City of College Station

Stray Mylar balloons entangled in overhead lines in the last week caused two electric outages for hundreds of College Station residents. Such disruptions can cover a large area for two hours or more while we clear the balloons and repair damaged equipment.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of College Station seeks citizen input this week on five potential Substantial Amendments to the city’s 2015-19 Consolidated Plan. A virtual public hearing will be Thursday at 5 p.m. Mailed comments must be postmarked by Friday.

The City of College Station and the Bryan Business Council (BBC) have partnered with the Brazos Valley Council of Governments to create a Bridge Loan Program to assist small businesses that have seen a substantial reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Small businesses need short-term working capital to cover essential expenses such as payroll, rent, and utilities. Bridge loans help businesses pay those costs until they receive more permanent assistance, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

The City of College Station has selected Catholic Charities of Central Texas and the St. Vincent De Paul Society of B/CS to each receive $15,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to help College Station residents with their rent and utility bills. The funds are estimated to help more than 140 income-eligible households.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular teleconference meetings on Thursday, April 23. The live audio is streamed on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start around 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The City of College Station’s Economic Assistance Grant Program distributed $282,802 to 16 small businesses, 188 individuals, and 101 families (households of two or more people). It also helped businesses retain 121 full-time equivalent positions.

The College Station City Council meets Thursday by teleconference for its workshop (about 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch.

In 1970, 20 million people mobilized to call for greater protections for our planet. Earth Day has since become the largest secular observance in the world. Since Wednesday is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we offer these 20 creative and innovative ways to do your part.

Greens Prairie Trail between Royder Road and Long Creek Lane will be closed for construction starting Monday. The roadway is expected to open in July. Local traffic will be allowed to Creek Meadows Estates by Long Creek Lane and Timber Drive.

More than 227,000 men and women install and maintain the nation’s nine million miles of electric grid that meet our power needs, including the 28 who serve at College Station Utilities. Saturday is National Lineman Appreciation Day (#ThankaLineman) in honor of the hard-working folks who protect public safety and energize our economy by keeping the power on.

The College Station City Council will conduct a special teleconference meeting Thursday to discuss community recovery efforts in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The council will also consider future agenda items and an update to its annual strategic plan. The executive session — which is closed to the public — begins at 5 p.m., followed by the public portion of the meeting. A live audio feed will be available on Suddenlink Channel 19 and streamed online at cstx.gov/cstv19.

With residents sheltered at home during the COVID-19 outbreak, many find welcome relief by walking their dogs and enjoying the spring sunshine. Unfortunately, reports of pet waste left in our streets, roadways, and parks have increased significantly. Be a responsible, courteous, and law-abiding pet owner — always Scoop the Poop.

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused many College Station residents to lose their jobs or have their work hours reduced. For some, paying their rent or making mortgage payments may be a problem. Landlords have expenses that must be paid, and the lack of rent revenue severely affects their ability to stay in business. The situation calls for everyone to work together to find mutually beneficial solutions.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular teleconference meetings on Thursday, April 9. The live audio is streamed on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop starts around 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The College Station City Council meets Thursday by teleconference for its workshop (about 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch.

With College Station residents sheltering in place during the COVID-19 outbreak, households are using substantially more electricity. Here are 10 ways you can trim your electric costs.

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak, the City of College Station’s Solid Waste Division continues to provide essential solid waste collection services to our residents. On average, each of our collection trucks collects waste from 1,300 homes a day. We ask for your patience and understanding as our solid waste workers do their best to take care of our community’s needs as safely and efficiently as we can.

While the COVID-19 outbreak has arrived with a high human cost, it’s increasingly evident that the economic impacts could be substantial as well. In response, the City of College Station has created an Economic Assistance Grant Program for our small businesses with low-to-moderate income employees.

A constructive and valuable way to serve our community during these uncertain times is to complete the 2020 U.S. Census — and remind others to do the same. The deadline for you to complete the census online has been extended to August 14. Census takers will begin visiting those who have not taken the census to gather the information.

The College Station City Council will conduct a special teleconference meeting Monday to discuss issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak. The council's executive session — which is closed to the public — will be at 3 p.m., followed by the public portion of the meeting. A live audio feed will be available on Suddenlink Channel 19 and streamed online at cstx.gov/cstv19.

The College Station City Council will conduct a special teleconference meeting Monday to consider extending the city's Declaration of Disaster in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The council will conduct an executive session, which is closed to the public, at 3 p.m., followed by the public portion of the meeting. A live audio feed will be available on Suddenlink Channel 19 and streamed online at cstx.gov/cstv19.

Despite concerns around the COVID-19 outbreak, the coronavirus has not been detected in public water supplies, which have a low risk of contamination. When you turn on your faucet, you can be confident your tap water is a safe and secure source for the water you need.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Monday, March 9. The meeting can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start at about 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The College Station City Council gathers Monday at city hall for its workshop (about 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch.

