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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/11/2026 - Regular Minutes - City CouncilCCM 061126 Minutes Page 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING IN-PERSON WITH TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPATION CITY OF COLLEGE STATION JUNE 11, 2026 STATE OF TEXAS § § COUNTY OF BRAZOS § Presiding: John Nichols, Mayor Council: Mark Smith William Wright, Mayor ProTem David White - absent Melissa McIlhaney Bob Yancy Scott Shafer 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 11, 2026, 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, §551.072-Real Estate, §551.074-Personnel, and §551.087-Economic Development, and the College Station City Council convened into Executive Session at 4:01 p.m. on June 11, 2026, to continue discussing matters pertaining to: 2.1. Consultation with Attorney to seek advice regarding pending or contemplated litigation, to wit: • The City of College Station v. The Public Utility Commission of Texas, Cause No. D -1-GN- 24-005680 in the 200th District Court, Travis County, Texas. • Hopkins v. City of College Station, et al., Civil Action No. 4:25-CV-00473, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. • Legal advice related to the design contract for Southeast Park. • Legal advice related to an incident that was generally located in the 1200 Block of Harvey Road. CCM 061126 Minutes Page 2 • Legal advice related to the legal process for the acquisition of land generally located on the south side of the intersection of Harvey Road and Associates Drive. 2.2. Deliberation on the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property; to wit: • Approximately 8 acres of land located at 1508 Harvey Road. • Approximately 28 acres of land generally located at Midtown Drive and Corporate Parkway in the Midtown Business Park. • Property located within the Midtown Business Park. 2.3. Deliberation on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer; to wit: • Council Self-Evaluation 2.4. Deliberation on an offer of financial or other incentives for a business prospect that the Council seeks to have locate, stay or expand in or near the City; to wit: • Economic development agreement for a development on the 28 acres of land generally located at Midtown Drive and Corporate Parkway in the Midtown Business Park. • Economic development agreement for a development within the Midtown Business Park relating to baseball fields. • Economic development agreement with College Station Town Center, LP. • Economic development agreement between the City and CS Science Park, LLC as assigned to OGC College Station Park, LP. 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. 4. Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation, consider absence request . Invocation given by Mayor Nichols. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Yancy and a second by Councilmember Shafer, the City Council voted six (6) for and none (0) opposed, to approve absence request from Councilmember David White for the June 11, 2026 City Council Meetings. The motion carried unanimously. 5. Hear Visitors Comments. Robert Rose from College Station raised concerns to the City Council about the potential impacts of the SpaceX project in Grimes County, including increased water usage, construction workforce influx, and strain on local infrastructure, urging the Council to seek state and federal assistance to mitigate these effects. Ivan Svrcek from College Station addressed the Council regarding the proliferation of Flock Safety ALPR cameras in the community, highlighting privacy issues and referencing Supreme Court precedents, and requested reconsideration of the city's surveillance practices. CCM 061126 Minutes Page 3 Kenneth Winner from College Station expressed concerns about the condition of local cemeteries, particularly the Field of Honor, requesting investment in irrigation, leveling, and sodding to improve the site and honor those interred. 6. CONSENT ITEMS 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. Item (6.2) was pulled for clarification. (6.2) Bryan Woods, City Manager and Susan Monnat, Capital Projects, presented the contract with Norman Construction Services LLC for utility relocation, totaling $4,903,703, and explained that the city manager is authorized to approve expenditures up to the contingency amount. They clarified that compensable interest claims are typically for small cities with large projects initiated by the State; College Station determined no compensable interest under Transportation Code 203.092 and participates per standard agreements with TxDOT. Details were given on efforts to deconflict utility relocations, including negotiations, cost-sharing, and technical decisions such as boring versus open cutting, emphasizing the complexity and ongoing nature of the project. Ms. Monnat noted that a third and fourth bid package are forthcoming, with the fourth being minor and handled by TxDOT. 6.1. Presentation, discussion, and possible action of minutes for: • May 28, 2026 Council Meeting 6.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on a construction contract with Norman Construction Services, LLC for State Highway 6 Utility Relocation Bid Package No. 2 in the amount of $4,263,703 plus the City’s contingency in the amount of $640,000 for a total appropriation of $4,903,703. Approval of this item grants authority for the City Manager to authorize project expenditures up to the City’s contingency amount. 6.3. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on a construction contract with The Playwell Group, Inc. and Playworks, Inc. for playground equipment replacement at John Crompton Park in the amount of $185,437.34 plus the City's contingency in the amount of $18,543.73 for a total appropriation of $203,981.07 to be funded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Smith and a second by Councilmember McIlhaney, the City Council voted six (6) for and none (0) opposed, to approve the Consent agenda. The motion carried unanimously. 7. WORKSHOP ITEMS 7.1. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding micromobility devices and safety. Jesse DiMeolo from Planning and Development reported that City staff across multiple departments have reviewed conditions, crash data, operations, and regulations for micromobility devices like e- bikes and e-scooters. The presentation covered recommendations from the Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP), such as infrastructure upgrades, signage, intersection safety, and education CCM 061126 Minutes Page 4 efforts to improve micromobility safety. Staff evaluation focused on regulations, data gaps, safety on roads and paths, and potential policy changes, including ways to coordinate with Texas A&M University on consistent messaging and enforcement. • Micromobility and State Laws • Conflict areas and Crash Maps • Enforcement and Regulation • Safe Design • Programs and Partnerships Annual Severity of all Active Transportation Crashes (2021-2025) Active Transportation Crash Locations CCM 061126 Minutes Page 5 Design Considerations • ATMP Policy 1: Design facilities in compliance with... NACTO, and other applicable guidelines • ATMP Policy 2: Prioritized mode corridors for non-vehicular users • ATMP Policy 7: Installation of lighting... signage and clear lines of sight Design Related Action Items • ATMP 4.1 analyze where wider bike lanes are needed for safer passing • ATMP 4.4 and 4.5 evaluate crash data at street intersections and driveways for potential improvements • ATMP 4.6 better transitions needed • Thoroughfare cross section alternatives Active Transportation & Micromobility Programs • Education Programs o Safe Routes to School Program o Share the Road campaign • Encouragement Programs o Wayfinding System would encourage proper use and safe directions o Community active transportation events o Social media and flyers • Evaluation and Planning Programs o Partner with TAMU o Travel data collection program • Health and Safety Programs o Speed reduction program (includes autos) o Analyze crash data • Policy 10: Provide programs that educate/encourage active transportation CCM 061126 Minutes Page 6 7.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action and discussion regarding education efforts to improve code compliance in a transient population. City Manager Bryan Woods presented a Council item addressing a citizen’s concerns about staff efforts to provide clear code compliance information, especially given the challenges of a transitional population in a college town. He went on to describe existing outreach, including magnets, flyers, and collaboration with off-campus student services, covering topics like trash, parking, lawn maintenance, and bulk items. The Council and City Manager agreed that mandatory in-residence notifications would be difficult to enforce, recommending voluntary mailing and distribution to registered rental agents and residents. The Council suggested expanding digital outreach through unified apps and QR codes on city infrastructure, enabling residents to access information and receive notifications, with staff confirming ongoing efforts and interest in consolidation, and exploring potential incentives for residents. Ideas included incentivizing app downloads with coupons or city program discounts and leveraging university partnerships and property manager networks for broader education. Mr. Woods committed to compiling current and planned outreach efforts, making them public, and returning to Council with impact assessments and further recommendations as needed. 8. REGULAR ITEMS 8.1. Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the proposed FY 2027 (PY2026) Annual Action Plan and the FY 2027 Community Development Budget. Raney Whitwell, Community Development Analyst, explained that the City of College Station's community development programs follow the 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan, effective until September 30, 2030. HUD requires this plan to include a needs assessment, hou sing market analysis, evaluation of housing conditions, and clear goals for a unified five-year strategy. Staff will summarize the proposed plan and seek City Council feedback. Annually, the City must submit an Annual Action Plan specifying funded projects and activities, which must align with the five-year plan's objectives. For the upcoming year, $3,516,006.02 in grant funds are available: $1,236,870 from CDBG, $511,237.89 from HOME, and $1,767,958.13 in carryover and program income. CDBG and HOME funds can be used to benefit low- and moderate-income people, eliminate slum and blight, or address urgent community needs; additionally, CDBG supports a wide range of activities while HOME is limited to affordable housing. The Annual Action Plan and budget must be submitted to HUD by August 16, 2026. Council review precedes city budget adoption, and approval by resolution establishes the Community Development Program under Texas law and authorizes the City Manager for necessary HUD documentation. Final drafts and budget will be presented on July 23rd for adoption. The City has historically used these funds for affordable housing assistance, nonprofit services, demolition, economic development, infrastructure improvements, grant administration, and public facility upgrades in low- to moderate-income areas. At approximately 7:56 p.m., Mayor Nichols opened the Public Hearing. Robert Rose from College Station raised several community issues for consideration including affordable housing incentives, mental health care funding, cooling and heating centers, micro-mobility safety education, help ticket systems, and living wage programs. There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed at 7:59 p.m. CCM 061126 Minutes Page 7 8.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on a general services contract award to Green Teams, Inc. for City-Wide Landscape Maintenance and Mowing for an amount not -to-exceed $1,443,364. Emily Fisher, Public Works Director, explained that this item involves awarding a general services agreement to Green Teams, Inc. In April, staff requested proposals for all mowing and landscaping maintenance services throughout the city, except for regional parks and athletic fields. These services were divided into five categories: 1. Facilities – city buildings and Northgate District 2. Electric – CSU electric substations and buildings 3. Water/Wastewater – CSU water and wastewater sites 4. Parks – neighborhood parks and cemeteries 5. Finish mowing – mainly street rights-of-way and medians Four vendors responded to RFP 26-038, and Green Teams, Inc. was selected as the most qualified bidder to provide all city-wide mowing and landscaping services. The contract amount with Green Teams, Inc. is $1,443,364 and the initial term is one year, with an option to renew for up to four additional one-year terms, for a total of five years. This contract replaces the general services contract awarded in June 2025 to another contractor which was not renewed. Operation and maintenance funds for citywide mowing are budgeted in the General Fund (Streets, Facilities, and Parks), Electric Fund, and Water/Wastewater Funds. Bid Tabulation Mayor Nichols opened for Citizen Comments. Tucker Gallagher from College Station (Green Teams) expressed appreciation for the opportunity to resume providing landscape services. Mr. Gallagher stated the company is committed to helping restore parks and facilities and noted that the approved contract represents a strong step forward. He added that while weekly mowing would be ideal for many sites, the current action is a positive midpoint, and they look forward to working with City staff moving ahead CCM 061126 Minutes Page 8 There being no further comments, Citizen Comments was closed. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Yancy and a second by Councilmember Smith, the City Council voted six (6) for and none (0) opposed, to approve a general services contract award to Green Teams, Inc. for City-Wide Landscape Maintenance and Mowing for an amount not-to-exceed $1,443,364. The motion carried unanimously. 8.3. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on Resolution No. 06-11-26-8.3 for a Destination Strategic Plan for Tourism. Jeremiah Cook, Tourism Assistant Director, stated that the Destination Strategic Plan for College Station Tourism was prepared by JLL, through its Global Destination Advisory practice, for the City of College Station and its tourism division, Visit College Station. As a strategic plan and market study, its purpose is to recommend a roadmap for building on the city's existing tourism economy, expanding beyond Texas A&M University athletic events toward stronger year -round business. Dan Fenton, Managing Director, explained that the plan is organized around six strategic pillars and is informed by a market study comprising a Tourism Readiness Index, Demand Driver Scorecard, Event Matrix, peer benchmarking, and a lost-business analysis. It also proposes a new Visit College Station staffing structure and a phased, priority-based hiring plan in which each new position is contingent on prior roles meeting their performance targets. All initiatives within the Destination Strategic Plan for Tourism would be funded through the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund as part of the standard budget process, with funding prioritized only as specific performance benchmarks achieved. The 6 Strategic Pillars • Pillar 1: Position College Station as Premier Academic Conference Destination • Pillar 2: Create TAMU-City Event Management Partnership • Pillar 3: Enhance Student and Family Visit Experience • Pillar 4: Enhance Faculty and Staff Recruitment Experience • Pillar 5: Joint Marketing Strategy for University-Community Synergy • Pillar 6: Leisure Events Strategy Implementation Plan & Resourcing Three-Year Timeline: Year-by-year hiring sequence, role priorities, dependencies Funding Strategy: • Year 1: Strategic reallocation of underperforming event grants + marketing budget • Year 2+: HOT revenue growth from Year 1 bookings funds expansion • MOU Revenue Share: TAMU partnership creates sustainable funding stream • Performance-Contingent: Each phase must hit targets before next investment Specialized Roles for Performance Priority 1: • Director of University Strategy & Partnerships (City Position) - Strategic bridge between TAMU and city • Assistant Director of University Sales (Academic & Corporate) - Revenue generation hunter • Leisure Events Contractor Firm - Create signature events and fill calendar gaps Priority 2: • Assistant Director of University Event Strategy - Develop TAMU venue business CCM 061126 Minutes Page 9 • Marketing Manager - Academia & leisure events focus Priority 3: • Business Development Coordinator - Research and pipeline support • University Event Strategy Manager - Operational excellence • Destination Experience Manager - Family and faculty services Priority 4: • Sales Manager (Academic & Corporate) - Scale successful programs Summary of Strategy Peer destinations are implementing these strategies now and the cost of inaction is permanent competitive disadvantage. The Opportunity: • $27.6M in documented lost economic impact (2022-2024) • 10,000+ potential conferences aligned with TAMU's academic strengths • Infrastructure exists - we need specialized sales capacity The Solution: • 6 interconnected strategic pillars • Phased, performance-based implementation over 3 years • Self-funding model through HOT revenue growth The Results (Year 3 Targets): • 6-8 additional academic conferences annually = 12,000+ room nights • 40% campus visitor rate overnight (up from 30%) • 15,000+ room nights from new leisure events • Year-round economic stability MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Shafer and a second by Councilmember McIlhaney, the City Council voted six (6) for and none (0) opposed, to approve Resolution No. 06- 11-26-8.3 a Destination Strategic Plan for Tourism. The motion carried unanimously. 9. Items of Community Interest and Council Calendar: The Council may discuss upcoming events and 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, congr atulations 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 entity 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 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. Mayor Nichols spoke in memory of Sara Goode who was on Council 1986-1987. Bryan Woods, City Manager, reported on recent large city events, and upcoming celebrations. 10. 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) CCM 061126 Minutes Page 10 Councilmember Smith reported on Sister Cities. Councilmember McIlhaney reported observing a meeting between city staff members Jesse DiMeolo and Tyler Haney and a local business proprietor, who had submitted a renovation plan. Mrs. McIlhaney noted that staff were exceptionally kind and helpful as they explained the requirements for the proposed changes. 11. 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 our 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. 12. Adjournment. There being no further business, Mayor Nichols adjourned the meeting of the City Council at 9:43 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026. ________________________ John P. Nichols, Mayor ATTEST: Tanya Smith, City Secretary ________________________