Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (April 25)
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 25. 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.
5:13 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action out of the executive session.
5:35 p.m.
Planning & Zoning Commission Plan of Work
The council conducted a joint meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission to discuss the commission’s 2019 plan of work, which includes items related to the Comprehensive Plan, neighborhood integrity, and the Unified Development Ordinance.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
5:39 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:
- Drought Contingency and Water Conservation Plan: The 2014 Drought Contingency Plan update contained several revisions from the previous version adopted in 2009. The proposed plan does not make significant changes from 2014. The 2019 plan maintains year-round encouragement of voluntary water conservation, following guidance from the state.
6:04 p.m.
Thomas Park Improvements
The council discussed improvements for Thomas Park. City staff recommends completing the plan over multiple years, staying in the first year within the $1 million budgeted for FY19. Mayor Mooney suspended the discussion, which will resume after the regular meeting.
The Parks and Recreation Board recommends spending the $1 million on a covered tennis court, a dog park and two covered picnic tables on the park’s north end.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:05 p.m.
Mayor Mooney suspended the workshop, which will resume after the regular meeting. The council will take a short break.
6:13 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:20 p.m.
Groundwater Conservationist of the Year
The Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District presented Pebble Creek Country Club with its Groundwater Conservationist of the Year Award for commercial irrigation.
6:23 p.m.
National Community Development Week
The mayor proclaimed this week as National Community Development Week.
6:26 p.m.
Municipal Clerk’s Week
The mayor proclaimed May 5-11 as Municipal Clerks Week.
6:52 p.m.
Hear Visitors
?? 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 Air Force Airman 1st Class Corey C. Owens as part of the Fallen Heroes Project. The 26-year-old San Antonio native died on Feb. 17, 2011, in a non-combat incident at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.
- Eight people spoke in support of building a new pool in Thomas Park.
6:53 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- An annual blanket purchase order estimated at $180,000 with Lonestar Freightliner Group for repair parts and labor for fire trucks.
- A $352,000 change order to the Graham Road Substation Project and a revision to the date of substantial completion from Oct. 1 to Jan. 31.
- Renewal of an annual contract not to exceed $150,000 with All Around Tree Service for landscaping, tree trimming, and removal services.
- A $281,998 contract with Bayer Construction Electrical Contractors for the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Barron Road and Alexandria Avenue.
- An ordinance amending the city’s Code of Ordinances regarding secondhand dealers.
- An ordinance amending the city’s Code of Ordinances regarding drought contingency and the Water Emergency Plan.
- A resolution adopting the updated Water Conservation Plan as required by the state.
- An ordinance amending the city’s Code of Ordinances to stagger appointments to boards and committees to allow the city council to make annual appointments.
7:24 p.m.
Comp Plan Committee Appointments
The council made appointments to the Comprehensive Plan Evaluation Committee, which will serve as the steering committee for the city’s 10-Year Comprehensive Plan review:
- City Council: John Nichols, Linda Harvell, Elianor Vessali
- Planning & Zoning Commission: Dennis Christiansen, Elizabeth Cunha, Jeremy Osborne (Alternate: Joe Guerra)
- Citizens: Michael Buckley, Clint Cooper, Brian Bochner, Bradford Brimley, Lisa Halperin, Julie Schultz
- Extraterritorial Jurisdiction: Shana Elliott
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:31 p.m.
Bird Pond Road Land Use
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the land use from Estate to Restricted Suburban for about 13 acres northeast of the Rock Prairie-Bird Pond intersection. The change will allow the development of a residential subdivision.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:59 p.m.
Bird Pond Road Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Estate to Planned Development District for the same 13 acres as in the previous item.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:08 p.m.
Northgate District Study
The council voted unanimously to approve a $188,000 contract with Waltman Group to complete a Northgate District study and mobility/operations plan. The increase in high-density residential development has created safety and mobility concerns for people walking, biking, and driving during weekdays and weekend evenings.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:16 p.m.
Lick Creek Sewer Trunk Line
The council voted unanimously to approve a $10.9 million contract with Thalle Construction for the Lick Creek Trunk Line Project. The sewer line will extend from the Lick Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant through the southern boundary of Pebble Creek Country Club and tie into an existing line north of Fitch Parkway.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:21 p.m.
Ringer Library Shelving
The council voted unanimously to approve the $460,000 million purchase of shelving for the newly renovated Ringer Library from Lone Star Furnishings. The renovation project budgeted $875,000 to furnish the building. Requests for remaining furnishings will be presented to the council at a later date.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:23 p.m.
The council discussed future agenda items. Mayor Mooney adjourned the regular meeting. The workshop will resume after a short break.
8:30 p.m.
The workshop has resumed.
9:37 p.m.
Thomas Park Discussion (continued)
The council concluded its earlier workshop discussion of improvements for Thomas Park. The consensus of the council was to not include a dog park or splash pad but to continue exploring a new swimming pool and other possible improvements as part of a broader plan. The discussion will continue as part of the FY20 budget process.
9:41 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports.
The council meets again on Monday, May 13.
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 earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science from Texas Tech.
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Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (March 31)
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, March 31. 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 available on the website.
6:16 p.m.
The workshop has started. Councilman James Benham is absent tonight.
6:20 p.m.
Executive Session Actions
The council unanimously authorized City Manager Kelly Templin to negotiate a reasonable and favorable settlement in a pole attachment collection matter. The council also unanimously approved and ratified the terms of a settlement agreement with Embrace Brazos Valley.
6:26 p.m. (more…)
