Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (April 12)
(L-R): Bob Brick, Linda Harvell, Jerome Rektorik, Karl Mooney (mayor), John Nichols, Barry Moore, James Benham.
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 12. 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.
5:44 p.m.
The workshop has started.
5:46 p.m.
The council took two actions coming out of its executive session:
- Unanimously directed the city attorney and city secretary to review of the City Charter and recommend amendments to be considered for a possible charter amendment election in November.
- Voted 6-1 to negotiate with a search firm to identify candidates for city manager. Councilman Bob Brick voted against the motion.
6:08 p.m.
Planning & Zoning Plan of Work
The council conducted a joint meeting with the Planning & Zoning Commission to discuss the group’s plan of work for 2018, which includes a review of the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance.
6:11 p.m.
Council Strategic Plan
The council accepted its updated strategic plan for 2018.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:23 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:
- Rock Prairie Water Tower: The scope of this $988,500 contract includes design, bidding, and construction phase services for the Rock Prairie Elevated Storage Tank Project, which provides for an elevated water tower near Rock Prairie Road and the Scott and White Hospital and two pressure-reducing valves. The locations of the reducing valves will be determined. It will potentially establish a secondary pressure plane generally from the Carter’s Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Pebble Creek subdivision. The $8.76 million project is necessary to meet state requirements, to relieve demand on the Greens Prairie water tower, and to reduce extreme pressure east of State Highway 6.
- Surplus Asphalt Millings: The sale and removal of about 19,000 tons of surplus asphalt millings from city property will return $219,450 to the Roadway Maintenance Fund.
- Non-Annexation Agreements: The eight non-annexation development agreements being considered represent more than 2,000 acres in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. The agreements guarantee the city won’t annex the properties for 10 years unless the terms are violated.
- Habitat for Humanity Down Payment Assistance Guidelines: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) grant funds are used by the city to provide various housing assistance programs to income-eligible households. The Down Payment Assistance Program was approved by council in 2014. The program offers shared equity, gap financing of up to 30 percent of the sales price (capped at $50,000) to qualified applicants. Staff recommends creating separate guidelines for working with Habitat for Humanity clients that better-fit Habitat’s unique program and the needs of its clients. Proposed guidelines provide qualified Habitat for Humanity clients with a 0 percent interest-deferred loan of up to $15,000 for the purchase of a home built by Habitat for Humanity in the city.
6:29 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.
6:38 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:49 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.
- Abigail Fields spoke against restricting specific dog breeds by apartment complexes.
- Nan Crouse of the College Station Association of Neighborhoods encouraged people to get involved in protecting neighborhoods.
- Constance Woodman spoke against high rental housing costs in College Station.
6:50 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- The first reading of a franchise agreement with Premier Metal Buyers for the collection of recyclables from commercial businesses and multi-family locations.
- Habitat for Humanity Down Payment Assistance Program guidelines.
- Revision of Down Payment Assistance guidelines.
- A $232,650 contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for the rehabilitation of parking lots at Brian Bachmann Park and Stephen C. Beachy Central Park.
- An agreement not to exceed $155,000 with Emergicon for ambulance billing, accounts receivable, and delinquent account collection services.
- A $98,730 contract with Housley Communications to lay underground conduit for future fiber optic infrastructure as part of a joint bore with the Brazos Valley Council of Governments.
- The first reading of a franchise agreement with Pronto Services for the collection of recyclables from commercial businesses and multi-family locations.
- A $988,500 contract with Freese and Nichols for design, bidding, and construction administration for the Rock Prairie Elevated Storage Tank Project.
- The sale and removal of about 19,000 tons of surplus asphalt millings from city property that will return $219,450 to the Roadway Maintenance Fund.
- A $4.57 million contract with Dudley Construction for Phase 1 of the Veterans Park and Athletic Complex Build-Out Project.
- Eight non-annexation development agreements.
- A real estate contract for the purchase of property needed for the extension of General Parkway. The purchase price is $225,000 with $2,500 in closing costs.
6:57 p.m.
Rezoning at Wellborn and Greens Prairie
After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a request to rezone about 35 acres near the intersection of Wellborn Road and Greens Prairie Road West. About 0.9 acres changes from Rural to Suburban Commercial, and the rest changes from Rural to Wellborn Restricted Commercial.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:01 p.m.
Conditional Use Permit for Caprock Bar
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit for a bar at The Yard at Caprock Crossing near the intersection of Greens Prairie Road and State Highway 6.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:38 p.m.
