Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Nov. 14)
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Nov. 14. It’s not the official minutes.
The meeting can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
4:04 p.m.
The workshop has started.
4:08 p.m.
Election Results
The council canvassed returns and declared the results of the Nov. 5 general election. John Crompton was elected to the Place 2 city council seat with 3,287 votes. Jerome Rektorik received 2,881 votes. Mayor Karl Mooney ran unopposed and was re-elected to a second term with 5,453 votes.
4:14 p.m.
Municipal Judge Ed Spillane administered the oath of office to Mayor Mooney. Councilman Crompton is absent and will take his oath on Monday.
4:24 p.m.
Council members offered their farewells and thank yous to outgoing Councilman Rektorik, which received gifts from city staff and the Police Department.
4:25 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop. The regular meeting will start t 6 p.m. after a reception honoring Rektorik for his service.
5:00 p.m.
Here are some photos from the reception:
6:01 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:10 p.m.
Historical Business Marker No. 13
The Historic Preservation Committee presented Historical Business Marker No. 13 to A&M United Methodist Church. We’ll post a photo here later.
6:16 p.m.
Hear Visitors
One person spoke during hear visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.
Councilman Elianor Vessali recognized Army CW4 Clarence E. Boone as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 50-year-old Boone was from Fort Worth and died Dec. 2, 2003, Kuwait City, Kuwait, of a heart attack.
6:17 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve these consent agenda items:
- A $296,971 contract with Stantec Consulting Services for the design and construction phase services for the Carters Creek Blower Buildings Nos. 2 & 3 Project.
- A master agreement not to exceed $150,000 with The Reynolds Company for Rockwell automation products and services for maintenance of Water Services Department SCADA infrastructure.
- A Groundwater Return Flow Option Agreement and a Groundwater Return Flow Purchase Agreement with Blanchard Refining Company.
- The third and final renewal of a $278,996.44 contract with Andrews Building Service for janitorial services at city facilities.
- The annual BVWACS operations, maintenance and capital budget.
This item was voted on separately:
- The council voted 6-0 to approve the first Restated Economic Development Agreement with StataCorp. Councilman Bob Brick abstained.
6:24 p.m.
Harvey Mitchell-Dartmouth Land Use
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the land use from Urban to General Commercial for about 2.3 acres on the south side of Harvey Mitchell Parkway east of the Dartmouth Street intersection to allow for commercial development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:30 p.m.
Harvey Mitchell-Dartmouth Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Townhouse to General Commercial with Corridor Overlay for the same property in the previous item.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:38 p.m.
Graham-Longmire Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to Suburban Commercial with Natural Areas Protected for about 1.6 acres at the south corner of the Graham Road-Longmire Drive intersection. The applicant plans to build an optometry office.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:41 p.m.
After the council discussed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting.
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
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
The College Station City Council gathers Thursday at city hall for its workshop (4 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings.
Here are five items to watch:
- Election Results: In the workshop, the council will canvass the returns and declare the results of the Nov. 5 general election for mayor and Place 2 on the city council.
- Rektorik Reception: After the workshop, the council will have a public reception for outgoing Councilman Jerome Rektorik to thank him for his service.
- Historical Marker: To start the regular meeting, the Historic Preservation Committee will present Historical Business Marker 13 to A&M United Methodist Church.
- Harvey Mitchell-Dartmouth Changes: After public hearings, the council will consider changing the land use and zoning for about 2.3 acres on the south side of Harvey Mitchell Parkway east of the Dartmouth Street intersection to allow for commercial development. The land use would change from Urban to General Commercial, and the zoning would go from Townhouse to General Commercial with Corridor Overlay.
- Graham-Longmire Rezoning: After a public hearing, the council will consider a request to change the zoning from Rural to Suburban Commercial with Natural Areas Protected for about 1.6 acres at the south corner of the Graham Road-Longmire Drive intersection. The applicant plans to build an optometry office.
Related Links:
About the Blogger
Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as an 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: 2019 City Council Election
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live election blog from the Brazos Center. The results are also available on the City of College Station’s Twitter and Facebook pages.
All 25 voting centers reporting and early/absentee votes (8:52 p.m.)
Although the totals don’t include provisional, military and late mail-in ballots, those numbers are not sufficient to affect the outcome. The vote will be officially canvassed and Crompton will be sworn into office at the Nov. 14 city council meeting.
Voter turnout in Brazos County was about 14 percent.
Thanks for following us tonight!
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 Monday’s city council meetings
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
The College Station City Council gathers Monday at city hall for its workshop (4 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings.
Here are five items to watch:
- Canvassing of Election Returns: The council will canvass returns and declare results from the Nov. 6 election for places 4 and 6 on the city council and five city charter amendments.
- Vessali Takes Oath of Office: Place 4 Councilwoman-elect Elianor Vessali will take the oath of office, followed by a short reception bidding farewell to outgoing Councilman Barry Moore. Place 6 will be decided in a Dec. 11 run-off between Elizabeth Cunha and Dennis Maloney.
