Temple council passes consent agenda, postpones Fire Station No. 7 design contract

The Temple City Council on Feb. 20 approved its consent agenda and separately postponed consideration of a professional services agreement for the design of Fire Station No. 7.

Council moved to approve consent items 4(a) through 4(o) excluding item 4(d); the motion by Council Member Pilkington, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tim Walker, passed by a 4-0 roll call. Council then voted 4-0 to postpone item 4(d), a resolution that would have authorized a professional services agreement with BRW Architects of College Station to provide design services for a new Fire Station No. 7 in the estimated amount of $574,940; Mayor Pro Tem Tim Walker moved to postpone and Council Member Grant seconded.

City staff told the council during an earlier workshop that staff needed additional time to clarify parts of the request for proposals for the Fire Station design agreement. No substantive policy decision was made on the BRW Architects item; the council set no new date for reconsideration.

During public comment at the start of the meeting, resident Rucker Preston praised recent street work and new pedestrian improvements at the Fourth Street bridge, saying the newly added pedestrian lane and lighting were “a huge asset and upgrade to that neighborhood” and that the improvements will increase public safety for people walking, biking and scootering. Council members acknowledged the comment.

The remainder of the consent agenda included routine items presented as a single motion; the council did not remove other items for separate discussion.