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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublicity Vol. 16 (Sept. 1977 - March 1978)----q B Battalion Staff Hotel -motel owners and managers are clashing with the College Station City Council over a proposed increase in the hotel -motel tax. At stake is a 1 per cent increase in the h,x, which hotel -motel people are against because they say higher tax will eventually drive tourists from this area. The council was going to take definite action in the meeting last Thursday night, but after hearing arguments from several hotel -motel people they tabled the mat- ter. The hotel -motel personnel agreed that 7 per cent is a higher tax than most, if not all other cities in Texas. City Manager North Bardell said Carrollton has a 4 per cent city tax, plus the mandatory 3 per cent state tax. The 3 per cent city tax drew $76,000 in 1976. About $16,000 from the tax earnings have been spent; the rest is salted away, earning interest. Part of the $16,000 was given to the Chamber of Commerce, to be spent on brochures. Ralph Deitrich, manager of the Holiday Inn, said Tuesday, "I don't think-it's going to kill them (the customers) if the tax is increased.'.' "But I think somebody else is going to use it as a tool to say, 'Don't go to College Station, the taxes are higher.' "if it's going to a useful cause, I'm for l the tax. If it's going to sit in a quiet fund, I wouldn't be for it." The state is consider - ing increasing its tax to 4 per cent also, he said. He suggested checking with other Texas cities to see how much its taxes are. He looked into a Holiday Inn tax guide, saying that all other major Texas cities have a 6 per cent tax rate. June Pottberg, co -owner of Pon4erosa Motor Inn, said she doesn't believe the increase is necessary. "I don't think the council knew that the tax was already 6 per cent "' she said. She said she always has complaints a out t e present tax, and expects more if the tax is 7 per cent. She pointed out that only one half of 1 per cent is used for direct tourist promo- tion, the other two and a half is spent in indirect tourist promotion. Pottberg said she called up the Texas Hotel -Motel Association and asked if any other cities have a 7 per cent rate. The person at the other end of the line said she knew of none. . Mrs. Dick Schwab, resident manager of Saber Inn, said "I think it's completely un- fair. Why don't they tax theaters or apart- ment projects? she asked in jest. "They have to satisfy me that it is needed "' she said. "Unless they have spent it, why should they increase it ?" she asked. Betty Young, general manager of the Ramada Inn, said tax on a $20 room would be $1.40, not $1.20, under the new tax. Councilman Gary Halter said, "I thought they would be delighted with the increase. " He said the council has been criticized, even by Bryan, for not spend- ing the funds. He said the council has been working with the Chamber of Commerce to estab- lish an tourist information of here. It would require more than $100,000 to put an office in or around the proposed com- munity center. One possible site for the center is on Andrew Street, which Halter said would not make a good site for a public informa- tion office. Halter said he would prefer the office to be on University Drive or Texas Avenue, more visible locations. Councilman Larry Ringer said yester- day that 1 per cent increase would double the amount of money spent for direct promotion. He thought the hotel -motel people would have been pleased with it, because it's not out of their pockets. � The Battalion September 1,1977 T ax fo r tourists fire draws DARRELL JAN-1- 0 NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Station, I Texas, will be received a7.the office of North Barden, -City Manager, until 10:00 A.M., September 16, 1977 for fur nishing the following equip ment: One New Refuse Compactor Body Specifications can be obtained at the Public Works Office at City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas. The right is reserved as the interest of the owner may require, to reject any and all bids and to waive any informality in bids received. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Station, Texas, will be received at the office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 10:00 A.M., September 16, 1977 for fur nishing the following equip ment: One New Truck Chassis Specifications can be obtained at the Public Works Office at City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas. The right is reserved as the interest of the owner may require to reject any and all bids and to waive any informality in bids received. The Eagle September 1, 1977 0 • P&Z cleared Confusion cited for building .delay By GLENNA WHITLEY Battalion Staff The construction delay plaguing one of College Station's apartment complexes re- sulted primarily from a coipmunication problem in the planning and Toning pro- cess, the apartment owner said,yesterday. A. B. Syptak Jr., owner of Cheyenne Apartments on Anderson, said a proce- dure involving the public hearing on per- mits was new to him and caused some con- fusion. Thp hearing rule was implemented Jan. 27. Chris Lnngley, planning assistant for the Planning and Zoning Commission, said the Cheyenne project followed all re- quired procedures to build the apart- ments, and he didn't recall the complex being delayed by commission action. Syptak agreed the city planners were not at fault in the construction delay that has put the apartment complex eight days behind in its leasing agreements. Steps involved in the city approval pro- cess for the building of apartments in- elude: *Applying for a conditional use permit. *Supplying the commission with the names of all property owners within 200 feet of the proposed site. •Displaying legal notices in The Eagle. ioMeeti ng with city planners to review the plans. •Receiving a public hearing 15 & s Ater the planning commissioners meeting. Cheyenne Apartments received its peranit May 19. Langley said there haven't been any apartments denied permits. Various other delays also hampered construction, Syptak said, noting that sub- contractors other than Sears Roebuck — menti<nned in a related article in the Sept. 1 Battalion — had problems meeting con- struction deadlines. "Were not blaming the P &Z (Planning and Zoning Commission) or singling out Sears, either," he said. Sheetrock, for example, was in short supply, he said. Gale French, Sears spokesman, said yesterday the company had trouble gain- ing access to the unfinished apartments to deliver unit fixtures. Also in the Sept. 1 article, an Texas A &l\1 student, Reed Jones, reportedly stayed in the unfinished apartments fin' more than a week when the units had yet to be certified for occupancy. Jones said yesterday he had spent con- siderable time working in the apartments to help complete them, but had actually slept in a friend's dormitory room. It is illegal to occupy an apartment not inspected and certified for occupancy. The Battalion September 2, 1977 • • CS laws put curb on garage sales The onset of fall often brings residents around to thinking of cleaning out attics, closets and storage rooms and consequently to having garage sales to get Tid of the unwanted items. In College Station, residents planning garage sales must be sure they get a permit and comply with the city ordinance on such sales. In Bryan there is no such ordinance. College Station City Manger North Bardell explained that the city's ordinance was passed in 1970 because of citizen complaints that some residents were having per- petual garage sales that annoyed neighbors. People having garage sales also were damaging the ap- pearance of the city by posting numerous posters advertising the sales, he said. The ordinance requires that a person purchase a permit at city hall before conducting a garage sale. The fee is $1.50. Garage sales can be conducted only every six months and only by the occupant of the residence. No more than two signs shall be posted on any residential property advertising such sales, and no signs shall exceed a size of 288 square inches, according to the ordinance. Posting on other than the property ion which the sale is to be conducted is prohibited. The ordinance limits the duration of a garage sale in College Station to 72 consecutive, hours. Only used or discarded items of personal property are to be sold and the sale is to be conducted in a manner so as not to create a disturbance or become a nuisance in the neigh- borhood. Violation of the ordinance carries a fine not to exceed $25. College Station Police report that very few fines if any have been issued under the ordinance. However, the police do check garage sales and advise sponsors that they need a permit. "We usually give them a certain length of time to get a permit and then go back and check. People usually didn't know about the or- dinance and when told, comply," said Lt. Jimmy Beamer. The Eagle September 5, 1977 • 0 Council approves land purchase for baseball fields The College Station City Council Wed- nesday approved the purthw of a $16,500 tract on Eleanor St. for the con- struction of two baseball fields on the 1.67 acre tract. Council members also heard extensive arguments from several residents who op- posed the approval of a final plat that would allow a segment of land, named Holleman Court, also known as Woodson Heights, to be divided into seven lots with 50 -foot frontages. They said sewage and drainage prob- lems would result, and that the houses built wouldn't be equivalent in value to the other houses in the neighborhood. They also accused the developer of tric- kery in gaining approval of development plans. A representative for the developer as- sured residents and the council that no deception was involved. In other action the council: Approved a final plat resubdividing Lots 12 through 21; Southwood Section 5. Approved a final plat resubdividing Lots 1, 2 and 3, block 3 and Lot 1; Block 4 of Pooh's Park Addition. Heard goals report from Elrey Ash, city engineer, and North Bardell, city man- ager. The Battalion September 8, 1977 • 0 0 131-CS cooperation is best proposal The Northgate area in College Station has been the subject of the most recent controversy between the twin cities of Bryan and College Station. Bryan council voted Monday not to participate in any joint transmissions of sewage after 1979. Under a settlement of utility problems between the two cities, all obligations for Bryan to supply Collge Station with sewer service would end in 1979 with the exception of one joint transmission line which runs behind the Northgate area. Bryan has given notice that it now wants to pull out of that last joint transmission agreement. That line serves residents in both cities. Bryan Councilman Richard Smith suggested College Station might want to deannex the area and then let Bryan annex it because a new sewer line from College Station might cost as much as $1 million. College Station officials proposed that College Station help Bryan improve the sewage txeptment plant that serves the area. The idea of cooperation, as suggested by College Station officials, makes more sense that deannexing the area and an- nexing it to Bryan. If College Station has to build a parallel sewer line to serve the area, it will be a senseless duplication of facilities. Bryan and College Station are inextricably linked. The reality is that the two cities are, in fact, a definable unit. The future of each city is clearly tied to that of its sister. Economic cooperation, along the lines suggested by College Station, is good. Unnecessary duplication of efforts is not. City officials should be through with needless back -and- forth bickering for the good of both communities. The Eagle September 8, 1977 E • • CS residents protest plans for project By JANE M. SMITH .Staff Writer College Station City Council Wednesday heard from :a. number of residents of the Woodson Village area unhappy over plans for seven patio homes to be built in their area. The council already had approved a preliminary plat for Holleman Court, a re- subdivision of four lots in Woodson Village. J.W. Woods is proposing to build seven patio homes on what originally was platted as four lots and an abandoned street easement. Normally, the final plat con - sideration 'invloves only minor changes to the proposal. A developer receiving preliminary plat approval can usually feel confident that his main ideas are okayed and he can progress with the additional in- vestment of final plans. Wednesday, however, the council was asked by area residents to turn down the plat and stop the project. Residents protested the high density of the project and said it would cause additional drainage problems in the area off Holleman. Residents said they had not been notified of the Dlat consideration and implied that underhanded . tactics were used to get its okay. Council members, however, said no underhand tactics were used and said they had not heard any of the objections until Wednesday. The consideration was tabled for two weeks. City officals said Thursday that citizens are notified of public hearings on matters in their area but not plat considerations because of the time element involved. Numerous plats are considered each week at city hall. Thursday at 7 p.m. the council meets again. Items on the agenda include �- — A public hearing on rezoning 8.12 acres located east of the East Bypass from Agriculture Open to Single Family Residential at the request of Raintree Developments, Inc. — A public hearing on rezoning of 1.757 acres located on the northeast corner of Texas and Krenek Lane from Single Family Residential to General Commerical at the request of Weldon Jordan. Consideration of an ordinance annexing an area of about 1,600 acres bounded by Harvey Road, Carter Creek, Bird Pond Road, Rock Prairie Road and Highway 6. — Consideration of an ordinance providing for the assessment and collection of a hotel occupancy tax. , • The Eagle September 8, 1977 • • NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to , the Honorable Mayor and City , Council of College Station, Texas, will be received at the -• office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 10:00 A.M., September 16, 1977 for fuA",' nishing the following equip ment: One New Refuse Compactor Body Specifications can be obtained at the Public Works Office at - City HaIM1101 Texas Avenue, - � College S Texas. The right is reserved as the interest of the owner may require, to reject any and all bids and to waive any informality in bids received. NOTICE TOBIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Station, Texas, will be received at the office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 10:00 A.M., September 16, 1977 for fur nishing the following equip- ment: One New Truck Chassis Specifications can be obtained at the Public Works Office at City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue,. - College Station, Texas. The - right is reserved as the interest of the owner may require to reject any and all bids and to waive any informality in bids received. The Eagle September 8, 1977 C? • i r Council annexes land east of CS By JANE M. SMITH Staff Writer After once defeating the measure and almost voting to accept only one - sixteenth. of the area, the College Station City Council Thur- sday approved annexation of 1,600 acres on the east side of the East Bypass into the city limits. The area is bounded by Harvey Rd., Carter's Creek, Bird Pond Road, Rock Prairie Rd. and High- way 6. It was a very confusing and tedious meeting as council members and citizens argued over numerous items on the long agenda. By the time the discussion turned to the annexation project, patience was wearing thin. More than two months ago, the council voted to approve the large annexation project but had to go through the entire hearing and or- dinance procedure again because of a legal question. Councilman Jim Gardner began the discussion by proposing that only 100 acres be annexed. He said that amount of land would cover presently developing areas and eliminate land in the flood plain and whose owners did not want to be annexed. That idea was defeated. Councilman Gary Halter then moved that the council annex the entire 1,600 acres. That motion too' was defeated. "This is absolutely incredible," said Halter with a sigh. Councilman Jim Dozier then'tried his hand at smoothing the waters by proposing that the top border of the annexed area be the Gulf States Utilities line instead of Carter's Creek. This would have cut out some of the flood plain area but still left in about two- thirds of the 1,600 acres. This idea too met with opposition because the city planner and engineer pointed out that control of the flood plain land was a key reason for the original annexation idea. Dozier dropped his motion. Finally. Halter again proposed that the entire area be annexed and this time it passed five to two. Council members Gardner and Anne Hazen voted against the annexation. Dozier, Halter, Lane Stephenson, Gary Ringer and Lorence Bravenek voted in favor. In the first vote on the entire project, Stephenson and Dozier voted against the annexation. There has been considerable opposition to the annexation by citizens who said they would have to pay city taxes but would get no services such as water, sewer and electricity. City Manager North Bardell said services could be supplied to most of the area. If services are not supplied within three vears, the land owners can petition the council to be de- annexed. The city will receive tax revenue from the newly annexed land but also will have added expenses as it supplies fire and police protection as well as other services. The Eagle September 9, 1977 Zoning changes approved for housing tract The College Station City Council approved zoning changes for the Seaback tract Thursday night. The tract includes '32 acres bounded by Munson Avenue, Harvey Road, Merry Oaks Drive and Dominik Drove. The Seaback tract has been a major development problem in that area for numerous years as it has switched owners and zoning. Thus far, no one has been able to put all the needed factors ftether to bring any development to the tract. Thursday, attorney John Lawrence, representing American Savings & Loan Association, asked that the council make some zoning changes so that the association might be able to sell the land. Lawrence said the association has been taking a financial loss on the area for two years since it had to foreclose on a loan to its owner. At the time the loan was made, the area was zoned for single family, du- plexes and apartments. Residents in the area are opposed to more apartments and high den- sity housing across from their single family zoning. The council approved medium density apartment zoning for a small section of the tract fronting an Harvey Road which is surrounded already by apartments. A strip of duplex zoning was approved to run behind the apartment area and the remainder of the tract was zoned single family. American Savings represen- tatives seemed pleased with the apartment zoning but admitted that the single family area probably will never develop. They said they'd pro- bably be back before the council at a later date to ask that the single family zoning be changed for town- houses or duplexes. The council also approved a • zoning change for a 1.575 acre tract at the northeast corner of. Texas Avenue and Krenek Lane from single family residential to com- mercial. The Eagle September 9. 1977 C 0 City of College Station Bid Notice The city of College Station will be accepting bids for a water trailer of gooseneck tandum exile design with a 1000 gallon capacity. The city will also take bids on a 4 cyli�pder brush chipper mounted on a trailer with a 12 inch wide intake feed. Bid sheets with exact specifications are available at the Parks & Recreation office at Holleman and Eleanor Drive. 846 -4753. No bids will be accepted after September 16 1977. The Eagle September 10, 1977 • • E r - -- - - - - -+ 1 LEGAL NOTICES. 1 108 16 - -- - - - - - - NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of Collegg� Station, Texas, will be received at the office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 10:00 A.M., September 16, 1977 for fir - nishing the following equip ment: One New Refuse Compactor Body Specifications can be obtained at the Public Works Office at City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas. The right is reserved as the interest of the owner may require, to reject any and all bids and to waive any informality in bids received. