Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (May 25)
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, May 25. 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.
6:08 p.m.
The workshop has started.
6:12 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:
- Northgate Loading Zone and Bollards: The scope of the $297,250 contract is for construction along University Drive to close off the current loading area that is equipped with flexible bollards and to construct additional paved sidewalks and drainage structure. Removable bollards would be installed in four locations where the existing pneumatic bollards don’t function properly. The project would improve safety and aesthetics in the Northgate area and would occur is the area bordered by College Main, University Drive, Lodge Street and Church Street.
6:43 p.m.
Municipal Property Master Plan
The council heard a presentation about the city’s efforts since the late 1990s to plan for city-owned properties and facilities.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:56 p.m.
Gateway Marker on Highway 6 South
The consensus of the council was to wait until after the current state legislative session ends to decide on a location for the city’s second gateway marker on South Highway 6. The first sign has been completed near the northern city limit at Highway 6 and University Drive. The project budget is $175,000.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:07 p.m.
Statewide Telecommunications Franchises, Bandwidth
The council heard a presentation about legislative changes regarding statewide telecommunication and cable TV/Video franchises.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:07 p.m.
The workshop has been suspended. The regular meeting will begin after a short break.
7:16 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:21 p.m.
National Garden Week
Mayor Karl Mooney proclaimed June 4-10 as National Garden Week with a presentation to the A&M Garden Club.
7:25 p.m.
Arts Council College Scholarships
The Arts Council of Brazos Valley awarded its annual College Arts Scholarships to four College Station Independent School District seniors:
- Yanichka Ariunbold will attend Stanford and pursue a degree in international studies/culture.
- Isabela Cruz-Vespa will attend Bard College and will pursue a degree in musical performance.
- Josey Meyer will attend Texas A&M and will pursue a degree in visualization.
- Madeline Miller will attend Chapman University and will pursue a degree in dance.
The Arts Council, through the generous support of local donors, awards multiple scholarships each year to deserving young artists in the Brazos Valley. The College Arts Scholarship is open to graduating seniors in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington counties who will attend an accredited college or university with a course of study in the arts, culture, or heritage fields.
7:29 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.
- Ben Roper recognized Marine Lance Cpl. Ruben Valdez, Jr. as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 21-year-old San Diego, Texas native died April 17, 2004, from injuries suffered during enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
7:30 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A contract not to exceed $1,400 with Sungard Public Sector for services to move the Click2Gov online payment engine to a new server.
- A contract not to exceed $418.256.26 with Computer Solutions for additional electronic storage and services to repurpose existing storage as a backup.
- A resolution amending the bylaws of the Spring Creek Local Government Corporation.
- A $1.8 million contract with Condie Construction for Phase 1 of the Northeast Sanitary Sewer Trunk Line.
- A $196,515.88 change order to the contract with Larry Young Paving for the Rock Prairie Road Widening Project.
- An interlocal agreement with the City of Bryan for maintenance of the Unity Plaza area.
- A $297,250 contract with Dudley Construction for the University Drive Loading Zone & Northgate Bollards Project.
- An annual contract not to exceed $100,000 with Larry Young Paving for the repaving of utility cuts.
- A development agreement with CTX Land Investments to facilitate the extension of Dartmouth Drive at the Harvey Mitchell Parkway intersection.
- A negotiated settlement between the Atmos Cities Steering Committee and Atmos Energy Corp., Mid-Tex Division, regarding the company’s 2017 rate review mechanism filings and a settlement agreement regarding rate tariffs and proof of revenues.
7:34 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Standard of Care
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved standards of care for the Parks and Recreation Department’s elementary age (5-13) youth recreation programs.
The Department of Family and Protective Services requires child care facilities to be licensed. Some programs offered by the Parks and Recreation Department fall within the definition of childcare facility requiring licensing but are exempt if municipalities annually hold a public hearing and adopt a standard of care ordinance.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:55 p.m.
Highway 30 Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted 6-1 to approve a request to change the zoning designation from Rural to General Commercial and Natural Areas Reserved for about three acres east of Copperfield Parkway and south of Harvey Road. Councilwoman Linda Harvell voted against the motion.
The change will allow for commercial development. Two people spoke during the public hearing.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:59 p.m.
Margraves Tract Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to change the zoning designation from Rural to Restricted Suburban for about 369 acres located east of Greens Prairie Road West, west of Arrington Road, and to the south of Whites Creek Lane.
