HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/10/2025 - Regular Minutes - City CouncilMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
IN -PERSON WITH TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPATION
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
JULY 10, 2025
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF BRAZOS
Present:
John Nichols, Mayor
Council:
Mark Smith, Mayor ProTem
William Wright
David White
Melissa McIlhaney
Bob Yancy
Scott Shafer
Citv Staff:
Bryan Woods, City Manager
Jeff Capps, Deputy City Manager
Leslie Whitten, Deputy City Attorney
John Haislet, Assistant City Attorney
Tanya Smith, City Secretary
Ian Whittenton, Deputy City Secretary
1. Call to Order and Announce a Ouorum 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 4:02 p.m. on July 10, 2025, 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, §551.074-
Personnel, and the College Station City Council convened into Executive Session at 4:02 p.m. on July
10, 2025, to continue discussing matters pertaining to:
2.1. Consultation with Attornev to seek advice regarding pending or contemplated litigation, to
wit:
• 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
• 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; and
• Texas A&M University System v. BVGCD, et al, Cause No. 24-002626-CV-472, in the 472" d
District Court, Brazos County.
2.2. Deliberation on the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property; to wit:
CCM 071025 Minutes Page 1
• Approximately 300 acres generally located at Corporate Parkway and Midtown Drive in the
Midtown Business Park.
2.3. Deliberation on the appointment, emplovment, 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 Citv
Council will take action, if anv.
Executive Session recessed at 6:19 p.m.
4. Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation, consider absence request.
Invocation by Rev. Ben Hailey, a Chaplain with the College Station Police Department.
5. PRESENTATION - PROCLAMATIONS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITIONS.
5.1. Presentation of a proclamation recognizing Julv 10, 2025 as "Texas Crime Prevention
Association Day."
Mayor Nichols presented a proclamation to Kristi Hosea, TCPA 2025 Conference Coordinator; Dee
Donovan-Murph, Central Texas Crime Prevention Association President; Vickie Stonaker, Texas
Crime Prevention Association President; and Deputy Nathan Dennis, Brazos County Sheriff's Office,
recognizing July 10, 2025, as "Texas Crime Prevention Association Day."
5.2. Presentation proclaiming the week of Julv 13-19, 2025 as "Au de Real Estate Network
Week."
Mayor Nichols presented a proclamation to Dr. Charles Gilliland, recognizing July 13-19, 2025, as
"Aggie Real Estate Network Week."
5.3. Presentation of a proclamation recognizing Julv as "Parks and Recreation Month."
Mayor Nichols presented a proclamation to Kelsey Heiden, Parks Director, and members of Parks
Staff recognizing July 2025 as " Parks and Recreation Month."
5.4. Presentation of a proclamation celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Brazos Vallev
Veterans Memorial.
Mayor Nichols presented a proclamation to Steve Beachy and the Brazos Valley Veterans Association,
celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial.
6. Hear Visitors Comments.
Anna Lowary, College Station, spoke to the Council about the Midtown area and the impact of tax the
recent tax increases, suggesting creating connectivity from Town Lake to Midtown Drive may help
spur development and ease future increases. She also called for more social opportunities at the Meyer
Senior Center, as she feels current activities are overcrowded and hinder socializing.
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Nicolette English, College Station, addressed the Council, urging progress on the Midtown signage
and re -branding the water tower to help spur development and avoid future increases in MUD taxes.
Shelby Behm, College Station, addressed the Council expressing concerns that the $20 million outlay
the city has already made in Midtown could be wasted without additional investment. She proposed
placing a new recreation center in the area as a symbol of the city's commitment to future
development.
Susan Ferreri, College Station, spoke to Council about what she feels is increased water flow in the
Bee Creek area over the past four years which she believes has damaged her retaining wall and caused
neighborhood flooding and declining property values due to new uphill construction. She urged the
City Council to examine the water flow problem and consider an independent engineering study for a
solution.
Cheryl Wenck, College Station, urged the Council to conduct an independent study of Bee Creek's
flooding issues in Emerald Forest, involving homeowners directly. She stated that comprehensive
engineering studies must integrate scientific analysis and local input for effective flood mitigation
strategies, particularly when development may worsen the problem.
Arvind Mahajan, College Station, spoke to the Council regarding persistent flooding issues in Emerald
Forest. He mentioned that these issues have progressively worsened, reaching his home's foundation
and garage last year.