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Station, Texas, will be received at the office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 10:00 A.M., September 16, 1977 for fur- nishing the following equip- ment: One New Truck Chassis Specifications can be obtained at the Public Works Office at City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas. The right is reserved as the interest of the owner may require to reject any and all bids and to waive any informality in bids received. The Eagle September 12, 1977 • • • Brion discusses annexing Northgate Bryan Qity Councilmen Monday discussed the possibility that College Station might de -annex the North- gate area because it would have trouble serving the area with sewer service. The discussion was prompted by a vote by Bryan to notify its sister city that after 1979, Bryan did not want to participate in any joint trans- missions of sewer. Under a settlement of utility problems between the two cities, all obligations for Bryan to supply College Station with sewer would end in 1979 with the exception of one joint transmission . line which runs behind the Northgate area. The cities were given the right to get out of the joint usage by giving 360 days notice. The sewer line is owned by Bryan and serves Bryan residents too. Councilman Richard Smith sai d the mayor of College Station ha d written Bryan proposing co opetation between the two cities on such projects as sewer. Smith said College Station had estimated it would cost $1 million for it to serve the area with sewer. Smith said College Station might save'the money by de- annexing the area and allowing Bryan to then annex it. Bryan presently has the lines to serve the area. The area's topography slopes toward the Bryan sewer lines, Smith said. City Manager Lou Odle pointed out that there would be many things to consider in such an arrangement. Bryan would be getting assets as well as liabilities, he said. Smith said the council was not proposing that the project be done, only that it might be discussed "in the spirit of cooperation." College Station city manager North Bardell said today he couldn't comment on the proposal until he had received official notification - from Bryan. The Eagle September 13, 1977 E • • • Councilman believes letter misunderstood By ROBIN SCHRIVER Staff Writer College Station City Councilman Gary Halter said today the city has no intention of de- annexing the Northgate area. Halter said he feels Bryan councilmen have misunderstood the intention of the letter College Station mailed to each of the Bryan coun- cilmen regarding the sewage ser- vice in Northgate and cooperation of the two cities in building a sewage line there. Monday, Bryan councilmeni.; discussed the possibility that College Station might de -annex the North - gate area because College Station would have trouble servng the area with sewer service.. The discussion was prompted by a vote by Bryan to notify its sister city that after 1979, Bryan did not want to participate in any joint tran- smissions of sewer. Under a settlement of utility problems between the two cities, after 1979 the Northgate would be the only area with joint transmission lines. Recently Bryan gave College Station 360 days notice of its wish to end that last joint transmission. "We have tried for two years to get Bryan to cooperate on the electricity issue. They basically told us they didn't need us so we left. "We decided we still wanted to cooperate on the water and sewage so we sent a letter to every coun- cilman in Bryan," Halter said. He explained that the letter told Bryan that College Station feels there is no need for two water and two sewage plants and that College Station wanted to cooperate in the Northgate area. Halter said part of the sewer line going into Northgate is owned by Bryan, part by College Station. "We have two alternatives," Halter said. "We would build a line at some point along that jointly owned line which would draw off some of the sewage from Bryan. A second alternative, the one which we proposed to Bryan, is that we take that money and put it into the Bryan sewage plant in Carter Creek to improve capacity and quality. You know that the Carter Creek plant doesn't work very well because you can smell it. "But apparently they are not interested. They missed the entire point of the letter. They said they couldn't see any economic ad- vantage to it. But it makes good economic sense to cooperate." -College Station Mayor Lorence Bravanec said he felt the Northgate residents should be asked what they want to do. "Really the question is one of duplicating facilities," Bravanec said. "Bryan is going to build a line in that area. We could so easily add some money to the kitty. They say they don't want to cooperate." Councilman Richard Smith of Bryan said Bravanec had written Bryan proposing cooperation bet- ween the two cities on such projects as sewer. Smith said previously that College Station had estimated it would cost $1 million to serve the area with sewer. Smith said College Station might save the money by de- annexing the area and allowing Brayn to annex it. Bryan presently has the lines to serve the area. "How much money would be in- volved," Bravanec said, "Would it depend on the estimates of benefits. What is the big hang up on sharing the cost of a sewer line? They are throwing additional cost onto their citizens by not cooperating." Lou Odle, Bryan city manager, said the city always considers the cost - benefit analysis so that both expenditures and revenues can be considered. A definitive analysis from Odle was not available. Previously Smith had said the Bryan council was not proposing the project be done, only that it might be discussed "in the spirit of cooperation. " The Eagle September 15 1977 • • • CS City Council to meet Wednesday and Thursday College Station City Council will meet Wednesday at 4. p.m. and again Thursday at 7 p.m. at city hall. Items on the Wednesday agenda include discussion of sewer service for the Northgate area and other sewer service. Recently, the council has corresponded by letter with the Bryan City Council about supplying sewer service to various parts of College Station when the sewer contract between the two cities ends in 1979. Also Wednesday, several plats will be considered including that of Holleman Court, a resubdivision of Woodson Village. Thursday night the council will consider changing speed limits on University Drive between the east and west bypasses. Texas A &M officials have requested that the speed limit be lowered in front of the College of Veterinary Medicine. The council has authorized a state Highway Department speed study of University Drive. The council also is scheduled to discuss land acquisition. The Eagle September 20,1977 • • C� Council clarifies sewer stand By JANE M. SMITH Staff Writer Bryan City Council members Monday clarified their position on discontinuing joint usage of a sewerage line and the turning down of an offer of $20,000 from College Station for sewer plant expansion. Mayor Lloyd Joyce said that College Station had proposed to give Bryan $20,000 to be used to expand its sewage treatment plant on the condition that College Station be allowed to use the sewer facilities. "Our problem is not increasing the size of the plant. Our sewer line will rot handle the increased load," Joyce said. near Fed Mart. Joyce said Bryan has $100,000 in bond money to construct additional transmission facilities so as to discontinue use of the joint line. College Station also will have to construct- additional facilities to handle its sewage. limits line." The proposal, which has been thus far looked down on by College Station officials, involves College Station de- annexing the area behind Northgate. Bryan would then annex the area. He said the existing jointly owned sewer line which runs near the city limits of Bryan and College Station near Enlow Blvd. behind Northgate already is overloaded. "If our own sections of the city are to develop, we need the capacity now used by College Station," he added. Presently Bryan and College Station each own sections of the line that takes sewage to the Bryan plant Because College Station will face a high expense in constructing a new outfall sewer line from the Nor - thgate area to its sewer plant, Bryan councilmen said they proposed "realignment of the =common city Councils consider resolutions ' - urging FAA to stay a t y a irport , The city councils of Bryan and College Station are considering resolutions urging federal officials to continue flight control services at Easterwood Airport. College Station has such a resolution on its Wednesday af- ternoon agenda. Monday night, Councilman Richard Smith submitted a similar resolution for council consideration. It will be voted on at a later meeting. The Smith resolution pointed out that Bryan - College Station is one of the fastest - growing Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the country and that the need for full aviation services at the highest possible level of safety also is in- creasing. The Federal Aviation Ad- ministration (FFA) has named Easterwood Field as one of 73 air- ports that is not meeting financial goals. The FAA said the fields air traffic control tower costs more to run than the benefits it provides. The FAA has asked for public comment before any action to close the tower is considered. College Station council is to discuss the situation at its Wed, nesday afternoon meeting. By 1979, Bryan and College Station will no longer have any dealings on electrical power, sewer or water, according to present contracts. The Eagle September 20,1977 • Sewer construction- to be studied in CS By JANE M. SMITH Staff Writer College Station City Council Wednesday directed the city staff to begin investigation of construction of a new sewer transmission line to serve the Northgate area. Presently, Northgate is served by a line jointly owned by Bryan and College Station and the sewage is treated at the Bryan plant. Bryan has given notice that it plans to end the joint ownership of the line by 1979 by constructing its own segment of.line to replace that owned by College Station. That new segment will hook up with Bryan's existing line and thus mean that College Station also will- have to build new transmission lines. Bryan's new line segment will cost about $100,000. College Station City Manager North Bardell estimated it would cost about $815,000 to construct the facilities needed to pick up the Northgate sewage and transmit it to College Station's treatment plant. Bardell said a gravity line, a new lift station and a new force main will be needed and are included in that price. College Station already has $360,000 in bond money for the sewer line. The remainder may be made up by a new bond election or by loans and utility revenues, Bardell said. The city staff will study the best way to finance the project, he said. If Bryan and College Station's new line segments are completed, there will be two almost parallel sewer transmission lines running behind the Northgate area, up the Hensel Park area and along University Drive to the individual treatment plants. Bardell said the project could be completed by 1979 when Bryan and College Station split all utility cooperation. Another alternative proposed by Bardell was to set up a regional sewer authority made up of Bryan, College Station and Texas A &M University. The cities and university would divorce operation of their own treatment plants and pay an authority. for the ,amount of sewage used. The Brazos River Authority might be the directing agency for such a district, Bradell said. He was directed to discuss the matter with Bryan officials. Continuing a series of somewhat sarcastic jabs between the councils of Bryan and College Station, College Station council members voted to write Bryan suggesting that it might de -annex an area including Beverly Estates to set the cities' boundary lines at Burton Creek. Bryan council earlier had proposed that College Station de- annex the Northgate area. "I don't care how much money it is going to cost, we aren't going to de -annex Northgate, ". said Coun- cilman Jim Dozier. "We would swap, though, for all of the City of Bryan west of Texas Avenue." Councilman Gary Halter said College Station's latest de- annexation proposal to Bryan would save Bryan citizens money and was made "in spirit of cooperation." The Eagle . Sept. .2.9 1977 0 0 0 y J 1114 M. SMITH Staff Writer It was kind of like being all dressed up with no place to go. A large group of citizens from the Woodson Village area had come to College Station City Council Wed- nesday prepared to fight it out over a patio home development proposed for their neighborhood. They had secured an attorney and' gathered 150 names on a petition against a project by J.W. Woods called Holleman Court to be located off Holleman. At an earlier meeting, the citizens had been told there was probably little that could be done to stop the project since it had gone to the final plat approval stage. But they were ready to fight. But instead of a long afternoon of argument, the matter was settled to the citizen's satisfaction in a matter of moments by City Attorney Neeley Lowis. Lewis announced that his study of state statutes on subdivisions revealed that the Wood's plat violated a regulation on getting approval of existing lot owners before a tract could be resubdivided. The council quickly moved to turn down the developer. The Citizens were happy, but visibly shocked that it took such little effort to have the matter resolved to their satisfaction. They submitted their petition anyway and left the meeting `,with several members still questioning just what had happened. In other action, the council ap- proved a resolution to be sent to the Federal Aviation Administration urging that the flight entrol service at Easterwood Airport not be abolished. Councilman Lane Stephenson requested that the council consider more financial support to the airport owned by Texas A &M University since it serves the city too. Final plats were approved without discussion for Brentwood Phase 5 and Southwood Valley, Section 9. A preliminary plat for a shopping center type development by Jim Jett was approved. Jett Plans to con- struct Southwest Place behind the Pelicans Wharfs location. The city council also authorized the purchase of a solid waste collection vehicle. The Eagle Sept. 22, 1977 CS subdivision dispute ID settled 0 City Councils at odds over Northgate area By MARK POWER Possible disruption of sanitary sewer serv- ice to Northgate businesses and residents has the College Station City Council in a dilemma. In regular session Wednesday after- noon, the council considered several pro - posals to' solve the fight between Bryan and College Station over sewage disposal. Controversy centers around a 10,year- bld claim by Bryan that the sewer lines , lerving the area of Northgate within Col- lege Station city limits are overloaded acid will need to be replaced or re- routed scion. Presently, College Station and Bryan share sewer lines along their city limits in the Northgate area. Bryan has claimed iii the past that the lines are being used to capacity and that khey cannot handle the required load. College Station officials are unsatisfied with that approach and took measures yes- terday to break from the Bryan sewage system. "Bryan is going to make us spend money," said Councilman Jim Dozier. "We should get out all the way." Dozier referred to a plan that would have the city build a new pipeline to a sewage treatment plant west of the High- way 6 by -pass. What- City Manager North Bardell termed "the most economically feasible plan" would have College Station build an independent pipeline incorporating 8,000 feet of gravity flow piping. A new lift sta- tion for pumping the sewage would 4 built near the intersection of University DrivOhtid Texas Avenue. The cost of the project was not im- mediately available, but Bardell estimated the construction costs at $815,000. A recent bond election allots $360,000 for sewage construction, leaving $450,000 that would have to be provided by the city before construction could begin. Bryan currently is considering a plan that would construct a new pipeline in the Northgate area parallel to existing lines. and linking up with other Bryan city lines, a plan that might force College Station to adopt the plan considered in Wednesday's meeting. Council member Gary Halter suggested that the city manager inquire about shar- ing the costs of construction of a new pipeline with Bryan. Halter was also con- cerned about how the city was going to pay for this proposed plan. "We need a capital improvements committee," said Halter during the meet- ing. "It is time for a comprehensive review of our capital needs." Mayor Lorene Bravenee placed the pipe financing plan on the agenda for the first city council workshop following Wed- nesday s meeting. In conjunction with the proposed plan, it was recommended that Bardell pursue an old plan attempting to create a Brazos County regional authority that would con- trol disposal of both cities' sewage, in addi- tion to Texas A&M University sewage. go The Battalion Sept. 22, 1977 College Station' backs Easterwood operation By GARY WELCH The College Station City Council Wed- nesday passed a resolution supporting con- tinued operation of Easterwood Airport's s control tower, joining the Bryan City Council and Texas A&M University in protesting the tower's proposed shut- down. In a unanimous vote, the council re- quested that the Federal Aviation Admin- istration (FAA) keep the tower open. "I think this whole proposal to close the tower borders oil the absurd," Council- man Lane Stephenson remarked. He was referred to an FAA study re- leased earlier this month that projected Easterwo od's tower would cost more than its worth from 1978 to 1992. The study named 73 towers in the nation, six in Texas, whose costs outweigh their bene- fits. If the FAA implements this study, Eas- terwoxxl's tower will be closed. Stephenson said he believes the idea of closing the tower resulted from adminis- trative error. He noted that the FAA re- cently upgraded the airport. He pointed out that Easterwood serves a five county area, and that from Sept. 1, 1976 to Aug. 31, 1977 the airport experi- enced a 16.5 per cent increase in service over the same period a year earlier. He said people need to support the airport more than in the past. Mayor Lorenee Bravence st%gested tax- ing commercial passengers and using the V a•evenue to suptx►rt the airlxwrt. He ap- pointed it committee comprised of Coun- cilman Jim Dozier. Stephenson and hill'- self to enger tax. go The Battalion Sept. 22, 1977 • • Council votes down plat resubdivision By RUSTY CAWLEY Battalion Staff A crowded council chamber al- most emptied Wednesday after the College Station City. Council re- jected the final plat for subdividing four 80 -foot lots in Woodson Village. City Attorney Neeley Lewis ad- vised the council at the beginning of the meeting that subdividing the plat was not possible under state law. Some forty residents from the Woodson Village addition, armed with a petition and 150 signatures, left the meeting as soon as, the coun- cil unanimously rejected the plat. If approved, the plat would have subdivided four 80 -foot lots in Wd son Village into seven 50 -foot lots fronting Holleman Drive. But "Woodson Village residents protested the action. "We purchased homes on 80 foot lots in this platted subdivision in good faith," the petition said, "and we believe that the integrity and in- tent of the original plat should be honored." In other action, the council ap- proved without opposition final plats for Brentwood Phase 5 and Southwood Valley, plus a prelimi- nary plat for resubdividing lots in Southwood Valley. The council also accepted bids on a new garbage truck from Twin City International and Davis Truck and Equipment. • The Battalion Sept. 22, 1977 • 0 ■ WO CI sewer pl an prop By JANE M. SMITH Bryan's city limits at Greenbriar Staff Writer Street at a cost of $160,000 and College Station's city manager has responsibility for maintenance of proposed a plan for a joint sewer that line within College Station's city project.that he estimates will save limits. Bryan about $900,000 and College v According to the letter, Bryan's Station about $225,000. feNponsibilit ],I The plan is spelled out by Nort h Bardell in a letter to Bryan City Manager Lou Odle. Bardell points out that if curren t plans to separate Bryan and College Station's sewer facilities in the Northgate area are carried out, the combined cost to both cities will be about $1.7 million. Bryan, he said, has proposed to spend about $100,000 to parallel College Station's line from State Highway 308 to FM 2154 and about $1 million to improve its No. 1 waste- water plant. College Station, he said, is to spend $235,000 for a line from the end Of Cooner Street to Bryan's No. 1 wastewater plant to develop the Putz tract in the Fed Mart area, about $220,675 for a gravity line, a proposed lift station and a force main to separate service from Bryan, and $360,000 for a line from Bryan's No. 1 plant to College Station's interceptor. Bardell said College Station would be willing to contribute $800,000 ($200,00 city funds and $600,000 matching grants) to expand Bryan's No. 1 plant. The city also would assume the cost of expanding the existing Northgate sewer line to y wou include maintenance of the line within its city limits. "This proposal would necessarily call for a firm commitment of facilities to allow College Station to develop areas served by natural drainage in the Bryan No. 1 plant," Bardell said. In other words, the Northgate area and future expansion in a portion of College Station would continue to be served by Bryan's treatment plant. At present, all cooperation betw•�en the two cities on sewer will top in 1979. Bardell's proposal is one of two he made to Bryan concerning sewer. A second idea involves the establish- ment of a sub - regional sewer district for Bryan, College Station and Texas A &M University. "It is our feeling that such an arrangement should call for the `operating district' to purchase the existing facilities for treatment of the three entities and be totally responsible for all maintenance, operation and capital expansion of wastewater treatment in Brazos County," Bardell said. Odle said Friday that he had not had time to study the letters and would be taking them under advise- ment. • The Eagle Sept. 23, 1977 • • • CS council approves lowering of speed limits College Station City Council Thursday night voted to lower speed limits on University Drive between the East and West Bypasses. The council also voted not to lower requirements on load weights for ready -mix concrete within the city limits to below state regulations. But the members did vote to put "ad- ministrative" controls on the trucks to allow them to travel only on certain city streets. The speed limits on University presently begin at 55 miles per hour at the East Bypass and drop in sequence to 30 miles per hour in the Northgate area. New limits passed by the council Thursday drop speeds about five miles per hour in most sections, slowing traffic in the area across from McDonald's to 35 miles per hour and in front of the Texas A &M Vet School to 40 miles per hour. The new limits came from a speed study by the State Department of Highways and Public Tran- sportation. Texas A &M had requested that the council lower the limit near the vet school to 30 m.n.h but the study did not indicate the need fdr so great of a drop. About a month ago, the city council had proposed to lower weight limits for ready -mix concrete trucks to protect ci.y streets from damage. The council was told, however, that concret(!Irucks had been carrying excessiye loads for years and new state standards only made the trucks "legal ". City Manger North Bardell reported that he could find no other local governemental entity con- sidering lowering the weight limits and said College Station would be an "island fighting the tide." The council voted to require a $15,000 bond against street damage for each concrete truck operating in its city limits and to allow such trucks only on designated streets except when the trucks are carrying a load to a specific site on another street.,' Bardell said the city would deliver maps to the concrete companies and would eventually give fines for violations. The Eagle Sept. 23, 1977 i • 0 CS tax office merger to be discussed City council, school board plan. meeting on issue A meeting between the College Station City Council and A &M Consolidated