HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/09/1970 - Special Minutes - City CouncilMINUTES
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
March 9, 1970
Members Present: Mayor D. A. Anderson; Councilmen O. M. Holt, Joseph McGraw,
James H. Dozier, Bill Cooley, Dan R. Davis and C. H. Ransdell;
City Manager Ran Boswell; and City Secretary Lynda Swoveland
Visitors Present: J. Gordon Gay, E. J. Smith, C. B. Ryan, Kenneth Ray Moore,
A. L. Jones, David T. Leonard, Arthur L. Davila, Dave Mayo,
Flow C. Lane, Claude Davis, Joe Orr, John LeBlanc, Mrs. Gough,
Leonard R. Burgess, Virginia F. Burgess, J. Brewer, Sandy
Lovering, Kenneth Austee, Merrell B. Richardson, J. W. Nickell,
James Vogelsang, Erwin L. Grams, John Haislet, W. T. Riedel,
E. P. Ozmont, John Doyle, Mary Bryan, M. Hardin„ A. Dean,
M. L. Cashion, Edward Miller, Dianne Hanover, Sharon Van
Doren, C. S. Van Doren, Mrs. C. Van Boyd, Clyde Blum, Robert
Knapp, Don Dale, Robert Runnels, Ed Horn, Gary Halter, Kate
Thomas, Mrs. John D. Goeschl, Kathaleen Cerefick, A. J. Buck,
Bernard J. O'Neil, Jane Miller, and =Susan Boswell Thomerson
Mayor Anderson called the special meeting to order at 5:00 p. m. in the Council
Room of the City of College Station at its new location, 1101 Texas Avenue. Mayor Anderson
made a statement that the special meeting was convened so that the citizens of College Station
might have the opportunity to hear from proponents of the Airport Authority. He related that,
in reply to a letter that had appeared in the Daily Eagle, there was nothing devious in setting
the hour of 5:00 p. m. for the called special meeting. He explained that the council members,
as other citizens, had obligations upon their time and were canvassed by the City Manager
to try and determine a time in which a quorum could be present, and 5:00 p.m. was the time
selected.
Mayor Anderson related that he had invited M. L. Cashion, a representative from
the Bryan -College Station Chamber of Commerce to appear at this meeting, along with
Mr. Howard Vestal of Texas A&M University. They had been asked to present information
on the Airport Authority as well as to provide background leading up to the reason for
calling the election.
Mayor Anderson stated that the City Council of College Station was vitally interested
in Easterwood Airport and had been for over four years. By way of background, he
explained that there had been many discussions on this particular subject, which had stemmed
from the time Texas A&M had said they could no longer provide funding for the airport. He
related that, initially, the city had been contacted by Texas A&M University to see if they
alone could provide necessary financing. It couldn't. Subsequently, an effort was made to
have the cities of College Station and Bryan to provide funding. Bryan couldn't legally do so.
Eventually, recourse was made to the County, but they were reluctant to assume this obligation.
The Airport Authority was the result. He stated he had some questions on the matter as did
other citizens.
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Minutes of Special Council Meeting Page 2
March 9, 1970
Mayor Anderson then turned the floor over to Mr. Howard Vestal, who was
representing Texas A&M University. Mr. Vestal gave a brief history of the events
concerning Easterwood Airport which had led to the calling of the election for an Airport
Authority. Mr. Vestal read a. Resolution passed by the Board of Directors of Texas A&M
University concerning their reasons for seeking financial aid for the operation of Easterwood
Airport.
The Mayor then called on Mr. Cashion to speak concerning the Airport Authority.
Mr. Cashion stated that the Bryan -College Station Chamber of Commerce was interested in
keeping an airport in operation for this area; therefore, they were willing to work for creating
an Airport Authority, since the University, the two cities, nor the County, could share in
funding the necessary expenses for maintenance and improvement of an airport. He cited
several facts concerning the airport presently in operation. There were 30, 000 passengers
from Easterwood Airport in 1969 and there were over 70, 000 take -offs and landings. He
further stated that the freight ran into the thousands of pounds and that 50 persons are
permanently employed at Easterwood with a sizeable income. He stated that the present
runways at Easterwood Airport were built or designed for airplanes that land at 40 or 50
m. p. h. , but that planes are now landing at 110 to 120 m. p. h. Also, he said, the runways
are short. He cited a recent incident when one of the planes landing could not stop prior to
going off the end of the runway, which caused approximately $600, 000 damage to the plane.