Laura Burris, College Station, addressed the Council about her property which is adjacent to the Bee
Creek floodplain and has been prone to flooding for 24 years. She stated that recent improvements
seem ineffective in managing the additional water runoff caused by development and urged the city
to address this issue.
Fredrick Wenck, College Station, addressed the Council about the increasing rainwater flow into Bee
Creek, which has caused issues in Emerald Forest and highlighted the rise in silt buildup, erosion, and
overgrowth in the creek bed. He believes that the future highway expansions could increase runoff
and proposed that an independent drainage engineering consultant study the area.
7. 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. Anv Councilmember may remove an item from the Consent Agenda for a separate
vote.
No items were pulled for clarification.
7.1. Presentation, discussion, and possible action of minutes for:
• June 26, 2025 Council Meeting
7.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on a professional services contract amendment
with The Arkitex Studio, Inc., not -to -exceed $150.060 for additional design services for the Texas
Independence Park at Midtown Proiect.
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7.3. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on a contract for crossing guard services with
All Citv Management Services, Inc, not to exceed $141,147.90.
7.4. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on approval of a real estate contract for the
purchase of a public utility, public access, and landscape easement for $106,455 from CS MF24
I, LLC for the Marion Pugh Rehab Proiect.
7.5. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on approval of a real estate contract for the
purchase of a public utilitv, public access, and landscape easement for $104,606 from College
Station Treehouse, Ltd. for the Marion Pugh Rehab Proiect.
7.6. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Citv's Indefinite
Deliverv/Indefinite Ouantitv (IDIO) for real estate services.
7.7. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding Resolution No. 07-10-25-7.7
consenting to the issuance of bonds by the Brazos County Municipal Utilitv District No. 1 in an
amount not exceed $14,500,000 for road improvements.
7.8. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding approval of Resolution No. 07-10-
25-7.8 accepting $500,000 in Communitv Development Block Grant Mitigation funding from
the Texas General Land Office and distributed through the Brazos Vallev Council of
Governments and committing General Funds in the amount of $8,175 and Communitv
Development Block Grant Entitlement in the amount of $69,063.22 funds.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Wright and a second by Councilmember White,
the City Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed, to approve the Consent agenda. The motion
carried unanimously.
8. WORKSHOP ITEMS
8.1. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the FY 2025-2026 Proposed Budget Outside
Agencv requests.
Mary Ellen Leonard, Finance Director, presented $3.6M in funding requests from outside agencies as
outlined in the proposed FY25-26 budget. Funding sources include the General Fund, Community
Development Fund, Hotel Tax Fund, and Solid Waste Fund. Contract Partners, recognized for their
economic impact and community services, are Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation
(BVEDC) and Arts Council of the Brazos Valley (ACBV). Department Budget Agencies support the
goals of specific City Departments.
OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING
Contractual or Legal Obligations
Greater Brazos Partnership*
Brazos County Central Appraisal District
* Does not include $250,000 for Plug & Play
Brazos Countv Health District Funding
General 350,000 350,000 - 0%
General 859,858 988,837 128,979 15%
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Brazos County Health District
General 478,029 478,029 0%
Council Discretionary Funding -
Solid Waste Fund
Keep Brazos Beautiful
Solid Waste 48,230 49,230 1,000 2%
Council Discretionary Funding -
General and Hotel Tax Fund
. .:EGUMIUM
Arts Center- Ops & Local Marketing
General 35,000 35,000 - 0%
Arts Center -Affiliate Grants &Affiliate
Mktg Hotel Tax 375,000 453,750 78,750 21%
Arts Center- Operations Support
Hotel Tax 79,033 95,629 16,596 21%
Arts Center -Tourism Mktg
Hotel Tax 44,000 53,24D 9,240 21%
Arts Center- Public Art
_ Hotel Tax 62,920 76,133 13,213 21%
Requested 595,953 713,752 117,799 19.76°%
Council Discretionary Funding - General Fund
Aggieland Humane Society
General
303,600
349,140 45,540
15%
Amber Alert Network Brazos Valley
General
5,000
5,000
0%
Bryan College Station Chamber of Commerce
General
25,000
