City waives winter storm repair permit fees
By Michael Ostrowski, Director of Planning and Development Services
The City of College Station’s Planning and Development Services is waiving required permit fees for residential or commercial repairs related to this week’s winter storm.
To receive the waiver when applying through the city’s online permitting system (eTRAKIT), select “2021 Winter Storm Repair” as the permit type, then the appropriate subtype for the repair.
The permit fee waiver will be in effect for permit applications through March 7. Work not related to storm damage does not qualify. Homeowners and contractors should apply for the appropriate permit type for that work through eTRAKiT.
The city requires contractors to register before obtaining a permit. When registering, contractors must provide:
- Copy of state license.
- Certificate of insurance.
- Registration fee.
- Completed contractor registration form.
A homeowner may obtain a building permit for work on a building they own and occupy as a homestead. However, licensed contractors must obtain electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits.
Permits are required for:
- Building a new structure or altering or repairing an existing structure, including replacing roof coverings and windows. Exceptions include cosmetic repairs, including wall coverings that don’t alter structural components.
- Installing, altering, or repairing a plumbing system. Exceptions include unstopping a drain line, provided that a trap, drain, waste, or vent pipe isn’t removed and replaced with new material. A plumbing permit is also required to install, alter, enlarge, or repair a gas piping system.
- Installing electrical wiring, devices, appliances, fixtures, and electrical equipment, except for replacing fuses, snap switches, and signal-conveying systems.
- Installing, altering, repairing, or replacing a mechanical system. Exceptions include installing portable heating devices and cooling units, and the replacement of any minor part that doesn’t alter the approval of equipment or make it unsafe.
For more information about the permitting and registration process, contact Planning and Development Services’ Building Division at cspds@cstx.gov or 979-764-3570.
About the Blogger
Michael Ostrowski is in his first year as director of Planning and Development Services. He previously served as assistant planning and development director in San Marcos after many years with municipalities in Wisconsin. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics, political science and public administration from Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and master’s degrees in public administration and urban planning from Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
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Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (June 13)
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, June 13. 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.
5:23 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action out of the executive session.
5:29 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 Park: As part of the consent agenda, the council will consider a $418,000 contract with Caprock Construction for the development of Northgate Park, a 1 ½-acre neighborhood park that will include lighted trails, open play areas, benches, a small lighted pavilion with picnic tables, and drinking fountains.
5:46 p.m.
BVEDC Incentive Report
The council heard a presentation from the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation about incentive compliance in 2018.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:15 p.m.
Water Fund and Rates
The council discussed the city’s water utility fund and the challenges it faces from growth, future capacity needs, and the impact of rainfall patterns. Staff recommended a 15% rate increase for FY20, which would raise the monthly bill by about $3.42 for an average single-family residence.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:38 p.m.
Smart City Initiatives
The council heard a workshop presentation about the city’s technology-driven smart city initiatives. The discussion included public sector trends and the types of advisory boards that exist in the industry.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:38 p.m.
Mayor Mooney suspended the workshop. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
6:44 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:49 p.m.
Giles Completes Managing Officer Program
Mayor Mooney recognized Capt. Jason Giles for completing the National Fire Academy’s Managing Officer Program. Giles has been with the College Station Fire Department since 1999. Pictured below with the mayor are Kyler Giles, Capt. Giles, Fire Chief Jonathan McMahon, and Councilwoman Elianor Vessali.
6:55 p.m.
Men’s Health Month
The mayor proclaimed June as Men’s Health Month. Pictured below with the mayor are representatives of the Brazos County Health Department.
7:06 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.
- Councilwoman Elianor Vessali recognized Marine Capt. Lyle L. Gordon as part of the Fallen Heroes Project. The 30-year-old Midlothian native died on Jan. 26, 2005, in a helicopter crash near Ar Rutbah, Iraq.
7:07 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- Authorized the city manager or designee to execute documents for a grant application for police bomb squad equipment to the Office of the Governor’s Homeland Security Division.
- A $418,266.89 contract with Caprock Construction for the development of Northgate Park.
- A change order reducing by $91,555.33 the contract for the Sandy Point Improvements Project.
- An interlocal agreement with Region 8 Education Service Center to participate in The Interlocal Purchasing System.
- A contract not to exceed $162,271.92 with ASAP Security Services for implementing Phase II of the city-wide integrated video surveillance system.
- An annual price agreement not to exceed $712,700 with Techline for wire and cable.
- Services by Global Payments Direct for merchant card and credit card payment processing services: a) additional funding of $285,000 for the second year of the initial contract term ending May 31, 2020; and b) amended the contract to allow for an estimated annual expenditure of $1.3 million.
- An annual contract not to exceed $100,000 with Larry Young Paving for the repaving of utility cuts.
