What happens if you run for city council – and win?
By Tanya McNutt, Deputy City Secretary
In my years as a deputy city secretary, I can’t count the times I’ve heard a newly-elected city council member ask these questions:
- “What do you mean I can’t (fill in the blank)?”
- “I have to do WHAT?”
In College Station, city council members devote many long hours to fulfill their responsibilities — and aren’t paid a dime. Before they can serve, they also endure campaigns that take a lot of time, energy, and money.
But what happens after they’re elected?
City Council Places 1, 3 and 5 will be at stake in the Nov. 7 election. If you are considering running, we invite you to attend a free City Council 101 seminar at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27 at the City Hall Council Chambers.
The program is designed to help candidates better understand the requirements, duties, and limitations of the office, as well as open meetings laws and conflicts of interest. We’ll cover our form of government, the role of city staff, and discuss the critical issues facing our community.
Our goal is to help potential candidates make informed decisions about running and to gain an accurate understanding of what’s expected if they are elected.
The filing period to run for council is July 24-Aug. 24. Candidates must be at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens, qualified Texas voters, and College Station residents for at least one year before Election Day. Candidate information packets are available at the City Secretary’s Office at College Station City Hall.
For more details, contact me at 979-764-3580 or tmcnutt@cstx.gov.
About the Blogger
A certified Texas municipal clerk, Tanya McNutt is in her 10th year as College Station’s deputy city secretary. She served as city secretary in Madisonville from 1998-2008.
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Live Blog: Monday’s city council meetings (Nov. 21)
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Monday, Nov. 21. It’s not the official minutes.
The meeting is being broadcast live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and streamed online. An archive of previous council meetings is also available on the website.
6:00 p.m.
The workshop has started. Councilwoman Julie Schultz is absent tonight.
6:02 p.m.
Canvassing of Election Returns
The council canvassed the Nov. 8 election returns and declared the results. Karl Mooney is elected mayor and Jerome Rektorik, Linda Harvell and Barry Moore are elected to the city council.
6:07 p.m.
Oaths of Office for New Mayor, Council Members
Karl Mooney took the oath of office as College Station’s 15th mayor and Barry Moore, Jerome Rektorik and Linda Harvell were sworn in as council members. We’ll post photos here later.
6:28 p.m.
Welcome and Farewell
A short reception welcomed the new council members and bid thanks and farewell to outgoing Mayor Nancy Berry and Councilmen Steve Aldrich and John Nichols. New Mayor Karl Mooney proclaimed today “Nancy Berry Day” in honor of her 6 1/2 years in office. We’ll post photos here later.
The meeting will resume shortly.
6:56 p.m.
The workshop will resume.
6:59 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:
- School Resource Officers: The inter-local agreement establishes the Police Department’s intent to provide school resource officer services to the College Station Independent School District through the end of the 2016-17 school year.
7:03 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items, and committee reports.
7:03 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:10 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Two people spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens may address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
- Ben Roper recognized Army Sgt. Gerardo Moreno as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 20-year-old Orange native died April 5, 2004, from injuries received from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
- Christopher Gold asked the council to provide adequate funding for the city’s greenways and to improve accessibility to pathways.
7:11 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A $530,177 contract with Halff Associates for engineering services related to the Capstone & Barron Alignment project.
- An inter-local agreement with the College Station Independent School District regarding school resource officers.
- Renewal of an annual one-year contract estimated at $900,000 with Brenco Marketing Corporation for gasoline and diesel fuel.
- A $580,400 contract for replacement screw lift pumps at the Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- A contract not to exceed $907,200 with Brazos Paving for concrete curb, gutter and flatwork installation.
- A license agreement with Pitman Custom Homes allowing a small encroachment into a public utility easement in the Creek Meadows Subdivision.
Item 2d was pulled from tonight’s consent agenda and will return at a later date. It was a $203,469 contract for sidewalk improvements along Eisenhower Street, Live Oak Street, Cross Street, and San Saba Drive.
7:27 p.m.
Comp Plan, UDO review
After a public hearing, the council accepted the annual review of the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance. The review is part of a continuing effort to keep the documents current and relevant.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:29 p.m.
Caprock Crossing Easement Abandonment
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the abandonment of a 0.76-acre portion of a 50-foot wide public access easement near Old Arrington Road in the Caprock Crossing area. The abandonment allows future development of the property.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:39 p.m.
Committee Appointments
Ty Elliott, Internal Auditor, provided information on a proposed change to the Audit Committee. The council voted 6-0 to change the make-up of the committee to include three councilmembers and two accounting or audit professionals as non-voting members.
Here’s his PowerPoint presentation:
7:40 p.m.
The council has gone into executive session.
8:25 p.m.
After the executive session, the council made the following committee appointments:
- Brazos Valley CEOC Policy Advisory Board: Karl Mooney
- BVCOG Board of Directors: Karl Mooney
- BVCOG Intergovernmental Committee: Karl Mooney, Blanche Brick
- BVSWMA: John Nichols, Karl Mooney, Richard Floyd
- BVWACS: James Benham
- Brazos Valley MPO: Karl Mooney, Blanche Brick
- Regional Transportation Committee for Council of Governments: Blanche Brick
- Research Valley Partnership: Karl Mooney, Julie Schultz, Jim Jett
Internal Committees:
- Audit: Jerome Rektorik, Linda Harvell, Karl Mooney (chair)
- Budget and Finance: Karl Mooney, Barry Moore, James Benham
- Compensation and Benefits: Jerome Rektorik, Blanche Brick, Karl Mooney
- Economic Development: Karl Mooney, James Benham, Julie Schultz
- Transportation and Mobility: Karl Mooney, Linda Harvell, Blanche Brick (chair)
8:29 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Vote Delayed
The council decided to delay the election of a mayor pro tempore until Councilwoman Julie Schultz returns for the next meeting. The mayor pro tem acts as mayor during the mayor’s disability or absence.