School Board has been set for Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. to discuss a possible merger of the school and city tax offices. College Station committee members include Anne Hazen, Lane Stephenson and Jim Gardner. A &M Consolidated committee members are W.D. Fitch, Bruce Robeck and Rodney Hill. The two entities presently operate separate tax offices. Consolidated's office covers all of the city limits and rural areas. School board members have said the two tax offices are operating "out of the same pocket" and dup- licating services. Consolidated has just completed a property re- evaluation and the city plans to begin one soon. Earlier, City Manager North Bardell had said the city might use the school's tax office physical evaluations of the property but not the monetary assessments. Thursday night, the:city council proposed also to discuss land swaps with the school board. There is some question, however, whether the school committee was authorized to consider anything other than the tax, office. College Station is seeking to obtain acreage now owned by the school on Anderson and Holleman for a pro- posed community center. One proposal is for the city to trade land for a school site in Southwood Valley for the Anderson t.ra ( The Eagle Sept. 23, 1977 n U • Council proposes sewer expansion By DARRELL LANFORD Battalion Staff College Station City Manager North Bardell Thursday sent two sewer system proposals to Bryan officials, following than' city s decision to terminate shared sewer services to College Station. One proposal sought Bryan's possible interest in creating or using an established agency to operate waste facilities for Brazos County. The Brazos River Authority has the abil- ity to become the operating entity, or a separate Municipal Utility District could be developed to operate wastewater facilities in Brazos County, the report said. According to the report, Texas A &M also would agree to participate because of ex- pected benefits of the system. In the other proposal, the council of- fered to contribute $800,000 for the ex- pansion of a Bryan sewage plant and to assume the cost of the Northgate line, which is estimated at $160,000. Under the proposal, College Station would maintain the line within its city limits. The letter said Bryan would save about $900,000 and College Station would save about $225,000 by this plan. This com- pares to an estimated $1,680,675 to solve the problems separately, according to a city study. In other action, the council adopted an ordinance that changes speed limits on University Drive. The varying speed limits along University now change less frequently than before. The action was taken following a Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation study that mapped the dif- fering amounts of vehicular and pedestrian traffic along and across the street. Failure to follow the highway depart- ment's recommendations for highway speed limits would cause the city to accept liability if an accident occurred because of hazardous speed limits, said Elrey Ash, city engineer. Councilman Jim Dozier favored a standard speed limit throughout the high- way, but other council members said driv- ers would break a low standard speed limit. The council also authorized a study on ways to prohibit ready -mix concrete trucks from unnecessary travel on city streets. City streets, designed for a 36,000 -pound limit, have been taking a pounding under the concrete trucks, some of which weigh about 75,000 pounds, fully loaded. The council proposed that a $15,000 bond be put on each truck, and that maps suggesting truck routes through the city be given to ready -mix companies. The council also got a glimpse at the new lime -green emergency stickers for telephones. About 40,000 stickers were ordered last month, and distribution should begin in October. Imprinted on the stickers is the emergency 911 number. The Battalion Sept. 23, 1977 • 0 Parallel sewer lines are money down drain The dispute over electric power service has been settled by Bryan and College Station. gut it seems the settlement has led to another dispute — on sewer service for the Northgate area of College Station. There has been some ban - tering between the two councils about annexation of certain areas. Because Bryan and College Station will end all cooperative utility service in 1979 when the electric power contract between the two communities expires, Bryan will no longer treat sewage from the Northgate area. The area is served now by a line, segments of which are owned by both Communities, to the Bryan treatment plant in College Station. Because of the termination, Bryan will have to spend $100,000 to construct a new segment and ± College Station will have to "spend $815,000 for its new segment. What will result will be w two parallel segments. - Bryan says that the present _line is unable to carry the heavy load from the area and it cannot continue to handle College 'Station sewage. North Bardell, College Station city manager, suggests two other solutions: 1. College Station will help Bryan expand the - existing treatment plant and sewer line serving Northgate. 2. The two communities and Texas A &M University could set up a regional sewer authority. It makes sense to combine all three sewage facilities. It cer- tainly makes more sense than running two lines parallel to each other to separate treatment facilities. The ultimate factor, it seems, should be what it will cost the taxpayer. Taxpayers are fed up with bond issues, increasing taxes and inflation in general. Why should we spend taxpayer money unnecessarily? If two, three or more com- munities with a common goal can combine to meet that common goal, why not combine — especially if it means saving money. Duplication of services is costly. It should be avoided. The taxpayer should have something to say about this. It should not be left entirely to feuding city of- ficials. It's time to be sensible, to stop arguing and to save money. • The Eagle Sept. 24, 1977 • • • CS to consider raising exemption College Station City Council tonight will discuss raising the tax exemption for persons 65 years and older. Presently, the exemption is $5,000. The council will be presented with figures showing how much revenue will be lost by increasing the exemptions. Earlier this summer, the A &M Consolidated School Board raised district exemptions to $12,000 for persons 65 and older. Other items on the agenda include award of contract for construction in the Community Development Program, discussion of 'possible support for Bryan Library, con- sideration of increasing the hotel - rrwtel tax and a closed session on land acquisition and personnel. The Eagle September 24, 1977 E Fear of blackout proves unwarranted The situations here and in New York aren't the same and the extent of the blackouts were far from similar but there is reason for comfort in Bryan - College Station. Part of College Station was without power for eight hours Thursday night. A portion of that city was without power for several hours earlier this month. In both instances, police reported no problems. The biggest problem Thursday night was a flurry of calls about a noisy party in one of the apart- ment complexes. The news of a relatively quiet night for police despite the power being out is especially heartening when we recall the response to a Consensus question after the New York power failure. Most of those who responded felt that there would be looting here. The Consensus question is not a scientific poll and does not accurately reflect community opinion. It is a sounding board. However, the response did in- dicate that there was some fear of looting here if a blackout should occur.! ". Instead of looting and disorder in College Station we had complaints about the lack of ,power and innovation. Some students left 'darkened apart - ments and went to the high school football field to study under the lights while a jayvee game was in progress. Others went to motels to spend the night in air conditioned comfort. But there was no disorder. io8LEGA'_ NOTICES Statement of Inlunl to Change Rates On August 26, 1977, Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., filed with the Public Utility Commission of Texas, at Austin, Texas, a statement of Intent to Implement a Temporary Reduction in its rates to be effective on october 1, 1977, . or sooner if allowed by the Commission. The proposed temporary reduction is expected to result in a 51,069,425 reduction in the Cooperative's gross revenues. 0 The Eagle Sept. 25, 1977 • i From $5,000 to $10,000 CS City Council votes to raise tax exemption f By JANE M. SMITH Staff Writer College Station City Council Thursday night raised the city homestead tax exemption for per- sons 65 and over from $5,000 to $10,000. City Tax Assessor Glenn Schroeder said the raised exemption would show up on 1978 taxes. He said about 200 of the 413 persons presently qualified for the exemp- tion would not have to pay any city taxes under the new figure. The city's present tax rate is 52 cents per $100 valuation with 80 per cent assessment. Mayor Lorence Bravenec had proposed the raised exemption in keeping with the utility savings recently passed by the council. The council passed 30 per cent of the utility savings on to their customers and retained 70 per cent to pay off bonded indebtedness. Bravenec said the move to retain 70 per cent was made with the idea that the benefits would be stretched over a longer period of time. Senior citizens, he said, might not be around to see this benefit so they need an immediate savings from another source. Council members pointed out that the raised exemption would mean only a few dollars savings to senior citizens since the city's tax rate and property valuations are low. Gordon Gay, a representative of senior citizens, said any savings would be felt by persons over 65. "it may not be much, but it is a step in the right direction and would give us a great boost in moral," he said. The council was told the exemp- tion change would be an increased revenue loss of about $6,000 each year. That loss will be made up by a slight increase in the taxes paid by persons not qualifying for the exemption. The increase to others will be about .35 of a cent per $100 assessed valuation, Schroeder said. Council said it would consider the exemption again if the city.continues plans to reevaluate propexly for tax purposes. Schroeder estinFated that a house now valued at $5,000 would probably go up to about $10,000. If the property evaluations go up, Councilman Jim Dozier said, the raised exemption would only keep senior citizens where they were before. In other action, the council ran into stiff opposition from several hotel -motel owners and operators in College Station over a proposal to increase the hotel -motel tax from 3 per cent to 4 per cent. The council had proposed that with the increase of one per cent, a half per cent more money would go to tourism promotion and the other • half per cent to community develop- ment. Council members directed the city manager to look into the funding for the Bryan Library and to determine what might be proper financial support from College Station. Councilman Gary Halter pointed out that College Station residents use the library a great deal. "It has been brought to my at- tention that we don't support it much and I didn't feel bad about it because I felt we were supporting it through our payments to the Bryan electrical system," Halter said. He added that now College Station is cutting its purchase of Bryan electricity, it would be proper for the city to help support the library. Mayor Bravenec said he also wanted to consider if a College Station branch of the library was needed. The Eagle September 26, 1977 • • Bryan proposes C ities merge, but CS is cool By JANE M. SMITH Staff Writer Bryan City Councilmen have proposed merging that city with College Station, but thus far have received negative reaction from College Station Council members. After a lengthy closed session Monday afternoon for discussion of contracts, the Bryan council an- nounced that it was deeply in- terested in cooperating with College Station to save both cities money. "In my opinion, the only solution is for the two councils to get together soon and honestly and truly think about merging these two cities," said Councilman Wayne Gibson. "Once and for all let's work out our differences where we are truly serving the best interest of our citizens." Gibson said a merger would solve the cities' money problems and save tax dollars. A merger has been proposed numerous times in the past but has never been voted on. "I'm not concerned with what the label is; Idon't care what we name the new city," Gibson added. Councilman Travis Bryan III voiced his "wholehearted support" for the merger talks, pointing out that such action would � avoid duplication of services and present a unified front for federal grant ap- plications. "I think the people of Br an would welcome a chance to unify with College Station. We could be one big happy family and solve this whole deal ... no more piece -meal rem - dedies," Bryan said. A merger would require a referendum vote in both cities. "It is foolish to continue bicker- ing," said Gibson. "It would take people with open minds," added Councilman Daniel Hernandez. College Station Council- members, however, have not expressed such support for a merger. When asked his initial opinion of the merger idea, Mayor Lorence Bravenec said he didn't know what could be achieved by a merger that couldn't be achieved by cooperation. The major obstacle, he said, would be zoning differences. "When you have one area tha t believes in zoning and controlle d development and one that believe I in no zoning and uncontrolle d development, and you have one area that is afraid of being taken over by the other, the time is not right for a merger, "' Bravenec said. He said there is'a great deal of fear in College Station that the city would be taken over and dominated by Bryan. "All the interest in merging has come from Bryan, I don't know what their motives are," he said. Councilman Gary Halter asked, "Wh'a the advantage? "ft will never be approved by the voters. It isn't realistic. If you look at the history of merger efforts, only about four have been successful out of 43," he said. Halter said he thought the merger proposal by Bryan was a "ploy to try to make us look like we're not cooperating." "We'll be glad to meet with Bryan to talk about ways to save us both money. That is what we've suggested on the sewer (in North - gate). But talking about a merger is unrealistic. We might as well also talk about starting our own space program to compete with NASA." A proposal, mentioned by Coun- cilman Richard Smith, which seems to have some support from College Station officials is to combine some city services such as sewer or emergency protection into a regional authority that might in- clude the county or Texas A &M University. Such regional operations could consolidate operations of both cities and the county to avoid duplication of services but not require a merging of the cities into one entity. That county -wide approach received support from Armand Frank, president of the Bryan - College Station Chamber of Com- merce. Frank said such a govern- ment would present a really unifed front. The decision on merging, Frank said, would be up to the citizenry of both cities and the chamber would support that decision. "No doubt there would be savings to both," he said. State Rep. Bill Presnal said it was "commendable" for the cities to look at the issue of merger. Presnal said the two cities presently are working together much better than they once did. s "It may not seem like it, but the cities are cooperating more than ever before." :e Eagle :pt. 27, 1977 0 • • E a sterw ood � • • • us tl ie By GARY WELCH The Federal Aviation Administration may close Easterwood Airport's control tower for financial reasons. But Ed Davis, Texas A &M University's Director of Man- agement Services, says the money spent on the tower is justified by the safe air traffic the tower provides. Davis spoke of a study released recently by the FAA that suggests the Easterwood tower is one of 73 in the nation whose costs will outweigh its benefits from 1978 - 1902. ­ I don't think the study is practical in any sense of the word, through 1992 or through tomorrow," Davis said. About $300,000 was spent to build a tower at Easterwood because of increased air traf- fic, he said, and now it might be closed. There is no real proposal to close the tower, said Henry Christiansen of the FAA district office in Taco. The FAA has presented five courses of action and asked for public comment before making a deci- sion, he said. The first option would continue federal operation of all existing towers. The second uses. it 1973 cost- benefit formula under which the tower would re- main open, but under the criteria used°in the new study, which is the third option, Easterwogd's tower would lose its federal hands. - Under the fourth option, which would halt federal money to the 33 least ec•o nomic•al control towers in the country, Easterwood would also remain open. The fifth option would continue federal support of all unec•onoinlcal towers until 1980 to give state and loc11 sources time to organize financial support for their respec- tive towers. Davis, as Director of Management S ices, has responsibilit for overall man - agement of auxiliary enterprises for A& M, one of which is th.. airport. Davis said he was "surprised, to put it mildly" when he learned of the FAA studv shortly after its findings were announced last Sept. 1 in the Federal Register. "Bryan - College Station is one of the top 20 statistical growth areas in the United . States," lie said. '`I don't believe the study took our growth rate into consideration."' Although A &M has a terrific influence on the commercial and economic status of Brazos County, Davis said, he does not know whether the University's influence alone would be enough to keep the tower open. If A &M shows its growth and impor- tance to the FAA, he said, then the tower should remain in operation. According to Bobby Clav, who runs Easterwood's tower, about $20Q,000 is needed annually to pay the salaries of the 11 people who operate the tower. If Easterwood loses federal funds. money needed to keep it ope would have to come from state or local sources, or even from A &M. ,Davis said he does not know if A &M could provide the necessary support. "I'd sure like to think so," he said. "but I'm not sure the Unive can sustain the expense." Davis said the Bryan and College Sta- tion city governments as well as the Chamber of Commerce and the Brazos Valley Development Council are actively pursuing the matter with the FAA. .'There will be a publie hearing (con- cerning the possible closures) in Kansan City on Oct. 7 Davis said. "I anticipat the University will have representatives at the meeting.' The Battalion Sept. 27, 1977 LJ F1 U Tax office merger talks set By KAREN ROGERS Merging the city and school dis- trict tax offices will be the subject of a special meeting at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday between the College Sta- tion City Council and the A&M Consolidated School Board. The two tax offices ar¢ .assessing essentially the same area of land, said Glenn Schroeder, city tax assessor - collector. The exception is that some rural land is assessed by the school tax office only. The merger would cut expendi- tures of the tax office, Schroeder said. He added that the council had not fill him in on what was to be covered in the meeting. The details of the merger, such as cost And4aff employment, have not beer; Qrked out, said Bill Fitch, chairman gf the school board. Although a special meeting has been called, some members say they are "in'the dark" over what will be discussed. Rodney Hill, a member of the school board, said that he had been out of town and had not heard that the meeting had been scheduled.. Lane Stephenson, a member of the City Council, .said that he did not know the specifics of the merger, and did not know if they would be discussed. He said he would just "sit back and listen." 40 The Battalion Sept. 27. 