City of Bryan Update on WTAW

A Brazos Valley congressman says he is in process of drafting an election reform bill. Pete Sessions, whose district includes Robertson, Leon, and Milam counties, issued a news release saying his Make Elections Secure Act (MESA) would bring back paper ballots for all federal elections and primaries receiving public money. Sessions also wants paper poll books as the primary voter check in method. MESA would limit early voting to the three days prior to election day. And mail ballots would be restricted to active duty military personnel stationed away from their home and to voters with physical certified medical conditions that prevent them from voting in person. Sessions says MESA would align with the president’s commitment to make elections secure again.

College Station city council members get a consultant’s report that says there is enough business for a convention center with a connected hotel of 275 to 400 rooms. The hotel would be part of a complex that is recommended to have an exhibit hall, an event floor, two ballrooms, and meeting rooms. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials shown during the February 27, 2025 College Station city council meeting by the council’s consultant. A unanimous council agreed at its last meeting (February 27) to pay the consultant to get a cost estimate, funding sources, and determine possible sites. Site selection was part of the council’s 50 minute discussion. The consultant’s report stated “Texas A&M event space is hard to market to outside groups”. That’s despite a 2013 preferred access agreement the city signed with the Texas A&M system, where the city is supposed to get discounted rates on meeting facilities in exchange for the city giving $14 million dollars in hotel occupancy tax money towards the expansion of Kyle Field. The council also heard from the developer of College Station’s Midtown neighborhood. James Murr made a pitch to host and help pay for building the hotel. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials shown by James Murr at the February 27, 2025 College Station city council meeting. As for revenue sources of what mayor John Nichols estimated to be a $250 million dollar project, councilman Bob Yancy said he had a letter of support from departing Texas A&M system chancellor John Sharp. Yancy also suggested approaching the city of Bryan and the local school districts for financial support. The consultant’s recommendations followed 20 meetings with stakeholders, contact with 12 associations, event planners, and user groups, and contact with two regional convention centers. The council, which spent $40,000 dollars for the report that was given at their February 27th meeting, was told it would cost another $40,000 for the additional information. Click below to hear comments from the February 27, 2025 College Station city council meeting. Listen to “Consultants tell the College Station city council there is enough business to support a convention center with a connected hotel” on Spreaker.

Brazos County commissioners hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would declare county owned land near Millican as the only place where a landfill could be located. County judge Duane Peters repeated that the intent of the ordinance is to prevent a private landfill to be built anywhere else without anyone’s knowledge. That was confirmed by an attorney hired by the commission. Eric McGee says he knows of at least 50 other counties that have taken the same action. There were four public speakers, all from the Millican area. One was in support, two had questions, and one was concerned their property values would drop as the result of the designation. Commissioners plan to take a vote on the proposed ordinance next Tuesday (March 11). Click below to hear some of the comments from the March 4, 2025 public hearing on the proposed Brazos County landfill ordinance: Listen to “Brazos County commission holds a public hearing on a proposed designation of the county's only landfill site” on Spreaker.