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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/22/2023 - Regular Minutes - City CouncilCCM 062223 Minutes Page 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING IN-PERSON WITH TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPATION CITY OF COLLEGE STATION JUNE 22, 2023 STATE OF TEXAS § § COUNTY OF BRAZOS § Present: John Nichols, Mayor Council: Mark Smith William Wright Linda Harvell Elizabeth Cunha Bob Yancy Dennis Maloney City Staff: Bryan Woods, City Manager Jeff Capps, Deputy City Manager Adam Falco, City Attorney Leslie Whitten, Deputy 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 meeting of the College Station City Council was called to order by Mayor Nichols via In-Person and Teleconference at 4:00 p.m. on June 22, 2023, in the Council Chambers of the City of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77840. 2. Executive Session Agenda. 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 4:00 p.m. on June 22, 2023, to continue discussing matters pertaining to: 2.1. 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; and  Shana Elliott and Lawrence Kalke v. City of College Station, et al., Cause No. 22-001122-CV- 85, in the 85th District Court, Brazos County, Texas; and CCM 062223 Minutes Page 2  Kristin Marriott v. City of College Station, Cause No. 22-002259-CV-272, in the 272nd District Court, Brazos County, Texas; and  SOAH Docket No. 473-22-2464 and PUC Docket No. 52728 – Application of the City of College Station to Change Rates for Wholesale Transmission Services; and 2.2. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer; to wit:  City Manager  Council Self-Evaluation 3. The Open Meeting Will Reconvene No Earlier than 6:00 PM from Executive Session and City Council will take action, if any. Executive Session recessed at 6:00 p.m. No action was taken. 4. Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation, consider absence request. 5. PRESENTATION - PROCLAMATIONS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITIONS. 5.1. Presentation proclaiming July as Smart Irrigation Month. Mayor Nichols presented a proclamation to Jennifer Nations and Gary Mechler from Water Services recognizing July 2023 as Smart Irrigation Month. 5.2. Presentation of a proclamation celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Southside Historic Neighborhood. Mayor Nichols presented a proclamation to Shirley Dupriest, Liana Vincent, Katherine Edwards and Neighbors of Southside Historic Neighborhood recognizing the 100th Anniversary of Southside Historic Neighborhood. 6. Hear Visitors Comments. Phillip McAughan, College Station, came before Council to support the middle housing. Craig Regan, College Station, stated that he is here to make a case for establishing a procedure that allows direct payment and repayment to utility users or bond holders. He believes that this is a way to reintroduce capital back into the local economy that would have otherwise been spent by the City. He believes this cycle would stimulate and grow the local economy and tax base. Scott Hickle, Bryan, came before council to highlight a recent newspaper posting on the sensitivity of post oaks. He asked if the council has seen an in-depth report of the soil composition, a complete and independent study of tree best practices and an extensive environmental study? Will the council see the full report or only a summary provided by city staff? John Nicks, Plantersville, stated he would like Council to look at the budget to bring more disability friendly events to College Station and for the City Secretary to add page numbers to the agenda packet. 7. CONSENT ITEMS CCM 062223 Minutes Page 3 Presentation, discussion, and possible action on consent items which consist of ministerial, or "housekeeping" items as allowed by law : A Councilmember may request additional information at this time. Any Councilmember may remove an item from the Consent Agenda for a separate vote. Items 7.5 and 7.6 was pulled from Consent for clarification. (7.5) Billy Couch, Police Chief, explained that this is an armored rescue vehicle built to respond to tactical rescue missions during high risk, active threat situations. The vehicle is rated to withstand multiple rifle rounds, protecting law enforcement and civilians being delivered or removed from the active threat area. The vehicle is also equipped with additional equipment which allows for breaching capabilities, chemical munitions deployment and public announcement through s peakers when dealing with tactical situations or civil unrest. HGACBuy is a purchasing cooperative for public agencies. All products and services available for purchase through HGACBuy contracts have been competitively bid and awarded in compliance with local and state purchasing statutes. (7.6) Gary Mechler, Director of Water Services, explained that the Ashburn Water Line Rehabilitation Project involves the replacement of approximately 1,250 linear feet of 6-inch water line, 200 linear feet of 4-inch water line, and all service lines along this section of water main. The line will be replaced by trenching and Ashburn Avenue will be milled and overlayed by the Public Works Department after the construction of the water line. 7.1. Presentation, discussion, and possible action of minutes for:  June 12, 2023 Council Meeting 7.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a deductive change order to the city hall project contract with Core Construction for $75,641. 7.3. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on an electrical engineering services retainer contract with McCord Engineering not to exceed $600,000. 7.4. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a technology services contract with Routeware Inc. in the amount of $625,674.12 for solid waste route management hardware, software, and implementation services. 7.5. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding purchasing a rescue vehicle (armored tactical vehicle) from Lenco Industries, Inc. for $320,695. 7.6. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a construction contract with Elliott Construction, LLC in the amount of $233,724 for the replacement of water lines in Ashburn Avenue. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Harvell and a second by Councilmember Wright, the City Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed, to approve the Consent Items. The motion carried unanimously. 8. WORKSHOP ITEMS 8.1. