Live Blog: Monday’s city council meetings (May 14)
(L-R): Bob Brick, Linda Harvell, Jerome Rektorik, Karl Mooney (mayor), John Nichols, Barry Moore, James Benham.
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Monday, May 14. 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.
5:10 p.m.
The workshop has started. No action was taken out of executive session.
5:16 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. Councilmembers pulled this consent item for workshop discussion:
- Northgate Parking Meter Agreement: The $109,450 contract with IPS Group is for an upgraded on-street parking meter system in Northgate. The use of parking meters is designed to encourage turnover for businesses and to provide short-term parking options.
5:34 p.m.
RVP Compliance Report
The council heard a presentation by the Research Valley Partnership on project compliance in 2017.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
5:49 p.m.
Controlled Burns
The council heard a presentation from College Station Fire Marshal Eric Dotson about the city’s controlled burn policies.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
5:52 p.m.
Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The regular meeting will start at 6 p.m.
6:04 p.m.
The regular meeting has started. Councilman Barry Moore is absent tonight.
6:08 p.m.
Arts Council College Arts Scholarships
Chief Executive Officer Chris Dyer presented the Arts Council of Brazos Valley’s annual College Arts Scholarships, which are awarded each year to deserving young artists in the Brazos Valley. This year’s recipients are Anna Miller ($5,000) and Charlotte Brumbelow ($3,000) both of A&M Consolidated.
Miller (below) plans to study music education at the University of Oklahoma, and Brumbelow will pursue a theatre degree from the University of Texas. Also pictured are ACBV board members Pam Smits and Coleen Bradfield, ACBV executive director Chris Dyer, and Mayor Mooney. Brumbelow was unable to attend.
6:12 p.m.
National Public Works Week
Mayor Mooney proclaimed May 20-26 as National Public Works Week to recognize public works for providing, maintaining, and improving the structures and services that assure a higher quality of life for the nation’s communities. Pictured below are (L-R) Mark Mcauliffe, Troy Rother, Raquel Gonzales, Susan Monnat, Mayor Karl Mooney, Donald Harmon, Martin Mcgehee, and Jason Best.
6:15 p.m.
National Bike Month
The mayor proclaimed May as National Bike Month to showcase the many benefits of bicycling and encourage more people to try it. Click here for more about biking and here for a map of local biking facilities. Receiving the proclamation (below, l-r) were Bicycle, Pedestrian & Greenways Board Member Jonathan Coopersmith, Councilwoman Linda Harvell, committee members Tina Evans and Neal Johnson, CSPD Bike Patrol Officer George Humes, and Bicycle, Pedestrian & Greenways Senior Project Manager Venessa Garza.
6:24 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Two people spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
- Lisa Halperin criticized what she sees as the biased nature of the city’s recent survey about possible changes to its Unified Development Ordinance.
- Hugh Lindsay spoke against Texas A&M’s bike share program and how the yellow bikes are left all over town.
6:25 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A service and extended warranty contract for $109,450 with IPS Group to upgrade Northgate on-street single-space parking meters and for monthly operating and credit card transaction fees not to exceed $15,000 per year.
- A $128,736 contract with Jamail and Smith Construction for improvements to Gabbard Park.
- A $199,410 contract with Hawkins Architecture for renovating and rebuilding park structures in Bee Creek Park and Beachy Central Park.
- A $124,722 purchase order from Fouts Brothers for one light rescue response vehicle.
- An inter-local agreement with the City of Grapevine for cooperative purchasing activities.
- Renewal of an annual contract not-to-exceed $100,000 with Larry Young Paving for the repaving of utility cuts as needed.
- The Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications System’s FY19 operating budget, the city’s payment not-to-exceed $170,103.03, BVWACS FY19 capital equipment replacement reserve fund budget, and the city’s payment not-to-exceed $58,795.30.
6:47 p.m.
Naming the Arts Council Building
The council voted 4-2 to approve a request to change the name of The Bob and Wanda Meyer Community Center to The Bob and Wanda Meyer Senior and Community Center. Councilmen James Benham and Jerome Rektorik voted against the motion.
In March, the council approved The Bob and Wanda Meyer Community Center as the building’s name. In April, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted 7-1 to recommend renaming the building The Bob and Wanda Meyer Senior and Community Center. Consequently, the Senior Advisory Committee and Parks and Recreation Board asked the council to reconsider its earlier decision.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:27 p.m.
Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan Update
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the updated Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan. Since the original plan was adopted in 201, the city has grown and changes warranted a re-evaluation of the community’s needs.
As a component of the city’s Comprehensive Plan, the updated plan provides goals and strategies and focuses around the need to improve connectivity and accessibility, enhance safety, increase bicycling and walking, and encourage environmental stewardship.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:35 p.m.