Seven people spoke against the zoning change, which allows for a residential development.
Here are the PowerPoint presentations:
9:01 p.m.
Prairie View Heights Encroachment
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a resolution granting a license to encroach on a public utility easement located at 617 Banks St.
A southwest wall of the house at 617 Banks extends into a 10-foot wide public utility easement along the property line. The encroachment doesn’t conflict with the utilities in the easement and consent has been granted by all franchised utilities.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:03 p.m.
Historic Preservation Committee Appointment
The council voted unanimously to appoint Sherry Smith to the Historic Preservation Committee.
9:04 p.m.
Rock Prairie Management District Board
The council voted unanimously to appoint Jonathan Stark (Position No. 4) and Kamal Ariss (Position No. 5) to the Rock Prairie Management District Board. Their terms end June 1, 2021.
9:05 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
9:05 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the regular meeting. The workshop meeting will resume after a short break.
9:11 p.m.
The workshop has resumed.
9:33 p.m.
Standing Citizen Advisory Committee
The council discussed the creation of a standing citizen advisory committee to help keep residents updated about capital improvement projects planned or underway. Instead of appointing a new committee, the consensus was to actively promote attendance at council meetings where capital project updates are presented.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:37 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports.
The council meets again on Thursday, June 8.
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.
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 (5:30 p.m.) and regular (7 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch:
- Municipal Property Master Plan: The council will hear a workshop presentation about the city’s efforts since the late 1990s to plan for municipal properties.
- Northeast Sewer Line: As part of the consent agenda, the council will consider a $1.8 million contract for Phase I of the Northeast Sanitary Sewer Trunk Line, located south of Harvey Road and northwest of the Windwood and Horse Haven Estates subdivision.
- Rock Prairie Road Widening Project: The council will consider a $197,000 change order to the contract for the Rock Prairie Road West Widening Project to cover the relocation of water lines that conflict with new storm sewers.
- Northgate Loading Zone/Bollards: The council will consider a $297,000 contract to improve safety and aesthetics in Northgate by closing off the loading area on University Drive and adding sidewalks and drainage. Removable bollards would also be installed in four locations where existing pneumatic bollards don’t function properly.
- Margraves Property Rezoning: After a public hearing, the council will consider a request to change the zoning for about 369 acres east of Greens Prairie Road, west of Arrington Road, and south of Whites Creek Lane. The change will allow for residential development.
The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Channels 19 and 119 (HD), 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 after 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.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (May 11)
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, May 11. 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.
6:03 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. No consent items were pulled for workshop discussion.
6:42 p.m.
Planning & Zoning Commission Plan of Work
The council conducted a joint meeting with the Planning & Zoning Commission to discuss the commission’s 2017 plan of work, which includes the Comprehensive Plan, neighborhood integrity, Unified Development Ordinance regulations, and more.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:01 p.m.
Advanced Wireless Research Initiative
The council discussed the Advanced Wireless Research Initiative, a federal project that will invest $400 million over seven years in advanced wireless platforms and research. Texas A&M is one of four universities competing for the project. College Station and Bryan could partner with A&M as testing areas for experimental 5G equipment.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:02 p.m.
Mayor Mooney suspended the workshop until after the regular meeting, which will begin after a short break.
7:08 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:12 p.m.
B-CS Travel and Tourism Week
Mayor Karl Mooney proclaimed May 7-13 as Bryan-College Station Travel and Tourism Week to recognize how travel promotes jobs, economic growth, and personal well-being.
7:16 p.m.
National Public Works Week
The mayor proclaimed May 21-27 as National Public Works Week to recognize public works for providing, maintaining, and improving the structures and services that assure a higher quality of life for the nation’s communities.
7:18 p.m.
National Bike Month
The mayor proclaimed May as National Bike Month to showcase the many benefits of bicycling and encourage more people to try it. Click here for more about biking and here for a map of biking facilities in College Station.
7:23 p.m.
Municipal Clerks-City Secretaries Week
The mayor proclaimed May 7-13 as Municipal Clerks-City Secretaries Week to recognize municipal clerks and the vital services they provide for communities and local governments.
