Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Aug. 13)
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Aug. 13. It’s not the official minutes.
The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. To hear the meeting online, go to Zoom or call 888-475-4499 and enter meeting number 945 5259 1668.
6:03 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action from its executive session.
6:10 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council discussed these items from the consent agenda, which will be considered in tonight’s regular meeting:
- George Bush Drive Landscaping: The agreement with TxDOT is for the maintenance of landscaping along George Bush Drive. TXDOT will be installing raised medians from Rosemary Lane to Timber Street. Planter boxes will be installed within the medians along with trees, shrubs, turf plantings, irrigation systems, and other aesthetic elements. The city would maintain landscape elements in the right-of-way.
- FM2818 Landscaping: The agreement with TxDOT is for the maintenance of landscaping along FM 2818. As part of the FM 2818 widening project, TXDOT will install landscaping improvements from University Drive to Wellborn Road. The improvements will include trees, shrubs, turf plantings, irrigation systems, and other aesthetic elements. The city would maintain landscape elements in the right-of-way.
- Aggie Football Postgame Traffic Control: The $104,965 contract with Buyers Barricades is for 2020 Texas A&M football postgame traffic control. After each A&M home game, Public Works manages several operations to improve mobility along the roadways. A contractor deploys traffic control devices that close some access points to increase capacities to move football fans safely and efficiently away from Kyle Field. The university reimburses the city for 50% of costs.
6:43 p.m.
Rental Registration
The council heard a presentation about the rental registration program’s history since its adoption in 2009.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
6:45 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.
6:52 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:56 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.
6:57 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda.
- Amended the dates and times for early voting in the general and special runoff election on Nov. 3 to elect four city council members.
- An agreement with TxDOT for the maintenance of landscape along George Bush Drive.
- An agreement with TxDOT for the maintenance of landscape along FM 2818.
- An interlocal agreement with the College Station ISD for standby ambulance service.
- Awarded a $139,496 contract to CF McDonald Electric to install previously purchased VFD at Dowling Road Pump Station.
- The 2020-24 Consolidated Plan.
- The FY2021 Annual Action Plan and Community Development Budget.
- A $34,727 advance funding agreement with TXDOT for the city’s contribution for signal improvements at the Wellborn Road-Holleman Drive intersection.
- A $246,681 advance funding agreement with TXDOT for the city’s contribution for utility relocations for the Wellborn-Road-Holleman Drive intersection project.
- A $91,427 advance funding agreement with TXDOT for the city’s contribution for signal improvements at the intersections of Texas Avenue at Walton Drive and University Drive at Nimitz Street.
- An award not to exceed $750,000 to Southern Electric Corporation of Mississippi for overhead electric distribution construction and maintenance.
- A $600,000 contract with Electrical Consultants for engineering services.
- An inter-local agreement with Brazos County and the City of Bryan for the 2020 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program. College Station has been allocated $13,416.40 for law enforcement programs.
- A $104,965 contract with Buyers Barricades for 2020 Texas A&M Football postgame traffic control.
- An annual contract not to exceed $150,000 with Rios Tree Services for tree trimming and removal services.
- A resolution selecting a depository bank and authorizing the mayor to enter into the contract on the city’s behalf.
- An annual price agreement not to exceed $189,000 with Techline for air switches.
- An amendment not to exceed $99,982 to an agreement with Invoke for additional implementation services for Microsoft solutions.
7:01 p.m.
FY21 Budget Public Hearing
The council conducted a public hearing on the city’s proposed FY21 budget, which is scheduled to be adopted on Aug. 27. The budget was presented to the council on July 23, followed by three budget workshops on July 27-29.
No one signed up to speak in the public hearing.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:09 p.m.
FY21 Tax Rate Discussion
The council voted unanimously to keep the FY 21 property tax rate the same as the current rate of $0.534618 per $100 of assessed value. Since the rate does not exceed the no-new-revenue or voter-approval tax rates, a public hearing was not required under state law.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:17 p.m.
Midtown Drive-SH 6 Water Tower
The council voted unanimously to approve a $6.6 million contract with CB&I Storage Tank Solutions for the construction of a 3-million gallon water tower near the intersection of Midtown Drive (formerly Lakeway Drive) and State Highway 6.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:25 p.m.
Fitch Parkway Rehabilitation
The council voted unanimously to approve an $812,000 contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for construction services for the rehabilitation of William D. Fitch Parkway from State Highway 30 to Rock Prairie Road. That section of Fitch has started to fail because of increased heavy loads and truck traffic to the Twin Oaks Landfill.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:27 p.m.