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a presentation on the implementation of CSU Electric customer text notifications for planned and unplanned outages. CCM 062223 Minutes Page 4 Randall Lewis, Assistant Director Electric Utilities, presented an update on the TextPower software which integrates with the outage management software to allow CSU Electric customers experiencing a service interruption to be informed of both planned and unplanned outages and status updates through text messaging. Mr. Lewis explained that with this software, Electric customers will also be able to report an outage at their CSU service location. Additionally, TextPower will allow messaging alerts among internal staff grouped according to the appropriate level of information needed. 8.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on an update from the Code Enforcement division. Tommy Shilling, Code Enforcement Supervisor, provided an update on the code enforcement activities. Code Violations  Hoarding with Compliance Met  Weeds and Grass/ Unsecured Structure with Compliance Met  Accumulation of Trash and Junk Vehicles  Open Storage and Trash/Recycle Other Responsibilities  Long-Term Rental Registration  9,017 total properties registered  Short-Term Rental Permitting  272 total properties permitted  Game-Day Parking Operations and Procedures  Outreach and Education  Be a Good Neighbor Initiative  Community Living Course  Developing Voluntary Proactive Rental Inspection Code Toolbox  Enhanced Technology  Axon Body Cameras  New Ticket Writers  Expansion of SeeClickFix Management  Code Mobile Mapping Application See ClickFix Statistics  FY 22 (10-1-21 to 9-30-22)  1,509 SCF Requests  FY 23 Q1 (10-1-22 to 12-31-22)  443 SCF Requests  FY 23 Q2 (1-1-23 to 3-31-23)  423 SCF Requests Majority of the Council directed staff to move forward with the program as presented. At approximately 7:27 p.m., Mayor Nichols opened for Citizen Comments. CCM 062223 Minutes Page 5 Benito Flores-Meath, College Station, came before Council as a user of the Code Enforcement See Click Fix software to praise its ease of use but note that it would take 20 to 25 minutes before an officer would answer the call, which at that time the person or problem is often gone, or the problem goes unresolved. There being no further comments, the Citizen Comments was closed at 7:29 p.m. REGULAR ITEMS 9.1. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on a construction contract with Quality Works Construction Inc, in the amount of $112,490 for the development of two bird viewing structures in Lick Creek Park, plus the City’s contingency in the amount of $5,000 for a total appropriation of $117,490. Approval of this item grants authority for the City Manager to authorize expenditures up to the City’s contingency amount. Jennifer Cain, Capital Projects Director, stated that the proposed construction project included the development of two bird viewing structures in Lick Creek Park. The first structure includes a five- foot-wide concrete sidewalk, connecting the existing sidewalk around the Nature Center to this structure, creating a fully accessible route from the parking lot to this structure. In addition, a wooden bench, and hose bib will be added to this structure. The second structure will be constructed as the first structure, but does not include an improved path, hose bib or bench at this location. Two (2) sealed, competitive bids were received and opened on March 14, 2023. Mrs. Cain explained that the budget in the amount of $150,000 is included for this project in the Parks Capital Improvement Projects Fund. A total of $32,501 has been expended or committed to date, leaving a balance of $117,499 for this contract and future costs. Staff recommends approval and award of the construction contract with Quality Works Construction Inc, for the development of two bird viewing structures, in Lick Creek Park, in the amount of $112,490. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Maloney, and a second by Councilmember Smith, the City Council voted five (5) for and two (2) opposed, with Councilmembers Cunha and Yancy voting against, to approve a construction contract with Quality Works Construction Inc, in the amount of $112,490 for the development of two bird viewing structures in Lick Creek Park, plus the City’s contingency in the amount of $5,000 for a total appropriation of $117,490. Approval of this item grants authority for the City Manager to authorize expenditures up to the City’s contingency amount. The motion carried. 10. Council Calendar Council reviewed the calendar. 11. Items of Community Interest: The Council may receive reports from a Council Member or City Staff about items of community interest for which notice has not been given, including: expressions of thanks, congratulations or condolence; information regarding holiday schedules; honorary or salutary recognitions of a public official, public employee, or other citizen; reminders of upcoming events organized or sponsored by the City of College Station; information about a social, ceremonial or community event organized or sponsored by an entit y other than the City of College Station that is scheduled to be attended by a Council Member, another city official or staff of the City of College Station; and announcements involving an CCM 062223 Minutes Page 6 imminent threat to the public health and safety of people in the City of College Station that has arisen after the posting of the agenda. Nothing to report. 12. Council Reports on Committees, Boards, and Commission: A Council Member may make a report regarding meetings of City Council boards and commissions or meetings of boards and committees on which a Council Member serves as a representative that have met since the last council meeting. (Committees listed in Coversheet) Councilmember Maloney reported on his travels to Poland with Sister Cities. 13. Future Agenda Items and Review of Standing List of Council Generated Future Agenda Items: A Council Member may make a request to City Council to place an item for which no notice has been given on a future agenda or may inquire about the status of an item on the standing list of council generated future agenda items. A Council Member’s or City Staff’s response to the request or inquiry will be limited to a statement of specific factual information related to the request or inquiry or the recitation of existing policy in response to the request or inquiry. Any deliberation of or decision about the subject of a request will be limited to a proposal to place the subject on the agenda for a subsequent meeting. No future agenda items at this time. 14. Adjournment. There being no further business, Mayor Nichols adjourned the meeting of the City Council at 7:53 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2023. ________________________ John P. Nichols, Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________ Tanya Smith, City Secretary