1977 • LJ Talk of cooperation by cities is welcome Say merge in, the Bryan - College Station area and you are apt to get smiles and grimaces. The word was mentioned by Bryan city councilmen Monday and that is precisely what happened. The Bryan council members unanimously agreed to discuss the possibility of a merger of Bryan and College Station with College Station officials. College Station reacted im- mediately with skepticism. It is a great breakthrough in relations between the two communities to hear such in- dications of joint operation — even though there is still disagreement. Merger can mean a loss of identity for one of the parties involved. And it is natural for a community to want to retain its identity. Bryan, being the larger of the two communities, would most likely retain its identity. But the identity problem is a small one compared with that of duplication of services and lack of cooperation. The mere fact -that there is a motion to talk about merger is a sign of willingness to cooperate. The Bryan councilmen are to be congratulated for their effort. North Bardell, College Station city manager, said last week in a similar positive gesture, that the cities could save money on sewer imOkovements in the Northgate area by cooperation. That last word is the key — cooperation. Whether the cooperation comes in the form of a merger, a metropolitan ser- vice district or mere joint efforts on programs to avoid duplication of effort and wasted tax dollars, it is to the advantage of all concerned that the two city governments cooperate. Ambulance, police and fire, water and sewer and tran- sportation services are a few of the areas where joint efforts could save money. And, although this does not involve government, the United Way programs of both com- munities could join for a stronger and more productive fund drive. Cooperation is what is needed. We are pleased to see the ball rolling in that direction. Let's keep it rolling and pick up some momentum. The Eagle Sept. 28, 1977 • 0 Merger talks to continue By JANE M. SMITH Staff Writer Members of the College Station City Council and the A &M Consoli- dated School District agreed Tues- day night to go back to their res• pective groups to get the okay to con- tinue with efforts to combine their tax offices. Presently each body operates its own independent tax office. All of the land within the city limits is in- cluded in the school district and the two offices do a lot of duplication of work. The Tuesday meeting was the first for the two committees and serve primarily to give each group an idea of what the other intended. Most outspoken on the matter were representatives of the school district who originally proposed the merger. School Trustee W.D. Fitch said he feels the need is urgent for the school district to make a change. He said he would be happy to see the city take over the complete operation of the joint tax office. Under Fitch's plan, the city would charge the school district an annual fee for handling the tax matters. Council members brought up the fact that they had been quoted a price from the district of $7 pertract for 5,000 tracts for physical data to use in the city's re- evaluation. Fitch said he would be willing to give the city the information free if consolidation of the tax offices would cut the cost of the school's tax opera- tion. ,,,Lest year, Fitch said, the district .paid $75,000 for its tax office and this year had budgeted $91,000. The` city, on the other hand, Fitch said, spends only $25,000 a year on its tax office. "I see and hear a lot less dissatis- faction with the city's system. Maybe it is because they've under- valued," Fitch said. Trustee Bruce Robeck said it a tax office could keep current from year to year on property values, it would avoid the shock of doubling or tripl- ing values every five or 10 years. Council member Anne. Hazen said she thought everyone at the meeting was basically for consolidation. She said she'd like to see the office located at the city hall. "I think this proposal has a lot better chance of succeeding than the other latest merger proposal," said Councilman Lane Stephenson of a proposal to merge the cities of Bryan and College Station. Robeck said the school committee would check on legal requirements of the two boards of equalization as well as cost factors involved in a merger. Another question that would have to be ironed out is which personnel would be kept in the merger. • The Eagle Sept. 28, 1977 E 0 Northgate businesses opposed to being annexed by Bryan By MARK POWER College Station and Bryan have yet to agree on a solution to the Northgate sewer controversy. But Northgate businessmen agree on one aspect of the complex issue. They do not want to be annexed as a part of Bryan. The city of Bryan has informally suggested that the sewer problem and other community problems can be re- solved by a merger of the two cities. Northgate businessmen are opposed to that idea. "You'll never make Northgate a part of Bryan," said Hugh Holick. Holick is a member of the family which runs Holick Boot and Shoe repair in the Northgate area: "Bryan and College Station are bicker- ing over utilities in general." Holick said }hat the Northgate area grew up from trade with the students and faculty of the University. Holick believes that Northgate is an integral part of the University community, not a part of Bryan. Another member of the Holick family, Johnnie Holick, thinks Northgate is a part of the tradition of Texas A &M. "Northgate was the first shopping cen- ter A &M ever had," said Johnnie Holick. "We are traditionally a part of A&M." Holick went on in favor of a compromise - between the two cities that would keep the so�yfiine operating as it is today. "I'm in favor of negotiations to keep this situation I& it is," said Johnnie Holick. "I (See Controversy, page 8) Controversy dragging on in Northgate (Continued from Page 1) would not like to see Northgate be- come a part of Bryan." Other merchants are dis- enchanted with the idea of annexa- tion or merger with Bryan to solve any problems. J. E. Loupot has been involved. in the Northgate area as a merchant since 1940. He has watched the de- velopment of College Station and the city's acquisition of utilities and city services. "In the beginning we asked the city (Bryan) for services but we were disowned," said Loupot. "We were the poor children." Loupot has had sewage problems in the past. "In the 1950's, overloads used to back up," he said. On one occasion Loupot broke his sewage main open and let the sew- age run out in the street instead of backing up into the store. "We need a new system, this one is inadequate," said Loupot. "It will cost us any way we go, but when we needed them (Bryan) they didn't want us." Bernie Gessner, operator of Uni- versity Cleaners, says the sewer situation is a minor problem and another spinoff from the recent utilities suit. Lessner is past presi- dent of the Northgate Merchants Association. College Station recently sued Bryan for the right to buy electrical power and other utilities from sources other than the city of Bryan. College Station won the suit and can now buy power from other sources when their contract with Bryan ex- pires. "Bryan is the old town, and they resent being told what to do," said Gessner. "College Station has a lot of different ideas. This whole situa- tion is strictly a matter of planning." Gessner said that the sewer sys- tem will need to be replaced, but that the job can be done without an- nexation of the Northgate area by Bryan. • The Battalion Sept. 28, 1977 • U Tax office consolidation plan to be presented to Council By KAREN ROGERS The possible merger of the College Sta- tion and A &M Consolidated tax offices will be presented to the City Council today for an informal vote. This decision came last night after a meeting of a school board committee and a city council committee to discuss the pos- sibility of the merger. Discussion was limited to the general aspects of the merger. The details will be worked out before the merger is ap- proved, said Bill Fitch, chairman of the school board committee. Fitch pointed out advantages of the merger. "There is a great deal of room for im- provement in our (school tax office) sys- tem," Fitch said. A large number of people seem to be dissatisfied." "The city's evaluation of many of the properties are frequently quite different from the evaluation the school has for them," he said. "This is a source of confu- sion and discontent." "We need a standard evaluation of all the property. This would eliminate the discussion of why a certain piece of prop- erty is evaluated differently by two sepa- rate agencies," he said. Fitch said the budgets for the two tax offices are $25,000 a year for College Sta- tion and $91,000 a year for the school. "It seems to me it all could be done at a lower figure, and would save the taxpayers a lot of money," Fitch said. Rodney Hill, a school board member, said that "some people may be squeamish about pending suits" when they consider the merger. Hill referred to the pending suit by some members of the Property Owners Association. North Bardell, city manager, said the city had requested the use of the school tax office files for use in a city re- evaluation of property. The school offered the files at a cost of $35,000, which College Station turned down, he said. The merger would provide for common files as will well as a common standard of evaluations. Anne Hazen, a q+engl er of the council, said "I think we'r'e 'all basically for the merger consolidating the, two tax offices." The two committees will go back to gov- erning bodies to consult on the specifics of the merger. Bardell said that the name of the school district: A &M Consolidated did not give a feeling of unity between the district and the city of College Station. Fred Hopson, superintendent of the school district, agreed with Bardell. He said he has "thought the same thing as long as he has been in the school district." Hopson gave his full support in chang- ing the name of the school district, and suggested the name of College Station Public Schools. Bryan official outlines proposal for merger Bryan's proposal for merging with College Station will be outlined in a letter to College Station City Man- ager North Bardell, said Bryan's City Manager Lou Odle yesterday. The letter is a counter proposal to two letters sent by Bardell to Odle Thursday. Bardell, speaking for the College Station City Council offered two plans for settling the Northgate sewage problem. One letter proposed joint financ- ing to overhaul the Northgate sew- age system and to improve Bryan's Number One plant to relieve the overload in the Northgate area. The second letter discussed the possibility of the Brazos River Au- thority establishing a sewer district that would control all sewage pro- cessing for Bryan, College Station and Texas A &M University. Odle disagreed with the two p o- posals. 'It is not a workable plan ' Odle said of the College Stati letters. "The real answer is thr tossibility of merging the two ci+'es." Odle claimed that College Station would finance their proposals through federal funds provided on a 3 to 1 basis, the federal government providing 75 per cent' of the funds. Bardell said he had not received the letter as of last night. "These letters are usually hand carried," Bardell said. "I can't say when I will receive it." Councilman Lane Stephenson was not suprised when informed of Bryan's intent to send a letter. "They are always sending us let- ters," said Stephenson. "We'll just have to wait and read this one. " The Battalion Sept. 28, 1977 0 i Talks on tax office merger to go on Possib le decrees of rn„eri;,4 +; ,,,, College Station City Council Wed- nesday agreed to continue talks with the school board on consolidation of the tax offices. Tuesday committees of the council and the A &M Consolidated School Board discussed possible degrees of consolidation ranging from sharing in �scussed information to actual merger. Both committees went back to their respective groups for the okay to look seriously at the cost and Problems involved in a merger. The school board has proposed that the city might take over the entire operation of the tax offices and charge the school an annual fee. The council, with the opposition of Jim Doaier, informally voted to continue the talks bu did not agree to any commitments. Also Wednesday, the council heard a review of the Capital Im- provements Projects. City Manager • North Bardell said $8,840,000 in bonds from 1976 has been issued and $3,525,000 more is authorized but unsold. Unsold bonds will go for street improvements, police and fire station, park improvements, sewer and electric system improvements. The Eagle Sept. 29, 1977 C, Cooperation on sewer line like story of Old Joe To the Editor: Your editorial in the Sept. 23 Eagle about the advantages of cooperation in the matter of sewer lines in the Northgate area reminds me of the story of Old Joe. Joe Doe (not his real name) and Margie went steady for years. One night for one of their dates Joe rented a tux and they went to a swanky nightclub. There Marge met a well- heeled guy who promised he some trinkets that Joe couldn't afford. So Marge left the,party with another .guy instead of the "feller who brung her." Old Joe paid the cover charge and the food tab, but more than that Joe had told the cab driver to come back at closing time, and he still had to pay the taxi fare back to the city. Of course, he could probably have walked to his place on the edge of town, but he had arranged tran- sportation to take Marge home across town, and Old Joe was the kind who felt obligated when he had told the driver to come back. And you can bet your bottom dollar that Marge, had she not gone off with this stranger, would have demanded the best in transportation. Well, sometime later Marge wanted to be mature and reasonable, and suggested that she and Joe have a pleasant evening together. She would pay two bits of the cover charge and Joe could pay a buck, and her rich uncle would foot the rest of the bill for the evening. Joe was somewhat reluctant about any arrangement, but his friend preached him a little sermon about Letters to the Editor Letters to the editor are welcomed by The Eagle. However, they must meet ,cerh _Ain criteria. They must be signed. They must be no longer than P50 words and, preferably, should deal with issues rather than personalities. The Eagle reserves the right to edit letters and to delete material that is not in good taste or is legally questionable. peace, harmony, sweetness and light. (Marge had always thought she, too, was much more hep in matter of economy because her pa had a business administration degree and she had always been surrounded by culture, whereas Old Joe had acquired a good deal of what he knew in the College of Hard Knocks.) This is an open -ended story in the modern style. Tune in tomorrow and see whether Old Joe will punch Reddy in the nose. Or will Joe date Marge again? This taxpayer hopes not. Even if it costs Joe more to go stag to the dance, he will know exactly the charges, and have no rude surprises when Marge goes tripping off to greener meadows, leaving him to stumble into some sewer hole that costs more to get out of than it cost to get in. . hirlirg —A 40 The Eagle Sept. 29, 1977 U U Support, cooperation needed for airport Easterwood Airport has been told by the Federal Aviation Administration that it could lose its control tower. In making its assessment, the FAA cited the amount of traffic at Easterwood and the fact that the benefits from the FAA tower operation did not match the cost of maintaining it. The dif- ference, however, is minimal — $8,000 over 15 years,, or about $533 a year. Texas A &M University, which operates the airport, and the local governments want to keep the tower and they recognize the need for a good airport if Bryan - College Station is to prosper. Good transporation is essential to growth. But there are some problems, as a recent series of articles on The Eagle business pages pointed out. The university would like local governments — the cities and county — to accept a bigger share of the burden of airport improvements and maintenance. Some of the pilots in the area have complained that the airport is too restrictive in its operation, discouraging private operators from using Easterwood. Also, the pilots complain of a lack of hangar space and apparent unconcern for private aircraft facilities. ,' The airport has grown and prospered. The deficit cited by FAA' is minimal. The problems are not serious but they can be if they are not taken care of. ' What it amounts to is a theme we are constantly playing in this column — cooperation. Some mention has been made of a separate airport authority to operate the facility. Local governments have not ignored the airport but they have not paid it enough attention. The airport is for all our benefit — A &M, the cities and the county. Unless we all care, we could lose some of the benefits. And, as the Chamber of Commerce said in a plea yesterday, the FAA has to be told by the public that we need our airport tower. Public support and govern- mental cooperation will not only keep our tower at Easterwood but it will give us a bigger and better facility with which to grow. The Eagle Sept. 29, 1977 C� 0 Chamber advises protest on tower Public response may be the key factor to keeping the Easterwood Airport tower open, according to Bryan - College Station Chamber of Commerce President Armand Frank. Frank and chamber vice president Jody Rychlik of the civic division held a news conference Wednesday at the chamber offices to plea for public response on the potential loss of the tower. The tower at Easterwood Airport, owned by Texas A &M University, is one of 73 nationwide that the Federal Aviation Administration is consider- ing closing because they do not technically meet FAA requirements to justify remaining open. Chamber and Texas A &M officials say the FAA has not considered more recent data that show take -offs and landings have increased to approximately 104,000 per year as compared with 87,000 two years ago. Frank and Rychlik both stressed Wednesday that statistical evidence on airport operations are not enough to convince the FAA to keep the tower open. Without the tower, land- ings would be more dangerous, they said. "We really need response badly," Frank said. Rychlik, whose division of chamber work includes trans- portation matters, said "sheer volume of response from the public" could determine whether the FAA agrees to continue its operation here. The public is invited to comment on the closing of the tower until Oct. 15. The address to write is Thomas P. Messier, Director of Aviation Systems Plans, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20591. Both Frank and Rychlik stressed that the tower is needed in order to minimize danger in landing at the airport and in order for the chamber and others to continue to attract industrial prospects. Frank said the -communities could suffer real economic hardship without the FAA - operated tower since most industrial prospects need good access to air- ports. "W'e're growing so fast they're (the FAA) negating the potential of the area," Frank said. "I see no reason why this area wouldn't continue to grow." Rychlik also pointed out that some $300,000 worth of improvements were made at the airport last year. It would be a waste of taxpayers' money to improve an airport one year and talk of closing the tower next, the chamber officials said. Frank said letters from the university, the city councils and the chamber of commerce would not have the impact alone that is needed to ensure the tower operations are maintained. Frank also urged local residents to write Senators Lloyd Bentsen and John Tower as well as U.S. Rep. Olin E. "Tiger" Teague. "We get the feeling the public really doesn't understand how im- portant this is to our community," Rychlik said. "It seems like the public thinks someone else is going to take care of it, but the letters from the man on the street are so critical." • The Eagle Sept. 29, 1977 • • City Council beseiged with merger proposals By RUSTY CAWLEY Battalion Staff Merger, merger and more merger. That's the subject of the week for the College Station City Council. Two proposals are before the council. One is to merge the city's tax office with the A&M Consoli- dated School District's office. The other is to merge the entire city with Bryan. The councilmen are considering the first proposal but thumbing their noses at the other. In a meeting Wednesday, Coun- cilman Lane Stephenson asked for an informal poll of,the council to gauge the member's' interest in merging tax offices with the school district. The poll was taken at the request Of the A&M Consolidated School Board. The school board seeks to join the two tax offices. The trustees claim, the offices duplicate information, spending tax money needlessly. Councilman Larry Binger moved to instruct the city manager to look further into the proposal. The motion passed with one dis- Sent: Councilman.Jim Dozier. "We'll end up with the property owners screaming at us rather than . 1 the se board," Dozier said. "The school.distrigt is just trying to _hand us their problems. "It's a school board problem, not a city problem, and I don't want any part of it." City Manager. North Bardell said the city had once collected taxes for the school district. ".But we just couldn't put up with it," Bardell said. "That's why the two offices were divorced," Councilman Gary Halter said he couldn't see 'that merging the two offices would save any tax money. "There's nothing economical about consolidating bureaucracies," Halter said. Still, he favored study- ing the matter further. Cduncilwoman Anne Hazen said the council should consider the merger. "We owe it to our taxpayers to look into this," Hazen said. "if we turn it down, we should have a good reason.' But Dozier remained firm. "We're not going to take over the r sch,!ol board's problems," Dozier said. "That's the biggest mistake this council could make," The other councilmen, however, want to review the school district's proposal. I But Bryan's proposal to merge with College Station is another story. College Station Mayor Lorence , Bravenec made it clear that the Council would call no special meet- ing to consider Bryan's proposal. . The proposal, contained in a let - ter from Bryan City Manager Lou Odle, has not been received. Odle called Bardell yesterday and told him the letter had been posted. "We should get the letter in the next couple of days," Bardell said. "I guess we'll read about it in the paper tonight," Bravenec said. "Why don't _they" just send us a paper instead. ": The Battalion Sept. 29, 1977 • U Sidewalk mending The sidewalk construction project in College Station is currently on Glade Street, according to the city engineer. Francis Street is complete 'and Gilchrist is almost finished. For persons who want to make advanced arrangements before the construc- tion crews get to their street, the city engineer advised that the Glade pro- ject should take about another weeK. The crews then are scheduled to move to Haines. Street for about two weeks, then to Langford Street for another two weeks and finally to Southwood. All these estimates depend on good weather. The sidewalk program is financed by bond money approved in 1976. The Eagle Sept. 30, 1977 crew, di =Glade Street n U QUOTATION FOR BID ' DATE: September 20, 1977 From: City of College Station Police Department P.O. Box 9 College Station, Texas 77840 PLEASE SUBMIT BID FOR, THE FOLLOWING TO THE OFFICE OF THE CITY In LEGAL NOTICES MANAGER NO LATER THAN 500 p.m. October 24, 1977. Five (5) 1978 Model 4 Door Sedans (POLICE PACKAGE) Color: Blue V - 8 Engine: . Minimu�h • a�0 cubic inches 4 Bbl Carburetor Automatic transmission: .Heavy duty - Low gea IOCkout Heavy duty battery Minimum 80 amps Heavy duty alternator - Minimum 60 amps Whtels with 4 ply blackwall tires: (Spare lire included) Heater with defroster Windshield wipers and washers ( Two speed) Cigarette lighter Back -up lights Outside rear view mirror on right and left sides (Adjustable from inside) Minimum wheelbase 115 inches Power disc brakes Power steering Heavy duty suspension system (POLICE PACKAGE) Factory air conditioning Heavy duty full vinyl seat covering Heavy duty black rubberized floor covering (NOT CARPET) Factory AM radio with speaker Tinted glass Limited slip rear axle PLEASE ADVISE AP- PROXIMATE DELIVERY DATE THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS RESER- VES THE RIGHTITO REFUSE ANY AND ALL BIOS. • The Eagle Oct. 1, 1977 • 0 0 CS plans meeting on merger To discuss Bryan proposal, bicycle path College Station City Council will meet in specail session Wednesday at 4 p.m. at city hall to discuss Bryan's proposal for a merger and to discuss a bike path on S. Texas Avenue. Bryan council wrote College Station Sept. 28, proposing a discussion of merger of the two cities in an effort to save money. Thus far, the College Station council has shown little interest in the merger idea. The council also will discuss a plan to put in a bike path along Texas Avenue. The matter arose two weeks ago when James Jett, a developer, came before the council with a preliminary plat for a co m- mercial area around the present Pelican's Wharf location. Anne Hazen and _other council members discussed requiring Jett to put in a bake path on land alone Texas Avenue. If the+ plan is ap- proved other developers along Texas Avenue would be required to . 