Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Jan. 14)

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. 14. It’s not the official minutes.
The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. To join the meeting online, go to Zoom or call 888 475 4499 and enter meeting number 982 9390 0006. If the call-in number isn’t working, access will be limited to Zoom.
6:35 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action out of its executive session.
6:45 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council pulled these items from tonight’s consent agenda for discussion:
- Midlothian Agreement: The agreement authorizes the City of College Station and the City of Midlothian to jointly prepare bids and proposals for the purchase of goods and services. It also allows the cities to piggyback each other’s bids and contracts when in our best interest.
- Xpedient Printing Contract: The renewal contract with Xpedient Mail for $210,000 is for utility bill printing and mailing services.
- Woodson Village Rehabilitation: The $5.05 million contract with Elliott Construction is for the rehabilitation of water and wastewater lines in the area of Haines Drive, Glade Street, and Dexter and Timm Drive.
- Agreement with CSISD: The $250,000 funding agreement with the College Station Independent School District for a Family Empowerment Program to serve families experiencing hardships caused by COVID-19.
- Elder Aid Grant: A $464,000 contract for the grant of federal HOME Community Housing Development Organization set-aside funds to Elder-Aid is for the purchase and rehabilitation of four affordable rental units at 3332-3334 Longleaf and 3308-3310 Bluestem.
6:50 p.m.
Brick Elected Mayor Pre Tem
The council voted unanimously to elect Bob Brick to serve a one-year term a mayor pro tem to act as mayor during the mayor’s disability or absence.
7:18 p.m.
Texas Legislature Update
The council heard a legislative update and preview of the 87th Texas Legislative session, which began Monday.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:19 p.m.
The worksop has been suspended and will resume after the regular meeting.
7:24 p.m.
Planning Excellence Award
Mayor Mooney recognized the Planning and Development Services Department for receiving the Planning Excellence Award from the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association.
7:39 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Three people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.
- Wyatt Galbreath proposed a new city flag that he designed.
- Lorraine Madewell spoke about reducing restrictions on chickens in residential areas.
- Michael Weinstein spoke against local COVID-19 restrictions.
7:40 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- Annual purchases not-to-exceed $150,000 for auto parts, shop equipment, and services from NAPA Auto Parts through the Purchasing Solutions Alliance.
- A cooperative purchasing inter-local agreement with the City of Midlothian.
- An annual blanket purchase order estimated at $150,000 for repair parts and labor for fire trucks from Siddons-Martin Emergency Group through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative.
- An annual blanket purchase order estimated at $180,000 for repair parts and labor for fire trucks from Lonestar Freightliner Group through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative.
- Annual tire purchases and retread services not to exceed $300,000 from Southern Tire Mart through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative.
- Renewal of a $210,000 contract with Xpedient Mail.
- Temporarily changed the speed limit on FM 2818 for the FM 2818 widening project.
- A $1.93 million contract with Freese and Nichols for the final design of the Carter Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant diversion lift station and force main project.
- A $5.06 million contract with Elliott Construction for the Woodson Village Rehabilitation Project.
- A purchase not to exceed $130,353 for a single 145kV S &C Mark V circuit switcher from Priester Mell & Nicholson.
- A $148,223.75 change order to a contract with Techline for pad-mounted solid di-electric switchgears.
- A change order deducting $100,000 from the contract with CF McDonald Electric to install previously purchased VFD at Dowling Road Pump Station.
- An annual blanket order not to exceed $668,000 with Brazos Paving for cement treated base and Type D Grade 1 cement treated recycled crushed concrete base.
- The removal of parking along Fall Circle.
- The removal of parking along Buena Vista Drive, Lonetree Drive, Estes Park, Black Hawk Lane, and Silverthorne Lane.
- A $250,000 funding agreement with College Station Independent School District for the COVID-19 Family Empowerment Program.
- A $464,000 contract for the grant of federal HOME Community Housing Development Organization set-aside funds to Elder-Aid for the purchase and rehabilitation of four affordable rental units at 3332-3334 Longleaf and 3308-3310 Bluestem.
7:45 p.m.
FY 21 Budget Amendment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a $4.22 million amendment to the city’s FY 21 budget that mostly covers expenditures budgeted in FY 20 that won’t be received until FY 21. The full amendment is detailed on page 131 of the meeting packet.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
8:04 p.m.
Comp Plan, UDO Review
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance Annual Review. The document highlights the major Comprehensive Plan initiatives and UDO amendments that occurred in FY 2020.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
8:09 p.m.
Pershing Pointe Zoning Change
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Townhouse to Planned Development District for about five acres of the Pershing Pointe Villas townhouse development near the intersection of Deacon Drive West and Holleman Drive South. The change would provide additional single-family housing types for the unplatted part of the development.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
8:19 p.m.