For 19 years, the Starlight Music Series has attracted music lovers of all kinds for free, family-friendly entertainment under the stars at the beautiful Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater. The 2020 Starlight Music Series begins May 2, followed by shows on May 16, May 30, and June 6. We invite families, friends, and visitors to bring your picnic baskets, coolers, blankets, and lawn chairs for four Saturday nights of rockin’ fun!

We are thrilled to introduce our new Fundamental Field Hockey program, where players learn skills and basic knowledge of positions, rules, and equipment. The program features 5-9 and 10-13 age divisions and runs April 1-May 6 at Veterans Park & Athletic Complex. The cost is $40, and registration ends March 29.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Feb. 27. The meeting can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start at about 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the future College Station City Hall will be Thursday at 3 p.m. in the parking lot near the south end of the existing building. The ceremony will feature remarks from Mayor Karl Mooney and City Manager Bryan Woods, and will mark the beginning of a project that is expected to be completed in 2022.

Children love splash pads, especially when their parents join them, so slip on your swimsuit and slather on the sunscreen — the City of College Station’s splash pads open Sunday! With the chill of winter starting to move out and spring approaching, we know you’re more than ready for the fun and exhilaration of tipping buckets, weeping water, and the directional spray areas at our pads at W.A. Tarrow Park and the Fun for All Playground at Beachy Central Park. They're open daily from 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

The College Station City Council gathers Thursday at city hall for its workshop (about 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch.

Barron Road between Wimbledon Circle and Buckingham Circle will be closed Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. for electric utility work. Detours will be in place.

Part-time summer jobs with the Parks and Recreation Department include recreation assistants for our youth programs, lifeguards for our pools, water safety instructors to teach swim lessons, swim coaches for our Tsunami Swim Team, and much more. Our Part-Time Job Fair is Wednesday, March 4 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Recreation Center. You might get an on-site interview, so bring your resume and dress to impress.

Each year, the City of College Station receives about $1.5 million in federal grants that benefit low- and moderate-income residents through nonprofit programs, economic development, and improved housing and infrastructure. We need your help in determining how to use these funds in the best way to address our local needs. You can either take a short survey or attend a public hearing at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at the Lincoln Recreation Center.

Ordering a certificate for births and deaths occurring in College Station just got faster.

During the remainder of February, 600 randomly selected households will be asked to participate in a phone survey to gauge interest in a family recreation center, such as a YMCA.

Driveways, parking, and accessory areas are a necessary part of any residential development. Unfortunately, if they cover too much ground, these water-limiting – or impervious – surfaces can often wreak havoc through flooding and erosion. On Feb. 20, the Planning and Zoning Commission will consider an amendment to the city's Unified Development Ordinance that would limit a lot's impervious cover.

While our community loves the recycling collection services the city has in our single-family residential areas, we don’t currently offer these services to businesses and multi-family dwellings such as apartments. But that doesn’t mean your business or apartment complex doesn’t have recycling options.

Who better to open a Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux in College Station than a former Texas A&M football team walk-on? In this episode of the All Up in Your Business podcast, Cory and Jenny Davis talk about how College Station was the only city they ever considered for their business.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Monday, Feb. 10. The meeting can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start at about 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The first warrant amnesty period of 2020 for the City of College Station and Brazos County starts Monday and runs through Feb. 28. If you have an outstanding warrant, you can avoid paying a $50 per case warrant fee if you pay the fine in full. During the warrant roundup Feb. 29-March 8, city marshals, police officers, reserve police officers, and constables will arrest those who haven’t paid their fines.

The College Station City Council gathers Monday at city hall for its workshop (about 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch.

Tired of doing the same old things on Valentine’s Day? The City of College Station’s Trail of Lights Date Night might be the answer. Join us on Friday, Feb. 14, from 6-9 p.m. at Wolf Pen Creek Park for a romantic stroll through the Trail of Lights, take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, then have dinner and dance the night away.

In recent weeks, College Station Water Services has been conducting another round of smoke testing to evaluate the condition of some of our community’s aging wastewater lines. We do our best to make sure the public is aware of these tests, but the Fire Department still gets calls from worried residents who see smoke seeping out of sinks, vent pipes, manholes, and even the ground.

Have you ever returned home to your nice, quiet neighborhood to find an unfamiliar vehicle parked on the street in front of your house? It may be a nuisance when non-guest parks in front of your house, but it’s not against the law.

Late in 2019, City Manager Bryan Woods was informed he'd be recalled to active duty to mobilize with his Naval Reserve unit. While the dates of his departure and return are fluid, he'll be leaving in the next few months for training and won’t return until sometime in early 2021.

