Over 200 pages in two agendas awaits Thursday’s twin meetings of the College Station City Council. That’s in addition to the memorial service for Larry Stewart, who died last month in South Africa. Plus the council met for nearly six hours Wednesday interviewing three candidates for City Secretary. And all this follows the better part of ten hours at the last regular meeting and workshop, which didn’t end until nearly 1 a.m.
The reason for the last regular meeting going so long returns Thursday night. Final action is slated on closing College Main between University and Patricia. City staff previously purchased over $52,000 for bollards that were targeted for College Main and University. Staff now believes those bollards won’t stop vehicles. So the council has been asked to cancel the remainder of the contract, $44,000, and apply that money towards other Northgate projects. The bollards will be used elsewhere in College Station for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Thursday night’s agenda includes possible action on setting an election date to fill the council vacancy left with the death of councilman Stewart. A reminder that a memorial service will be held Thursday morning at 10:30 at Memorial Funeral Chapel. The agenda proposes a special election, costing the city $33,000, to be held at a date to be determined.
Portions of two old street names are proposed to go away. The council has been asked to adopt the street name Holleman Drive South on what is Jones-Butler Road between Harvey Mitchell and Rock Prairie, and I&GN Road from Rock Prairie to Graham Road. The recommendation comes from the city’s address committee and traffic management team. The reason, quoting the request, is to “maximize efficiency for emergency responders”. This is also associated with realigning Jones-Butler Road to connect it to Holleman Drive West.
The lengthy list of subjects that could be discussed in private includes hiring the new City Secretary, the request for a vote on Wellborn’s incorporation, and filling vacancies on 15 city committees.
The workshop includes a review of an internal study to reduce the amount of paid overtime and comp time given to city employees.
The workshop agenda also considers a request made about two months ago to form a College Station Business Corporation. Hub Kennady and Dick Haddox have been recommended as advisors and ambassadors to promote economic development. And a seven-member advisory committee will be created and appointed by the council.Thursday’s workshop business begins at 3 and the regular meeting starts at 7.