Steve Emert on WTAW

Homeowners Neighboring Amazon’s College Station “Droneport” Are Told That The Operation Is Moving

Homeowners in the neighborhood near College Station’s Amazon drone delivery operation are told the company is looking for a new location. That’s according to a summary that WTAW News received of a virtual meeting that Amazon recently held with neighbors who have been impacted by drone noise. The homeowners were told that Amazon is willing to put in writing, their decision to not renew the lease at its current location after it expires September 30, 2025. Amazon is also willing to put in writing, according to the homeowners, that there is now a limit of four drone operations per hour. College Station’s chief development officer Michael Ostrowski sent a statement to WTAW News that says in part that “with respect to a new location, the City will work with Prime Air on potential options, but at this time, no specific location has been determined.” The only confirmation from an Amazon spokesman to WTAW News is that the number of operations is being limited. Quoting from a summary of the meeting with Amazon and homeowners neighboring Amazon’s drone delivery site in College Station: Attended by Sarah Rith (Amazon) but perhaps more importantly, by Matt McCardle, who is Head of Global Regulatory Affairs and Strategy, Amazon Prime Air. Also in attendance was Michael Ostrowski, City of CS Chief Development Officer. McCardle did most of the talking with respect to responding to our questions about the future plans and what might happen to the current PADCC site. The lease on that site runs through September 30, 2025. McCardle said Amazon WILL NOT renew that lease. He said that they will not operate out of that site after September 30, 2025. To address the concerns of residents, the current PADCC will be limited to 4 operations per hour. That is the entire site, not per drone. So, we should see no more than 4 operations per hour effective immediately. If and when they deploy the new MK-30 drone (late this year is planned), they will stick to the 4 operations per hour site operation limit. Amazon is working with city staff to find a new location. No more information was revealed. Amazon are willing to put all this in writing. Statement from city of College Station chief development officer Michael Ostrowski: Prime Air held a virtual meeting with representatives of neighborhoods near their facility in College Station. The intent of the meeting was for Prime Air to provide updates on their operations, answer questions, and to take feedback. In terms of the items that are listed below (a reference to the summary of the meeting from the homeowners group), I would concur that is an accurate summation of the meeting. As the City, we strive to work with our partners in industry and citizens to make sure that the developments within the city are successful and provide a positive impact. We have also been, and continue to be, a place that fosters innovation. With this, community feedback and adjustments are a critical part of that process. With respect to a new location, the City will work with Prime Air on potential options, but at this time, no specific location has been determined. Statement from Amazon spokesman Sam Stephenson: We take local feedback into account wherever possible when making operational decisions for Prime Air. As our program evolves, we’re considering a variety of potential paths forward – including the possibility of alternate sites. To address the concerns of residents, the current PADCC will be limited to 4 operations per hour. That is the entire site, not per drone. So, we should see no more than 4 operations per hour effective immediately. If and when they deploy the new MK-30 drone (late this year is planned), they will stick to the 4 operations per hour site operation limit. It is not “if/when”—we will deploy the MK30 to this site and we’ll operate it in the same manner we do the MK27 today.

Twin Oaks Landfill Update Presented To The College Station City Council

The general manager of Twin Oaks landfill, which is co-owned by the cities of College Station and Bryan, presented an update during the last College Station city council meeting. Bryan Griesbach said the budget approved by the landfill board of the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency (BVSWMA) includes for the first time, the twin cities not being charged a tipping fee. Additionally, the landfill will be paying the cities fees charged by the state and by Grimes County, where the landfill is located. That amounts to $1.58 a ton in savings to the cities. In College Station, that is a savings of $118,500 dollars and in Bryan a savings of $94,800 dollars. Griesbach also reported that gas produced by the compacted trash and exported by a third party is resulting in the landfill receiving about $200,000 dollar a month. The council was also told that the three to six year process has started of getting a state permit to build the landfill’s next cell, which won’t be needed for approximately 40 years. Click HERE to read and download BVSWMA presentation materials shown during the July 25, 2024 College Station city council meeting. Click HERE to read and download the BVSWMA fiscal year 2025 budget as provided by the city of College Station. Click below to hear comments from Bryan Griesbach during the July 25, 2024 College Station city council meeting. Listen to “Twin Oaks Landfill update presented to the College Station city council” on Spreaker.

Brazos County Tax Office Closed To The Public August 1st To Prepare For A Leadership Change

The Brazos County tax office will be closed to the public Thursday (August 1) to prepare for a leadership change. Kristy Roe, who is retiring as tax assessor-collector, gave a reminder during Tuesday’s (July 30) county commission meeting. On Thursday, employees from the tax office and other county departments will be making what Roe says are “necessary software and inventory verifications that will enable the office to open on Friday August 2nd under the newly appointed County Tax Assessor/Collector.” Roe also shared with commissioners a recent inspection by the Texas department of motor vehicles that is required during a leadership transition. Click below to hear comments from Kristy Roe during the July 30, 2024 Brazos County commission meeting. Listen to “Brazos County tax office closed August 1st to prepare for a leadership change” on Spreaker.   News release from the Brazos County tax assessor-collector’s office: In preparation for the change in administration of the Brazos County Tax Office, the office will be closed to the public on August 1, 2024. Staff, along with various other County office personnel will be working to make necessary software modifications and inventory verifications that will enable the office to open on Friday August 2nd under the newly appointed County Tax Assessor/Collector. Residents are encouraged to take care of urgent business before the end of July to avoid any delays. Simple vehicle registration renewals are available at all Kroger locations, and at the following HEB locations: 725 E Villa Maria Rd, Bryan 1609 N Texas Ave., Bryan 1900 Texas Ave S., College Station 11675 FM 2154, College Station