After the council discussed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Aug. 27.
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: Thursday’s city council meetings (June 11)
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular teleconference meetings on Thursday, June 11. It’s not the official minutes.
The live audio will be streamed on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. To join the meeting, go to Zoom or call 888-475-4499 and enter meeting number 969 6026 4785.
6:02 p.m.
The workshop has started.
6:18 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council pulled this item for discussion from the regular meeting’s consent agenda:
- Mowing and Landscaping Contract: This is the first renewal of a contract not to exceed $1.1 million with Green Teams is for citywide mowing and landscape maintenance.
6:42 p.m.
COVID-19 Financial Impact
The council voted unanimously to accept the report on the financial impact of COVID-19 on the city’s FY 20 budget along with the year-end estimate.
Estimated pandemic-related revenue losses range from $2.9 million to $4.7 million from sales taxes, parks programs, the municipal court, investments, and facility rentals. Mitigation strategies, which will save about $5.3 million, include a hiring freeze, departmental reductions, and the elimination of summer parks programs.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
8:23 p.m.
Short-Term Rental Ordinance
The council directed staff to bring back a revised ordinance regulating short-term rental housing such as Airbnb. The proposed ordinance addresses requirements for allowable zoning districts, verified owner-occupancy through the homestead exemption, grandfathering of existing STRs, and safety inspections.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
8:27 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.
8:38 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
8:43 p.m.
The council finished its calendar discussion from the workshop.
8:50 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Two people spoke during hear visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.
- Shiva Saravanan requested that CSPD make its use of force policy available on the city website.
- Nicolas Macri asked the council and police department to consider 8cantwait.org reforms.
8:52 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- Cancelled the postponed special runoff election for city council member Place 4.
- A $2 million funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the city’s contribution for utility relocations for the FM 2818 widening project.
- The second year of a two-year, $140,000 contract with Precept Insurance Solutions for an online benefits administration platform.
- The first renewal of a contract not to exceed $1.1 million with Green Teams for citywide mowing and landscape maintenance.
- Renewal of an annual price agreement not to exceed $712,700 with Techline for wire and cable.
- A short-term budget for the 60 days before the August 1 contract termination of the agreement with the City of Bryan and Experience Bryan College Station.
8:58 p.m.
Harvey Mitchell Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from General Commercial and Office to MultiFamily, Natural Areas Protected, and General Commercial for about 14 acres at 2325 Harvey Mitchell Parkway South, which is located north of the intersection with Texas Avenue.
The change will help attract commercial and residential opportunities to undeveloped property near a major intersection.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
9:01 p.m.
Glenhaven Estates NPO
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to establish the city’s one remaining Neighborhood Prevailing Overlay district — Glenhaven Estates Subdivision — as a retired zoning district in the city’s Unified Development Ordinance. In March, the council removed NPO references to eliminate redundancy.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
9:21 p.m.
Certificates of Obligation
The council voted unanimously to approve the issuance of up to $23.7 million in 2020 certificates of obligation for streets, police station construction, information technology, electric and water improvements, and debt costs.
Refunding Bonds
The council voted unanimously to approve the refunding of up to $19.3 million in 2020 general obligation bonds, which will save the city about $2.7 million over their remaining life.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
9:22 p.m.
After the council discussed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again by teleconference on Thursday, June 25.
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 Thursday by teleconference for its workshop (no sooner than 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings.
The live audio will be streamed on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. Public comments are allowed through Zoom. To join the meeting, go to Zoom or call 888-475-4499 and enter meeting number 969 6026 4785.
To address the council 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:
- COVID-19 Financial Impact: In the workshop, the council will discuss the FY 2020 year-end estimate and the financial impact of COVID-19 on the city’s budget.
- Short-Term Rental Ordinance: Another workshop item is a discussion about council-suggested elements of a possible ordinance to regulate short-term rental housing.
- Harvey Mitchell Rezoning: After a public hearing in the regular meeting, the council will consider a request to change the zoning for about 14 acres at 2325 Harvey Mitchell Parkway South — located north of the intersection with Texas Avenue — to help attract commercial and residential opportunities.
- Certificates of Obligation: The council will consider approving up to $23.7 million in 2020 certificates of obligation for streets, police station construction, information technology, electric and water improvements, and debt issuance costs.
- Refunding Bonds: The council will consider approving up to $19.3 million in 2020 general obligation refunding bonds, which will save the city about $1.4 million over the remaining life of the issues.
