Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (April 13)
Back (L-R): Linda Harvell, Jerome Rektorik, James Benham, Barry Moore. Front (L-R): Blanche Brick, Mayor Karl Mooney, Julie Schultz.
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 13. It’s not the official minutes.
The meeting is being broadcast live on Suddenlink Channels 19 and 119 (HD) and online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
6:03 p.m.
The workshop has started.
6:18 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:
- All-Way Stops on Southern Plantation: The ordinances would create all-way stops on Southern Plantation Drive at the intersections with Alexandria Avenue and Decatur Drive. Public Works evaluated these intersections because of safety concerns expressed by residents, and the Traffic Management Team recommended the changes.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
- Lick Creek Hike & Bike Trail Change Order: The project consists of a five-mile hike and bike trail from Creek View Park to Lick Creek Park.The construction contract with Kieschnick General Contractors was awarded in May 2015. The change order reconciles bid quantities to actual construction quantities. A total of $3,860,000 is budgeted, and after this deductive change order is applied, total expenditures and encumbrances will be $3,563,796, leaving a balance of $296,204.
6:45 p.m.
CVB Update
The council received an update from the Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, including its rebranding as Experience Bryan-College Station.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
The CVB also presented a video under development (no sound in this version):
7:14 p.m.
Capital Improvement Plan Update
The council received an update on the city’s capital improvement plan.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:14 p.m.
Mayor Karl Mooney suspended the workshop. The regular meeting will start after a short break. The council will complete the workshop agenda after the regular meeting.
7:21 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:33 p.m.
Sister Cities Music Week
The mayor proclaimed this week as Bryan College Station and Greifswald, Germany Sister Cities Music Week with a presentation to the Bryan-College Station Sister Cities Association and Greifswald’s Late Night Singers. The choral group performed, and Mayor Mooney read the proclamation in German. Last week, the group performed a series of concerts across the community. Here are a couple of photos:
7:46 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Two people spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens can address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
- Richard Dabney spoke about the recent addition of LED street lights in his neighborhood and how the brighter lighting could be less intrusive.
- Ben Roper recognized Army Chief Warrant Officer Wesley C. Fortenberry as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 38-year-old Woodville native died April 11, 2004, when his helicopter was shot down in Baghdad, Iraq.
- Suzanne Droleskey spoke about protecting neighborhood integrity and returning the Unified Development Ordinance to its original meaning.
7:46 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A $131,794 contract with Consolidated Traffic Controls for a school zone flasher system upgrade.
- The second renewal of a $653,264 annual blanket order with Techline for wire and cable.
- An ordinance amending the city’s traffic code and adding an all-way stop at the intersection of Southern Plantation Drive and Alexandria Avenue.
- An ordinance amending the city’s traffic code and adding an all-way stop at the intersection of Southern Plantation Drive and Decatur Drive.
- Reduced a $3.1 million contract with Kieschnick General Contractors for the Lick Creek Hike & Bike Trail Project by $174,101.52.
- The renewal of $952,946 in landscape maintenance contracts with Green Teams and Grassmasters.
7:53 p.m.
Summitt Crossing Park Rights-of-Way and Easements
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the establishment of public rights-of-way and easements in a small portion of Summit Crossing Park to allow the addition of a turning lane and associated utilities where Summit Crossing Lane intersects with Highway 30.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:59 p.m.
Lick Creek Park Water Line Corridor
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the establishment of a public utility corridor to run water lines and other public utilities across Lick Creek Park for the development of Brazos County Municipal Utility District No. 1, also known as Southern Pointe. The route across city property and through the park is the only feasible route since the park lies directly between Southern Pointe and the water main on Pebble Creek Parkway.
The public utility corridor and temporary construction are not expected to have a negative impact on the park or its operations. Upon completion, the site will be restored to its original condition.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:02 p.m.
Northeast Sewer Trunk Line Easements
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved the establishment of public utility easements in city-owned greenways south of Harvey Road and west of Carter’s Creek for Phase 1 of the Northeast Wastewater Trunk Line Project.
The easements will also provide for future greenways and park development and improvements such as water fountains, trails, and bathrooms. The easements are not expected to have a negative impact on the greenways.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:04 p.m.
Audit Committee Appointments
The council appointed Mike Ashfield and Nathan Sharp as non-voting members of the audit committee.
8:26 p.m.
Historic Preservation Committee Book Project
The council unanimously approved a motion by Councilwoman Blanche Brick to authorize the City Manager’s Office to oversee an update to a College Station history book published in 1988. The Historic Preservation Committee came up with the idea.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:30 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
8:30 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The workshop will resume.
8:43 p.m.
2017 Council Strategic Plan
The council reviewed its 2017 strategic plan.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:46 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The council meets again on Thursday, April 27.
Happy Easter!
About the Author
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 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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