- Open Storage: On the consent agenda is an amendment that eliminates the open storage of commodities for sale, lease or inventory in areas zoned rural and allows the storage of materials for private use that are not visible from the public right-of-way.
- Accessory Living Quarters: After a public hearing, the council will consider amending the city’s Unified Development Ordinance regarding off-street parking and the rental of accessory living quarters.
- Single-Family Height Protection: After a public hearing, the council will consider amending the city’s Unified Development Ordinance regarding single-family height protection and building height.
The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Channel 19 or online. Please note that we won’t be doing a live blog from this meeting.
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!
A closer look at the proposed city charter amendments
By Tanya Smith, City Secretary
If you plan to vote in the November election, you probably have a pretty good idea about how you are voting to fill national, state and local offices, but you may not have thoroughly examined the proposed changes to College Station’s City Charter.
In April, the city council asked the city attorney and city secretary to review the charter and propose changes. After discussion and debate, the council unanimously voted to add five propositions to the November ballot.
If you wait until you vote, you may find the ballot language a bit confusing, so it’s important to know what you are voting for – or against – before you head to your voting place.
Let’s take a closer look at each proposition and what it means to vote for or against it.
Proposition No. 1: Expansion of Council Terms
Shall Article III (The City Council), Section 17 (Number, Selection, Term) of the College Station City Charter be amended to provide for the regular election of the Mayor and City Council Members to be held in even-numbered years, for four (4) year term lengths for the Mayor and Council Members, and that the Mayor and Council Members be eligible to serve consecutive regular terms totaling no more than eight (8) years?
If you vote FOR the amendment, it means you want the terms of offices for the mayor and city council members to change from three to four-year terms. The term limit would also expand from six to eight years.
Voting for this proposition also allows city elections to remain in November, but elections would only be conducted in even-numbered years. If this proposition carries, the next general election for the council and mayor would still take place in November 2019 to keep the terms staggered.
If you vote AGAINST the amendment, it means you want the mayor and council members to continue serving three-year terms with term limits of six consecutive years. You also want elections every November.
Proposition No. 2: City Attorney’s Residency
Shall Article III (The City Council), Section 29 (City Attorney) of the College Station City Charter be amended to permit the City Attorney to reside either within the City or within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City?
If you vote FOR the amendment, you want to allow the city attorney to live within the city limits or its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), which extends five miles past the city limits. If you vote AGAINST the amendment, you want to require the city attorney to live only within the city limits.
Proposition No. 3: Mandatory City Internal Auditor
Shall Article III (The City Council), Section 30 (City Internal Auditor) of the College Station City Charter be amended to make the appointment of the City Internal Auditor mandatory and to remove the reference to contracting for the duties of City Internal Auditor?
If you vote FOR the amendment, you want the appointment of an internal city auditor to be mandatory. The city has had an internal auditor for several years.
If you vote AGAINST the amendment, you want the city council to have the authority to either appoint an internal auditor, hire an outside firm to fulfill those duties, or leave the position vacant.
Proposition No. 4: City Manager’s Residency
Shall Article IV (The City Manager), Section 40 (Qualifications) of the College Station City Charter be amended to permit the City Manager to reside either within the City or within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City?
If you vote FOR the amendment, you want to allow the city manager to live within the city limits or its ETJ, which extends five miles past the city limits.
If you vote AGAINST the amendment, you want to require the city manager to live only within the city limits.
Proposition No. 5: Competitive Purchasing Notices
Shall Article VII (Finance Administration), Section 68 (Contracts for Improvements) of the College Station City Charter be amended to allow the City to determine by ordinance the methods to be used to satisfy notice requirements for competitive purchasing?
If you vote FOR the amendment, then you want language permitting the city to specify the method of notice for competitive bids and competitive proposals to be set by ordinance to the extent allowed by state law. This change would allow – but not require – the council to adopt an ordinance providing for alternative methods of publicizing notice of bids and proposals.
If you vote AGAINST the amendment, then you want notice of the time and place that competitive bids are publicly opened to be published at least weekly for two consecutive weeks in the newspaper with no alternative method of public notice per state law.
Don’t Miss the Bottom of the Ballot!
When you vote, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the ballot to participate in your local elections. Since municipal elections are non-partisan, a straight-party vote will not include these critical items. You must vote for these issues separately.
Election Day is Nov. 6. Early voting starts Oct. 22 and runs through Nov. 2.
For complete voter information, go to cstx.gov/elections or brazosvotes.org.
About the Blogger
A certified Texas municipal clerk, Tanya Smith is in her second year as College Station’s city secretary after serving 10 years as deputy city secretary. She was city secretary in Madisonville from 1998-2008.
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Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (July 26)
(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 Thursday, July 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.
5:26 p.m.
The workshop has started. No action was taken out of executive session.
Councilmen Bob Brick and James Benham are participating by teleconference. Councilman Jerome Rekrotik is absent tonight.
5:35 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:
- Carters Creek Wastewater Plant Improvements: The $608,000 contract is for design and construction phase services for centrifuge improvements at the Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- East Side Sewer and Lift Station: The $267,000 contract is for design and construction phase services for the East Side Sewer and Lift Station Project.
