Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Oct. 25)

By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Oct. 25. It’s not the official minutes.

The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.

• Complete agendas and background materials
• Previous city council meeting blogs

5:12 p.m.

The workshop has started.

5:13 p.m.

Woods named City Manager

The council unanimously selected Bryan Woods as College Station’s city manager, effective Dec. 3. He has been New Braunfels’ assistant city manager since 2017.

Woods replaces Kelly Templin, who left last spring to lead the Texas A&M University System’s new RELLIS Campus. Jeff Capps has since served as interim city manager.

Press release: Woods named College Station City Manager

5:14 p.m.

Consent Agenda Discussion

The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. No items were pulled for workshop discussion.

5:50 p.m.

Dockless Bike Share Update

The council was updated on Texas A&M’s dockless bike share program. The city issued a permit to Ofo, the program’s vendor, on Aug. 23, and revoked it on Oct. 12 after the company lost its auto liability insurance. To be reinstated, Ofo must update its insurance, present rebalancing and communication plans, and replenish its escrow account with the city.

The university will assume operational control and will also seek a new vendor for 2019. The existing 2,300 yellow bikes will be collected, donated, repurposed or recycled at the end of the fall semester.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

6:11 p.m.

BioCorridor Board Powers and Duties

The council discussed the powers and duties of the BioCorridor Board. The consensus was to keep the board in place.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

6:15 p.m.

Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The regular meeting will start after a short break.

6:28 p.m.

The regular meeting has started.

6:35 p.m.

Brazos Fellowship Church Recognition

Police Chief Scott McCollum and Fire Chief Jonathan McMahan recognized Brazos Fellowship Church for its community service in supporting first responders during a 16-hour standoff with an armed man in August at a local bar and grill.

6:39 p.m.

Municipal Court Week

Mayor Mooney proclaimed Nov. 5-9 as Municipal Court Week in recognition of the importance of municipal courts, the rule of law, and the fair and impartial administration of justice.

6:46 p.m.

Community Planning Month

Mayor Mooney proclaimed October as National Community Planning Month to highlight the important role planning plays in addressing our community’s most daunting challenges, including housing affordability and availability.

6:50 p.m.

Hear Visitors

One person spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.

• Councilman Jerome Rektorik recognized Jeff Capps for his service as interim city manager since March.

6:51 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:

• Renewal of a $130,000 award for city-branded uniforms for parks and recreation athletic programs and other city departments with CC Creations ($65,000) and M&M Apparel ($65,000).
• A $589,787 contract with Marek Brothers Construction for the renovation of the Bob and Wanda Meyer Senior and Community Center (formerly the Arts Council Building).
• Renewal of the annual award not to exceed $503,214.55 for the blanket purchase of three-phase pad-mounted transformers.
• An $859,640 annual bid award to Techline for electric distribution poles.
• A $1.42 million contract with Larry Young Paving for the rehabilitation of parking lots and lighting at Bachmann and Beachy Central parks.
• Resolutions declaring an intention to reimburse certain expenditures with proceeds from debt for Public Works, General Government, and Wastewater projects in the FY19 Capital Improvements budget.
• The 2018 Property Tax Roll of $46.99 million.
• An amended ordinance modifying the location, dates and times for voting in the Nov. 6 general and special election to elect two city council members (places 4 and 6), and to submit to voters five proposed amendments to the city charter.

6:54 p.m.

Easement Abandonment

After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the abandonment of a 20-foot wide public utility on the State Highway 6 bypass north of Pavilion Avenue to allow for development. No existing city utilities are located in the easement, which has no planned use.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

 

7:10 p.m.

Daiquiri Barn Conditional Use Permit

After a public hearing, the council voted 5-2 to approve a conditional use permit for a nightclub, bar or tavern in the shopping center northwest of the Texas Avenue-Southwest Parkway intersection. Councilwoman Linda Harvell and Councilman John Nichols voted against the motion.

The land use request for the Daiquiri Barn included a drive-up window, potential food sales, retail sales, limited interior seating, and alcohol sales for on- and off-site consumption.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

7:33 p.m.

City Hall Construction Manager at Risk

The council unanimously approved a contract with CORE Construction to be the construction manager at risk for the new city hall project.   

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

7:34 p.m.

Groundwater Conservation District Board

The council unanimously appointed Bill Harris to the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors, subject to approval by the Brazos County Commissioners Court.

7:35 p.m.

The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.

7:35 p.m.

Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Nov. 8.

 

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About the Blogger

Colin Killian (@ColinKillian) 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.

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October 25, 2018 | Categories: City Council, Public Communications | Tags: abandonments, Beachy Central Park, BioCorridor, Bob and Wanda Meyer Senior and Community Center, Bob Meyer, Brazos Fellowship Church, Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District, Brian Bachmann Community Park, city hall, conditional use permit, construction manager at risk, Council Meetings, Daiquiri Barn, dockless bike share, Municipal Courts Week, natiional community planning month, ofo | Leave a comment