The Lick Creek Nature Center Star Party offers an ideal escape from your hectic lifestyle to explore the wonders of the nighttime sky. The free, family-friendly event is Friday, Feb. 21 from 7-10 p.m. and features space-themed crafts, activities, and stargazing.

For football fans, Super Bowl Sunday is the most anticipated day of the year. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most dangerous days for motorists. The College Station Police Department will deploy extra officers in the peak hours before, during, and after Sunday’s game to proactively identify and apprehend drivers who are a danger.

The Southwood Community Center returns to regular hours – 9.a.m-5 p.m. on weekdays – and operations on Feb. 24, but the rehabilitation is complete enough to host the initial session of the new Nia Fitness class on Tuesday, Feb. 4. The class is from 9-10 a.m. and runs through Feb. 27.

Spikeball Roundnet is a new recreational sport that requires agility, lateral movement, and hand-eye coordination. You can participate in this fun sport that’s sweeping the nation at the Spikeball Quick-Fire Tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park. Registration ends Feb. 5, the cost is $30 per team, and equipment is provided.

Next week, construction crews will begin demolishing the Central Park pavilion, restrooms, and athletic shed, as well as the Bee Creek restrooms. Reconstruction of the facilities should be finished by late fall, and the brief inconvenience will be worth it.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Jan. 23. The meeting can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start at about 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The College Station City Council gathers Thursday at city hall for its workshop (about 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch.

College Station will be among the water users discussed at the regional planning group’s public meeting on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. They want to gather input from stakeholders in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Lee, Milam, Robertson, and Washington counties on matters related to available water supplies, projected needs, and management strategies.

Traffic signal work on Thursday is expected to cause slowdowns at two College Station intersections from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

City of College Station offices and facilities will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Sanitation and recycling collections will operate on their normal schedules. Closed facilities include the Ringer Library, Lincoln Recreation Center, Meyer Center, and Lick Creek Nature Center.

People around the country recognize College Station as a special place filled with friendly, hospitable people and top-notch sports facilities. Those factors are the cornerstones as we attract well-attended, high-caliber events that substantially impact on our local economy.

College Station ended 2019 with a population estimate of 122,738, thanks in part to our 1,556 newest residents. When it’s time to look back at our 2020 babies, I expect to see more Alpha Dewdrops and fewer Emma Graces — okay?

Early voting begins Monday for the special election to fill the vacant Place-4 seat on the College Station City Council. If no candidate earns 50% +1, the top two candidates will meet again in a runoff election.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Jan. 9. The meeting can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start at about 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The College Station City Council gathers Thursday at city hall for its first workshop (about 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meeting of 2020. Here are five items to watch.

Most of the time, College Station residents do an exceptional job of helping our collections run smoothly, but now it’s even easier with our improved free mobile app, which is called College Station Curbside. You can quickly find the garbage, recycling, and bulk/brush pickup collection schedule specific to your address and set the app to remind you of your collection days.

The City of College Station has many opportunities for you to share your gifts and talents by serving on a community board, coaching youth basketball, or volunteering at the Lincoln Recreation. It takes just a little effort and compassion with a big scoop of kindness to make a positive impact.

In terms of economic development, 2019 was a heckuva year for College Station. Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz -- who recently was recognized in public for the first time due to this podcast (such a diva) -- and Communications Director Jay Socol reflect on some of the successes (and near-misses) from the past year + look ahead at what 2020 might bring in terms of new jobs and a diversified economy for College Station.

As we bring in the new year, we offer a sampling of the Public Communication Office’s best photography work of 2019.

On Nov. 15, the City of College Station disabled its Click2Gov third-party system used to process utility payments due to a potential data security issue, and immediately launched an investigation that remains ongoing.

The City of College Station announced free parking immediately being available 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily through Sunday, Jan. 12.

Residents and businesses within a large portion of College Station may soon see utility-related preventative maintenance performed on or near their property. Seguin-based Utility Restoration Services is serving as a contractor for College Station Utilities and, over the next nine months, will be inspecting and restoring pad-mounted transformers that can fall into disrepair over time.

City of College Station offices and facilities will be closed Dec. 23-25 and Jan. 1. Solid waste and recycling routes will be collected as usual Dec. 23-24 but will not be picked up on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. The normal daily collection schedule will be pushed back one day through Jan. 3.

As Santa heads back to the North Pole to prepare for his Christmas Eve deliveries, the Parks and Recreation staff is cleaning up, repairing lights and picking up remnants of the good times left behind from this year’s Christmas in the Park events. Over the last two weekends, we enjoyed watching more than 18,125 guests revel under the giant Christmas tree and delight in the festive light displays and activities.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The meeting can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start at about 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The College Station City Council gathers Tuesday at city hall for its final workshop (about 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings of 2019. Here are five items to watch.