RVP Board Appointment
The council unanimously selected Johnny Burns to finish an unexpired term as the city’s representative on the Research Valley Partnership board of directors. The term ends in June.
7:37 p.m.
After the council discussed and reviewed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again Thursday, May 24.
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.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (March 22)
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, March 22. 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.
5:37 p.m.
The workshop has started. No action was taken out of executive session.
6:03 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. Councilmembers pulled these consent items for workshop discussion:
- Easterwood Mutual Aid Agreement: The mutual aid agreement with Easterwood Airport provides aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment response and joint use of the fire station at the airport.
- Easterwood Inter-Local Agreement: The inter-local agreement with the Texas A&M University System will allow the College Station Fire Department to continue to operate out of Fire Station No. 4 and also sets fees for CSFD to provide aircraft rescue and firefighting services to Easterwood Airport. The airport will pay the city $211,368 annually through 2020.
- Naming of Arts Council Building: The proposal it to re-name the Arts Council Building as the Bob and Wanda Meyer Senior Community Center.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
- Fire Code Amendment: The amendment to the city’s fire code would allow law enforcement and fire officials to temporarily suspend a certificate of occupancy for 24 hours for establishments that are overcrowded or are in violation of life safety codes.
- Certificates of Obligation: This item would direct publication of notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation, series 2018, and provide an effective date. The certificates issued will be used to fund street, public facilities, electric, water and wastewater projects, and pay debt issuance costs. The maximum amount of Certificates of Obligation indebtedness that may be authorized is $55 million.
- Ringer Library Construction: The Larry J. Ringer Library Expansion Project was approved by voters in 2008. The $6.07 contract with Aklam Construction. The project includes a 12,000-square-foot addition and the renovation of the existing 16,000-square-foot building. The expansion consists of a large program room and a more substantial children’s area, along with parking improvements. The library is expected to remain open during the 15 months of construction, with periodic closures based on the project’s phasing.
6:16 p.m.
Impact Fee Credit Policy
The council heard a presentation on a policy for credits to impact fees. Impact fees for water, wastewater, and roadways took effect in December 2016. The initial one-year grace period expired in December 2017, and requests have since been made for impact fee credits.
When a developer installs infrastructure that improves system capacity, it may be appropriate to credit the cost of that infrastructure against its impact fees. The draft impact fee policy strives to balance being fair to developers and not undermining the premise of impact fees, which is to raise revenue for system improvements.
Staff will meet with the development community and solicit its feedback, consider their comments, and revise the draft policy as needed before bringing it back to the council to consider adoption.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:20 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The regular meeting will start momentarily.
6:27 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:35 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Two people spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
- Councilman James Benham recognized Army 1st Lt. Ryan T. Sanders as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 27-year-old College Station native died June 4, 2006, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his tank in Baghdad, Iraq.
- Hugh Stearn asked that neighborhood residents be given equal time to developers when development proposals are brought before the council.
6:47 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve these items on the consent agenda:
- An inter-local mutual aid agreement with (Easterwood Airport regarding aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment response and joint use of the fire station at the airport.
- An inter-local agreement with the Texas A&M University System to allow CSFD to continue to operate out of Fire Station No. 4 and sets fees for CSFD to provide aircraft rescue and firefighting services to Easterwood Airport.
- An agreement with the Rotary Club of College Station and College Station Noon Lions Club for the development of the Fun For All Playground at Central Park.
- A $1.08 million contract with Musco Sports Lighting for athletic field LED lighting upgrades at the Bachmann Park soccer fields and the Beachy Central Park softball fields.
- An amendment to the city’s fire code that allows fire and law enforcement officials to temporarily suspend a certificate of occupancy for a 24-hour period for overcrowding.
- A resolution directing publication of notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation, series 2018, and providing an effective date.
- Amended the posted speed limit on Holleman Drive South between Rock Prairie Road West and North Dowling Road to 30 mph during the Holleman Drive South Widening Project.
- An inter-local agreement with the Wellborn Special Utility District for reimbursement of construction costs of Wellborn water line relocations necessary for construction of the Holleman South Widening Project.
- A $220,759.22 change order to the Lincoln Recreation Center construction contract with JaCody, Inc.
- Renewal of landscape maintenance contracts with Green Teams and Grassmasters totaling $952,946.
- A $6.07 million contract with Acklam Construction for construction of the Larry J. Ringer Library Expansion Project.
- A license agreement with Angel Hermanos, Ltd., a Texas Limited Partnership regarding a 300-square-foot encroachment of a sign within the public utility easement in the L.O. Ball Memorial Subdivision.