Cain Road Zoning Change
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from R-4 Multi-Family to Planned Development District for about 11 acres at 3445 Cain Road. The change would allow attached single-family townhomes.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
8:31 p.m.
Facilities Maintenance Relocation
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a $145,175 contract with The Arkitex Studio for the design of the Facilities Maintenance Relocation Project.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
9:14 p.m.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
The council was updated on local COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
9:16 p.m.
Disaster Declaration Extension
The council voted unanimously to extend the mayor’s COVID-19 disaster declaration.
9:34 p.m.
Council Member Appointments
The council made appointments to its internal committees.
9:48 p.m.
Board and Commission Appointments
The council made appointments to city boards, committees, and commissions.
9:55 p.m.
After the council discussed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The workshop will resume after a short break.
10:04 p.m.
The workshop has resumed.
11:03 p.m.
Residential Over-Occupancy
The council discussed options for addressing the symptoms of over-occupancy in residential neighborhoods. The discussion will continue to future council meetings.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
11:31 p.m.
Rental Registration Cost Analysis
The council discussed the Rental Registration Program and a cost analysis of the registration fee. The discussion will continue to future council meetings.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
11:34 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports, Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop. The council’s meets again on Thursday, Jan. 28.
Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as the 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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Your tap water remains healthy and secure

By Jennifer Nations, Water Resource Coordinator
Despite concerns around the COVID-19 outbreak, the coronavirus has not been detected in public water supplies, which have a low risk of contamination. When you turn on your faucet, you can be confident your tap water is a safe and secure source for the water you need for drinking, cooking, and maintaining personal hygiene.
College Station’s drinking water is drawn from a protected artesian aquifer and is disinfected with chlorine. Our environmental technicians routinely test at least 100 water samples each month to ensure we maintain appropriate disinfection levels throughout our distribution system. These standard disinfection practices are specifically designed to inactivate viruses.
The City of College Station’s water and wastewater utilities remain in continuous operation and are focused on providing you with safe, healthy water.
Related Links:
- EPA: Coronavirus and Drinking Water and Wastewater
- CDC: Water Transmission and COVID-19
- AWWA: Safety of tap water during COVID-19 outbreak
About the Blogger
Jennifer Nations has been the City of College Station’s water resource coordinator since 1999 after two years as BVSWMA’s environmental compliance officer. She’s also chair of the Water Conservation and Reuse Division for the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association. A native of Fremont, Calif., Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental & resource science from UC-Davis in 1995 and a master’s degree in water management & hydrologic science from Texas A&M in 2016.
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Can you imagine a day without water?

By Jennifer Nations, Water Resource Coordinator
Think a moment about your typical morning routine.
You wake up and make a steaming cup of fresh coffee or tea before heading to the toilet and the shower. After you get dressed in freshly washed clothes, you eat a nutritious breakfast and clean your dishes in the dishwasher or sink.
Of course, you make your dentist happy by brushing your teeth.
Now, imagine for a moment that you had no water. None of your morning activities would be possible without safe and reliable water and the infrastructure that delivers it to your home.
If you’ve never gone without water, it’s almost impossible to envision a day without it. Your water service may have temporarily been shut off to repair a leak, but you had full confidence that the water would soon flow again.
Today is the fourth annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a nationwide day of education and advocacy about the value of water. The Value of Water Campaign is helping hundreds of organizations across the country host events and spearhead projects aimed at raising awareness about the crucial need for investing in our nation’s water infrastructure.
After decades of underfunding, water infrastructure across the nation has aged and needs replacement or significant repairs. Drought, flooding, and population changes have dramatically increased the stress on our water and wastewater systems.
According to the Value of Water Campaign’s report on The Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure, a one-day disruption in water services at a national level would result in a $43.5 billion loss in sales for businesses. In just eight days, a national water service stoppage would put nearly two million jobs in jeopardy.
In contrast, for each job created in the water sector, 3.68 jobs are added to the national economy. For every $1 spent on infrastructure improvements, the United States generates $6 in economic returns. That’s a sound investment.
It’s not all gloom and doom. College Station’s water and wastewater systems are young compared to many cities. For the most part, we’ve been able to stay ahead of our infrastructure needs. Each day – including weekends and holidays – our Water Services employees maintain 454 miles of water lines, 363 miles of wastewater lines, nine groundwater wells, and three wastewater treatment plants.
City councils and community leaders through the years have recognized that water is essential to the quality of life and economic competitiveness and have supported the water and wastewater rates necessary to maintain award-winning water and wastewater systems.
At Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Karl Mooney read an official proclamation (at right) for Imagine a Day Without Water to draw attention to the many ways we maintain critical water and wastewater infrastructure.
How you can help
No community can thrive without water, and every American deserves safe, reliable, and accessible water.
You can help by conserving water. Since irrigation water gushing down the street benefits no one, sign up for landscape watering recommendations from Brazos Valley WaterSmart. Every gallon of water saved is a gallon left in the Simsboro Aquifer for later use.
You can also help keep our waterways clean by avoiding over-fertilizing, picking up litter, and disposing of hazardous waste at Household Hazardous Waste collection events like the one scheduled for Oct. 20. Improperly discarded fertilizer, motor oil, and litter make its way into our creeks, which feed into the Navasota and Brazos Rivers – and someone is drinking that water downstream.
A groundswell of communities and partners have come together to promote safe and reliable water systems with Imagine a Day Without Water. We can make a difference by leveraging our collective power, educating our decision-makers, and inspiring our communities to make water infrastructure a priority.
Let’s invest in our water systems, so no American ever has to live a day without water.
About the Blogger
Jennifer Nations has been the City of College Station’s water resource coordinator since 1999 after two years as BVSWMA’s environmental compliance officer. She’s also chair of the Water Conservation and Reuse Division for the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association. A native of Fremont, Calif., Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental & resource science from UC-Davis in 1995 and a master’s degree in water management & hydrologic science from Texas A&M in 2016.
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College Station’s new water rates take effect July 1

By Jennifer Nations, Water Resource Coordinator
College Station Utilities hasn’t increased water rates since 2010 thanks to improved conservation efforts by our customers and the implementation of impact fees on new development.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.
Last fall, the College Station City Council unanimously approved a six percent increase in water rates as part of the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. The council deferred the increase until the fourth quarter, which begins July 1.
College Station has grown more than 25 percent since that last rate increase. That means we need additional water wells to keep up with demand, along with another water tower on the east side of Highway 6. Without one-time impact fees, we’d need a 15 percent rate increase to pay for those necessities.
Water Usage Rates
Here’s a comparative breakdown of the old and new water rates:
Customer Class | Usage | Per 1,000g before July 1 |
Per 1,000g after July 1 |
Residential | 10,000 gallons or less | $2.26 | $2.40 |
11,000 – 15,000 gallons | $2.94 | $3.12 | |
16,000 – 20,000 gallons | $3.61 | $3.83 | |
21,000 – 25,000 gallons | $4.28 | $4.54 | |
26,000 gallons or more | $4.96 | $5.26 | |
Commercial | Indoor usage | $2.49 | $2.64 |
Commercial | Outdoor usage (irrigation) | $2.68 | $2.84 |
You’ll be charged $2.40 per 1,000 gallons for the first 10,000, $3.12 for the next 5,000, and up the tiers as usage increases.
Your Monthly Bill
More than half of our residential water customers use 10,000 gallons of water or less each month, but some are consistently in the 26,000 gallons-and-up rate block. If you’re a 10,000-gallon user, you’ve paid about $32.79 a month for your water since 2010, which includes a $ 10.19 meter charge. If the existing rates had been indexed annually to inflation, you’d be paying $36.19 today, or $3.40 more. Under the new rate – which includes a $10.80 meter charge – you’ll pay $34.80.
That comes out to about 35 cents for 100 gallons of clean, pure water that’s rated as superior by state regulators. The chart below includes the monthly residential meter charge, which varies by meter size.
Usage | Bill before July 1 | Bill after July 1 | Increase |
10,000 gallons | $32.79 | $34.80 | $2.01 |
15,000 gallons | $47.49 | $50.40 | $2.91 |
30,000 gallons | $111.74 | $118.55 | $6.81 |
50,000 gallons | $210.94 | $223.75 | $12.81 |
Keep Your Costs Down
The City of College Station offers proactive programs to help customers reduce water waste and trim their bills, including free landscape irrigation checkups, direct outreach to the highest water users, rebates on water-saving products, and weekly watering recommendations from Brazos Valley WaterSmart.
Efficient water use is the least expensive way to make our supplies more sustainable, and it keeps your rates lower over time. Your water bill payment is an investment in our water future, ensuring that we can continue to provide you – and generations to come – with high-quality water.
For more information about water rates or conservation, go to cstx.gov/water or call us at 979-764–3660.
About the Blogger
Jennifer Nations has been the City of College Station’s water resource coordinator since 1999 after two years as BVSWMA’s environmental compliance officer. She’s also chair of the Water Conservation and Reuse Division for the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association. A native of Fremont, Calif., Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental & resource science from UC-Davis in 1995 and a master’s degree in water management & hydrologic science from Texas A&M in 2016.
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