Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (March 9)
Back (L-R): Linda Harvell, Jerome Rektorik, James Benham, Barry Moore. Front (L-R): Blanche Brick, Mayor Karl Mooney, Julie Schultz.
By Jay Socol, Director of Public Communications
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, March 9. 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 p.m.
The workshop has started.
6:02 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:
- New Parks in The Barracks: This item is a $977,391 contract with Acklam Construction for three new parks and upgrades to existing parks in The Barracks subdivision.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
- Royder Road Right-of-Way: A $200,000 contract for the right-of-way needed for the expansion and realignment of Royder Road.
6:15 p.m.
Historical Display in Northgate
The council heard a presentation about a concept to recognize the long history of local music and musicians who received their start in Northgate.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:25 p.m.
Bike Rack Requirements
The council discussed requirements for bike racks in the city.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:57 p.m.
Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The regular meeting will start at 7 p.m.
7:07 p.m.
The regular meeting has started. The council approved the absence of Place 6 Councilman James Benham.
7:10 p.m.
Seabees’ 75th Anniversary
The council recognized the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Naval Construction Battalions, which were known as Seabees. A special presentation involved six Seabees. From left to right, they are Carpenter’s Mate 2nd Class Bill Johnston (World War II veteran), Commander David Coleman, Painter 1st Class Jim Rothermel (World War II veteran), Lt. j.g. Philip Bargas, Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist Stuart Denner, Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist James Michael Guidry and Mayor Mooney.
7:20 p.m.
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 Chief Petty Officer Raymond J. Border as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 31-year-old West Lafayette, Ohio, native died Oct. 19, 2011, from injuries inflicted by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Border, a Navy Seabee, was a skilled builder with specialties in roads, runways, officers’ huts and bridges.
7:25 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A three-year, $1.8 million contract with McCord Engineering for electrical engineering services.
- An amendment to the Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit Remote Birth Access Contract that addresses the statement of work, billing, and the contact representative.
- A $977,391 contract with Acklam Construction for the addition of three parks and upgrades to existing parks in The Barracks subdivision.
- A $200,000 contract for the purchase of right-of-way for the expansion and realignment of Royder Road.
7:28 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
7:29 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, March 23.
4 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 four items to watch:
- Historical Display in Northgate: In the workshop, the council will hear a presentation about a concept to recognize the long history of local music and musicians who received their start in Northgate.
- Bike Rack Requirements: The council will also have a workshop discussion about requirements for bike racks in the city.
- Seabees’ 75th Anniversary: The council will recognize the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Naval Construction Battalions, which were known as Seabees.
- The Barracks’ Parks: As part of the consent agenda, the council will consider a $977,000 contract for three new parks and the upgrade of four existing parks in The Barracks subdivision.
The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Ch. 19, 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. He previously served 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!
Major changes underway at popular Lick Creek Park
By Hallie Kutch, Parks & Recreation Marketing Staff Assistant
For almost 30 years, if you wanted a quick escape from the busy sounds of our growing community, you probably headed for the peaceful solitude of Lick Creek Park, the area’s premier nature preserve. If you’ve been there in recent months, your search for serenity may have been interrupted by the sounds of hammers and bulldozers.
But don’t worry, it’s only temporary — and the results will be worth it.
The 515-acre park on East Rock Prairie Road is undergoing extensive improvements, including the construction of a long-awaited nature center.
Established in 1987 as part of land negotiations to create a city industrial area, Lick Creek Park displays a variety of native plant and animal species, including the endangered Navasota Ladies Tresses. The park offers five miles of marked trails and provides opportunities for hiking, cycling, bird watching, equestrian activities, and nature study.
It’s also the city’s largest off-leash dog park.
Lick Creek Nature Center
In the 2008 bond election, residents overwhelmingly approved the $2.1 million Lick Creek Park Nature Center. The design was approved in 2014, but construction was delayed until an adequate water line could be installed for fire protection. Torrential rains last spring and summer caused additional delays.
Thankfully, the nature center’s construction and other improvements in the park are underway and are expected to be finished by May.
The nature center will soon be the park’s focal point and will provide citizens and visitors an educational opportunity to learn about the animals and plants that call the park home. Features include a 2,400-square foot building with a meeting room, restrooms, indoor and outdoor classrooms, an amphitheater and native plant displays.