Suburban Commercial Zoning Changes
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to amend the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to add flexibility to Suburban Commercial zoning districts. Significant changes include allowing additional uses and reducing buffer and architectural requirements.
An earlier motion to eliminate fuel sales from suburban commercial districts passed by a 4-3 vote. Councilmen Jerome Rektorik, Barry Moore, and James Benham voted against the motion.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:49 p.m.
The meeting is again underway.
8:53 p.m.
Removal of Krenek Tap Overlay
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to remove the Krenek Tap overlay zoning district from properties on the Krenek Tap Road right-of-way. The overlay was adopted in 2004 when the city was considering an urban development concept for property it owns along Krenek Tap.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:55 p.m.
Deletion of Krenek Tap Overlay from UDO
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to delete the Krenek Tap overlay zoning district from the city’s Unified Development Ordinance.
9:00 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
9:00 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, April 26.
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!
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!
Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (June 9)
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, June 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.
Many of the items on tonight’s agenda were carried over from the scheduled May 26 meeting, which was cancelled because of hazardous weather.
3:35 p.m.
The workshop has started.
4:49 p.m.
Pavement Standards
The council heard a presentation by Public Works Director Donald Harmon about pavement standards for city streets and roads. Harmon said asphalt pavement is cheaper in the short run, but concrete is easier to maintain and could be a more cost-effective option in the long term.
Council asked staff to come back with more information before it makes any decision.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
5:05 p.m.
Wastewater Capital Projects
The council is hearing a presentation from Water Services Director David Coleman about wastewater capital projects that are needed to stay ahead of development in the next decade.
Coleman said as the Wastewater Master Plan and the Impact Fee Study near completion, the picture is becoming clearer for what capital projects are required. He said the city is nearing capacity in its large trunk collection lines and treatment plants, which means a significant annual capital investment is necessary.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
5:05 p.m.
Executive Session
The council has gone into executive session.
6:03 p.m.
The workshop has resumed.
6:27 p.m.
Joint Meeting with P&Z
The council conducted a joint meeting with the Planning & Zoning Commission to review the commission’s 2016 Plan of Work.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
6:42 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:
- Public Urination Ordinance: The amendment to the city’s Code of Ordinances would help deter public urination and defecation, especially in the Northgate District.
- Impact Fee Hearings: The resolutions set public hearings on roadway, water, and wastewater impact fees for the July 14 council meeting.
- Food Establishment Sanitation: New state regulations render the city’s food establishment ordinances outdated. The amendments would reflect those changes.
- Employee Health Clinic: The contract with CHI St. Joseph Health would open an exclusive health clinic to provide non-urgent care for city employees, dependents ages 5 and up, and retirees enrolled in the city’s Group Health Insurance Plan.
6:59 p.m.
The mayor adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar, future agenda items, and committee reports. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
7:09 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:16 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Two people spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens may address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
- Frank Duchmasclo provided the council with pictures of a senior center in Caldwell to show what Caldwell is doing for its senior citizens.
- Ben Roper recognized Army Pfc. Ervin Dervishi as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 21-year-old Fort Worth native died Jan. 24, 2004 when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his Bradley Fighting Vehicle in Baji, Iraq.
7:17 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- An ordinance amendment regarding public urination and defecation.
- A grant application to the governor’s office for hotspot technology.
- A $177,000 contract with Jones & Carter for the design, bidding, and construction phase services for Phases I and II of the State Highway 6 Waterline Project.
- A $52,120 contract with Brown, Reynolds, Watford Architects for services related to the design of the traffic operations renovation as part of the ITS Master Plan Implementation project.
- The $90,980 purchase of 10 traffic signal cabinets from Paradigm Traffic Systems to replace cabinets and provide functionalities with the new Intelligent Transportation System.
- The Semi-Annual Report on Impact Fees.
- A contract not to exceed $465,688.60 with CHI St. Joseph Health to provide employee health clinic services and operations management.
- A negotiated settlement between the Atmos Cities Steering Committee and Atmos Energy Corp. (Mid-Tex Division) regarding the company’s rate review mechanism filings, and a settlement agreement on rate tariffs and proof of revenues.
- Authorized the city manager to execute documents necessary for submitting the SWAT Night Vision Equipment Grant application for Criminal Justice Division funds from the Office of the Governor.
- Set a public hearing for Thursday, July 14 at 7 p.m. at College Station City Hall to consider land use assumptions and capital improvement plan for roadway impact fees.