The City of College Station's youth basketball program helps develop young athletes mentally, athletically, and socially. The focus is on providing a fun, relaxed atmosphere while teaching the game’s fundamentals. Registration ends Dec. 13, and the league runs from Jan. 13-March 5. We also need volunteer coaches!

The City of College Station offers two online options for citizens to report non-emergency issues. The Police Department monitors one, and Code Enforcement handles the other. Code Enforcement Supervisor Julie Caler takes a look at how each platform works and what issues you can report to each.

College Station Mayor Karl Mooney and Bryan Mayor Andrew Nelson will participate in the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas campaign by ringing bells and collecting donations at local Walmart stores on Saturday from noon-1 p.m. Mooney will be at the College Station Walmart, while Nelson will be at the Bryan Walmart on Briarcrest.

The candidate filing period for the special election to fill the now-vacant Place-4 seat on the College Station City Council will begin after 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Earlier that day, the city council will have met to order the Tuesday, Jan. 28 special election.

City of College Station offices and facilities will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Monday, Nov. 25. The meeting can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start at about 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The College Station City Council gathers Monday at city hall for its workshop (about 4 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Here are three items to watch.

Parks and Recreation crews diligently work around fall leagues and events to transition Beachy Central Park into a lighted winter wonderland for the annual Christmas in the Park festivities. They toil in the heat, cold, rain — and sometimes ice — to ensure a radiant and festive glow when we flip the switch on Thanksgiving Day.

College Station Water Services’ has started its latest round of smoke testing to evaluate the condition of some of our older wastewater lines. We’ll conduct the tests along University Drive and part of the Eastgate area today through Friday between 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Smoke testing is an indispensable tool that helps us maintain our essential infrastructure by identifying the locations of defects and improper connections.

The City of College Station was recently informed of a potential data security issue with Click2Gov a third-party system used to process utility payments. The city immediately launched an investigation, with the assistance of third-party experts, to determine the nature and scope of the security issue. The city is working with independent investigators and federal law enforcement to determine the scope of the event. While we respond, online payments have been disabled.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Nov. 14. The meeting can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start at about 4 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The College Station City Council gathers Thursday at city hall for its workshop (4 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s special meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The session can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online at cstx.gov/cstv19. The public portion of the meeting will start at about 5 p.m.

We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of former City Councilman Tony Jones (1979-83), who died Sunday at the age of 72.

Sunday, Dec. 8 marks the 30th anniversary of the Jingle Bell Fun Run and is an ideal opportunity to mark “competing in a fun run” off your bucket list. The event starts at 2:15 p.m., followed by the annual B-CS Christmas Parade at 3 p.m.

The City of College Station invites residents to join city staff on Monday, Nov. 18, for a discussion about short-term housing rentals. The informal gathering will be at 6:30 p.m. at the CSU Meeting and Training Facility at 1603 Graham Road.

Welcome to our live election blog from the Brazos Center. The results are also available on the City of College Station’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

The fall warrant amnesty period for the City of College Station and Brazos County is underway and runs through Nov. 1. The twice-yearly amnesty period allows citizens with outstanding warrants to avoid paying the $50 per case warrant fee if fines are paid in full.

Contrary to popular belief, the City of College Station does not limit local cable television or internet service options. So why doesn’t our community have more choices?

The widening of Greens Prairie Trail from Royder Road to Long Creek Lane begins next week and will take about 10 months, weather permitting.

Holleman Drive east of the Wellborn Road intersection will be closed Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. as preparations are made to re-rout the overhead powerlines.

With deep sadness and sorrow, the City of College Station shares the unexpected passing of Laura Dean Mooney, 59, wife of Mayor Karl Mooney, at their home Thursday night. The heartfelt prayers and condolences of the entire city organization are with Mayor Mooney and his family.

Thanks to three federal grants approved Monday night by the city council, the College Station Fire Department will soon have more trained, front-line firefighters available in our community. The $1.2 million in grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency significantly enhance the department’s capabilities by not only adding firefighters but also equipping stations with diesel exhaust removal systems and providing training for standardized emergency operations management.

In late September, the City of College Station conducted a series of four public workshops as part of the 10-year update to the city’s Comprehensive Plan. Since the topic was about College Station’s development road map for the next decade, we expected a strong turnout. We asked for enthusiastic public input, and that’s what we got. f you weren’t able to attend, don’t worry. An online survey is open through Oct. 16.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Monday, Oct. 7. The sessions can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start at about 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The College Station City Council gathers Monday at city hall for its workshop (about 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch.

THE TAX RATE WILL EFFECTIVELY BE RAISED BY 10.63 PERCENT AND WILL RAISE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ON A $100,000 HOME BY APPROXIMATELY $27.67.