25,000 -
0%
Brazos Transit District
General
334,000
400,800 66,800
20%
Council Discretionary Funding - HOT Funds
Veterans Memorial Hotel Tax 30,000 30,000 0%
FY26 Outside Mencies
Aggieland Humane Society
General
303,600
349,140
45,540
15%
Amber Alert Network Brazos Valley
General
5,000
5,000
0%
Arts Center- Ops & Local Marketing
General
35,000
35,000
-
0%
Brazos Central Appraisal District
General
859,858
988,837
128,979
15%
Brazos County Health District
General
478,029
478,029
-
0%
Greater Brazos Valley Partnership
General
350,000
350,000
0%
Bryan College Station Chamber of Commerce
General
25,000
25,000
-
0%
Brazos Transit District
General
334,000
400,800
66,800
20%
General Total
2,390,487
2,631,806
241,319
Arts Center -Affiliate Grants & Affiliate Mktg
Hotel Tax
375,000
453,750
78,750
21%
Arts Center- Operations Support
Hotel Tax
79,033
95,629
16,596
21%
Arts Center -Tourism Mktg
Hotel Tax
44,000
53,240
9,240
21%
Arts Center- Public Art
Hotel Tax
62,920
76,133
13,213
21%
Veterans Memorial
Hotel Tax
30,000
30,000
0%
Hotel Tax Total
590,953
708,752
117,799
Keep Brazos Beautiful
Solid Waste
48,230
49,230
1,000
2%
Grand Total
3,029,670
3,389,788
360,118
11.89°%
The Council agreed to continue discussions
regarding Outside
Agency funding through
the Budget
process.
Mayor Nichols recessed the Council Meeting
at 8:39
p.m.
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The Council Meeting was reconvened at 8:48 p.m.
8.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a neighborhood parking update.
Jennifer Prochazka, Assistant City Manager, stated that this item is a follow up to the presentation
from late April that was related to potential solutions to neighborhood parking issues that we've seen
as a symptom or an impact of unplanned over occupancy in areas where the infrastructure may not
have been built or be sufficient to support it at this time.
Street Parking Options
• Remove street parking
✓ Pedestrian and bicycle safety
✓ Limits visitors
• Limit overnight street parking (Example: 2am — 5am)
✓ Reduces "permanent" parking
✓ Limits overnight visitors
• Residential parking permit program*
✓ Resident benefit
✓ Administratively challenging
• Overnight parking permit program*
✓ Resident benefit
✓ Administratively challenging
Mrs. Prochazka explained that the approach selected could be tailored to the area of town and its needs.
She outlined considerations such as full or partial removal, time frame for restrictions, exceptions for
special events (game days), and defining geographic by considering things such as proximity to the
university, comprehensive plan, zoning, neighborhood, or street type
A consensus of Council directed staff to engage stakeholder groups and design and conduct a public
survey to gather input on full or partial parking removal, time frames, days of the week for parking
restrictions, and perspective geographic areas in close proximity to campus.
8.3. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Greater Northgate Small Area
Plan Engagement Report.
Anthony Armstrong, Planning and Development Director, reported that from January to April 2025,
community stakeholders provided input through seven public meetings, two online platforms, and a
walking tour. This effort resulted in over 275 map -based comments, hundreds of quotes, and more
than 50 action recommendations. City staff facilitated engagement, analyzed feedback, and converted
ideas into actionable steps. The city used social media, blog posts, and the "What's Up College
Station?" video series to inform residents and encourage participation. Local media also covered the
process, enhancing public awareness.
Key themes about community aspirations for the Greater Northgate Area emerged from stakeholder
meetings, online feedback, workshops, and surveys. Perspectives, common priorities, and challenges
were identified, and the stakeholder committee selected the action items included in the report. Mr.
Armstrong also noted that a new staff position, Northgate District Manager, has been created to better
address concerns and co-ordinate efforts.
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KEY THEMES ACROSS ALL INPUT SOURCES
Theme
Community Feedback Summary
Transit & Connectivity
Calls for improved east -west pedestrian and bike connections, better crossings across
University and College Ave, and interest in a local trolley system.
Walkability & Safety
High concern about narrow sidewalks, dangerous crossings, scooter conflict, and poor
lighting. Support for underpasses, wider sidewalks, better lighting, and traffic calming.
Land Use & Scale
Desire to limit building height in some parts of the district and to diversify the mix of uses -
including retail, entertainment, and residential that serves more than just students.