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: Thursday’s city council meetings (Sept. 26)
Sitting (L-R): Mayor Pro Tem Linda Harvell, Mayor Karl Mooney, Elianor Vessali. Standing (L-R): Bob Brick, Jerome Rektorik, John Nichols, Dennis Maloney.
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Sept. 26. 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.
5:39 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action out of the executive session.
5:50 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:
- Bingo Fee Collection: The resolution continues the city’s share of the prize fees awarded at bingo games conducted in College Station after Jan. 1 as required by new state law.
- Holleman Drive Speed Limit: The ordinance would change the speed limit from 60 mph to 40 on Holleman Drive South between North Dowling Road and Rock Prairie Road. A recently completed project widened Holleman to four lanes with a median/center turn lane.
6:19 p.m.
Residential Parking
The council reviewed city ordinances, policies, and practices related to parking in residential areas. The discussion included parking in school zones, parking removal policies, parking pavement coverage on residential lots, and game day parking.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:40 p.m.
Traffic Calming Policy
The council received an update on the city’s traffic calming policy, which allows staff to be more responsive to resident’s requests and creates a ranking matrix of neighborhood plans based on safety criteria.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:47 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.
6:57 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:03 p.m.
MDA Fill The Boot Days
Mayor Mooney proclaimed Oct. 10-12 as the College Station Fire Department’s “Fill the Boot” days benefitting the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
7:07 p.m.
TAAF Games of Texas
Mayor Mooney presented a shadow box to Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Executive Director Mark Lord. The box contains mementos from the TAAF’s 2019 Summer Games of Texas that were conducted here in July. Lord also presented the city with a plaque in appreciation of its support of the games.
The event attracted 8,461 athletes from across the state to compete in 12 sports. Only 130 participants were local, which means the rest – along with about 20,000 of their coaches, family members, and friends – were visitors who dropped an estimated $8.1 million into the local economy.
7:10 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.
- Councilwoman Elianor Vessali recognized Army Capt. Rowdy J. Inman as part of the Fallen Heroes Project. The 38-year-old Panorama Village native died of combat wounds on Dec. 22, 2007, in Mosul, Iraq.
7:15 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve these consent agenda items:
- Renewal of six master agreements for real estate appraisal services with Duff &
Phelps, JLL Valuation & Advisory Services, Lowery Property Advisors, Paul Hornsby & Company, S.T. Lovett & Associates and Valbridge Property Advisors.
- A $144,060, three-year contract with Frontier Communications for a 2-gigabyte internet connection.
- A resolution adopting the Fire Department’s fees, rates, and charges.
- Annual blanket orders not to exceed $1,065,070.50 for electric inventory items: Techline ($658,887), KBS Electric ($253,115), Texas Electric Cooperative ($92,975), and Anixter ($60,093).
- A resolution approving the continued receipt of a share of the bingo prize fees awarded at bingo games conducted in College Station after Jan. 1.
- FY20 insurance premiums for all lines of coverage not to exceed $650,000, including Excess Liability and Workers’ Compensation Insurance, Property/Boiler & Machinery, Commercial Crime, EMT Liability, Auto Property Damage, Cyber Liability, Unmanned Aircraft liability and property, and Special Events.
- Renewal of the annual price agreement not to exceed is $503,214.55 for electric three-phase pad mount transformers with KBS Electrical Distributors.
- A $3.28 million contract with Larry Young Paving to construct Phase 1 of the widening of Greens Prairie Trail.
- An ordinance temporarily changing the posted speed limit to 30 mph on Greens Prairie Road from 1,000 feet west of Woodlake Drive to the Royder Road Intersection during the Greens Prairie Road Widening Project.
This item was voted on separately:
- The council voted unanimously approved a motion by Councilman John Nichols to postpone until Oct. 7 the vote on the ordinance changing the posted speed limit on Holleman Drive South from North Dowling Road to the Rock Prairie Road Intersection. The limit in the ordinance was 40 mph, and Nichols motion asked that it be 45.
7:26 p.m.
Assistance to Firefighters Grant
The council voted unanimously to approve a resolution accepting a $315,597 Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The funds will be used for the Blue Card Hazard Zone Incident Command Training and Certification Program and source-capturing diesel exhaust removal systems for fire stations.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:40 p.m.
Fun for All Playground Phase 2
The council voted unanimously to approve a $1.8 million contract for Phase 2 of the Fun for All Playground at Central Park. The second phase includes a stadium with bleachers and a quarter-scale artificial turf field.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:46 p.m.
Budget Amendment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a $325,000 amendment to the FY19 city budget.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:18 p.m.
