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.
3:43 p.m.
Fire Prevention Audit
The council heard a presentation on the city internal auditor‘s recent Fire Prevention Audit, which found that the city’s Fire Prevention Division is compliant with federal, state, and local laws and regulations and aligns with industry best practices. The audit identified two areas where operations could be improved — annual inspections and the dissemination of information.
Due to the city’s rapid growth, the Fire Prevention Division allocates most of its resources toward new construction reviews and tests, which hinders existing structure inspections. The audit found no evidence of fires that could have been prevented by direct inspector action, but the city could be exposed to unidentified hazards and an unknown level of risk. The Fire Prevention Division’s reporting system also presents inaccurate and limited fire origin-and-cause information, which hinders the division when evaluating the impact and effectiveness of operations.
The audit recommends the division investigate strategies to bolster annual inspection activities and that it develops a process to report fire cause-and-origin information to aid public education and code enforcement efforts.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
3:48 p.m.
Bob Meyer Restricted Gift
The council received an update on the Bob Meyer gift fund. In 2013, Meyer bequeathed a portion of his estate to the City of College Station Parks and Recreation Department for the benefit and advancement of programs for senior citizens. The restricted fund amount received to date is $570,245.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
3:49 p.m.
The workshop has been suspended, and the council has gone into executive session. The live blog will resume when the council returns at 6 p.m.
6:33 p.m.
The workshop has resumed. The council took no action coming out of executive session. Councilman James Benham is out of town but is participating via teleconference.
6:34 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.
6:48 p.m.
Legislative Update
The council heard an overview of actions taken by the 85th Texas State Legislature that might impact the City of College Station.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:15 p.m.
Rental Registration Update
The council discussed the city’s Rental Registration program. The council directed staff to bring back changes such as eliminating the renewal requirement and requiring that fourplexes also be registered.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:16 p.m.
Experience Bryan-College Station
The council dropped the discussion of issues related to Experience Bryan-College Station from tonight’s agenda.
7:18 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
7:28 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:35 p.m.
Technology Excellence Award
Eric Caldwell, Brazos County’s chief information officer and a member the Texas Association of Governmental Information Technology Managers’ Education Committee, presented the Technology Excellence Award to IT Director Ben Roper for the city’s Code Enforcement Mobile Mapping Application. Pictured below are Code Enforcement Supervisor Julie Caler, Caldwell, Mayor Karl Mooney, and Community Services Director Debbie Eller.
7:41 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.
- Ben Roper recognized Marine Cpl. Jeffrey Green as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 20-year-old Dallas native died on May 4, 2004, while on a night mission in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
- Fred Dupriest, a representative of the Southside neighborhood advocacy group, spoke in opposition to the rezoning of a property in the area.
7:42 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A $1.13 million contract with McDonald Municipal & Industrial for the Lick Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Generator Addition Project.
- An ordinance a making Newton Road one-way between Aberdeen Place and George Bush Drive.
- Terminated an economic development agreement with the Research Valley Partnership and PM Realty Group and approved a related Release of Memorandum of Economic Development Agreement.
- Added No Parking Here to Corner on the east side of Stasney Street extending south 85 feet from its intersection with Cherry Street.
- Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) fees of $37,000.
- Modified the city’s definition and requirements for a special event.
- A $339,853.30 contract with TF Harper for improvements to various city park playgrounds.
- A bid award for 15 kV circuit breakers and a 138 kV circuit switcher for the Graham Road Substation Construction Project and to be maintained in inventory. To achieve economy of scale pricing on the 15 kV circuit breakers, capital and operational needs for FY18 projects were combined. The total recommended award is $746,347 and will be awarded by line item to the lowest responsible bidder.
- Authorized a license agreement with Bracol Developers for a 62-square-foot encroachment into the public utility easement in the Prairie View Heights Subdivision.
- An amendment to the agreement with Wirestar for the lease of city fiber optic cable facilities.
- Renewal of contracts estimated at $340,000 with Spherion Staffing and Kelly Services for temporary personnel services.
- A contract for a grant of $220,000 in federal HOME Investment Partnership Grant Program Community Housing Development Organization Set-Aside funds to Elder-Aid for the acquisition and rehabilitation of two houses at 3400-3402 Normand Drive to be used as affordable rental housing for income-eligible elderly households.
- A contract for Community Development Partnership Grant funds of $794,000 with Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity for the acquisition, development, and infrastructure costs related to the construction of at least eight affordable single-family homes at 14015 Renee Lane.