0 put in similar segmats. Jett said he didn't feel many people would be riding bicycles on Texas Avenue that far down. The requirement was not put on his plat. Several council memners later decided they wanted to come to a definife decision on the path, so Jett will appear before the; group again. The Eagle Oct. 4, 1977 • • Officials to work on office merger A &M Consolidated school trustees voted Monday to direct the superintendent to work with College Station officials on possibilities of a merger of the city and school tax offices. Committees of school and city officials met 'last week .to begin preliminary talks of a merger. Presently both entities have their own tax offices with separate staffs. Both sides are hoping to reduce costs. The committees will meet again after data on such problems as locations, staff and costs is developed. In a related action, the school board heard a report from the chair- man of the district's Board of Equalization on the recently com- pleted re- evaluation. "You are aware of the magnitude of the task just completed by (Tax Assessor - Collector) Jewell Ellis and his staff that involved a re- evalua- tion of all properties within the district. However, you may not be aware of the dedication to high standards of property appraisal and tax assessment with which this job was carried out," said Lonnie Jones, equa'liAtion board chairman. "There seemed to be no end to the personal 'sacrifice of time and energy made by the tax office staff to insure that the re- evaluation task was apeurate and fair as possible," he said. Jones praised Ellis and his assistant Charles Gilliland for their skill and the "professional manner" in which re- evaluations were con- ducted. Ellis and the tax office have received criticism from persons who felt the re- evaluations were unjust. Jones, who has served on the equalization board three years, urged that if the school and city tax office are consolidated, the present school tax staff be given top priority in filling positions in the new office. Jones reported 275 persons ap- peared before the board and 771 pieces of property were reviewed. Of these, Jones said, 337 were assessed lower, 10 were assessed higher and 424 were not changed. The Eagle Oct. 4, 1977 • Railroad files tax suit against Consol"­district Southern Pacific has filed suit against the A &M Consolidated School District in 85th !-District Court, charging that its taxes for 1977 are excessive. i According to the suit, the railroad - transport company rendered its full market value of land in the Consol ISD at $281,975. The assessed tax value of the land given by the school district is $1,130,470. The 80 per cent of that assessment to be taxed equals $904;000. The-suit asks that the taxes be set at a reasonable rate. Southern Pacific filed a similar suit against the district last year. That case is scheduled for trial next year. Named in the suit are the district Board of Equalization, the tax assessor - collector and the school board. :7 The Eagle Oct. 5, 1977 0 Proposal answers proposal Council. wants cooperation n • By RUSTY CAWLEY Battalion City Editor - Cooperation, yet. Merger, no. The College Station City Council an- swered Bryan City Manager Lou Odle's proposal to merge the two cities with a proposal of its own. Cooperation, not merger, is the answer to the water and sewerage problems that face the two cities, the council says in a letter approved yesterday. "If we cannot cooperate on'sim mat- ters such as water and sewerage,' the let- ter asks, "how can we cooperate in the larger framework of the merger ?" Cooperation, the letter says, is "the only feasible approach." The letter, expected to be mailed this week, turns down Bryan's plan and out- lines the council's reasons for doing so. Bryan city officials suggest that merging the two cities and sharing public services will save tax money. But the College Sta- tion City Council calls this idea "a myth." -- The larger - the city,--the-more money spent per resident, the council says in the letter. ..• ,, Differences iri ap &flitch to land use is another point for dismissing merger, the councr says. College Station has strict laws governing land use, including ordiu�nces on` con- News Analysis mercial landscape, parklands and com- mercial signs. "Bryan has seen fit not to adopt these land use controls," the letter says. The council also opposes involving Col- lege Station residents in Bryan Utilities, a power company owned by Bryan. The utilities company has been plagued with problems, among them losing Col- lege Station as a customer. College Station is phasing Bryan Utilities out of its system, replacing it with Gulf States Utilities, Co. It thus is o that a merger is much more complicated than deciding what the 'new' town would be called," the letter concludes. The letter is expected to he signed by College Station City Manager North Bar - dell. - The letter is another in a series of pro- posals and counter - proposals conceruii►g sewerage problems in the Northgate area of Collage Station. Bryan, which presently handles North- gate's sewerage, wants College Station to handle the sewerage itself. College Station doesn't have the facilities to do so. Bryan has offered to annex the North - gate area from College Station, an otter the council answered with a finu "no." The next Bryan proposal was to merge the two cities, a proposal College Station's council never took seriously. The Battalion Oct. 5, 1977 U • • TO WHOM IT MAY CON CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to con Sider a request for a con- ditional use permit for the construction of an apartment project to be located at the intersection of Longmire Drive and Airline Drive; Lot 3, Block 13, Southwood Valley Section 6B. The application is in the name of Mr. D.R. Cain, P.O. Box AV, College Station, Texas. The hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall, 1101 South Texas Avenue, at the 7:00 PM meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, October 20, 1977 For additional information, please contact the City Plan- ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, 713 - 8468886. TO WHOM IT MAY CON CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to con- sider a request for a con- ditional use permit for the construction of a fouY_plex and apartment building project to be located at the intersection of Southwest Parkway and Welsh Avenue; Lots 12 thru 22, Block 6 and Lots 1 thru 6, Block 6A; Southwood Section Five. The application is in the name of Mr. D.R. Cain, P.O. Box AV, College Station, Texas. The hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall, 1101 South 'Texas Avenue, at the 7:00 PM meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, October 20, 1977. For additional information, please contact the City Plan. ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, 7 13 - 846-8886. TO WHOM IT MAY CON-! CERN: The College Station City Council will hold a public hearing on the question of rezoning the following tract: Three tracts totaling 3.727 acres located on the northeast corner of Texas Avenue and Live Oak Street and being a portion of Lots 24, 25, 29 and 30 of the D.A. Smith Addition from General Commercial D istri c .1, Corn mercial /Industrial District C -2 and Apartment Building District R -6 to General Com- mercial District C -1. The ap- plication is in the name Of Richard Smith Company, 3743 Texas Avenue, Bryan, Texas. The said hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the City Council on Thursday, October 27, 1977. For additional information, please contact me. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. City Planner TO WHOM IT MAY CON CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the question of rezoning the following tract: Three tracts totaling 3.727 acres located on the northeast corner of Texas Avenue and Live Oak Street and being a portion of Lots 24, 25 29 and 30 of the D.A. Smith Addition from General Com- mercial District G1, Com- mercial /Industrial District C-2 and Apartment Building District R -6 to General Com- mercial District C -1. The ap- plication is in the name of Richard Smith Company, 3743 Texas Avenue, Bryan, Texas. The said hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Com- mission on Thursday, October 20, 1977. For additional information, please contact me. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. Cit Planner The Eagle Oct. 5, 1977 CS discourages city merger proponents By JANE M. SMITH Staff Writer College Station city councilmen Wednesday approved a draft of a letter to Bryan discouraging pro- ponents of a merger but still calling for cooperation between the two cities. The letter states that no proof has been given that there will be overall economies in the proposed merger between Bryan and College Station. "Economies of scale exist in manufacturing, but not so in govern- ment," said Councilman Gary Halter. He included in the letter a set of statistics from the 1970 census showing cost per person of city ser- vices in various sized cities. The letter states that it is a "myth" that mergers produce economies. To the contrary, the letter states, the larger the city the more it cost to furnish services. A second point made by the College 'Station council is that cooperation can accomplish two possible economies for the cities — sewer and water — without the com- plications of a merger. "If we can't cooperate on simple matters, how would cooperation work on a larger framework," the letter says. A third major point of the letter is that College Station has zoning and that Bryan does not. Miscellaneons points included state College Station is not in- terested in being in the electrical gfnerati;ng business and there are problems with the relationship of P an and the Bryan school district. Councilman Jim Dozier voted against the letter draft, stating he didn't think it needed to be sent at all. "I think we could avoid the whole letter. It is more to inform the public on complications of a merger. It is not so much an answer to the City of Bryan but an answer to citizens," Dozier said. Halter said he didn't feel Bryan's offer of discussing a merger was really serious anyway. "It is simply another move in the chess game," he said. Halter said research on mergers has shown the smaller city first calls on election. If merger is approved by the smaller city, the larger city then holds an election. If that city ap- proves the merger, then the action is finalized. Halter said the larger city takes over the smaller city. The govern- ment of the larger city becomes the government of the smaller. "In other words, we'd be gobbled up," said Councilman Jim Gardner. In other action, the council postponed until Oct. 12 a discussion of a proposed bike path along S. Texas Avenue. The council had planned to discuss the bike path with developer James Jett who is draw- ing up a final plat for a commercial area around the Pelican's Wharf site. Jett said he hadn't had time to pre- pare for the discussion and was afraid he would lose his temper if he discussed it then. In earlier discussion, Jett has said he doesn't feel a bike path will be used much that far down on Texas Avenue. Wednesday he said he thought the councilmen were "lousy planners" to ask for a bike path before they even had an ordinance stipulating what size it is to be, and without a report from the safety committee. • TAMU-seeks track study 6 By Jane M. Smith Staff Writer Officials of Texas A &M University Friday asked for a comprehensive study of the problems and solutions associated with the railroad track and FM 2154 (Wellborn Road) running through the campus area. Clyde Freeman, executive vice chancellor for administration at A &M, asked for support for such a study form the Bryan - College Station Urban Transportation Study Committee. The committee is made up of the mayors of Bryan and College Station, County Judge Bill Vance and representatives of the State Department of High -t ways and Public Trans- portation. Freeman outlined up- coming construction projects by the university in the area'on the west side of the present A &M campus. Such projects include facilities for the new College of Medicine and a new agricultural ad- ministration building. Freeman said the university anticipates that its west campus con- centration eventually will extend from FM 2154 to the West Bypass between FM 60 and Jersey. ";The railroad and FM 2154 divide the east and west campuses. This creates an extremely difficult problem," said Freeman. "We don't know the solution," he said. "Do we raise, lower or move the tracks? Do we go over or under ?" Freeman said the university has met with the railroad companies and found them receptive to some adjustment. The transportation committee voted to sup- port a study to identify the problem and to find a source for a com- prehensive study of the road and track. The university also asked for committee support of an improvement of FM 60 form the railroad tracks to the West Bypass. Freeman said the university was willing to pay its share of the $150,000 needed in matching funds for curb and gutter. • D.D. '.Williamson of the highway department said that project is ready to go to the design phase. The Eagle Oct. 8, 1977 Officials seek continued FAA tower operations Six .epresentatives from local businesses and government presented testimony Friday at Kansas City, Mo., in support of continued operation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) control tower at Easterwood Air- port. The group included Texas A &M University's vice president for business affairs, Howard Vestal; Ed Davis, director of management services for the university; Bryan - College Station Chamber of Com- merce President Armand Frank; Brazos County Commissioner Bill Cooley; Bryan Mayor Pro Tem Henry Seale; and College Station City Councilman Lane Stephenson. The local delegation emphasized safety considerations in support of continued FAA operations at one of several FAA hearings. Easterwood tower is one of 73 such towers nationwide which the FAA is considering closing because, the FAA says, the towers do not economically justify continued operation. The six - member delegation also stressed the projected growth of Bryan - College Station and the surrounding area. Resolutions supporting continued operations at Easterwood were formally presented to the FAA staff on behalf of the city of Bryan, city of College Station and the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Bryan - College Station. Vestal testified that the local airport, which is owned by Texas ►1 A &M, appears to be an "unfortunate victim of timing." He noted that the facility exceeded last year the volume of operations that the FAA predicted for fiscal year 1978 — 104,000 take -offs and landings. He also said FAA's, projected loss, even with the lower figures of two years ago, is only $8,000 over the next 15 years. The airport logged nearly 10,000 operations last month, Vestal said, and that rate rapidly approaches the 114,000 annual figure which the FAA contends is the break -even point for its cost- bgnefit consideration. Frank testified that industrial development would be "seriously curtailed" if the tower operations were closed. "Without this tower, the case for Bryan - College Station would be seriously hampered in serving and attracting industry," the chamber president told the FAA represen- tatives. Cooley, citing projections for continued population increases, predicted it would just be a matter of time until the FAA would be forced to reopen the tower if it should go through with its current plan. In addition to underscoring the growth trends for the area, Seale questioned the FAA philosophy of spending more than $300,000 last year to upgrade the tower and then immediately initiating action which could lead to the tower's closing. "The compelling and overriding reason for continuing to operate the tower is safety," Stephenson said. The Eagle Oct. 8, 1977 C • LEGALNOTICE LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council to the Honorable Mayor and of College Station, Texas will be received at the City Council Of College Station, Texas will be received at the Office of North Bardell, City Office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 10:00 A.M. Manager, until 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 1, 1977 for Tuesday, November 1, 1977 for furnishing all necessary furnishing all necessary materials, machinery, materials, machinery, equipment, superintendence equipment, superintendence and labor for constructing a and labor for constructing a 5,896 sq. ft. addition to the 5,896 sq. ft. addition to the existing Fire Station plus existing Fire Station plus remodeling of existing remodeling of existing structure, and a 7,674 sq. ft. structure, and a 7,674 sq. ft. addition to the existing City addition to the existing City Hall plus remodeling of Hall plus remodeling of existing structure. existing structure. -. Proposals shall be ac- Proposals shall be ac companied by a cashiers' or companied by a cashiers' or certified check upon a National �, . certified check upon a National or State Bank in the amount of � or State Bank in the amount of not less than five (5) percent of not less than five (5) percent of the total maximum bid price, the total maximum bid price, payable without recourse to the payable without recourse to the City of College Station, Texas, City Of College Station, Texas, Owner, or a bid bond in the Owner, or a bid bond in the � same amount from a reliable same amount from a reliable Surety Company as a Surety Company as a guarantee that the Bidder will guarantee that the Bidder will enter into a contract and enter into a contract and execute performance bond execute performance bond within ten (10) days after within ten (10) days after notice of award of contract to notice of award of contract to him. him. The Successful Bidder must The Successful Bidder must! furnish performance bond furnish performance bond upon the form provided in the upon the form provided in the amount of one hundred (100) amount of one hundred (100) percent of the contract price percent of the contract price from an approved Surety from an approved Surety Company holding a permit Company holding a permit from the State of Texas, to act from the State of Texas, to act as Surety, or other Surety or as Surety, or other Surety or Sureties acceptable to the Sureties acceptable to the Owner. Owner. The right is reserved as the The right is reserved as the interest of the Owner may interest of the Owner may require to reject any and all require to reject any and all bids, and waive any in- bids, and waive any in formality in bids received. formality in bids received. Plans, Specifications, and Plans, Specifications, and Bidding documents may be Bidding documents may be secured from the Office of the secured from the Office of the Architect, Architex, Inc., 330 Architect, Architex, Inc., 330 North Belt E., Suite 101, North Belt E., Suite 101, Houston, Texas, phone no. Houston, Texas, phone no. 713/445-4222, deposit of fifty 7.13/445 4222, deposit of fifty dollars ($50.00) per set, which doijars (550.00) per set, which sum so deposited will be sum ',0 deposited will be refunded provided the refunded provided the Drovisions of the Specifications Provisions of the Specifications regarding the return on such regarding the return on such Documents are complied with. Documents are complied with. C I T Y O F COLLEGE CITY O F COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - STATION, TEXAS Lorence L: Bravenec Lorence L. Bravenec Mayor Mayor The Eagle The Eagle Oct. 10, 1977 Oct. 9, 1977 0 • • Construction in CS exceeded Br yan building By JANE M. SMITH Staff Writer Construction during September in College Station almost quadrupled that in Bryan during the month, according to the cities' building reports. College Station reported $4.1 million in building permits for September, compared to $1.1 million for Bryan. A $1.8 million permit for the Courtyard Apartments to be built at University Oaks off FM 2818 amounted to much of College Station's construction. The city also issued permits for $1.6 million in commercial construction. Some $680,102 in residential construction was planned as com- pared to $296,208 for the same month in 1976. A total of $29,002 in duplex permits was issued during Sep- tember. The total permits issued in College Station during September was $4,190,521, as compared to $2,289,710 for the same month in 1976. Total contruction in College Station for the first nine months of 1977 reached $22.6 million as com- pared to $15.8 million for the same period in 1976. Total construction in Bryan for the first nine months of 1977 reached $17.8 million as compared to $12.2 million in 1976. Bryan issued permits for $879,110 in • new residence construction, $105,500 in permits for new • com- mercial building and no permits for apartment complexes. The major new commercial project permitted was for Long John Silvers, at an estimated cost of $60,000. During September 1976, Bryan reported a total of $796,564 in con- struction permits as compared to $1,101,849 for the month this year. The Eagle Oct. 12, 1977 0 • f U .TO WHOM IT MAY CON- TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: CERN: The College The Zoning Board of Ad Commission nwil Zoning oninin l justment will consider an hold a public hearing on the appeal from Interlock, Inc. at question of rezoning the their called meeting in the following tract: 1.61 acres in Council Room of the College the Crawford Burnett League, Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. College Station, Texas, located on Tuesday, October 18, 1977, adjacent to and east of State the nature of the case being as Highway No. 6, (East By -pass) follows: and directly across from the Ponderosa Motel. The request The appellant requests that an is to rezone from Single Family order to immediately cease Residential District R -1 to operations in a residential 4 General Commercial District district be set aside, and a _� C -1. The application is in the longer