HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/09/2020 - Workshop Minutes - City CouncilWKSHP010920 Minutes Page 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
JANUARY 9, 2020
STATE OF TEXAS §
§
COUNTY OF BRAZOS §
Present:
Karl Mooney, Mayor
Council:
Bob Brick
John Crompton
Linda Harvell
John Nichols
Dennis Maloney
City Staff:
Bryan Woods, City Manager
Jeff Capps, Deputy City Manager
Jeff Kersten, Assistant City Manager
Carla Robinson, City Attorney
Tanya Smith, City Secretary
Ian Whittenton, Deputy City Secretary
1. Call to Order and Announce a Quorum is Present
With a quorum present, the Workshop of the College Station City Council was called to order by
Mayor Mooney at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2020 in the Council Chambers of the City of
College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 7784 0.
2. Executive Session
In accordance with the Texas Government Code §551.071-Consultation with Attorney, and
§551.074-Personnel, the College Station City Council convened into Executive Session at 4:01
p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2020 in order to continue discussing matters pertaining to:
A. Consultation with Attorney to seek advice regarding pending or contemplated litigation; to wit:
Kathryn A. Stever-Harper as Executrix for the Estate of John Wesley Harper v. City of
College Station and Judy Meeks; No. 15,977-PC in the County Court No. 1, Brazos
County, Texas; and
McCrory Investments II, LLC d/b/a Southwest Stor Mor v. City of College Station; Cause
No. 17-000914-CV-361; In the 361st District Court, Brazos County, Texas
City of College Station v. Gerry Saum, Individually, and as Independent Executrix of the
Estate of Susan M. Wood, Deceased; Cause No. 17-002742-CV-361; In the 361st District
Court, Brazos County, Texas
Carrie McIver v. City of College Station; Cause No. 18-003271-CV-85; In the 85th District
Court, Brazos County, Texas
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B. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or
dismissal of a public officer; to wit:
Construction Board of Adjustments
Design Review Board
Parks and Recreation Board
Planning and Zoning Commission
Zoning Board of Adjustments
Council Self-Evaluation
City Secretary
City Manager
Executive Session recessed at 6:11 p.m.
3. Reconvene from Executive Session and take action, if any.
No vote or action was taken in Executive Session.
4. Presentation, possible action and discussion on items listed on the consent agenda.
No discussion needed at this time.
5. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a report from Experience Bryan
College Station addressing FY19 accomplishments and strategies to increase tourism in the
region.
Jeff Kersten, Assistant City Manager, stated that Council requested information related to utilizing
Hotel Occupancy Tax revenues to address occupancy rates in College Station hotels and Mrs. Fry
is here to present information related to these efforts.
Kindra Fry, President and CEO of Experience BCS, provided a summary of 2019 activities and
include a look into plans for 2020.
FY19 Highlights:
Benchmark Year
Marketing Restructure
Website Enhancements
Sponsorship Opportunities
HOT Grant Growth
EBCS Performance (Percentage Change Year over Year)
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Mrs. Fry also addressed the changing supply and demand for lodging in the area. She noted that
the growth of supply has outpaced that of the increased demand.
A consensus of council directed staff to bring back a framework for a Request for Proposal (RFP)
on a study which would analyze the current tourism economy recommend strategies for potential
growth.
6. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on regulating the use of wireless
communication devices.
Brandy Norris, Assistant Chief of Police, stated that driver inattention while using wireless
communication devices is a public safety concern nationwide. The State Legislature passed a law
regarding the use of these devices while driving but it allows for drivers to change their music, use
their GPS, or send or receive emergency messages. These exemptions are a defense to prosecution
and can make enforcement more difficult. City ordinance cannot preempt state law, but an
ordinance may be implemented that require hands free use to talk on devices.
Katie N. Womack, Senior Research Scientist with Texas A&M Transportation Institute, explained
that the TTI surveys found a 41.9% decrease in observed WCD use in College Station after
implementation of the hands-free only cell phone ordinance. In the comparison city of Bryan,
WCD use decreased by 14.3% during the same timeframe. The decrease in percentage of WCD
users talking was greater than the decrease for texting. The number of devices affixed to the vehicle
increased in both College Station and Bryan from pre to post-ordinance with much larger increases
in College Station, the city affected by the ordinance.
At approximately 7:45 p.m., Mayor Mooney opened for Citizens Comments.
Deanna Irwin, Huntsville, gave a brief statement of her experience with texting and driving. Ms.
Irwin lost her 19 year old daughter to a driver who was texting and driving.
Humza Khalid, College Station, gave a brief statement on texting and driving. Mr. Khalid was
struck by a driver who was texting and he stated he was a lucky one because he walked away.
Marci Corry, College Station, stated the statements made are important because distracting driving
can be fatal. We need a hands free ordinance and she asked Council to bring this ordinance back.
There being no further comments, the Citizens Comments was closed at 7:55 p.m.
Council directed staff to bring back information and a proposal for a new hands free ordinance.
7. Council Calendar
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Council reviewed the calendar.
8. Discussion, review, and possible action regarding the following meetings: Animal Shelter
Board, Arts Council of Brazos Valley, Architectural Advisory Committee, Audit Committee,
Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board, Bio-Corridor Board of Adjustments,
Brazos County Health Dept., Brazos Valley Council of Governments, Brazos Valley
Economic Development Corporation, Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce, Budget
and Finance Committee, BVSWMA, BVWACS, Compensation and Benefits Committee,
Comprehensive Plan Evaluation Committee, Experience Bryan-College Station, Design
Review Board, Economic Development Committee, Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition,
Historic Preservation Committee, Interfaith Dialogue Association, Intergovernmental
Committee, Joint Relief Funding Review Committee, Landmark Commission, Library
Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Parks and Recreation Board, Pl anning and
Zoning Commission, Research Valley Technology Council, Regional Transportation
Committee for Council of Governments, Sister Cities Association, Spring Creek Local
Government Corporation, Transportation and Mobility Committee, TAMU Student Senate,
Texas Municipal League, Walk with the Mayor, YMCA, Zoning Board of Adjustments,
(Notice of Agendas posted on City Hall bulletin board).
Councilmember Brick reported on the Arts Council.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop of the College Station
City Council at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2020.
________________________
Karl Mooney, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Tanya Smith, City Secretary