement would allow Brazos Valley Trash Valet and Recycling to collect recyclables from commercial businesses and multi-family locations. The company will be responsible for developing on-site collection of recyclables that won’t interfere with the collection of municipal solid waste.
6:30 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports, Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop. The regular meeting starts after a short break.
6:35 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:38 p.m.
BCS Marathon Month
The mayor proclaimed Dec. 13 as BCS Marathon Day.
6:40 p.m.
Hear Visitors
No one spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.
6:43 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve these consent agenda items:
- A three-year inter-local agreement for $926,000 with Brazos County and the City of Bryan for College Station and Bryan to provide emergency medical ambulance services to Brazos County.
- A change order reducing the contract by $95,286.43 for the Graham Road Substation.
- The renewal of an annual price agreement not to exceed $912,608 with Techline for the purchase of electric distribution poles.
- An advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the widening of Wellborn Road from Fitch Parkway to Greens Prairie Road. The project isn’t expected to start until at least 2026.
- A change order deducting $116,980 from the contract with Garney Construction for the Water Well No. 9 project.
- The first reading of a franchise agreement with Brazos Valley Trash Valet and Recycling for the collection of recyclables from commercial businesses and multi-family locations.
This item was pulled for a separate vote:
- The council voted unanimously to ordered a runoff election on Dec. 15 for Place 5 on the city council. The voting centers will be at the CSU Meeting and Training Facility and the Meyer Senior and Community Center.
6:53 p.m.
Town Lake Drive Property Exchange
The council voted unanimously to approve the exchange of one-acre of city property with one acre belonging to an adjoining property owner along the State Highway 6 northbound frontage road north of Barron Road for the future alignment of Town Lake Drive. A street connection north of the existing city property, aligned with Town Lake (formerly Bird Pond Road), provides the safest and most efficient offset to Barron Road.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
6:58 p.m.
After the council discussed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council’s next workshop and regular meetings are set for Monday, Nov. 23.
About the Blogger
Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as the associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
5 things to watch at Thursday’s city council meetings
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
The College Station City Council meets at city hall on Thursday for its workshop (4 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Public attendance is restricted.
The meetings will be streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. To join the meeting online, go to Zoom or call 888 475 4499 and enter meeting number 972 2077 4495. if the call-in number isn’t working, access will be limited to Zoom.
To address the council via Zoom about any agenda item — or about non-agenda topics during Hear Visitors — you must register with the city secretary before the meeting by calling 979-764-3500 or emailing CSO@cstx.gov before the meeting starts. Written comments submitted to CSO@cstx.gov will be provided to the council members.
Here are five items to watch:
- Canvassing Election Returns: The council will canvass returns and declare the Nov. 3 general election results for Places 1, 3, and 5 on the city council and the special runoff election for Place 4.
- Council Oaths of Office, Reception: The newly elected council members will be sworn into office, followed by a short reception.
- Runoff Election: As part of the consent agenda, the council will consider ordering a runoff election on Dec. 15 between John Nichols and Craig Regan for Place 5 on the city council.
- Wellborn Road Widening: Another consent agenda item is an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for preliminary engineering work for the Fitch Parkway-Wellborn Road Interchange Feasibility Study. The project’s scope includes the city’s preliminary design for the widening of Wellborn Road from Fitch to Greens Prairie Road, which isn’t expected to start until at least 2026.
- Town Lake Property Exchange: In the regular meeting, the council will consider exchanging one-acre tracts with an adjoining property owner along the State Highway 6 northbound frontage road north of Barron Road. A street connection north of the existing city property, aligned with Town Lake Drive (formerly Bird Pond Road), provides the safest and most efficient offset to Barron Road.
Related Links:
About the Blogger Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as the associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Live Blog: 2020 City Election
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live election blog from the Brazos Center. The results are also available on the City of College Station’s Twitter and Facebook pages and on Suddenlink Channel 19.
About 59.5 percent (72,357) of registered voters (121,580) in Brazos County voted early or absentee.
9:11 p.m.
Early and absentee votes and all 25 vote centers have been counted. Absentee, military and provisional ballots received on time and determined to be qualified will be counted and added to the early voting and Election Day totals after 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 10.
UPDATE (Nov. 4)
At its Nov. 12 regular meeting, the city council will consider calling for a runoff election on Tuesday, Dec. 15, to fill the council’s Place-5 seat. Incumbent Councilman John Nichols and challenger Craig Regan received the highest number of votes cast for the position, but neither received the majority required by law. Canvassing is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12. Newly elected council members representing Places 1, 3 and 4 will be sworn-in at that meeting.
Should the council adopt the proposed runoff ordinance, early voting would run from Nov. 30 through Dec. 11, excluding weekends.
UPDATE (Nov. 19)
Bob Brick has been re-elected to Place 1 on the College Station City Council after Thursday’s recount was withdrawn. After absentee and mail-in ballots were recounted with no changes to the outcome, Cornelius withdrew. The rest of the Election Day ballots will not be recounted.
UPDATE (Nov. 19)
Here are the final vote totals, including all mail, military and provisional ballots:
Nichols will continue to serve until the winner is determined.
Thanks for following us tonight!
About the Blogger Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.
If you found value in this blog post, share it with your social network and friends!