time should be allowed name of Marjorie Eimann, 1015 to continue operations. Winding Road, College Station, Texas 77840. Further information is The said hearing will be held in available at the office of the the Council Room of the Building Official of the City of College Station City Hall at the College Station, 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Com- William F. Koehler) mission on Thursday, Building Official November 3, 1977. For additional information, TO WHOM IT MAY CON - please contact me. CERN: '�� Albert 0. Mayo, Jr. The Zoning Board of Ad- City Planner justment will consider a request for variance from Joe 1 TO WHOM IT MAY CON - Ferreri at their called meeting CERN: in the Council Room of the The College Station City College Station City Hall at Council will hold a public 7:30 p.m, on Tuesday, October hearing on the question of 118, 1977, the nature of the case rezoning the following tract: being as follows: The applicant requests a 1.61 acres in the Crawford variance to the limit of one Burnett Lea Leag College detached sign per building plot Station, Station, Texas, lo ad- in order to snake a side street to and east State vehicular entrance to his Highway No. 6 (East B property of 410 Texas Avenue. and directly across from the Ponderosa Motel. The request F urih er is is r ezone from Single Family available at the office of the Re R-1 District R -1 to General i Building Official of the City Commercial District of College Station. C -1. The application Is in the name of Marjorie Eimann, 1015 Windng Road, Colldge'Station, William F. Koehler Texas, 77840. Building Official The said hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the City Council on Thursday,. November 10, 1977. For additional information, please contact me. Albert O, Mayo, Jr. City Planner The Eagle The Eagle Oct. 12, 1977 Oct. 13, 1977 • • • CS council OKs purchase binds Water trailer, brush chipper to be bought By JANE M. SMITH Staff Writer College Station City Council members Tuesday afternoon ap- proved bids fo'r the purchase of a water trailer and a brush chipper. The water trailer will cost $4,150 and the brush chipper, $6,235. City Forester Eric Pleoger told the coundil the 1,000 - gallon water trailer will help water trees as well as to fertilize and control pests. It can be pulled by a pickup truck or a tractor. The brush chipper makes a mulch of twigs, branches and logs up to about six inches in diameter, Ploeger said. The city plans to use it to dispose of brush from the parks as well as in clearing utility easements. City Manager North Bardell said the chipper might be used at Christmas to chip up Christmas trees. The chips can be left on the ground as mulch or carried to the city landfill. The_ council also voted not to require developer James Jett to put in a bicycle path at Southwest Place, a commercial development he is planning around the Pelican's Wharf location. The council had discussed requiring Jett to put in•,a'bike path as the first section of a proposed path to run down Texas Avenue. Jett had said he didn't think a bike Path would be used'that far south on Texas Avenue. O H n � rt (D ti co V V The council's safety committee recommended that a bicycle lane not be placed parallel to the right -of- way on Texas. Acting on that recommendation, the council voted only to stipulate on Jett's plan that a bike path might be built in the utility easement at some time by the city. • Council approves street paving bill By MARK POWER Railroad crossing protection, paving bids, and brush chippers were the high priority items occupying College Station City Council in regular session Tuesday. North Bardell, City Manager, con - vinced council to authorize a program sponsored by the State Department of Highways to install passive warning de- vices at all railroad grade crossings in the city. "I would urge the council to approve this measure as it requires no city funds other than maintainance, said Bardell. Passive warning devices are signs and warning stripes, and they have no mechan- ical barriers or other devices to stop the flow of traffic at a crossing. Under new regulations, several crossings in College Station need upgrading, and approval of the measure will allow the Highway De- partment to upgrade the crossings. Council approved a bid from Young Brother's, Inc., at a cost of $30,745.55, to pave Richards street with a black road base. The road base to be used is similar to the base young trees just planted and the brush chipper is needed to reduce the bulk of dead brush produced by seasonal pruning and trail construction. The Parks Department admitted to not having enough work to justify purchase of the chipper, but argued successfully that the utilities department could use the machime when clearing power line right of way. In other agenda items Monday, the council approved a preliminary plat for Baywood, moved to later agenda an agreement for easement construction near South Knoll and Collge Hills school, and considered bicycle lane cwunstruction in a preliminary plat for Southwest Place. • The Battalion Oct. 12, 1977 0 • College Station looking for land to build convention center By JEAN HENKHAUS College Station is looking for land on which to build its proposed convention and civic center. But even though the city is searching for property, no firm decision has been made to build the center, City Manager North Bardell said yesterday. The A &M Consolidated School District may have the land the city needs. The city council is eyeing a piece of the school's land in the Southwood Valley area. Meanwhile, the school board would like to build an elementary school in either south or east part of town. It all ties into negotiations that have begun between the council and the board. In a letter sent to A &M Consolidated Superintendant Hopson Tuesday, trustees of the city's Parks and Recreation Founda- tion authorized a proposed plan designed to exchange deeds of several land sites under consideration. ' The Foundation makes possible the ex- change of land between the two gov- ernmental agencies providing that the trade will benefit the taxpayers of the community. Exact location of the land in question is not available due to the "sensitive" nature of negotiations. Plans for a civic center were begun al- most two years ago when a committee was set up to study the feasibility of the center. After a bond election in June of 1976, a half million dollars in bonds were au- thorized for the project. Bardell said that, if revenues are not available, the construction of the center will not be possible. He added that instead ' of building the entire structure at once, an alternative of building it in phases might work out. By exchanging lend with the Founda- tion, the school di I nd may soon begin plans for another elementary school. "If we grow like we've been growing, we will need a new elementary school by 1980 or 1981," Hopson said. The best location for the school would be either in South or East College Station due to the rapid growth of these areas, Hopson said. The Battalion Oct. 12, 1977 • • Funds for marking crossings well spent It doesn't happen too often but every now and then we hear or read of a tragedy. at a railroad crossing. Bryan, College Station, Brazos County and the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation are joining efforts in a program to mark railroad crossings in this area. A tragedy occurred at a rail crossing near here last week when a woman and her young son were killed when their car was truck by a train. We cannot say what the cause of that accident was but the cause is not relevant to our point. The point is that such an ac- cident reminds us of the need for safety at rail crossings. Not only should the crossings be adequately marked with war- ning signs, flashing signals and pavement markings but the highway and rail traffic should use caution. Because we do not encounter a train very often in our highway travels we sometimes are not alert to their presence. The state program, in cooperation with local govern- ments, is aimed at improving crossing warnings. It will cost the local governments nothing intitially but they will have to maintain the crossing warnings. Anything that can be done to improve warnings is welcome. There is seldom a problem with urban crossings. The lighting near them is usually good and many have flashing light signals. There is a problem in rural areas where lighting is not good, if there is any, and there usually is no flashing signal. On a rainy or foggy night it would be dif- ficult to see a train crossing the road. Perhaps in addition to the highway markings, trains should have marking on the sides of their cars. Reflector paint strips or reflector plates would catch a car's headlights and help warn a driver. Dull- colored rail cars are difficult to see at rural crossings. The key to the problem is safety and safety means a Proper warning system and cautious vehicle operators.' The Eagle Oct. 13, 1977 • City, school wait for tax research • By KAREN ROGERS No contact has been made between the College Station City Council and the A &M Consolidated School District since they agreed to consider merging their tax offices last week, schoolldistrict officials said Wednesday. But the city and the school district say they are waiting for their attorneys to re -, search the proposed merger, , Last week, the school board directed Superintendent Fred Hopson to discuss the merger with City Manager North Bar - dell. But Hopson has no immediate plans to speak with Bardell, said Peggy Crittenden, Wednesday. Crittenden- is the school's public information officer. She said the superintendent is waiting for the school district's attorney to study the matter and report to him. School District attorney, Jack Woods, declined to specify what would be consid- ered in his research. " I was just told to look at it a little bit," he said. Woods said he was not aware Hopson was waiting for the information he is gather- ing. Neeley Lewis, attorney for College Sta- tion, said he is studying two major obstacles jo .the. merger. the first question is whether it can be legally done in light of the fact that the school'district covers the whole southern county, while College Station only goes to the city. limits. "�hc said.. ; ,Presently, the school and city tax offices are assessing the same land, an exception being some rural land which only the school district taxes. Lewis questions what would happen to the rural land. The College Station city charter ((:on- stitution) will also play an important part in the merger, Lewis said. Lewis said because the way the charter is set up, it may be necessary for College Station to amend its charter before the merger. The merger situation is very complicated and will require study of these two prob -. lems before details such as personnel and cost could be' worked out, Lewis said. Neither Lewis nor Woods could estimate when his study would be completed. The Battalion Oct. 13, 1977 4 • i 0 City health laws amended; allows `ice cream' sale College Station health laws were amended last night by the city council, al- lowing a non -dairy "ice cream" manufac- turer to sell the product to local restaur- ants. Frostline representatives Larry Rod- riguez and Jeff Thomas ar�wgled council - men's questions about'their" product. "You can compare it to a non -dairy creamer," Thomas told the council. "Milk is replaced by milk substitutes. Corn and corn by- products replace the milk in the ice cream," Thomas said. Thomas said the softserve is a dry prod- uct that is combined with water and served with a machine. It will be sold for commer- cial use only. The council unanimously approved the amendment. In other action, the council authorized the staff to negotiate a contract with the designer of a swimming pool for Thomas Park. The council also turned down a request from Don Dale, owner of Pooh's Park Amusement Center „to put three curbcuts along his land. Dale asked the council to suspend city policy and allow him to put the three curbcuts along 350 ft. of Texas Avenue. City Engineer Elrey Ash told the council that policy was to allow three curbcuts for 720 feet. No.motion was made to approve ofdeny Dale's request, which died for want of a motion. The Battalion Oct. 14, 1977 �1� • Development council favors control tower • • By GARY WELCH The Brazos Valley Development Council (BVDC) Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution Thursday night sup- porting continued operation of the Easter - wood Airport air traffic control tower. The resolution was passed in response to a recent FAA study that suggested the tow- er's cost outweigh its usefulness. If the FAA were to implement the study's find- ings, the Easterwood tower could be closed. The BVDC passed the resolution "for whatever weight it will carry" in urging the FAA to continue tower operations for eco- nomic and safety reasons. Among economic reasons stated in the resolution is that Bryan- College Station is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country. Also, the resolution said much of the economic growth and stability of this rapidly growing area depends largely upon transportation facilities, including Easter - wood Airport`. r, Safety was'arsd listed as a major concern in keeping the toNyer open. According to the resolution, the safety of the thousands of persons who use Easterwood Airport ari- nually depends upon continued operation of the tower. A BVDC summary of its findings about the tower listed some other considerations about the FAA's approach to the tower's economic situation. The summary questioned the FAA's placement of a dollar value on lives that could be lost because of a lack of tower assistance. Also, the BVDC pointed out that the FAA study did not count the tower's bene- fits associated with a national aviation sys- tem. Another economic consideration states that the FAA has contributed more than $1.1 million to Easterwood Airport since 1971. The BVDC questioned the FAA's possible step backwards in closing a tower at an airport in which so much money has been invested. The BVDC summary also noted that Easterwood Airport is the only commercial and general purpose public airport with regularly scheduled passenger flights in the entire BVDC area, which includes Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Washington counties. Board chairman William R. Vance said the tower's increased activity, combined with economic reasons and continued pub- lic support should deter the FAA. "I think all of us who know about the tower know that if the FAA closes it they will probably have to open it up again," he said. The Battalion Oct. 14, 1977 • The Eagle The Ea -le Oct. 16, 1977 Oct. 19, 1977 • TO WHOM IT MAY CON O WHOM IT MAY CO TO CERN: CERN: The College Station City Council will hold a public The Zoning Board of Ad- hearing on the question of justment will consider an rezoning the following tract: appeal from Interlock, Inc. at Lots 21 and 22 of the their called meeting in the Meadowland Addition and two Council Room of the College adjacent, unplatted tracts Station City Hall at 7:30 P.M. located north of the end of on Tuesday, October 18, 1977, Meadowland Street and on the the nature of the case being as corner of the intersection of follows: two unnamed streets on Texas A M University property from The appellant requests that an General Commercial District order to immediately cease C -1 and Apartment Building operations in a residential District R -6 to General Com district be set aside, and a - mercial District C -1. The ap longer time should be allowed plication is in the name of to continue operations. v Burtex Constructors, Inc. P.O. - Box 4765, Corpus Christi, TX. Further information is available at the office of the 78404. The said hearing will be held in Building Official of the City of The Council Room of the College Station City Hall at the College Station. 7:00 P.M. meeting of the City William F. Koehler .Council on Thursday Building Official November 10, 1977. For additional information, TO WHOM IT MAY CON please contact me. CERN: Albert 0. Mayo, Jr. The Zoning Board of Ad City Planner justment will consider a TO WHOM IT MAY CON request for variance from Joe CERN: Ferreri at their called meeting The College Station Planning in the Council Room of the • and Zoning Commission will College Station City Hall at hold a public hearing on the 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October question of rezoning the 18, 1977, the nature of the case following tact: Lots 21 and 22 of being as follows: the Meadowland Addition and The applicant requests a variance to the limit of one two adjacent, unplatted tracts detached sign per building plot located north of the end of in order to make a side street Meadowland Street and on the vehicular entrance to his corner of the intersection of of 410 Texas Avenue., two unnamed streets on Texas .property A &M University property from 'Further information is iGeneral Commercial District available at the office of the C-1 and Apartment Building Building Official of the City of District R 6 to General Com College Station. mercial District C -1. The ap- plication is in the name of William F. Koehler Burtex Constructors, Inc., P.O. Building Official Box 4765, Corpus Christi, Texas 78404. The said hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at The 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Com- mission on Thursday, November 3, 1977. For additional information, please contact me. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. City Planne The Eagle The Ea -le Oct. 16, 1977 Oct. 19, 1977 • • Judge wants county -wide taxing office County Judge William Vance has suggested the formation of a county -wide tax appraisal office, one that would combine the appraisal of- fices of A &M Consolidated School District, and the cities of College Station and Bryan. His suggestion came through a letter read at Monday night's school board meeting. The letter was ad- dressed to Bryan Mayor Lloyd Joyce and Jos6ph Natowitz, chairman of the Consol school board. The function of the office would be to assess all property in Brazos County. Vance pointed out that up to three appraisers are currently as- sessing one piece of property. He said combined appraisal could eliminate this duplication. "Natowitz said Vance "was not proposing a merger in any strict sense of the word." "He seems to be suggesting the county tax office would take over this function (appraisal)." "The biggest problem I can see is the county is subject to different politi- cal pressures," said Elliot Bray, an A &M Consol board member. Natowitz requested the commit- tee working with College Station for a total merger of their two tax offices to talk with county officials. • The Battalion Oct. 18, 1977 • 0 • P &Z commission to meet Thursday College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will meet Thurs- day at 7 p.m. to consider the following: — A petition requesting the rezoning of areas generally bounded by Southwest Parkway, FM 2818, FM 2154 and Welsh Avenue to low density residential zones; — A final plat resubdividing Lot 3, Lakeview Acres Addition, located on Miller's Lane; — A Final Plat, the Woodlands, located in the extraterritorial jurisdiction on Hopes Creek Road; — A public hearing on the question of granting a conditional use permit for the construction of a four -plex, apartment building project at South- west Parkway and Welsh Ave.; — A public hearing on the question of granting a conditional use permit for the construction of an apartment project at Longmire Drive and Air- line Drive; — A landscape parking plan for the Hall Century House Restaurant to be located at Luther Street and FM 2154; — A public hearing on rezoning three tracts totaling 3.4 acres on the northeast corner of Live Oak Street and Texas Avenue to general commercial. The Eagle Oct. 18, 1977 Traffic programs to receive ..grants By ROBIN SCHRIVER Staff Writer Two contracts to fund Selected Traffic Enforcement Programs (STEP) in Bryan and College Station will be awarded next week. The presentation of the contracts will be made during the city council meetings, said Mike West, traffic safety coordinator for the Office of Traffic Safety. The office is a sub- division of the State Department of Highways and Public Trans- portation and is based at Sam Houston State University. Bryan will receive its contract Monday night and College Station will receive its contract Thursday. Funding for the STEP program comes from the federal Traffic Safety Administration in the Department of Transportation and is channeled through the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation. The STEP programs in both cities have -been operating since Sept. 30 without the formal presentation of the contracts from the government. West said Bryan will receive a total of $50,421 which will support three full -time policemen to enforce traffic laws at high accident locations. College Station will receive $67,448 which will give the police force five extra policemen. Capt. Edgar Feldman said the force actually will expand by six because the city already had approved the hiring of one additional person. A new traffic division also will be created in the College Station Police Department, Feldman said. "College Station has a bigger traffic problem and for that reason, we have given them a few more people," West said. "They have more accidents, more fatalities and more injuries." The contracts will be valid through Sept. 30, 1978, and "will probably be renewed when the time expires or as long as the office of traffic' Safety has the funds available," West said. Previously Bryan and College Station had paid itstpolicemen to work overtime with funding from the STEP program. ' West said the STEP program has had, very favorable response in Bryan, but has been as favorably received in College Station. "That is why we are increasing the STEP program there (in College Station)," West said. STEP policemen will be looking for what West termed "hazardous violations" or the kind of violations which usually lead to accidents. "They will be looking for par - ticular types of violations such as failure to yield right of way, driving while intoxicated, speeding and traffic control device violations," such- as running red lights, West said: O H n � rt N N W v 7Q N (D N V v • • rezonin CS board considers _ g plan Station. if the area developed to its potential under the existing zoning Mayo said, there could be added more apartments there than now Exist in the whole city. By JANE M. SMITH Staff Writer Responding to a petition from about 200 residents of the southwest portion of College Station, the city's planning and zoning commission Thursday night discussed a major rezoning project. The area proposed to be rezoned is O H n � rt (D M � oc m V V bounded by Southwest Parkway, FM 2818, FM 2154 and Welsh Avenue. Presently much of the area is zoned commercial and for high density apartments. A plan for rezoning the area was presented by Al Mayo, city planner. Under the plan, originated by the city's planning committee, the commercial and high density apart- ment zoning would be changed to single family and low density apart- ment zoning. The commission took no action at Thursday night's meeting. Mayo. citing the ne , for the zoning changes, said 4,700 to 4,800 apartments now exist in College. • A concentration of partments, he said, causes problems with noise and traffic. • • I. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed Proposals addressed to City of College Station. Texas will bre received at the Office of the City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 p.m. on the 4th of November for furnishing electric system materials of the following general categories: Group "A" — Shielded power cattle for use on underground distribution circuits, 15 KV in- sulation, 750 MCM aluminum con - ductor. Cable terminators. Group "B" — Shielded, four (4) conductor control cable for use in relay and control circuits, 600 volt insulation. all as more fully described in the Specifications. Bids received by 1:00 P.M. November 4, 1977 will be- Publicly opened and read in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas at 1:00 p.m. on the same date. Bids received after 1:00 p.m. November 4, 1977 will be returned to the sender umopened. Each Proposal must be in a sealed envelope bearing on the outside the name of the Bidder and the City of College Station Contract No. CS 77- SB-10. - Materials shall be bid by groups With a lump sum bid for both groups. Both material groups will be awarded in the same contract to a single Bidder. Materials shipped by truck shall be f.o.b. the City Warehouse on Church Street in College Station, Texas. Those materials shipped by rail shall be f.o.b. cars the Southern Pacific or Missouri Pacific siding in College Station, Texas. Invoices and shipping notices shall specify that the materials are a part of Contract No. CS 77 SB -10 and shall identify materials by the Item Numners assigned in the Specifications. Each Proposal bids ac- companied by a bids kond or a cer- tified check on a bank that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation pay6ble to the order of the City of College Station, Texas in an amount equal to five. percent (5%) of the maximum bid price. Each Bidder agrees, that by filing its Proposal, together with such bid bond or check on con- sideration of the City of College ,Station receiving and considering such Proposal, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each such Bidder. Bid bonds or checks of the three low bidders shall be held by the City of College Station until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory Performance Bond is furnished by the Successful Bidder, or for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date hereinbefore set for the opening of the Proposals, whichever period shall be shorter. If such Proposal is not one of the three low Proposals, the bid bond or check will be returned in each instance, within a period of ten (10) days to the Bidder furnishing same. One copy of the bidding forms and specifications are obtainable free of charge at the Office of the Director of Public Works, College Station, Texas, or from Electric Power Engineers, Inc., 203 Holleman Drive East, P.O. Box 9970, College Station, Texas 77840. Additional copies may be purchased from the Engineer for a fee of 85.00. Bids will be evaluated by the Pur chaser, based on quality, economy of operation, delivery dates, ex. perience of the manufactureer, and the adaptability of the particular material to the specific use in tended. The Purchaser reserves the right. to select the material which best suits its needs whether the price is the lowest or not, and also reserves the right to reject all bids and waive informalities. Bidders are urged to offer the earliest practical delivery dat, for delivery of the materials shall be an important consideration of the Purchaser when choosing the Successful Bidder. Award of the Contract to the Suc- cessful Bidder will be made - at a subsequent meeting of the City Council of College Station CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS By Lorence L. Bravenec Mayor The Eagle Oct. 21, 1977 0 s • I. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed Proposals addressed to City of College Station. Texas will bre received at the Office of the City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 p.m. on the 4th of November for furnishing electric system materials of the following general categories: Group "A" — Shielded power cable for use on underground distribution circuits, 15 KV in- sulation, 750 MCM aluminum con- ductor. Cable terminators. Group "0" — Shielded, four (4) conductor control cable for use in relay and control circuits, 600 volt insulation. all as more fully described in the Specifications. Bids received by 1:00 p.m. November 4, 1977 will be publicly opened and read in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas at 1:00 p.m. on the same date. Bids received after 1:00 p.m. November 4, 1977 will be returned to the sender umopened. Each Proposal must be in a sealed envelope bearing on the outside the name of the Bidder and the City of College Station Contract No. CS 77 SB 10. Materials shall be bid by groups with a lump sum bid for both groups. Both material groups will be awarded in the same contract to a single Bidder. Materials shipped by truck shall be f.o.b. the City Warehouse on Church Street in College Station, Texas. Those materials shipped by rail shall be f.o.b. cars the Southern Pacific or Missouri Pacific siding in College Station, Texas. Invoices and shipping notices shall specify that the materials are a part of Contract No. CS 77 -SB -10 and shall identify materials by the Item Numners assigned in the Specifications. Each Proposal must be ac companied by a bid bond or a cer- tified check on a bank that. 1s a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation payable to the order of the City of College Station, Texas in an amount equal to five percent (5 %) of the maximum bid price. Each Bidder agrees, that by filing its Proposal, together with such bid bond or check on con- sideration of the City of College Station receiving and considering such Proposal, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each-such Bidder. Bid bonds or checks of the three low bidders shall be held by the City of College Station until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory Performance Bond is furnished by the Successful Bidder, material to the specific use in -� or for a period not to exceed sixty tended. The Purchaser reserves the! (60) days from the date hereinbefore right to select the material which! set for the opening of the Proposals, best suits its needs whether the price whichever period shall be shorter. If is the lowest or not, and also such Proposal is not one of the three reserves the right to reject all bids low Proposals, the bid bond or check and waive informalities. will be returned in each' instance Bidders are urged to offer the within a period of ten (10) days to the earliest practical delivery dat, for Bidder furnishing same. delivery of the materials shall be an One copy of the bidding forms and important consideration of the specifications are obtainable free of Purchaser when choosing W charge at the Office of the Director Successful Bidder. Of Public Works, College Station, Award of the Contract to the Suc- Texas, or from Electric Power cessful Bidder will be made at a Engineers, Inc., 203 Holleman Drivc subsequent meeting of the City East, P.O. Box 9970, College Station Council of College Station Texas 77840. Additional copies mal be purchasedIrom the Engineer for CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, a fee of $5.00. - TEXAS Bids will bR .evaluated by the Pur By Lorence L. Bravenec chaser, based on quality. econom�, Mayor of operation, delivery dates, ex; -- - perience of the manufactureer, and the adaptability of the Darticular� The Eagle Oct. 22, 1977 r7 u I. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed Proposals addressed to City of College Station. Texas will bre received at the Office of the City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 p.m. on the 4th of November for furnishing electric system materials of the following general categories: Group "A" — Shielded power cable for use on underground distribution circuits, 15 KV in- sulation, 750 MCM aluminum con- ductor. Cable terminators. Group "B" — Shielded, four (4) conductor control cable for use in relay and control circuits, 600 volt insulation. all as more fully described in the Specifications. Bids received by 1:0 P.M. November 4, 1977 will b Publicly opened and read in the Cit Council Chambers of the-City Hall ii College Station, Texas at 1:00 p.m on the same date. Bids receives after 1:00 P.M. November 4, 1977 wil be returned to the sender umopened Each Proposal must be in a sealer envelope bearing on the outside IN name of the Bidder and the City o College Station Contract No. CS 77 SB -10. Materials shall be bid by groups with a lump sum bid for both groups, Both _ material groups will be 1osLEGAL NOTICES awarded in the same contract to a single Bidder. Materials shipped by truck shall be f.o.b. the City Warehouse on Church Street in College Station, Texas. Those materials shipped by rail shall be f.o.b. cars the Southern Pacific or Missouri Pacific siding in College Station, Texas. Invoices and shipping notices shall specify that the materials are a part of Contract No. CS 77-SB-10 and shall identify materials by the Item Numners assigned in the Specifications. Each Proposal must be ac companied by a bid bond or a cer- tified tchecX,on a bank that is a member -of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation payable to the order of the City of College Station, Texas In an amount equal to five percent (5 %) of the maximum bid price. Each Bidder agrees, that by filing its Proposal, together with such bid bond or check on con sideration of the City of College Station receiving and considering such Proposal, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each such Bidder. Bid bonds or checks of the three low bidders shall be held by the City of College Station until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory Performance Bond is furnished by the Successful Bidder, or for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date hereinbefore set for the opening of the Proposals, whichever period shall be shorter. If such Proposal is not one of the three low Proposals, the bid bond or check will be returned in each instance within a period of ten 00) days to the Bidder furnishing same. One copy of the bidding forms and specifications are obtainable free of charge at the Office of the Director of Public Works, College Station, Texas, or from Electric Power Engineers, Inc., 203 Holleman Drive East, P.O. Box 9970, College Station, Texas 77840. Additional copies may be purchased from the Engineer for a fee of 55.00. Bids will be evaluated by the Pur- chaser, based on quality, economy of operation, delivery dates, ex- perience of the manufactureer, and the adaptability of the particular material to the specific use in- tended. The Purchaser reserves the right to select,ihe material which best suits its needs whether the price is the lowest or not, and also reserves the right to reject all bids and waive informalities. Bidders are urged to offer the earliest practical delivery dat, for delivery of the materials shall be an important consideration of the Purchaser when choosing thO Successful Bidder. Award of the Contract to the Suc- cessful Bidder will be made at a subsequent meeting of the City Council of College Station CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS By Lorence L.Bravenec Mayor The Eagle Oct. 23, 1977 14- • 0 • Collebe Sta College Station City Council will meet at 4 p.m. today and at 7 p.m. Thursday at city hall. On the Wednesday agenda is a request from Wayne Schrier that the tion City Council to -meet today, Thursday council require the wearing of helmets by motorcyclists. Other items include consideration of a proposed contract for services at the city cemetery and a closed session on pending litigation. The Thursday agenda includes a public hearing on rezoning three tracts on the northeast corner of Live Oak Street and TAas Avenue to general commercial. The council also will receive a grant for the Selective Traffic En- forcement Program and discuss capital improvements. The Eagle Oct. 26, 1977 • Student to ask for helmet law By JANE SMITH Staff A Texas A &M University graduate student will ask the College Station City Council tonight to require the wearing of helmets by motorcyclists within the city. The state legislature dropped the law requiring helmets this year. Wayne Schrier said 'he believes there will be a direct , increase in insurance rates for motorcycles and automobiles as a result of traffic accidents involving persons not wearing helmets on motorcycles. Schrier, who rides a motorcycle, said he would feel guilty if he was involved in an accident in which a person without a helmet was injured if he hadn't tried to do something to prevent it. The council consideration was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon but Schrier was unable to attend. everal other city residents in- terested in motorcycling did attend to express their desire helmets not be required. Sharon Welch said she felt the right to go without a helmet was a constitutional right. If the council agrees with Schrier there would be a number of legal questions involved such as could the ordinance be enforced on state high- ways or on the Texas A &M University campus. Another problem would be motorcyclists without helmets traveling through College Station to another city. The discussion begins at 7 p.m. at city hall. • The Eagle pct. 27, 1977 • 0 Welcome sign unwelcome by CS officials It seems Bryan's "Welcome to Bryan" sign is within the city limits of College Station and violates that city's sign ordinance. Mayor Lorence Bravenec pointed out the situation Wednesday at the College Station council rpeeting. The sign is located 4 acrd'ss from Rosemary Street on property owned by Texas A &M University. ` City Manager North Bardell said his city has known about the sign since it was put up arqund Labor Day. "We asked the university about it but have never gotten an answer on who approved it," Bardell said. Bardell said he knows of no plans to take any action against Bryan. Since the sign is on university property it may be somewhat exempt from the regulations. But if it were on private property it would be too close to the road, too high and further be illegal because it ad- vertises goods or services not available on the premises. The sign was financed through the Bryan - College Station Chamber of Commerce. According to the chamber, the decision on where to locate the sign was made by Bryan officials. • The Eagle Oct. 27, 1977 • 0 New map dispersal approved by :Council By MARK POWER Highly detailed maps will be at the disposal of all visitors to the Bryan - College Station area in area motels, courtesy of the College Sta- tion City Council. In regular session Wednesday af- ternoon, the council approved with some reservation the design' for a new area map. It had appropriated $1,700 to the joint venture with hrea businessmen that will provide maps in all participating motels and money lending institutions. Mayor Lorence Bravenec said the map did not fairly represent the transportation industry in College Station. Bravenec contended that the map over - emphasized the importance of the Coulter airfield versus Easter - wood, and omitted the Greyhound Bus Terminal in College Station. Henry Hawley, representing the Chamber of Commerce agreed to add the terminal locations to the map, but said the designation of Coulter Field had to remain for the map to bp accurate. Brave iec- then asked if the Chamber of Commerce representa- tive was aware that the `Welcome to Bryan' sign recently erected by the Chamber was within College Sta- tion city limits and did not conform to the city's sign ordinance. "I was not aware that was the situation," Hawley said in response to the allegations. ``I will certainly look into this matter." In other business, the council ap- proved a contract for grave- opening services at the city cemetery, ap- proved three final plats for subdivi- sion construction and realty sales, and postponed until tody's meeting consideration of an ordinance re- quiring motorcyclists to wear hel- mets within city limits. The council will meet in regular session tonight at 7:30 in the council chambers at City Hall. The Battalion Oct. 27, 1977 0 • helmet law CS City Council ponders cycle By MARILYN RICHARDSON Staff Writer "If a person wants to kill himself, let him," James Dozier, College Station city councilman, said Thursday night, commenting on a proposal to require persons 18 and older to wear motorcycle helmets while driving through College Station. After hearing arguments for and against the proposal, the council voted to instruct the city attorney to look into the matter and give an opinion on whether the council can legally regulate such matters. Dozier voted against the motion. The issue is similar to requiring use of seat belts in automobiles, Dozier said. "I believe in having seat belts in automobiles, but I do not believe in requiring people to wear them," he said. Dozier also facetiously com- mented deaths and injuries from motorcycle accidents keep a lot of people employed. "People running to doctors and hospitals, this keeps them all busy," he said. Wayne Schrier, a Texas A &M University graduate student, had asked the council to pass a regulation requiring persons 18 and older to wear motorcycle helmets while riding motorcycles within the city of College Station. The Texas Legislature recently repealed the portion of the state law requiring persons 18 and older to wear helmets. The law still requires persons under 18 to wear helmets. The issue boils down to whether motorcyclists should have the right to choose safety or convenience, College Station Mayor Lorence Bravenec said. "I feel that the right to not wear a helmet is going to infringe on my rights and everyone else's rights," Schrier commented. He presented councilmen with statistics showing increased numbers of severe in- juries from motorcycle accidents in states which had repealed helmet laws. He also cited increased costs of medical treatment and insurance, saying higher insurance rates affect evervone and sometimes injured persons have to rely on tax money for medical bills.or support. Legal questions raised by the proposal include whetheOt could be enforced on state highways or on the university campus. A Bryan resident, who said he had ridden a motorcycle 23 years, said he opposed the.proposed regulation as an infrin' ement on rights. Also speaking against the proposal, a;College Statation woman said she felt such a regulation would counteract advertising by the chamber of commerce aimed at encouraging individuals and businesses to come to the city. Before embarking upon the motorcycle helmet discussion, councilmen voted to approve an ordinance rezoning a tract of land at the northeast corner of Live Oak Street and Texas Avenue to general commercial district, C -1. The council was informed owners of the preoperty were requesting the zoning change from three different categories — C -1, C -2 and R -6 — to clear up the legal description so a motel could be built. Councilman Anne Hazen com- mented there may be a traffic problem in the area, since the city safety committee has discussed forbidding left turns from Texas Avenue in the vicinity. Dozier said the council isn't rezoning the property for the con- stri#ution of a motel, noting "We are siMply rezoning it because we feel it wild be better." The Eagle Oct. 28, 1977 LJ City Countil debates, approves • University Drive to be extended By RUSTY CAWLEY Battalion City Editor Ignoring the protests of City Planner Al Mayo, as well as amending the city's com- prehensive plan, the College Station City Council last night approved extending University Drive east to FM 158. In the past, the council has discouraged development to the east, preferring to encourage city expansion to the south. But last night's decision virtually assures city expansion across the flood plaftl near the east by -pass, In a meeting Oct. 5, the council in- I structed Mayor Lorence Bravenec to vote against the extension in his capacity as a member of the Bryan- College Station Urban Transportation Study steering committee. He did so at the committee's meeting two . days later. But the committee ap- proved expanding University Drive in a 3 -1 vote. Last night, Councilman Lane Stephen- son asked the council to reconsider its in- strttetions. It did• eede"p approving the road extension. Six of the councilmen stuck by their Oct. 5 votes: Bravenec and Councilmen Jim Dozier and Gary Halter in favor of the extension, Councilmen Jim Gardner Anne Hazen and Larry Ringer against it. The deciding vote was cast by Stephen- son. "I think this area's going to develop no matter what we do," Stephenson said. He said the state funds available for extending the road should be used. Bravenec also said the funds should be used while they're available. "I keep hearing `It's not on the com- prehensive plan,' but we made up the comprehensive plan," Bravenec said. "I see no reason why we can't change it." But Gardner opposed the change, argu- ing against expanding across the flood plain. "If we approve extending FM 60 (Uni- versity Drive) past the flood plain, we might as well be ready to annex that area," Garden -r said. "This is something we've discouraged for a long time." "I don't think its right to approve this just because there are state funds availa- ble," Gardner continued. "I don't think that's any way to plan." City Planner Mayo sided with Gardner. "Money's not a good reason to change - the comprehensive plan," Mayo said. "Ex- tending FM 60 is going to force us to cross the flood plain. "We'll have to annex everything to FM 158." The Battalion Oct. 28, 1977 Hazen questions safety