Kevin O’Connor Kommentary June 25

College Station City Council Adopts A New Housing Action Plan

The city of College Station has a new housing action plan. A 13 member committee drafted the 180 page document following four public meeting, two meetings with groups of homebuilders and developers, and more than 2,500 survey responses. Councilman Bob Yancy confirmed with David Brower of the city’s community development office that the document, “is not meant to be a know all, be all, end all road map” to address housing issues. The unanimous vote included an addition from councilman Dennis Maloney, that the plan reflects the city’s current ordinance requiring a homeowner to be living on properties where there is a second building that is used for rental housing. Councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha spent several minutes bringing up “wish list” items for future consideration that included finding parking locations for commuters who come to College Station to work and providing utility assistance to low income residents. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials at the September 26, 2024 College Station city council meeting. Click HERE to read and download the housing action plan (before the addition made by councilman Dennis Maloney) that was adopted at the September 26, 2024 College Station city council meeting. Click HERE to listen to some of the comments from the September 26, 2024 College Station city council meeting. Listen to “College Station city council adopts a new housing action plan” on Spreaker.

Brazos County District Court Jury Rules In Favor Of The City Of Bryan In A Breach Of Contract Lawsuit

The city of Bryan wins a breach of contract lawsuit. A Brazos County district court jury Thursday night (October 3) ruled in favor of the city council…acting as the city of Bryan’s commerce and development board (BCD). More than three years ago, BCD sued the developer who was given property at the north end of downtown Bryan. The jury ruled that the developer failed to invest $2.5 million dollars in renovating the Ice House building on Martin Luther King, Jr. Street. Click HERE to read and download the lawsuit and the answers to the lawsuit in Brazos County district court case 21-001939-CV-361. As of the close of business on Friday (October 4), jury instructions, the jury’s verdict, and any post-verdict motions had not been filed with the Brazos County district clerk’s office. A statement from the city says in part that they “appreciate the jury’s recognition that fraud committed against the citizens of Bryan will not be tolerated.” and that verdict “sends a clear message (that) the city of Bryan will vigorously defend the integrity of its agreement, and those who attempt to exploit the system will be held accountable.” Statement from the city of Bryan: We appreciate the jury’s recognition that fraud committed against the citizens of Bryan will not be tolerated. The verdict underscores the importance of accountability when public funds are at stake. In this case, AdventGX, Inc. (owned and controlled by Jose Quintana) violated the trust of our community by misrepresenting the required amount of qualified renovation investment. Performance-based agreements involving public resources are not just contracts—they are commitments to the public good. Upholding these agreements is crucial to ensuring that the citizens of Bryan are protected and that their tax dollars are used responsibly. This decision sends a clear message: the City of Bryan will vigorously defend the integrity of its agreements, and those who attempt to exploit the system will be held accountable.

Five Arrested On Drug Possession Charges

The Brazos County sheriff’s office announces the arrests of five people on drug charges. A sheriff’s spokesman tells WTAW News that $6,000 dollars of methamphetamine was seized, along with smaller quantities of marijuana, Adderall, Hydroxyzine, and Dextroamphetamine. The arrests followed a search of a home on Thursday (October 3) in the Smetana area. The arrests caps an investigation that began one and a half years ago. News release from the Brazos County sheriff’s office: October 3, 2024, the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a property in the 1800 block of Smetana Road. This operation marks the culmination of a long-term investigation, spanning approximately a year and a half, focused on the manufacturing and delivery of methamphetamine. The Sheriff’s Office received assistance from the College Station Police Department, Bryan Police Department, Texas A&M University Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety throughout various stages of the investigation. During the search, investigators uncovered evidence consistent with a methamphetamine conversion lab. Authorities seized a total of 204 grams of methamphetamine, a stolen firearm, and arrested individuals with outstanding warrants. Arrests Made: Dave Greer (W/M, DOB: 12/22/1966) Charges: Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substance PG1 (4-200g), Possession of Controlled Substance PG2 (1-4g) X2, Possession of Dangerous Drug, and Possession of Marijuana Bobbie Munoz (W/M, DOB: 07/17/1995) Charges: Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substance PG1 (4-200g), Capias Pro Fine – Fail to Identify Fugitive Mary Salas Charge: Possession of Controlled Substance PG1 (1-4g) Kimberly Gross Charge: Possession of Controlled Substance PG1 (1-4g) George Nash (W/M, DOB: 05/24/1955) Charge: Possession of Marijuana less than two ounces Recovered Evidence: Stolen Firearm, 204 grams of methamphetamine, 4.8 grams marijuana, 3 grams Adderall, 1.4 Dextroamphetamine, and 1.2 grams Hydroxyzine We at the Sheriff’s Office are proud of the work done by all agencies during this investigation. The collaboration with our law enforcement partners has been crucial in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.