Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (April 11)
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, April 11. 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.
5:01 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action out of the executive session.
5:05 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:
- Ambulance Billing Renewal: The $155,000 contract with Emergicon is for ambulance billing, accounts receivable and delinquent account collection services.
- Annual Water Meter Purchase: The $174,427 contract with Aqua Metric Sales Company is for annual water meter purchases.
5:39 p.m.
CSPD Resource Allocation Study
The council reviewed a study by Etico Solutions that evaluated and analyzed police officer staffing. The information is based on five years of call data and three years of leave data.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
5:54 p.m.
Existing Conditions Report
The council reviewed the city’s 2018 Existing Conditions Report, which kicks off the 10-year Comprehensive Plan update process with an overview of College Station’s conditions for the natural environment, demographics, economic development, land use, public facilities, and transportation. The report and be viewed online at cstx.gov/planning.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:35 p.m.
Wolf Pen Creek Corridor
The council discussed the status of the Wolf Pen Creek Corridor.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:39 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.
6:48 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:58 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Three 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 2nd Lt. Peter H. Burks as part of the Fallen Heroes Project. The 26-year-old Dallas native died on Nov. 14, 2007, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Baghdad, Iraq.
- Jorge Sanchez spoke about the consequences of the urban heat island effect created by pavement and concrete. He advocated for expanded use of urban forests to mitigate the effect.
6:59 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- Renewal of a contract not-to-exceed $155,000 with Emergicon for ambulance billing, accounts receivable and delinquent account collection services.
- Annual water meter purchases totaling $174,427.77 from Aqua Metric Sales Company through the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC).
- An annual price agreement not to exceed $150,000 for heavy equipment and machinery rental.
7:07 p.m.
Wastewater Public Utility Corridor
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to establish a public utility corridor for the Northeast Wastewater Trunk Line Project Phase 2 in city greenways east of Art & Myra Bright Park in the Raintree subdivision and east of Wilderness Drive.
No other feasible alternative exists for the project, and reasonable measures will be taken to minimize the impact.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:16 p.m.
10-Year Comprehensive Plan Contract
The council voted unanimously to approve a $167,500 contract with Planning NEXT for the city’s Comprehensive Plan 10-Year Evaluation and Appraisal Report. The planning process will begin in May and is expected to be finished by the summer of 2020.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:21 p.m.
Georgie K. Fitch Park Trail
The council voted unanimously to approve a $363,000 contract with Kieschnick General Contractors for the development of the Georgie K. Fitch Park Trail to provide a safe connection from Fitch Park to the Ringer Library. The project includes lighting and a concrete trailway over Bee Creek.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:32 p.m.
Crow Memorial Parkway
The council voted 5-2 to approve a resolution supporting Texas House Bill 884 that would designate Texas Avenue from East Villa Maria Road to Krenek Tap Road as the Carolyn and John David Crow Memorial Parkway. Texas Avenue is a state roadway, and the designation would not change any addresses. Councilmen Dennis Maloney and Bob Brick voted against the motion.
Mary Hirsch spoke in opposition to the process used by the state to designate state roadways.
An earlier motion by Maloney to postpone the vote was defeated, 4-3. Brick and Councilwoman Linda Harvell also supported Maloney’s motion.
Crow played won the 1957 Heisman Trophy at Texas A&M as the nation’s outstanding college football player. He played 11 years in the NFL and spent several years in coaching and athletic administration, including a stint as A&M’s athletic director. Crow passed away in 2015, followed by Carolyn in 2016.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:33 p.m.
Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Board
The council voted unanimously to appoint Kyle Leblanc to finish an unexpired term the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board.
7:34 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, April 25.
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 (about 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings.
Here are five items to watch:
- CSPD Resource Allocation Study: In the workshop, the council will review a study by Etico Solutions that evaluated and analyzed police officer staffing. The information is based on five years of call data and three years of leave.
- Wolf Pen Creek Corridor: The council will have a workshop discussion on the status of the Wolf Pen Creek Corridor.
- Wastewater Public Utility Corridor: After a public hearing in the regular meeting, the council will consider establishing a public utility corridor for the Northeast Wastewater Trunk Line Project Phase 2 within city greenways east of Art & Myra Bright Park in the Raintree subdivision and east of Wilderness Drive.
- 10-year Comprehensive Plan Update: The council will consider a $167,500 contract with Planning NEXT for the city’s Comprehensive Plan 10-Year Evaluation and Appraisal Report. The planning process will begin in May and is expected to be finished by next summer.
- Georgie K. Fitch Park Trail: The council will consider a $363,000 contract with Kieschnick General Contractors for the development of the Georgie K. Fitch Park Trail to safely connect the park to the Ringer Library.
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!