- The first renewal of a contract not to exceed $432,000 with Brazos Paving for the installation of one-inch overlay with specialty mix.
- An annual contract not-to-exceed $101,640 with Buyers Barricades Houston for 2019 Texas A&M football postgame traffic control.
7:14 p.m.
Budget Amendment No. 2
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a $2.33 million amendment to the city’s FY19 budget that includes an attenuator truck and two equipment operators for the Solid Waste Division, parkland dedication funds, an assistant to the city manager, medical claims, and a cemetery water line.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:23 p.m.
Updated Building Permit Fees
The council voted unanimously to adopt amended building permit fees to align with state law and the city’s policy of full fee support for the costs of permitted services.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:32 p.m.
University Drive Rezoning
The council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Office with Corridor Overlay to General Commercial with Corridor Overlay for about three acres at 1101, 1103 and 1105 University Drive East.
The change would allow for a wider range of uses in the existing development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:48 p.m.
Interlocal Agreement for Prisoners
The council voted unanimously to approve an interlocal agreement with Brazos County to house City of College Station Class C misdemeanor prisoners at $55 each per day.
The Police Department’s new headquarters that will open early next year will not have a holding facility. State Law mandates that the local sheriff accept and house arrests from county agencies that are a Class B misdemeanor and above.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:00 p.m.
Harvey Mitchell Parkway Multi-Use Path
The council voted unanimously to approve a $102,735 contract with Dudley Construction for the Harvey Mitchell Parkway multi-use path landscaping project, which includes trees and shrubs along the existing path between Texas and Welsh Avenues.
The 2013 South Knoll Area Neighborhood Plan gave direction to continue enhancing park and trail facilities. The landscaping project was specifically identified and also helps implement the Comprehensive Plan as it relates to FM2818 as a primary image corridor.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:26 p.m.
Semi-Annual Impact Fee Report
The council voted unanimously to accept the semi-annual report on the system-wide water, wastewater, and roadway impact fees adopted in 2016. The fees have been implemented in phases with full implementation occurring in December.
The city limits bound the service area for roadway impact fees, but service areas for system-wide water and wastewater impact fees also include areas in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. Land use assumptions and the related capital improvement plans were unchanged in the reporting period, and the report documents the fees collected in each service area.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:28 p.m.
Interlocal Agreement with Wellborn SUD
The council voted unanimously to approve an interlocal agreement with the Wellborn Special Utility District for cost participation in the city’s Greens Prairie Trail Phase 1 Widening Project. To reduce costs and make sure the project is completed on schedule, Wellborn SUD will reimburse the city for relocating its water lines located in the city’s right-of-way.
The project will reconstruct and widen Greens Prairie Trail from Royder Road to the city limit and will include the replacement of the existing asphalt pavement with a four-lane concrete section.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:30 p.m.
Greens Prairie Preliminary Engineering Report
The council voted unanimously to approve a $234,500 contract with Jones & Carter for the preliminary engineering report for the rehabilitation of Greens Prairie Trail from Wellborn Road to Victoria Avenue.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:33 p.m.
McCulloch Utility Rehabilitation Project
The council voted unanimously to approve an $839,800 contract with Kimley Horn and Associates for the McCulloch Utility Rehabilitation Project, which includes water and wastewater lines in the Southgate area near Arizona Street, Phoenix Street, Carolina Street, and Georgia Street.
The sewer lines need to be replaced because of service disruptions caused by deteriorating lines, shallow lines, and poor access to mains located near back lot lines. The water distribution lines need to be replaced due to service disruptions caused by deteriorating lines and inadequate fire protection from small lines.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:38 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
8:38 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the regular meeting. The workshop meeting will resume.
8:42 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports.
The council meets again on Thursday, June 27.
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.
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Beware opportunists taking advantage of hail damage
By Brian Binford, Planning & Development Services Building Official
Weather-rated calamities seem to bring out the best in most folks. We saw that up close when Hurricane Harvey devastated the Texas coast last summer.
Unfortunately, these situations can bring out the worst in a few people, too.
While Sunday’s hailstorm certainly wasn’t a large-scale disaster, it did enough damage to set opportunists and scammers in motion. An elderly College Station resident received a suspicious call this morning from a roofing company that offered to evaluate her home for damage.
If you get such a call, check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the company is legitimate and has a good reputation.
Roofing contractors must be registered with the City of College Station and are required to obtain a building permit to roof or replace shingles and decking on residences. Homeowners who do the work themselves don’t need to register as a contractor, but they must apply for a permit before construction.
To obtain a permit, click here or contact Planning & Development Services at 979-764-3570.
About the Blogger
Brian Binford is a certified building official and has been with the City of College Station since 2008. He’s a graduate of Sam Houston State.
Photo Copyright: studiodin/123RF Stock Photo
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