- A contract for Community Development Partnership Grant funds of $471,500 to Twin City Mission for the acquisition and rehabilitation costs related to the creation of four affordable rental units at 2404 Blanco Drive. A $110,598 contract with Binkley & Barfield for professional engineering services related to the preliminary design of the FM 2154/Holleman Intersection Safety Improvements Project.
- A change order decreasing by by $70,631.41 the contract with Binkley and Barfield for the FM 2818 Capacity Improvement Project. The new contract total is $500,471.09.
- A $397,190.36 contract with Binkley and Barfield for engineering and surveying services associated with the FM 2818 Capacity Improvements Project.
- Renewal of annual blanket purchase orders not to exceed $1.82 million with Knife River ($1.4 million) and Brazos Paving ($427,000) for Type D hot mix asphalt to be picked up by city crews for the maintenance of streets.
- A $240,036 contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for design and construction phase services for the Southwood Valley Trunk Line Phase I Project.
- A $266,000 contract with Jones & Carter for the design, bidding, and construction administration for the State Highway 6 Waterline Phase III project.
- An interlocal agreement with Texas A&M regarding construction and maintenance of sidewalks constructed as part of Phase 2 of the University Drive Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project.
8:20 p.m.
Hot Mix Asphalt Overlay Bid
The council voted 6-1 to reject the low bid from Texcon General Contractors and approve a contract not to exceed $472,000 with Brazos Paving for the construction and or installation of one-inch overlay with specialty mix as needed. Councilwoman Julie Schultz voted against the motion.
The council rejected the Texcon bid because it did not meet criteria in the Texas Government Code. Council also directed staff to create eligibility guidelines regarding bidders and vendors who have committed crimes against the city.
8:25 p.m.
Southwest Parkway Drainage Bid
The council voted 6-1 to reject the low bid from Texcon General Contractors and approve a contract not to exceed $286,088 with Palasota Contracting for the replacement of storm sewer, sidewalk and other drainage improvements along Southwest Parkway. Councilwoman Schultz voted against the motion.
The council rejected the Texcon bid because it did not meet criteria in the Texas Government Code. Council also directed staff to create eligibility guidelines regarding bidders and vendors who have committed crimes against the city.
10:07 p.m.
Pebble Creek Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted 6-1 to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to Restricted Suburban for Block 21 (5201 Pebble Creek Parkway) at the intersection of Pebble Creek Parkway and Champions Boulevard. The motion includes a 25-foot buffer off Champions. Councilwoman Blanche Brick voted against the motion.
The council voted 5-2 to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to General Suburban for Block 20 (5101 Pebble Creek Parkway) at the intersection of Pebble Creek Parkway and Champions Boulevard. The motion includes a 25-foot buffer. Councilwomen Linda Harvell and Brick voted against it.
An earlier motion by Councilman Jerome Rektorik to vote separately on each property block passed by a 6-1 vote. Councilwoman Brick voted against the motion.
Here are the PowerPoint presentations:
10:08 p.m.
The council will return after a short break.
10:19 p.m.
The meeting has resumed.
10:51 p.m.
Harper’s Crossing Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to deny a request to amend part of the Harper’s Crossing Planned Development District and associated concept plan to allow for fuel sales.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
10:54 p.m.
Stotzer-Turkey Creek Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted 6-0 to approve a request to change the zoning designations for about 18 acres northeast of the intersection of Turkey Creek Road and the Raymond Stotzer Parkway frontage road to allow for development. Councilman Barry Moore recused himself from the vote.
The amendment adjusts the zoning district boundary between the subject properties. The land use composition changes from 12 acres Multi-Family and 5.8 acres General Commercial to 13.2 acres Multi-Family and 4.6 acres General Commercial.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
10:57 p.m.
The council discussed future agenda items.
10:57 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, July 27.
About the Author
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 been 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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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.
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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.
Five things to watch at Thursday’s city council meetings
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The College Station City Council gathers Thursday at city hall for its workshop (6 p.m.) and regular (7 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch: (more…)
Meyer’s generosity only part of his legacy to local seniors
Robert Earl “Bob” Meyer
What can you say about a man who names his favorite city program as a beneficiary in his will?
If the man was Robert Earl “Bob” Meyer, then you can say a lot. The City of College Station staff members he regularly worked with knew him as Mr. Meyer or Bob — a citizen who truly loved his town and the senior programs available through the Parks and Recreation Department.
Bob passed away in October at the age of 81 after more than 50 years as a College Station resident. As part of his will, Bob bequeathed 25 percent of his sizable estate to the Parks and Recreation Department, specifically for programs that benefit our senior citizens. What an incredible gesture and gift!
