HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/11/2024 - Special Minutes - City CouncilMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
IN -PERSON WITH TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPATION
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
NOVEMBER 11, 2024
STATE OF TEXAS
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COUNTY OF BRAZOS §
Present:
John P. Nichols, Mayor
Council:
Mark Smith
William Wright
Linda Harvell — absent
Elizabeth Cunha - absent
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 Manager
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 4:01 p.m. on November 11, 2024, in the Council
Chambers of the City of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77840.
2. SPECIAL ITEMS
2.1. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the approval of a Plug & Play LLC
funding agreement between the City of College Station and the Greater Brazos Valley
Partnership.
Michael Ostrowski, Chief Development Officer, stated that the Economic Development Committee
discussed a Plug & Play LLC funding agreement with the Greater Brazos Partnership (formally
BVEDC) regarding an arrangement with an innovation platform to drive and attract business growth
opportunities in the Brazos Valley region through a startup accelerator program. The request is for
$250,000 from the city annually for a period of three years. Texas A&M, the City of Bryan, and the
Greater Brazos Partnership would also be funding partners.
Funding Agreement with Greater Brazos Partnership (GBP)
• Startup accelerator program
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• Focus on verticals — Aerospace and Defense
• Four employees and establishment of an office in both College Station and at RELLIS
• Will accelerate two groups of startups per segment (year), deal flow sessions of six per
segment, community events (e.g. pitch sessions)
• $1.5 million per year for 3 years
• Funding split (per year): TAMU - $750,000; City of College Station, City of Bryan, and
Greater Brazos Partnership - $250,000 each
• Plug and Play's agreements are with TAMU and GBP. Cities then have a separate funding
agreements with GBP
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Maloney and a second by Councilmember
Yancy, the City Council voted five (5) for and none (0) opposed, to direct the City Manager to
negotiate and enter into an agreement between the City of College Station and the Greater Brazos
Partnership for the funding of a Plug & Play LLC startup accelerator program and bring that contract
back to council for ratification. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Adiournment.
There being no further business, Mayor John P. Nichols adjourned the Special Meeting of the City
Council at 4:17 p.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024.
P. Nichols, Mayor
ATTES ; :
Tanya Smit', City Secretary
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