HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/25/2020 - Workshop Minutes - City CouncilWKSHP062520 Minutes Page 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
VIA TELECONFERENCE
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
JUNE 25, 2020
STATE OF TEXAS §
§
COUNTY OF BRAZOS §
Present:
Karl Mooney, Mayor
Council:
Bob Brick
John Crompton
Linda Harvell
John Nichols
Dennis Maloney
City Staff:
Jeff Kersten, Assistant City Manager
Jennifer Prochazka, 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 3:02 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 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 3:02
p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 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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Veronica Alejandra Ibarra v. The City of College Station; Cause No. 20000325CV361; in
the 361st District Court, Brazos County, Texas
B. Consultation with attorney to receive legal advice; to wit:
Legal advice regarding termination of the FY20 funding agreements between the City and
Experience Bryan College Station and issues related to possible dissolution of EBCS.
C. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or
dismissal of a public officer; to wit:
Council Self-Evaluation
City Manager
Executive Session recessed at 4:03 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 Items pulled from Consent for clarification.
5. Workshop
5.1 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a Restricted Occupancy Overlay
District.
Jade Broadnaz, Planning and Development, stated that City Council requested that City staff draft
a Restricted Occupancy Overlay ordinance and associated handbook that would allow area
property owners to request an overlay zoning restricting occupancy to no more than two unrelated
persons in their neighborhood.
Enforcement
College Station
o Current: “no more than four unrelated” city-wide
o Potential: “no more than two unrelated” in proposed overlay district; i.e. at will of
neighborhood
Bryan
o Current: “no more than two unrelated” in R-NC standard zoning; i.e. at will of
City
o Enforcement not codified
o Ordinance acts as legal deterrent
San Marcos
o Current: “no more than two unrelated” in multiple standard single-family zoning
districts; i.e. at will of City
o License plate observation for 21 day period codified
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Staff recommends that Council receive the presentation and provide direction regarding the
creation of a Restricted Occupancy Ordinance (ROO). The Planning & Zoning Commission heard
this item at their June 18, 2020 meeting.
Potential Changes to UDO
Section Change
3.3 Application requirements for ROO 58% petition
4.1 Addition of ROO to list of districts
5.11 ROO applies to SF and accessory structures in 51% improved subdivisions,
Reference to “Family” and “Related,” Enforcement section added.
ROO Handbook
Mirrors NCO Handbook
o Grandfathering Section
o How to determine relationships / related
o Timeline
o Meeting materials / templates
At approximately 4:29 p.m., Mayor Mooney opened for Citizens Comments.
Linda Bendiksen, College Station, stated that she supports this change as a tool for local
community control.
Jeffrey Leatherwood, President of the local MLS Board/Property Owner, is of the opinion that this
item is preserving an idea rather than a reality. He sited personal experience that many
neighborhoods have included rentals as part of the character for decades and that renters are part
of the character of the neighborhood.
Mark Farrar (Cynthia Farrar), College Station, wanted to state their opposition to this item as the
proposed changes would affect their property values and income they rely upon.
Sam Jefferis, College Station, came before Council on behalf of the Texas A&M Student
Government, regarding the proposal of the overlay restricting occupants to no more than 2
unrelated citing that it is largely unenforceable and will have a negative impact on the quality of
life for students.
Fred Dupriest, College Station, stated that the purpose of the ordinance is not to retake student
neighborhoods because it cannot do that. It’s to ensure neighborhoods can choose to continue to
be what they already are, an appropriate and affordable place for families and children live.
Summary:
1. The public needs a sense of which neighborhoods might obtain the overlay. It will enable
a more intelligent conversation on all sides
2. They also need to know that the numbers of 4-unrelated rentals that will actually be
impacted may be small. These will also be grandfathered
3. If few are effected and those are grandfathered, there will be no immediate impact on the
availability of student housing or investors
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4. The discussion of whether the approval threshold should be 50% or 58% should revolve
around the difference in actual results. We want to protect more families, as long as there
are minimal negative impacts, or they can be mitigated with grandfathering rules.
Elianor Vessali, College Station, came before Council to question what the purpose of this
ordinance, communities already have existing avenues for managing their neighborhoods. She
went on to state that this should not be considered during a pandemic, when so many are hurting
financially, emotionally, and is blatantly discriminatory.
Donald Deere, College Station, stated that Bryan is not College Station, and what may work for
one city may not work for another. We need to think of a higher threshold for enactment then 58%
and consider postponing this until in-person meetings have resumed.
Charles Wilding, College Station, stated that he has been a resident since 1976, a property owner
in Historical District and they all have excellent students living within the Historical District. Mr.
Wilding explained that this area has always been rental community but ask Council not to move
forward with this project.
Tina Evans, College Station, requested Council to consider approving this item as it would still be
profitable. She approves of grandfathered to protect current investors and cited the cities of Bryan
and San Marcos as success stories with similar regulations.
Hayden Paul, College Station, came before Council presenting the Board of Realtors, stating that
this is a solution looking for a problem. As proposed, it is an undue burden to the citizens and the
city staff, while also resulting in a decline of home values in affected neighborhoods.