This consent item was voted on separately:
- The council voted unanimously to rename the Arts Council Building on Colgate Drive as the Bob and Wanda Meyer Community Center.
6:57 p.m.
Annexation Public Hearing
The council conducted the second public hearing on the proposed annexation of about 65 acres near Rock Prairie Road West, Holleman Drive South, and North Graham Road.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:01 p.m.
Apache Corporation Mineral Lease
The council voted unanimously to award a bid and enter into a mineral lease with Apache Corporation for oil, gas and related hydrocarbons on city-owned land at the Carter Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and at the electric substation near Switch Station Road. The city will receive royalty payments and a lease bonus subject to the terms of the lease.
The mineral interests were advertised in January and received one sealed bid from Apache. The company has provided information showing that the drilling pad and facilities for the well sites will be located outside the city limits and that operations will not occur on the surface of the city-owned lease tracts.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:04 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
The council thanked City Manager Kelly Templin for his service. Tonight was Templin’s final council meeting.
7:04 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, April 12.
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.
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
(L-R): Bob Brick, Linda Harvell, Jerome Rektorik, Karl Mooney (mayor), John Nichols, Barry Moore, James Benham.
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
The College Station City Council gathers Thursday at city hall for its workshop (5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings.
Here are five items to watch:
- Renaming of Arts Council Building: As part of the consent agenda, the council will consider renaming the Arts Council Building on Colgate Drive as the Bob and Wanda Meyer Senior Community Center.
- Fun for All Playground Agreement: Also on the consent agenda is an agreement with the Rotary Club and Noon Lions Club regarding the development and construction of the Fun for All Playground at Beachy Central Park.
- Lighting at Bachmann, Beachy Parks: Another consent item is a $1.08 million contract to upgrade the lighting systems at the Bachmann Park soccer fields and Beachy Central Park softball fields.
- Ringer Library Construction Contract: The consent agenda also includes a $6.07 million contract for the expansion of the Larry J. Ringer Library, which was approved by voters in 2008. The expansion includes a large program room and a larger children’s area, along with parking lot improvements.
- Annexation Public Hearing: In the regular meeting, the council will conduct the second public hearing on the proposed annexation of about 65 acres near Rock Prairie Road West, Holleman Drive South, and North Graham Road.
The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Channels 19 or online. We’ll post a detailed live blog on this site.
Related Links:
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.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (July 13)
Back (L-R): Linda Harvell, Jerome Rektorik, James Benham, Barry Moore. Front (L-R): Blanche Brick, Mayor Karl Mooney, Julie Schultz.
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, July 13. It’s not the official minutes.
The meeting is being broadcast live on Suddenlink Channels 19 and 119 (HD) and online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
3:33 p.m.
The workshop has started. (more…)
A tribute to the noble legacy of the late Bob Meyer
By Kelly Kelbly, Recreation Manager
When I worked at the Southwood Community Center, Robert “Bob” Meyer would join me every morning for a cup of coffee.
As time went on, I found myself arriving just a little earlier to greet Mr. Meyer. I came to cherish his perspective and insight as I went about my daily routine. In parks and recreation, we convince ourselves we’re here to make a difference in your life when, in reality, it often turns out the other way.
When Mr. Meyer passed away in 2013 at the age of 81, he left about $750,000 to benefit senior programs in the Parks & Recreation Department. On Tuesday, we dedicated a plaque at Southwood honoring the memory of Mr. Meyer and his lovely wife, Wanda.
Mr. Meyer was a loyal member of Southwood. He served on our Senior Advisory Committee, participated in many of our programs and activities, and volunteered each year assisting head start kids at Pool Trout Fish Out. He and Wanda never had children, and after Wanda passed away, Bob adopted the staff and other members of Southwood as his family.
As it turns out, Mr. Meyer did not just impact me. His presence was felt by many of our seniors as well. The beauty of who he was isn’t that he was a great man who accomplished great things. The simplicity is what makes him truly special. He was a simple and good man who served others.
Thank you, Mr. Meyer, for being a bright spot in our world.
Related Blog
About the Author
Kelly Kelbly is in her 15th year with the College Station Parks & Recreation Department. A native of Gilmer, Kelly is a 1998 graduate of Texas A&M.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Feb. 13)
This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Feb. 13. It’s not the official minutes.
Both meetings are being broadcast live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and can also be watched online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
6:15 p.m.
The workshop has started.
6:53 p.m.
Aggies Go to War Exhibit
The council heard a presentation on the Aggies Go to War exhibit, which will highlight the contribution of Aggies in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II and commemorate to opening of the Bastogne War Museum in Belgium later this year. The Texas A&M University System and the B/CS community have been invited to participate. The exhibit would follow the life paths of five Aggies who were involved in the battle and would market the university and community to an international audience.