FY 20 Budget Adoption
The council voted 6-1 to adopt the city’s FY 20 budget of $341.2 million, which includes a general fund budget of $105.2 million and capital projects totaling $57.9 million. Councilwoman Elianor Vessali voted against the budget. A public hearing on the budget was Sept. 12.
In a second vote, the council voted 6-1 to ratify the increase in property tax revenue reflected in the budget. Councilwoman Vessali voted against the motion.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:56 p.m.
FY 20 Tax Rate Adoption
The council voted 5-2 to adopt the FY 20 proposed property tax rate of $0.534618 per $100 assessed value, a $.028777-cent increase. Councilwoman Vessali and Councilman Jerome Rektorik voted against the motion. The proposed rate will generate $51.7 million for debt service and city operations. Four residents spoke against the tax increase.
Public hearings on the tax rate were Aug. 22 and Sept. 12.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:06 p.m.
Texas Independence Ballpark Midtown College Station
The council voted unanimously to officially name the new park on Rock Prairie Road as Texas Independence Ballpark Midtown College Station. The council also named the complex’s eight ball fields as Gonzales, Goliad, Alamo, San Jacinto, Sabine River, Rio Grande, Red River, and Lone Star.
The park had been temporarily called Southeast Park.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:22 p.m.
Texas A&M Ticket Reselling
The council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance related to Texas A&M ticket reselling, along with an inter-local agreement with the university for related law enforcement assistance.
Reselling of A&M football tickets often results in unsuspecting buyers purchasing invalid or counterfeit tickets. The ordinance requires a university permitting process. It doesn’t impact the occasional resale of personal tickets. The agreement allows university police to help the city with enforcement.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:24 p.m.
BVSWMA Board Appointment
The council voted 6-0-1 to reappoint Councilman John Nichols to the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency’s board of directors. Nichols abstained from the vote.
9:24 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
9:24 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Monday, Oct. 7.
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, 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 gathers Thursday at city hall for its workshop (about 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings.
Here are five items to watch:
- Residential Parking: In the workshop, the council will discuss city ordinances, policies, and practices related to parking in residential areas, including school zones, removal policies, pavement coverage on residential lots, and Aggie football game day parking. The council will also review updates on the city’s traffic calming policy.
- Greens Prairie Trail Widening: As part of the consent agenda, the council will consider a $3.28 million contract the reconstruction of Greens Prairie Trail from the city limit west of Woodlake intersection to Royder Road. The project will replace the existing asphalt road with a four-lane minor arterial concrete road.
- Fun for All Playground Phase 2: The council will consider a $1.8 million contract for Phase 2 of the Fun for All Playground at Central Park. The second phase includes a stadium with bleachers and a quarter-scale artificial turf field. Citizens and charitable organizations donated about $1.3 million for the project, and $546,000 comes from parkland funds.
- FY20 Budget, Tax Rate Adoption: In separate items, the council will consider adopting the proposed FY20 budget and property tax rate. The $341.2 million budget includes a general fund of $105.2 million and capital projects totaling $57.9 million. The proposed tax rate of $0.534618 per $100 assessed value is a $.028778-cent increase and would generate $51.7 million for debt service and city operations. The owner of an average-price home in College Station ($280,000) would pay about $8.58 more per month.
- Texas Independence Ballpark Midtown College Station: The council will consider officially naming the new park on Rock Prairie Road East as Texas Independence Ballpark Midtown College Station. The council will also consider naming the complex’s eight ball fields as Gonzales, Goliad, Alamo, San Jacinto, Sabine River, Rio Grande, Red River, and Lone Star. The park had been temporarily called Southeast Park.
Related Links:
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, please share it with your social network and friends!
Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Sept. 12)
Sitting (L-R): Mayor Pro Tem Linda Harvell, Mayor Karl Mooney, Eleanor Vessali. Standing (L-R): Bob Brick, Jerome Rektorik, John Nichols, Dennis Maloney.
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Sept. 12. 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.
5:06 p.m.
The workshop has started. Councilman Dennis Maloney is absent tonight.
The council took no action out of the executive session.
5:10 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:
- Infrastructure Participation Agreement: The agreement prepares a section of The Business Center at College Station Phase II for development with the addition of needed infrastructure, including detention, sidewalks, shared driveway access, and sewer. The city is under contract to sell about seven acres. The agreement details the cost-sharing of infrastructure outlined in the real estate contract. In general, the shared infrastructure will be designed by the city to standards and requirements. Grand Jr. will construct the shared infrastructure, and the city will reimburse for its portion once the items are completed, inspected and accepted.