Historic Character
Stakeholders value Northgate's unique culture and history_ There is strong interest in
protecting iconic businesses, maintaining traditional architecture, and resisting over -
modernization.
Retail & Experience
Clear demand for more local -serving businesses - grocery stores, cafes, bookstores - and not
just bars. Participants want day -to -night vibrancy_
Public Realm & Identity Strong support for more shade trees, public art, signage, and places to gather. Participants
emphasized making Northgate feel like a cohesive and welcoming district.
Parking & Circulation Feedback reflected mixed views. Some support reducing surface parking to improve the
pedestrian environment, others want better wayfinding, structured parking, or dynamic
pricing models for public parking.
9. REGULAR ITEMS
9.1. Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a Development
Agreement with Brazos Vallev TDC, LLC for 49.5 acres located on the east side of Arrington
Road in the Citv's extraterritorial iurisdiction.
Jennifer Prochazka, Assistant City Manager, outlined the proposed development of 49.5 acres off
Arrington Road in the ETJ. It will feature single-family homes on lots under 1-acre, rural roads and
trails, modified subdivision standards, city wastewater service, and private parkland. Before approval
of the preliminary plan requires landowners to petition the City for voluntary annexation.
At approximately 10:39 p.m., Mayor Nichols opened the Public Hearing.
There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed at 10:40 p.m.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Wright and a second by Councilmember
McIlhaney, the City Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed, to approve a Development
Agreement with Brazos Valley TDC, LLC for 49.5 acres located on the east side of Arrington Road
in the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction. The motion carried unanimously.
9.2. Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the 2025-2029
Consolidated Plan, FY 2026 Annual Action Plan and FY 2026 Communitv Development Budget.
Raney Whitwell, Community Development Analyst, stated that the city must submit an Annual Action
Plan each year to outline projects and budgets funded by community development grants. The plan
must align with the 5-Year Consolidated Plan. For the upcoming year, $1,229,672 in CDBG funds
and $475,718 in HOME funds are available. These funds are designated for benefiting low- and
moderate -income individuals, eliminating slums and blight, or addressing urgent community needs.
CDBG funds cover a range of community activities, while HOME funds focus on affordable housing
initiatives. The Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, and budget must be submitted to HUD by
CCM 071025 Minutes Page 7
August 16, 2025. Adopting the Plan also establishes a Community Development Program as per Texas
Local Government Code and authorizes the City Manager to sign the necessary documents for HUD
grants for 2025. Historically, these funds have supported programs such as affordable housing
assistance, services for low-income families, demolition, economic development, infrastructure
improvements, and public facilities in low -to -moderate income areas.
At approximately 10:50 p.m., Mayor Nichols opened the Public Hearing.
There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed at 10:50 p.m.
10. Items of Communitv Interest and Council Calendar: The Council may discuss upcoming
events and receive reports from a Council Member or Citv Staff about items of communitv
interest for which notice has not been given, including: expressions of thanks, coneratulations
or condolence, information regarding holidav schedules, honorary or salutary recognitions of a
public official, public emolovee, or other citizen, reminders of upcoming events organized or
sponsored by the Citv of College Station, information about a social, ceremonial or community
event organized or sponsored by an entitv other than the Citv of College Station that is scheduled
to be attended by a Council Member, another citv official or staff of the Citv of College Station;
and announcements involvine an imminent threat to the public health and safetv of people in
the Citv of College Station that has arisen after the posting of the agenda.
Mayor Nichols reported on the I Heart America Celebration.
11. Council Reports on Committees, Boards, and Commission: A Council Member may make a
report reeardine meetines of Citv Council boards and commissions or meetines 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 Smith reported on a recent BVSWMA board meeting.
12. Future Aeenda Items and Review of Standine List of Council Generated Future Aeenda
Items: A Council Member may make a request to Citv Council to place an item for which no
notice has been Oven on a future aeenda or may inquire about the status of an item on the
standing list of council generated future aeenda items. A Council Member's or ON 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 volicv in response to the request or
inquirv. Anv deliberation of or decision about the subiect of a reauest will be limited to a
proposal to place the subiect on the agenda for a subsequent meeting.
Councilmember Yancy requested a future item on a drainage study.
13. Adiournment.
There being no further business, Mayor Nichols adjourned the meeting of the City Council at 11:00
p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. P117�
John P. Nichols, Mayor
ATTES
Tanya Smith, City Secretary
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