Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Jan. 11)
(Standing, L-R): Bob Brick, Jerome Rektorik, John Nichols, James Benham. (Sitting, L-R): Linda Harvell, Karl Mooney (mayor), Barry Moore.
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Jan. 11. 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.
5:51 p.m.
The workshop has started. No action was taken out of executive session.
6:13 p.m.
Affordable Housing Developments
The consensus of the council was to support an affordable housing development through the state’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit. The city received proposals for six senior developments and one family development. A resolution of support for the application is part of tonight’s consent agenda.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:14 p.m.
The workshop has been suspended and will resume after the regular meeting.
6:14 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:21 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Two people spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
- Councilman James Benham recognized Army Capt. Eric A. Allton as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial The 34-year-old Houston native died Sept. 26, 2004, when he was struck by a mortar round in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.
- Nate Tidwell invited the council to join the Red Cross on Saturday, Jan. 20 to promote smoke alarm safety.
6:33 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve these consent agenda items:
- A change order of $55,043 to a construction contract with Acklam Construction for additions or modifications related to ADA compliance and other improvements in The Barracks Park.
- A $486,761 contract with Palasota Contracting for electric conduit bores across TXDOT right-of-ways.
- The purchase of three police motorcycles for $61,204.50 from The Ranch Harley Davidson, along with an additional one-year extended warranty ($2,754) and the trade-in of three 2015 Harley Davidson Road King motorcycles for $18,000.
- A contract not to exceed $1.36 million with Palasota Contracting for concrete curb, gutter and flatwork installation to maintain city infrastructure.
- A change order of $97,584.48 to a contract with Brazos Paving for concrete curb, gutter, and flatwork.
- The first reading of a franchise agreement with Brazos Valley Recycling for the collection of recyclables from commercial businesses and multi-family locations.
- An inter-local agreement transferring surplus radio equipment from the City of College Station to the Rocky Creek Volunteer Fire Department.
- The second amendment to the Axon Master Services and Purchase Agreement, increasing the term from five to seven years, increasing the contract value from $706,186.31 to $1,166,698.62, and adding new in-car video camera system hardware, including implementation, warranty, and data storage.
This consent item was pulled for a separate vote:
- The council voted unanimously to approve a resolution of support for The Huntington at College Station’s application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for a 9 percent housing tax credit.
6:44 p.m.
Science Park Easement Abandonment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon a 70-foot wide street and public utility easement in the Science Park Subdivision to allow for development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:46 p.m.
Willow Branch/Oakwood Easement Abandonment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon a 7,086 square-foot portion of a 10-foot wide public utility easement on the Willow Branch and Oakwood school sites.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:58 p.m.
UDO Amendment – Nonconforming Uses
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to provide additional flexibility and leniency on non-conforming uses and structures.
A non-conforming use or structure are properties developed under a previous set of regulations but don’t comply with the Unified Development Ordinance. Allowing for a broader range of modifications can encourage incremental infill and redevelopment, especially on challenging sites.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:00 p.m.
Southside Plaza Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to General Commercial and Natural Areas Protected for 2.26 acres at 4075 State Hwy. 6 South, which is the site of the former Silk Stocking nightclub. The change will allow for development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:05 p.m.
University Heights Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Multi-Family to General Commercial for about 5 acres along Holleman Drive between Paloma Ridge Drive and Kenyon Drive. The change will allow for development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:24 p.m.
Spring Creek Gardens Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Office to Planned Development District for about 1½ acres at 4320 Decatur Dr. The change will allow for the development of a self-storage facility.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:39 p.m.
Annual Comp Plan/UDO Review
After a public hearing, the council accepted the yearly review of the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:54 p.m.
Citizen Committee Appointments
The council made citizen appointments to represent the city on various boards and committees. We’ll fill in the appointment list after the meeting.
Architectural Advisory Committee: Bradford Brimley and Ward Wells
B-CS Library Committee: Larry Ringer (chair) and Daniel Rudge
Bicycle, Pedestrian & Greenways Advisory Board: TBA
Design Review Board: Jesse Durden
Parks & Recreation Board: Michael Bota, Joel Cantrell, Paul Dyson, Megan Fuentes, and Madeline Giroir
Planning & Zoning Commission: Dennis Christiansen, Jane Chair (chair), Casey Oldham, and Elianor Vessali
Zoning Board of Adjustments: Randal Allison (alternate), Sherri Echols, Justin Lopez, Howard Mayne (alternate), and Keith Roberts (chair)
7:54 p.m.
Arts Council Appointment
The council voted unanimously to reappoint Patricia Burchfield to another term on the Arts Council board.
7:55 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items, and Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The workshop will resume after a short break.
8:04 p.m.
The workshop has resumed. Mayor Mooney announced that the items regarding the procurement card audit and the neighborhood conservation overlay districts have been moved to the Jan. 25 meeting.
8:25 p.m.
New Police Station Design
The council voted unanimously to approve the final design concept for the new $28 million police facility at the corner or Krenek Tap Road and Dartmouth Street.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:30 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports.
The council meets again on Thursday, Jan. 25.
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.
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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 first workshop (5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings of the new year.
Here are five items to watch:
- Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Districts: In the workshop, the council will discuss additional flexibility for the single-family Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District. The proposed changes would allow more customization to better target neighborhood issues without overregulating other areas.
- Low Income Housing Tax Credits: The council will hear a workshop presentation about the need for more affordable rental units in College Station, summaries of Fair Housing requirements and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, and recent development proposals.
- New Police Station Design: The council will hear a workshop update about the latest design concept for the new police station.
- Southside Plaza Rezoning: After a public hearing in the regular meeting, the council will consider a request to rezone just over two acres at 4075 State Highway South to allow for development. The property is the former site of the Silk Stocking nightclub.
- Nonconforming Structures: After a public hearing, the council will consider amending the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to provide flexibility for non-conforming uses and structures. Non-conforming properties are those that were developed under previous regulations but no longer comply with the UDO.
The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Channels 19 or online. We’ll post a detailed live blog on this site.
Related Links:
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!
