College Station Mayor John Nichols visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia about the upcoming public hearing on the proposed budget, operations and maintenance funds, public transportation, this week’s meeting agenda, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
July’s meeting of the College Station ISD school board included an update about upcoming roof replacements and repairs that will be funded in part with bond money approved by voters last November. CSISD’s new facilities director Paul Buckner said he and the district’s roof consultant are investigating whether some of the cost of replacing and repairing roofs can be paid by filing manufacturer’s warranty and insurance claims. CSISD board members expressed no opposition to recommendations of allocating more than $21 million dollars in bond money to 17 roof projects at 15 locations. The amount of bond money may be less, depending on what can be paid by manufacturer warranties and insurance claims from hailstorms. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the July 16, 2024 College Station ISD board meeting. Click below to hear comments from the July 16, 2024 CSISD board meeting. Listen to “Update to College Station ISD school board members about upcoming roof replacements and repairs” on Spreaker.
The Bryan city council approves a $2 million dollar, short term loan for the owner of the Midtown Park movie theater, bowling, restaurant, and entertainment complex that is still under construction. Mayor Bobby Gutierrez says the loan is the result of the council’s request to add more attractions that will result in a $5 million dollar increase in taxable value of the complex, from $19 million $24 million dollars. City documents say additions includes an outdoor amphitheater with an audience lawn area of 20,000 square feet, an area for yard games, and the construction of seven pickleball courts…four indoors, two covered, and one outdoor. The documents also say the loan is to allow construction to continue without interruption. The original agreement called on the complex was supposed to be open by August 31st. The loan that the council approved gives additional construction time. The two year loan has a zero interest rate if it is repaid within nine months. Otherwise, the interest rate is eight percent. Click HERE to read and download the loan that was approved during the July 18, 2024 Bryan city council special meeting. Click HERE to read and download background information about the loan. Click HERE to read and download the original agreement between the city council and the developers of the Midtown Park movie theater, bowling, restaurant, and entertainment complex. Click below to hear comments from the July 18, 2024 Bryan city council special meeting.
The College Station city council is the first local governing body to discuss a funding request from the Brazos Transit District (BTD) of more than $300,000 dollars to help make up for the loss of operating revenue from the federal government. The funding decrease was the result of Brazos County now being considered an urban county following the 2020 census as it applies to federal mass transit funding. A College Station council majority during a July 16th budget workshop tentatively approved BTD’s request, which has also been made but not been discussed by Brazos County commissioners or the Bryan city council. Initiating the discussion during College Station council budget workshops was councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha, who rides BTD buses. Another College Station councilmember who rides BTD buses, William Wright, was among councilmembers who sought more information from BTD and wants BTD routes that serves more College Station residents. Councilman Bob Yancy received no support for his idea that the city provide bus service. The College Station council holds its public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget during this Thursday’s meeting (July 25). Click below to hear comments from the July 16, 2023 College Station city council budget workshop meeting. Listen to “College Station city council is considering a funding request from the Brazos Transit District” on Spreaker.
Bryan Broadcasting Corporation