8:29 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Dec. 8.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
About the Author
Colin Killian (@ColinKillian)has been with the City of College Station since 2010. He previously served 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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5 things to watch at Monday’s city council meetings
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
The College Station City Council gathers Monday at city hall for its workshop (6 p.m.) and regular (7 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch:
- Canvassing of Election Returns: In the workshop, the council will canvass the Nov. 8 election returns and declare the results.
- Oaths of Office for New Mayor, Council Members: Karl Mooney will take the oath of office as College Station’s 15th mayor and Barry Moore, Jerome Rektorik and Linda Harvell will be sworn in as council members. A short reception will follow the ceremony to welcome the new members and to bid thanks and farewell to Councilmen Steve Aldrich and John Nichols, and Mayor Nancy Berry. The public is invited.
- Capstone-Barron Realignment: As part of the consent agenda, the council will consider a $530,000 contract for engineering services related to the realignment of Capstone Drive and Barron Road. The roads will be realigned to intersect at the same junction at Wellborn Road.
- Neighborhood Sidewalks: Also on the consent agenda is a $203,000 contract for sidewalks on the west side of Eisenhower Street, the south side of Live Oak Street, the north side of San Saba Drive, and an ADA accessible sidewalk on the south side of Cross Street. The projects will be funded by federal Community Development Block Grants.
- Comp Plan, UDO Review: After a public hearing, the council will review the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance. The review is part of a continuing effort to keep the documents current and relevant.
The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Ch. 19, or online. The website includes an archive of previous council meetings. We’ll post a detailed live blog on this site.
Related links:
About the Author
Colin Killian (@ColinKillian)has been with the City of College Station since 2010. He previously served 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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Live Blog: 2016 city election results
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live election blog from the Brazos Center. We’re posting up-to-the-minute results of the College Station City Council races. Results are also available on the City of College Station’s Twitter and Facebook pages.
UPDATED: 11/21, the votes were officially canvassed at the Nov. 21 city council meeting.
All votes have been counted, including provisional and mail-in ballots.
Mayor (General Election)
Full three-year term.
Results
Karl Mooney is elected
| John Nichols | 11,115 | 49.1 % |
| Karl Mooney | 11,505 | 50.9 % |
Place 2 (General Election)
Full three-year term.
Results
Jerome Rektorik is elected
| Jerome Rektorik | 18,721 | 100.0 % |
| unopposed |
Place 3 (Special Election)
One-year term to complete the unexpired term of Karl Mooney, who is running for mayor.
The current term expires in November 2017.
Results
Linda Harvell is elected
| Jeremy Osborne | 9,426 | 42.7 % |
| Linda Harvell | 12,683 | 57.3 % |
Place 4 (Special Election)
Two-year term to complete the unexpired term of John Nichols, who is running for mayor.
The current term expires in November 2018.
Results
Barry Moore is elected
| Barry Moore | 12,661 | 57.9 % |
| Joe Guerra | 9,186 | 42.1 % |
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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 (5:30 p.m.) and regular (7 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch:
- Boswell Street Changes: The council will consider consent agenda items to make Boswell Street one-way all the time and to remove stopping standing and parking along Boswell and Langford Street near South Knoll Elementary School.
- Lick Creek Trunk Line: The council will consider a $1.38 million contract for the design and construction of a sewer trunk line to serve the Lick Creek sewer shed.
- Impact Fees Public Hearings: The council will consider setting Sept. 8 as the second public hearing date regarding the possible imposition of water, wastewater and roadway impact fees on new development.
- Special City Council Election: The council will consider authorizing a general election for Nov. 8 to elect a mayor and Place 2 city councilmember, and a special election to fill the remaining two years for Place 4 and one year for Place 3. Place 4 Councilman John Nichols and Place 3 Councilman Karl Mooney are running for mayor and must surrender their current seats in November.
- Budget Amendment: The council will consider a $628,873 budget amendment and interdepartmental contingency transfers of $378,266. For items included in the amendment, see pages 187-189 of the regular meeting packet.
The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Ch. 19, or online. The website includes an archive of previous council meetings. We’ll post a detailed live blog on this site.
Related Links
About the Author
Colin Killian (@ColinKillian)has been with the City of College Station since 2010. He previously served 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also done extensive volunteer work for the U.S. Olympic Committee and 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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Podcast: So you want to be a city council member …
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
It’s a presidential election year, but it’s also a year when two seats on the College Station City Council — including mayor — become vacant. Before you become a candidate, though, you need to know the laws and protocols of the elected office. That’s why the city will host a Council Basic 101 session on Monday, July 11.
In this podcast, Deputy City Secretary Tanya McNutt explains what the 101 class will include and who should attend.
Click below to listen. If Soundcloud doesn’t play in your older version of Internet Explorer, click here to hear to the audio file from your system.
About the Author
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his seventh year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. He’s a native of Breckenridge.
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