Other Improvements
As a part of the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge to help save the threatened butterfly population, the park will include a monarch-friendly demonstration garden and a butterfly trail with abundant milkweed — the butterfly’s host plant — and other nectar-producing plants. The site will be a prime spot to watch the monarchs’ annual migration and metamorphosis.
The rerouting of trails will improve the flow and create a major pathway that connects the nature center to the park’s west entrance at Pebble Creek Parkway, which is the trailhead for the Lick Creek Hike and Bike Trail that winds more than five miles across town to Creek View Park.
Trail surfaces also will be upgraded, and new signage and maps will guide visitors through the trail system.
Meanwhile, informational signage throughout the park will identify trees, plants, birds, insects, butterflies, and wildlife. Benches along trails and at each trail intersection will allow visitors to pause and enjoy the park’s beautiful scenery.
Bicycle racks will also be accessible at the four major entry ways.
Don’t wait to enjoy Lick Creek Park
Although the improvements won’t be finished until the spring, the park remains open. You can still enjoy the park’s natural design, but be cautious and obey signs noting construction and closed areas.
Portions of the park that are closed include the Rock Prairie Road entrance and parking lot, Yaupon Loop Trail, and part of Post Oak Trail. Parking is available in the equestrian lot off Rock Prairie Road northwest of the main entrance.
The improvements and amenities will enhance one of College Station’s favorite recreational areas and make it more accessible – and enjoyable — for young and old alike.
For more on College Station’s park system, go to cstx.gov/parks.
About the Author
Hallie Kutch is in her second year as marketing staff assistant in the Parks & Recreation Department after graduating from Texas A&M in 2014 with a degree in sports management and a minor in tourism research management. She has previously worked with the Dallas Sidekicks professional soccer team and Texas Team Junior Golf. Originally from White Oak, Hallie also attended Kilgore College and was a member of the famed Kilgore Rangerettes dance team.
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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:
- Impact Fee Update: The council will receive the Impact Fee Advisory Committee’s written comments on proposed water and wastewater impact fees and hear an update on the process for possible implementation. The fees would be assessed on new development to help cover the cost of necessary infrastructure.
- Park Repairs: As part of the consent agenda, the council will consider a $638,000 contract for improvements and repairs to several city parks. The work is scheduled to be done this fall and winter.
- Gateway Signage: The consent agenda also includes a $151,000 contract for construction of a gateway monument sign to be located at the State Highway 6-University Drive interchange. The sign is scheduled to be in place by next spring.
- Nimitz Street Rehabilitation: The council will consider a $450,000 contract for the rehabilitation of Nimitz Street from Lincoln Avenue to Ash Street. The project is scheduled for completion in the spring.
- Budget/Tax Rate Public Hearings: The council will conduct public hearings on the proposed $341 million city budget and a two-cent increase in the property tax rate to 47.25 cents per $100 of assessed value. The council will vote on the budget and tax rate at a 3 p.m. meeting on Sept. 22.
The council meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Ch. 19, or online. The website includes an archive of previous 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. He previously served 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!
Pitch, Hit & Run gives youngsters chance at spotlight
By Ward Davis, Athletic Activities Assistant
My two favorite words in the English language are Opening Day.
Those words are synonymous with the start of baseball season. When I was growing up, opening day was treated as a holiday in my house and like most kids, I dreamed of playing in the big leagues.
Thanks to the Major League Pitch, Hit and Run Competition, local youngsters will have a chance to live their dreams. Presented by Scotts, the competition gives boys and girls ages 7-14 the opportunity to display their core baseball and softball skills.
Lincoln Center, neighborhood thrive after years of investment
By Steve Beachy, Former Parks & Recreation Director (1978-2007)
In 1978, the Lincoln Center and the surrounding neighborhood were in a severe state of neglect.
The old school buildings showed the years of little or no maintenance. Holleman Drive was a narrow roadway with broken pavement and no curbs or gutters. Eleanor Street and adjacent streets were unpaved and had a tendency to become impassable during heavy rains. Sidewalks, street lights, and paved parking were nonexistent.
The area also had numerous substandard homes, vacant houses and properties overgrown with weeds and brush. The poorly maintained softball field and two youth baseball fields fell far short of meeting the needs of our small but growing college-oriented community.
A lack of funding for potential improvements made the situation grim.
A steady renaissance (more…)