Mr. Cashion stated the Chamber of Commerce feels the Airport Authority gives us the
vehicle or device to make sure that future needs for air transportation in this areaare
adequate and are at reasonable cost.
Mr. Cashion stated that if the Airport Authority is voted upon favorably by the
citizens, it will have a. Board of Directors which will consist of five individuals, appointed
on broken terms, by the Commissioners Court of Brazos County. This Board would have
the authority to do whatever is necessary to provide adequate air facilities. The tax
would be with limitation of 200 per $100 valuation, but could go to any portion of 750 as
specified by the Commissioners Court in its election order, on the $100 assessed valuation
as provided in Section 12 of Article IX of the Constitution of the State of Texas.
At the conclusion of the statement by Mr. Cashion, the mayor opened the floor
for comments from citizens relative to the proposed election for the Airport Authority.
Mrs. Mary Bryan stated that she felt the people were being asked to vest a
tremendous amount of authority in the hands of appointive officials.
Gary Holter of 1204 Ashburn asked that if the County has the power to create
an Authority, then he could not see why the County could not do the taxing without the
Authority.
Mr. Cashion stated that the Commissioners Court stated they will not change
the evaluation to provide these necessary funds. This is why the election for the Airport
Authority was called.
Minutes of Special Council Meeting Page 3
March 9, 1970
Mr. Alworth suggested that the airport be paid for strictly by persons who use it;
i. e. , each person who used the airport would be required to pay a fee of say $2.50 per person.
Mr. Cashion stated that the Federal Aviation Agency regulates the fare that is
charged.
Mr. Runnels inquired as to the projected expenses of operating the Airport Authority
if it were passed. Mr. Cashion stated that the tax machinery of Brazos County was planning
to be utilized; he said there was not contemplated to be any expenses for personnel.
Councilman McGraw asked what airport location is being contemplated. Mr. Cashion
stated he could not answer this specifically, but he said that considering expenses involved,
it is obvious Easterwood Airport would be selected for improvement.
Councilman Dozier asked if the Airport Authority employed a director and other
employees and fixes their salaries, would Texas A&M continue to pay their salaries or
would the Airport Authority pay them. Mr. Vestal stated that he thought the Airport Authority
had this responsibility but action otherwise would require the Texas A&M Board of Directors
to lease Easterwood Airport, and to this time, they have not indicated they will do that.
Councilman Dozier further stated that he is not against improved airport facilities
but he is opposed to the creation of another taxing authority if we can possibly avoid it.
Mr. Orr stated that he had been very much against the Airport Authority until he
had gone down and talked with Judge Vance. He explained that after careful investigation
of the facts, he would have to be in favor of the Authority because there was no other
way to raise the necessary funds for the operation of an airport.
Other citizens in the audience who commented concerning the Airport Authority
were Messrs. Buck, LeBlanc, Taylor, Holter, Ruskin, Falworth, Bryan and Jack Upham,
and Mrs. Burgess and Mrs. Van Doren.
Councilman McGraw moved the meeting adjourn, subject to call. Motion was
seconded by Councilman Davis. Motion carried.
APPROVED:
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Secretary
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NOTICE
STATE OF TEXAS X
COUNTY OF BRAZOS X
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special
called meeting of the CITY COUNCIL of the city of
College Station, Texas, on the 9th day of March, 1970
at 5:00 o'clock p.m. , for discussion of Airport Authority
Election, and other business.
Dated this 4th day of March, 1970.
Mayor, City of College Station, Texas
ATTEST:
City ecretary, City of College Station, Texas
!.5.1Z, ,
I hereby certify that the attached Notice was
posted on ------- Ll�—
Lynd woveland
City Secretary
Subscribed and sworn to before me this
day of
Notary Public, Bra os County 7Cexas