7:55 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Thirteen people spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
- Ben Roper recognized Army Sgt. Christopher Ramirez as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 34-year-old McAllen native died April 14, 2004, from combat injuries sustained in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
- Twelve people — most members of iMatter Youth, a climate change awareness group — spoke about their Climate Change Report Card for College Station. They asked College Station to move to 100 percent renewable energy by 2040.
7:56 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- Two change orders totaling $226,865.20 to the Greens Prairie Substation contract.
- A resolution stating that the city council has reviewed and approved the amended investment policy broker-dealer list.
- Renewal of an agreement with the Wellborn Special Utility District to transfer its water through the College Station water system.
- An inter-local agreement with the Texas Department of Public Safety for the use of the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System.
- A three-year contract not-to-exceed $850,000 annually with Global Payments Direct for merchant card and credit card payment processing services.
8:47 p.m.
Platting & Replatting in Older Subdivisions
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance that corrects language from 2012 that inadvertently allowed new lots as small as 5,000 square feet in older residential neighborhoods. Eight people spoke during the public hearing.
The adopted amendment includes additional language that provides flexibility when calculating the average lot width and is described fully in slide No. 6 (version 2) in the PowerPoint presentation:
9:32 p.m.
Harvey Mitchell Parkway Land Use
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-2 to approve a request to change the land use designation from Suburban Commercial to Urban for about five acres northwest of the Mitchell Parkway-Raymond Stotzer Parkway intersection. Councilwomen Blanche Brick and Julie Schultz voted against the motion.
The change will allow a multi-family and commercial development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:36 p.m.
Harvey Mitchell Parkway Zoning
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-2 to approve a request to change the zoning designation from Commercial Industrial to Planned Development District for the same property. Councilwomen Blanche Brick and Julie Schultz voted against the motion.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:40 p.m.
Harvey Road Land Use
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to change the land use designation from Urban to General Commercial and Natural Areas Reserved for about three acres east of Copperfield Parkway and south of Harvey Road. The change will allow for commercial development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
9:44 p.m.
Pavilion Avenue Thoroughfare Plan Amendment
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved an amendment to the Thoroughfare Plan by changing the classification of Pavilion Avenue from a major to a minor collector. The road is located southeast of the Highway 6-Sebesta Road intersection.
Here are the PowerPoint presentations:
10:02 p.m.
Certificates of Obligation
The council unanimously authorized the issuance of up to $70 million in certificates of obligation to provide for streets, police station construction, information technology, and electric and water improvements.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
10:03 p.m.
New Capital Projects, Refunding Bonds
The council unanimously authorized the issuance of up to $36.6 million in bonds for new capital projects ($17.6 million maximum) and the refunding of existing bonds ($19 million maximum) to take advantage of lower interest rates. The refunding will save about $1.4 million over the remaining life of the bonds.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
10:03 p.m.
The council had no future agenda items to discuss.
10:03 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the regular meeting. The workshop meeting will resume.
10:04 p.m.
The council decided to move the item regarding the city’s plan for municipal property to a future date.
10:07 p.m.
The council discussed its calendar and received committee reports and mMayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, May 25.
The council meets again on Thursday, May 25.
About the Author
Colin Killian (@ColinKillian) has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after 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.
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 (6 p.m.) and regular (7 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch:
- Advanced Wireless Research Initiative: In the workshop, the council will discuss a federal project that will invest $400 million over seven years in advanced wireless platforms and research. Texas A&M is one of four universities competing for the project. College Station and Bryan could partner with A&M as testing areas for experimental 5G equipment.
- Municipal Property Master Plan: The council will hear a workshop presentation about the city’s efforts since the late 1990s to plan for municipal properties.
- Rezoning at Mitchell-Stotzer: After a public hearing, the council will consider a request to change the land use and zoning designations for about 4.7 acres northwest of the Harvey Mitchell-Raymond Stotzer intersection. The change would allow a multi-family and commercial development.
- Platting in Older Subdivisions: After a public hearing, the council will consider amending the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to correct language from 2012 that inadvertently allows new lots as small as 5,000 square feet in older residential neighborhoods. The amendment would restore protection to these areas.
- Bond Issuance: The council will consider authorizing up to $70 million in certificates of obligation to provide for streets, police station construction, information technology, and electric and water improvements. The council will also consider up to $36.6 million in bonds for new capital projects and the re-funding of existing bonds.
The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Channels 19 and 119 (HD), 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 after 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also done extensive work for the U.S. Olympic Committee and served 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!