- Justice Assistance Grant: The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions and funds all components of the criminal justice system. The CSPD intends to use this funding to support local initiatives, technical assistance, training, equipment, supplies, or information technology projects that will enhance law enforcement programs.
5:27 p.m.
CodeFest Review
The council reviewed the city’s first CodeFest Aug. 17-18 at the Meyer Center. Funded entirely by sponsorships, the event attracted 45 participants from College Station, Austin, and Houston.
The nine teams developed three apps and six websites focusing on various community needs. The top team won $1,000, with second place taking home $500. A second Codefest is tentatively planned for Jan. 25.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
5:34 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.
6:00 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:07 p.m.
Constitution Week
Mayor Mooney proclaimed Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week in College Station in recognition of America’s most important document. The United States Constitution stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties, freedoms, and inalienable rights.
6:32 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Seven people spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
- Councilwoman Elianor Vessali recognized Army Capt. Sean E. Lyerly as part of the Fallen Heroes Project. The 31-year-old Pflugerville native died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 20, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq.
- Jacob Prazak of the College Station Professional Firefighters Association spoke about an effective new cancer screening for firefighters. He also spoke in support of the proposed increase in the property tax rate.
- David Scott spoke against the process behind the clearing of trees in Lick Creek Park for the installation of a sewer line. He asked the city to restore the habitat that has been destroyed.
- Donell Frankes spoke about the sewer work in Lick Creek Park. She said the scheduling of the work caused significant disruption to park programs and activities.
- Jackie Girouard spoke about the destruction of Lick Creek Park caused by the sewer pipeline work.
- Cheryl Lewis spoke about the threat to native vegetation and water resources in Lick Creek Park.
- Sandy Dillard spoke about the threat to vital bird habitat in Lick Creek Park.
6:33 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A participation agreement with Grand Jr. for constructing public infrastructure. City participation is not to exceed $208,851, excluding fixed fees.
- Documents relating to the property owners association in The Business Center at College Station.
- FY20 funds for items exempt from competitive bidding and other expenditures for inter-local contracts or fees mandated by state law that are greater than $100,000.
- A negotiated settlement agreement between the Atmos Cities Steering Committee and Atmos Energy Corp.-Mid-Tex Division regarding the company’s 2019 rate review mechanism filings with rate tariffs and proof of revenues.
- Amendments to certain sections of the city’s Code of Ordinances related to the Northgate Parking Garage Gate.
- The annual price agreement not to exceed $120,000 with Corn’s Collision Center for heavy truck paint and body repairs.
- An inter-local agreement with Brazos County and the City of Bryan to apply for and accept a 2019 Justice Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
- The addition of a four-way stop intersection at Church Avenue east and westbound at Second Street and the public way of the Northgate surface parking lot.
- Renewal of contracts for prefabricated signs and sign blanks with Vulcan Signs ($54,224.50) and for posts and hardware with Dobie Supply ($61,585.00).
6:42 p.m.
FY20 Budget Public Hearing
The council conducted a public hearing on the city’s proposed budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The total budget is about $341.2 million. The budget is scheduled for adoption Sept. 26. Two people spoke in the public hearing, one against waste in the budget and the other in support of the city’s workforce.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:02 p.m.
FY20 Tax Rate Public Hearing
The council conducted its final public hearing on the city’s proposed FY20 property tax rate of .534618 per $100 of assessed value, a $.028778-cent increase. The proposed rate would generate $51.7 million in revenue for general debt service and operations and maintenance. Five people spoke against the rate increase. (Blogger’s note: I originally wrote here that one of the speakers supported the increase. I misunderstood the intent of the speaker’s statement and regret the error.)
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:02 p.m.
Rock Prairie-Fitch Rezoning
This item was pulled from tonight’s agenda and will be considered at a later date.
7:19 p.m.
Texas Avenue South Land Use
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the land use from Suburban Commercial and Natural Areas Reserved to General Commercial, Urban, and Natural Areas Reserved for almost nine acres at 2709 Texas Avenue South. One person spoke in the public hearing.
The change will allow for commercial and multi-family development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:29 p.m.
University Drive East Land Use
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the land use from Natural Areas Reserved to General Commercial for about 1.3 acres at 3030 University Drive East. The changes would allow for a medical office in an existing building.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:36 p.m.
University Drive East Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Light Industrial to General Commercial for about 1.3 acres at 3030 University Drive East. The changes would allow for a medical office in an existing building.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:42 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Sept. 26.
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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