- Set a public hearing date for Thursday, July 14 at 7 p.m. at College Station City Hall to consider land use assumptions and capital improvement plan for water and wastewater impact fees.
- An inter-local agreement with Brazos County and the City of Bryan to apply for and accept a Justice Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
- Renewal of the annual city-wide land surveying services and civil engineering services contracts with Joe Orr and Binkley & Barfield for a total of $100,000.
- A five-year lease agreement estimated at $198,456 annually with Texas Commercial Waste for refuse containers.
- A signal interconnect agreement with Union Pacific Railroad to allow the City of College Station to construct, maintain and operate a new signal facility at Greens Prairie Trail’s at-grade road crossing intersection.
- An $80,000 bid award to GDS Associates for electric NERC compliance consulting services.
- A $465,457.05 bid award for annual price agreements for various electrical items to be stored in inventory: KBS Electric Distributors ($97,493), Stuart C. Irby ($31,802), Graybar Electric ($55,135.30), Techline, Inc. ($244,126.75), and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc. ($36,900).
- A bid award of $94,422 for the purchase of three 145kV potential transformers and three outdoor breakers to be maintained in electrical inventory and expended as needed.
- A bid award of $290,356.14 for annual price agreements for electric meters and sockets to be stored in inventory: Priester-Mell & Nicholson ($160,891.14), KBS Electrical Distributors ($12,465), and Anixter ($117,000).
- A resolution amending the authorized representatives on the local government pool account, TexPool.
- A resolution amending the authorized representatives on the local government pool account, Texas Short Term Asset Reserve.
- Updated the city’s food establishment ordinances to reflect new state regulations.
7:18 p.m.
Easement Abandonment on Holden Circle
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon a public utility easement at 4928 Holden Circle to allow for development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
7:59 p.m.
Municipal Utility District Consent
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to grant conditional consent to form up to five municipal utility districts in the City’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction, generally located along Peach Creek between FM 2154 and State Highway 6 South.
The proposed MUDs will develop, operate, maintain, and issue bonds for financing the construction of needed infrastructure for the districts and levy and assess a tax on property within the districts to pay associated operational and maintenance expenses.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
8:12 p.m.
Crossroads Self Storage Land Use
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the future land use from Restricted Suburban to General Commercial and Suburban Commercial for about nine acres near the intersection of Wellborn Road and Greens Prairie Trail.
Crossroads Self Storage is located on the property, and the amendment generally allows commercial uses that cater to nearby residents and the larger community.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
8:15 p.m.
Crossroads Self Storage Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to Planned Development District for about nine acres near the intersection of Wellborn Road and Greens Prairie Trail.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation received by the council:
8:15 p.m.
The mayor adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, June 23.
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!
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 (3:30 p.m.) and regular (7 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch:
- Pavement Standards: The council will hear a workshop presentation on pavement standards for the city’s streets and roads.
- Wastewater Capital Improvements: The council will discuss wastewater system capital projects that are needed to stay ahead of development. The city’s collection lines and treatment plants are nearing capacity.
- Joint Meeting with P&Z: The council will have a joint workshop meeting with the Planning & Zoning Commission to discuss the commission’s 2016 Plan of Work. This part of the workshop is scheduled to start between 5:30-6 p.m.
- Employee Health Clinic: The council will consider a contract with CHI St. Joseph Health to operate an employee health clinic to provide non-urgent care for employees, dependents (ages 5 and up) and retirees enrolled in the city’s Group Health Insurance Plan.
- Municipal Utility Districts: After a public hearing, the council will consider granting conditional consent to a developer’s request to form up to five Municipal Utility Districts in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. The proposed MUDs would finance needed infrastructure by assessing a tax on properties within the districts.
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!
Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (March 12)
![gavel[1]](https://cityofcs.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/gavel1.jpg?w=300&h=225)
This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, March 12. It’s not the official minutes.
Both meetings are being broadcast live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and can also be watched online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
5:38 p.m.
The workshop has started.
6:06 p.m. (more…)
Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (June 26)
![gavel[1]](https://cityofcs.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/gavel1.jpg?w=270&h=203)
This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, June 26. It’s not the official minutes.
Both meetings are being broadcast live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and can also be watched online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
5:53 p.m.
The workshop has started. Councilmember Julie Schultz is in California and is participating through a video feed. State law requires governmental bodies to provide for two-way communication that allows all participants to hear and see one another, including the public.
6:01 p.m. (more…)