Helena MacCrossan, College Station, spoke on behalf Student Body of TAMU, and stated that this
will push students farther away from university which will cause problems with travel and increase
congestion. She encourages council not to procced with this item.
Dan Parker, College Station, stated that he owns 8 properties in the Historical Southside District
and this change would be financially devastating as an investor and he does not see the purpose of
this ordinance.
There being no comments, the Citizens Comments was closed at 5:15 p.m.
Majority of the Council directed Council to move forward with additional research on 50% plus 1
and 58%, overlay zoning versus standard using Bryan as a model, grandfathering the property or
the structure, and a process which incorporates citizen feedback.
Mayor Mooney recessed the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
The meeting resumed at 6:30 p.m.
5.2 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an update on current activities of
the College Station Police Department in response to community outreach.
Billy Couch, Chief of Police, stated that the current climate in policing is difficult, and many
questions have surfaced that need answered. This presentation is intended to address some relevant
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topics that we have heard are important to our community. Chief Couch emphasized building a
sustainable trust between police and the communities of color, noting that this must be achieved
for effective policing to occur The overview included: departmental initiatives to address race
relations, recruiting and hiring, use of force, and body worn cameras.
5.3 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the use of face masks for
Coronavirus protection.
Brian Piscacek, Assistant to the City Manager, stated that on June 16, 2020, the Mayors of nine of
Texas’ largest cities requested that Governor Abbott allow local governments the authority to
require the use of face masks in public. Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-26, issued June
3, 2020, provided that “individuals are encouraged to wear appropriate face coverings, but no
jurisdiction can impose a civil or criminal penalty for failure to wear a face covering.”
However, Governor Abbott clarified the order on June 17, 2020, adding that while individual
liberty may not be infringed, local governments can require stores and businesses to require masks.
In response, judges in Bexar, Hidalgo, and Cameron counties, along with the mayor of the City of
Austin, have issued orders that require commercial entities to implement a policy that calls for
employees and visitors to wear face coverings when in close proximity to others. Fines may be
issued to a business not complying with the order.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing cloth face
coverings in public settings where other social distancing me asures are difficult to maintain,
especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. In addition, people should
continue to observe social distancing, frequent handwashing, and self-isolation when sick.
At approximately 7:25 p.m., Mayor Mooney opened for Citizens Comments.
Susie Dai, College Station, present information from a study that focuses on the effectiveness of
face masks on containing the COVID-19 virus spread. The study indicates when the face masks
coverage reaches a good percentage in the general population COVID-19 transmission can be
reduced.
Brook Davis, College Station, stated that she a sent letter with citizen’s signature to the Mayor and
Council encouraging mandating face masks, which would slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus
down.
Brian Bochner, College Station, stated that although it has been major sacrifice, the face masks
have helped. Since, thing have been reopening and social distancing has become lacking and the
spread has increased. He requested Mayor and Council enact a face mask order.
Jeana Nam, College Station, came before Council to express the support of a face mask
requirement and noted that businesses should have not reopened without this in place.
Levi Douglass, College Station, came before Council and urged that the council pursue a
proclamation similar to the one recently issued in Waco on Friday mandating masks in public
spaces. He cited that it would be a great relief to many.
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Teri Metcalf, College Station, stated supports a mask requirement and went on to explain that
consumers will have a choice to shop in Bryan without a mask or in College Station. She believes
that others not wearing a mask is a risk to her life and she should not have endanger herself while
shopping for groceries.
Daniel Leake, College Station, stated that this should not be left up to local government to enforce
a face mask requirement. He noted that this is a health issue for a lot people but individuals have
freedom with regards to a public mask requirement. Mr. Leake also stated that face mask are not
effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and could be harmful.
Pamela Plotkin, College Station, Ms. Plotkin explained in the article that she presented, that the
authors state conclude that wearing a face mask in public corresponds to the most effective means
to prevent inter-human transmission. Further explaining that this inexpensive practice, in
conjunction with simultaneous social distancing, quarantine, and contact tracing, represents the
most likely fighting opportunity to stop the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rich White, College Station, stated he is the manager of HEB, they are in support of the face mask
and are a big supporter of the county mandates for face masks.
Kimberly McAdams, College Station, encouraged the Council enact a facemask requirement. It is
concerning how COVID-19 has spiked and this will affect our medical staff and ability to respond
to medical emergencies. Ms. McAdams explained that we all need to wear face mask to stop
spread, especially with the reopening of school in August.
There being no comments, the Citizens Comments was closed at 7:55 p.m.
Council directed staff to move forward with an ordinance mandating face masks and authorizing
the Mayor to take action.
6. Council Calendar
Council reviewed the calendar.
7. 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, Census Committee Group, 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, Operation
Restart, Parks and Recreation Board, Planning 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
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Mayor, YMCA, Zoning Board of Adjustments, (Notice of Agendas posted on City Hall
bulletin board.)
Councilmember Nichols reported on the BVSWMA Meeting.
8. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop of the College Station
City Council at 8:23 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2020.
________________________
Karl Mooney, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Tanya Smith, City Secretary