5:47 p.m.
BVSWMA Budget
The council unanimously endorsed the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency’s FY19 budget, which includes $8.64 million in revenue, $6.42 million in operating expenses, and $3.67 million in capital expenses. Total reserves, cash, and investments are $11.75 million.
The budget also reduces the gate rate for the cities of Bryan and College Station from $20 to $18.50 per ton.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:07 p.m.
Texas Weekend of Remembrance
After reviewing the 2018 Texas Weekend of Remembrance, the council directed staff to continue plans for 2019.
The TWR is a time for military members, veterans, and their families to come together and honor the memory of their lost loved ones through camaraderie and commemoration of their sacrifice. The Memorial Day weekend event allows everyone to show their pride and respect for the men and women who paid the ultimate price.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:08 p.m.
Mayor Karl Mooney suspended the workshop. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
6:13 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:34 p.m.
Historical Markers
The Historic Preservation Committee presented historical markers to St. Matthew Baptist Church (409 Holleman Dr.), Pleasant Grove Baptist Church (1216 Detroit St.), Sterling Whitley (500 Holleman Dr.), Thomas & Sharon Merchant (1102 Detroit St.), Bobby Searcy & Adrian Merchant (1106 Phoenix St.), and Rudell Baker-Wilson (1202 Phoenix St.).
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:39 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.
- Ann Marsh spoke about ways the city can solve issues caused by trash containers.
6:41 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- An amendment to the Solid Waste Facilities Operations Agreement with BVSWMA that governs communications and procedures during extended periods of landfill inaccessibility.
- The first reading of a franchise agreement with Organix Recycling for the collection of recyclables from commercial businesses and multi-family locations.
- A contract with Pebble Creek Interests for easements needed for the Lick Creek Parallel Wastewater Trunk Line Project.
- A contract with Aggieland Properties for land needed for the State Highway 47 Electric Substation Project.
- A second amendment to the lease agreement with Wirestar that increases the leased fiber optic strand miles to 88.74.
- An annual price agreement not to exceed $1,873,500 with Knife River ($1.44 million) and BPI Material ($438,000) for Type D hot mix asphalt for the maintenance of streets
- A $209,656 contract with CF McDonald Electric to install purchased VFDs at Sandy Point Pump Station.
- The removal of parking on the west side of Boyett Street beginning 60 feet north of the intersection of University Drive and ending 130 feet north of University Drive on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
- The creation of a passenger loading zone in the Northgate Promenade Parking Lot to help address pedestrian safety and traffic congestion issues. The loading zone would be in place from 9 p.m.-3 a.m.
- Changed the definition of a junked vehicle in the city’s Code of Ordinances to align with the Texas Transportation Code. The amendment also transfers cost responsibility
- to remove a junked vehicle from the city to the owner.
- A $60,000 change order for the contractor to bore under Wellborn Road and the railroad track to build an additional feeder to the Jones Crossing development.
- A $608,000 contract with Jones and Carter for design and construction phase services for the Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Centrifuge Improvements Project.
- A $267,000 contract with Jones and Carter for design and construction phase services for the East Side Sewer and Lift Station Project.
- A contract not to exceed $120,000 with Krause Paint and Body Shop for heavy truck paint and body repairs.
- A $800,077.30 bid award for annual blanket purchase agreements for electrical items: KBS Electrical Distributors ($100,044.30), Wesco Distributors ($41,898), Texas Electric Cooperatives ($119,737.50), Techline ($509,373.50), and Anixter ($29,024).
This item was moved to the Aug. 9 council meeting:
- Renewal of the inter-local agreement with the City of Bryan for management of the Larry J. Ringer Library.
6:55 p.m.
Committee Term Lengths and Limits
After a public hearing, the council unanimously voted to change the term lengths for appointees to various city boards, commissions, and committees to three years – except for the Planning & Zoning Commission – and to remove term limits that aren’t required by law. Planning and Zoning commissioners will continue to be limited to two terms.
The modifications are a response to the declining number of citizens applying to serve.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:09 p.m.
Fun for All Playground
The council unanimously approved a $942,123 construction contract for the first phase of an all-abilities park at Central Park. The Fun for All Playground will be a fully accessible park that will provide inclusive play for everyone.
The improvements will be funded primarily by civic groups and private citizens. Phase 1 includes a playground, swings, splash pad, parking, fencing, and general infrastructure.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:10 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
7:10 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The workshop will resume after a short break.
7:17 p.m.
The workshop has resumed.
8:21 p.m.
Possible City Charter Amendments
The council discussed possible city charter amendments that may be included in a special election in November: They approved the following items for the ballot:
- Expand the terms from three to four years for mayor and city council members with regular elections in even-numbered years.
- Expansion of residency requirement for the city manager and city attorney to allow them to live in the extraterritorial jurisdiction.
- The mandatory appointment of an internal auditor.
- Add language permitting the city to specify by ordinance the notice required for competitive bids and proposals.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:23 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The council meets again on Thursday, Aug. 9.
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!