Motel By RUSTY CAWLEY Richard Smith Co. asked the coun- else back there," Dozier said. "This how that can be safe." Battalion City Editor cil to make the change. Until last property would give less aggravation Hazen said she and the Safety A 3.4 -acre tract of land on the night, the land had been divided into to surrounding property if it were all, Committee want to ban left turns at corner of Live Oak and Texas Av- three different zones of commercial, commercial. that corner. enue was rezoned by the College family commercial/industrial and single "Weye not doing it for La Quinta Stanton said it would not affect am .Station City Council Thursday y ial motel"&, but for the surrounding the motel's business. night. The council made the entire property owners," he said. The rezoning was approved 6 -1, The rezoning requested by property commercial. City planner Al Mayo told the with Hazen voting against the mo- I Richard Smith Co. of Bryan, allows Councilman Jim Dozier argued council the land was scheduled for tion. iLa Quinta Motor Inns of San An- for changing the zoning to protect commercial zoning in the city's In other action, the council ap- tonio to prepare to build a motel on surrounding property. comprehensive plan. proved plans for a new police station the land. "Zoned like it is now, they could Only Councilman Anne Hazen and a city warehouse. Construction Hank Stanton, representing the_ put a slaughterhouse or some tin ingI opposed the rezoning, bids will be taken next month Hazen questioned` the safety of putting a motel in that area. "You'll have cars turning right off of University Drive onto Texas Av- enue, then across Texas, left onto Live Oak," Hazen said. "I don't see The council also received $67,488 from the Texas Office of Traffic Safety to fund nine full -time traffic officers. A similar grant, received last January, had funded three offi- cers. The Battalion Oct. 28, 1977 • C] City attorney to study motorcycle helmet law City Attorney Neeley Lewis was in- structed by the College Station City Council Thursday night to see if the city .can legally require motorcyclists to wear helmets in the city limits. The Texas Legislature last spring re- pealed a state law requiring adult motorcyclists to wear the helmets. The law does require motorcyclists under age 18 tc) wear helmets. Councilmen aren't sure if they can overrule the Legislature's deeC sion. The council responded to a request fi Wayne Schrier, a Texas A&M University graduate student,'asking the council to re- quire the helmets. "If I were involved in an accident in which a motorcyclist were injured because he wasn't wearing a helmet, I would feel responsible because I didn't try and pre- vent it," Schrier told the council. ' He said the legislature's lifting of the law will cause insurance rates to rise. Some motoWygljsts, some of whom at- tended the 'meeting, argue that the law would infringe oq their personal rights. But Schrier insisted not requiring helmets would also infringe on the rights of the majority. "I feel a motorcyclist riding without, a helmet is infringing on my rights, and everyone's rights, to lower insurance rates," he said. Councilman Jim Dozier questioned Schrier's argument. The decision to wear a helmet is the responsibility of the adult individual, he said. "If he's gonna kill himself, let him," Dozier said. Jay Grimes, a Bryan resident, argued against the requirement. He said he has ridden motorcycles for 23 years without a serious accident. "I guess I owe one -third of that to God, one -third to Jay Grimes and one -third 4 the Harley - Davidson Motorcycle Coils pany," Grimes said. " I think I've earned the right to decide" But Councilman Gary Halter chat lenged Grimes' view. "Don't I have the right not to supr4i t someone who's become a ward of the stat=e because he wasn't wearing a helmet ?" H ter asked. "Everyone's talking about rights. I wani someone to show me where in the Cd)r stitution it says you have the right to injtoie yourself on a motorcycle." Councilman Anne Hazen agreed wAb Halter. "As a nurse, I'd like to support ?4;. Schrier's request," Hazen said. "But -1 don't see how we can take action at this time. " So the council, with Dozier voting nn, told City Attorney Lewis to explore the matter. "It's a waste of time," Dozier, hirnsel6l former city attorney, said idler the vote was taken. 0 r- .H ­1 ­1 CC 4 4 00 CO N W u H O u C] • NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the City Council, City of Bryan, .Texas for Sanitary Sewer Improvements — 1977, Com munity Development City Job No. 411 CD771, will be received in the Office of the City Secretary, Utilities Building, Bryan, Texas until November 8, 1977 at 2:00 p.m. Proposals will be - publicly opened and read aloud in the Conference Room of the City of Bryan Utilities Building at 2:00 p.m. on the same date. Any bid received after the above closing time will be returned unopened. Plans, Specifications and In- formation for Bidders, are on file and may be examined at the Office of the City Engineer, City Hall, Bryan, Texas. A certificate or cashier's check on a State or National Bank of the State of Texas, or a Bid der's bond from an acceptable Surety Company, authorized to transact business in the State of Texas, in the amount of not less than five percent (5 %) of the total bid must accompany each Proposal as a guarantee that, if awarded the contr ct, the Bidder will within ten 010) calendar days after award of contract enter into contract and execute a Bond on the forms provided in the Contract Documents. A Performance Bond and a Payment Bond in an amount of not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price, conditioned upon faithful performance of the contract and payment of all persons supplying labor or furnishing materials, shall be executed by the successful bidder and accompany his signed con- tract. Proposals must be submitted on the forms bound within the Specifications and the right to accept any bid, or to reject any or all bids and to w all NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Station, Texas will be received at the Office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 22, 1977 for furnishing all necessary materials, machinery, equipment, superintendence and labor for constructing a 9,200 sq. ft. Police and Municipal Court Building. Proposals shall be ac- companied by a cashiers' or certified check upon a National or State Bank in th art� ount of not less than five ( peY�ent of the total maximum 'bid price, payable without recourse to the City of College Station, Texas, Owner, or a bid bond in the same amount from a reliable Surety Company as a guarantee that the Bidder will enter into a contract and execute performance bond Within ten (10) days after notice of award of contract to him. The Successful Bidder must furnish performance bond upon the form provided in the amount of one hundred (100) percent of the contract price from an approved Surety Company holding a permit from the State of Texas, to act as Surety, or other Surety or Sureties acceptable to the Owner. The right is reserved as the interest of the Owner may require to reject any and all bids, and waive any in- formality in bids received. Plans, Specifications, and Bidding documents may be secured from the Office of Emmett Trant & Associates, 1505 So. College Ave., Box 3637, Bryan, Texas 77801, phone no. 8220769, 822-2647, deposit of fifty dollars ($50.00) per set, which sum so deposited will be refunded provided the provisions of the Specifications regarding the return on such Documents are complied with. Sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) per set (nonrefundable) to material suppliers and sub- contractors. CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS Lorence L. Bravenec Ma yor NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Station, Texas will be received at the Office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 22, 1977 for furnishing all necessary materials, machinery, equipment, superintendence and labor for constructing a 20,000 sq, ft. Warehouse and Maintenance Facility. Proposals shall be ac companied by a cashiers' gr certified check upon a National or State Bank in the amount of not less than five (5) percent of the total maximum bid price, payable without recourse to the City of College Station, Texas, Owner, or a bid bond in the same amount from a reliable Surety Company as a guarantee that the Bidder will enter into a contract and execute performance bond within! ten (10) days after notice of award of contract to him. The Successful Bidder must furnish performance bond' upon the form provided in the amount of one hundred (100) percent of the contract price from an approved SureTy Company holding a permit from the State of Texas, to act as Surety, or other Surety or Sureties acceptable to the Owner. The right is reserved as the interest of the Owner may require to reject any and all bids, and waive any in- formality in bids received. Plans, Specifications, and Bidding Documents may be secured from the Office of Emmett Trant & Associates, 1505 So. College Ave., Box 3637, Bryan, Texas 77801, phone no. 822 0769, 822 -2647, deposit of fifty dollars ($50.00) per set, which sum so deposited will be refunded provided the provisions of the Specifications regarding the return on such Documents are complied with. Sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) per set (nonrefundable) to material suppliers and sub contractors. CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS Lorence L. Bravenec Mayor The Eagle Oct. 30, 1977 CS zoning petitions to be heard *­:e, The College Station Nanning and Zoning Commission wilt meet Thursday at 7 p.m. to consider the following: — Public hearing on rezoning Lots 21 and .22 of the Meadowland Ad- dition and two adjacent and un- poatted'tracts on the north end of Meadowland Street and on the corner of two unnamed streets on university property to general commercial. — Public hearing on rezoning 1.61 acres adjacent to and east of the East Bypass across from the Pon- derosa Motel from agricultural open to general commercial. — Consideration of a landscape - parking plan for the C &C Office Park in Culpepper Plaza, Phase II. The Eagle Oct. 31, 1977 0 • • TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold apublic hearing to con- sider a request for conditional use permit for the A &M Church Of Christ, 1001 West Loop South for the construction of ad- ditional buildings to the existing facility at that location. The application is in the name of the A &M Church of Christ 1001 West Loop South, College Station, Texas. The hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall, 1101 South Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, November 17, 1977. For additional information, please contact the City Plan- ner's Office at the City Hall, 713 -8886. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Slation, Texas will be received at the Office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 22, 1977 for furnishing all necessary M a't -er j 1115, m ac pinery,, equipment, superintendence and labor for constructing a 20,000 sq. ft. Warehouse and! Maintenance Facility, - Proposals shall be ac companied by a cashiers' or certified check upon a National or State Bank in the amount of not less than five ('5) percent of the total maximum bid - price, Payable without recourse to tfte City of CD"eAe Station, Texas, Owner, or a bid bond in the same . - amount from a reliable Surety - Company as a guarantee that the Bidder will enter into a contract - and execute performance bond within ten (10) clays after notice of award of contract to him. The Successful Bidder must furnish performance bond upon the form provided in the amount of one hundred (100) percent of the contract price from an approved Surety Company holding a permit from the State of Texas, to act as Surety, or other Surely or Sureties acceptable to the Owner. The right is reserved as 'the interest of the Owner may require to reject any and all bids, and waive any in formality in bids received I Specifications, and B k ans, itting Documents may be secured from file Office of Emmett Trant & Associates, 1505 So. College. Ave., Box 3637, Bryan, Texas 77801, phone no. 822 0769, 822 2647, deposit of fifty dollars. (S5U.00) per set, which sum so deposited will be refunded provided the provisions of the Specifications regarding the return on such Documents are complier with. Sum of fifty dollars (550.00) per set .(nonrefundable) to material suppliers and sub contractors. C I T OF COLLEGE STATION,.TEXAS Lorence L. Bravenec ,( vlayor NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Station, Texas will be received at the Office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, November '22, 1977 for furnishing all necessary materials, machinery, equipment, superintendence and labor for constructing a 9,200 sq, ft. Police and Municipal Court Building. Proposals shall be ac compenied by a cashiers' or certified check upon a National or State Bank in the amount of not less than five (5) percent of the total maximum bid price, payable without recourse to the City of College Station, Texas, Owner, or A bid bond in the same amount from a reliable Surety Company as a guarantee that the Bidder will enter into a contract and execute performance bond within ten (10) days after notice of award of contract to him. The Successful Bidder must furnish performance bond upon the form provided in the amount of one hundred (100) Percent of the contract price from an approved Surety Company holding a permit from the State of Texas, to act as Surety, or other Surety or Sureties acceptable to the Owner. The right is reserved as the interest of the Owner may require to reject any and all bids, and waive any in formality in bids received. Plans, Specifications, and Bidding documents may be secured from the Office of Emmett Trant & Associates,' 1505 So. College Ave., Box 3631, Bryan, Texas 77801, phone'no. 822 0769, 822 2647, deposit of fifty dollars ($50.00) per set, which sum so deposited will be refunded provided the provisions of the Specifications regarding the return on such Documents are complied with. Sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) per set (nonrefundable) to material suppliers and sub contractors. CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS Lorence L. Bravenec Mayor The Eagle Nov. 2, 1977 ISM 0 College Station street crew patches more than c covered with a seal coat. This takes Council in the early spring. But care of the immediate problem and funds don't become available until helps prevent future problems. after July of that year, Ford said. "The important factor is to seal Since resurfacing should be done in the cracks," Ford said. "If you get the late spring or early summer, the moisture out, you've got the plans have to postponed an entire problem whipped." year. Plans to resurface streets are "As the money becomes avail -. made by the College Station City able, we'll follow up," Ford said. By SUSIE TURNER Bumpity bumpity bumpit} WHOMP rattle - rattle. The latest disco hit? No, it's your car or bike hitting a chuck hole in the streets of College Station. At last count, College Station has 87 miles of street. More than 93 percent are paved. Those 87 miles are divided into 295 streets and seven state highways. This network of pavement (except for the on campus streets and the state high- ways) is maintained by a nine -man crew and a foreman under the direc- tion of George Ford, Director of Public Works at College Station Ford describes the way the street department works as "catch as catch can." Part of the problem, he says, is that quite often the street crew is doing something other than what it was hired to do. For example, when the regular garbage collectors for the city don't show up for work, the street crew has to help collect trash. Getting trash picked up is a more pressing problem than making a street smoother so trash gets prior- ity over chuckholes, Ford said. When the crew does get to repair streets, it uses a method called patching. This means filling tip chuckholes or large cracks. It takes about three days to patch a street once a complaint is made. The crew works with two types of Batches: hot and cold. Hot patches are stronger, more permanent and can be used over larger areas. The main problem is that hot patches can only be used as long as they stay hot — around 300 degrees Fahrenheit. If the mixture cools, it hardens and is no good. A cold patch is simply a gravel - type mineral and oil mixture that is compacted into the hole or crack. It is temporary and the first rain could wash it away. It is used because it is easv to store and can be used in the winter when hot patches are im- practical. Also, it is easier to use in emergencies until the crew can get around to making a hot patch. Patches only treat the symptoms, they don't cure the real problem. The ideal situation would be to have the streets in such a good condition that patching wouldn't be necessary Ford. said. "We would like to enter into pre- ventative maintenance," Ford added. "Patching is penny -wise and pound -poor. We want to do the whole street." Resurfacing is a preventative maintenance measure. To resurface . a street, the crew smooths out the road with hot mix patches. They then put down an oily -type tack coat to seal out water. Next, the road is The Battalion Nov. 3, 1977 • f 0 w • School property tax rate rises Tax reevaluation causes troubles By J. KARL JACKSON A tax increase usually means more penny pinching and budget cutting by taxpayers. But in College Station it also means lawsuits and hard feelings. o x C (D w w rt rt F" w � t✓ V W V O 0 The A &M Consolidated Independent School District, the Property Owners As- sociation (POA) and the school districts tax assessor- collector have locked horns over the recent property tax revaluation for the school district. Although the Consolidated school board lowered the tax rate from $1.81 to $1.40 on Aug. 15, the district's revaluation upward means a tax increase for most taxpayers. According to the current assessment formula printed in a tax office pamphlet, property is evaluated on its full market or speculative market value. The tax is based on 80 percent of that figure multiplied by the tax rate of .$1.40 per $100 of evalua- tion. "The reason that we are going through such an emotional period," said Dr. Joseph Natowitz, president of the school board, "is because there was a lot of prop- erty on the school district's tax roll that had not been currently assessed." The school district spent $30,000 to re- assess all of the 3,700 properties within the 97 square miles that make up the district. The total assessed value went from $167,061,192 in 1976 to $270,611,665 in 1977, representing a 62 percent increase in one year. Tax Assessor - Collector Jewell Ellis said that in some instances the property evalu- ation was almost 20 years old. "In 1965 the tax ratio was raised from 40 to 80 percent and the property taxes were just doubled," Ellis said. "In most cases, the assessment value of the property wasn't changed at all." Many of the prop- erties were still valued at their original cost during the 1950's without any in- crease for rising land values or inflation. "`Many people don't even know what they are paying in property taxes," said Dr. O. D. Butler, POA president. "Most banks or savings companies that have a mortgage on the property require the owners to pay into an escrow account and then they pay the taxes from it." That means monthly payments for land owners so they won't default on their taxes and lose the property to -the state. Butler was one of the first organizers of the College• Station POA.. He is also the head of the animal science department at Texas A &M University and has land hold - ings to the south and west of College Sta- tion. According to the constitution of the group, their purpose and objective is "to insist on effective and conservative public school and government - operation." The POA was formed in November 1976 and has 163 members. The POA has for some time threatened to file a lawsuit against the school district for unfair assessment of open land. "It is our contention that Mr. Ellis didn't use any income analysis in the rural land as- sessment," said Butler. The income analysis formula would lower the assess- ment value of any land that earns money. According to the tax office, land value is determined by, sales comparison, income analysis and if possible, replacement costs. Properties are supposed to be cross- checked to eliminate abnormally high and low sales prices. Contrary to what some of the land owners are saying, the tax office says one isolated sale does not establish the market value of the land in the area. In response to Butlers charges, Ellis said, "Sure, we use the sales and income analysis formula in the computation of the tax rolls. "We're dealing with mass appraisal of . the rural land here," Ellis said, "and we just didn't -have the time to use all the methods to assess each piece of propert) . " It's the owners of the large tracts of rural land that have been hit hardest by the re- valuation. This open -space land makes up some 35,360 acres, or about 55 square miles of the district. if the POA had its way, this land would be taxed on the esti- mated productivity value instead of the current market value. This would mean a tremendous loss of revenue to the district because the average estimated pro- ductivity value per acre is $71.71, while the average market value per acre is $1,719.99, according to a Governors Of- fimof Education Resources report. And it is very possible that they might have their way. The state Legislature re- cently passed House Bill 22 which allows open -space land to be valued on its pro- ductivity. But the bill faces many obstacles before it becomes law. An amendment to the state constitution that would make the valuation legal failed to garner the neces- sary votes. Gov. Dolph Briscoe, House speaker Bill Clayton and Comptroller Bob. Bullock are still pushing ahead with plans to implement the. new tax break on Jan. 1. Most legislators feel the state courts will declare the bill unconstitutional before it can go into effect. "We'll just have to wait and see whai happens," . said Ellis. "Brut until then, we are going ahead with our market value as' sessment." Currently there are five exemptions or reductions available for people who live in the district. Those age 65 and over are eli- Bible for a homestead exemption. of (See School, page 3) • • a School property tax rate rises (Continued from page 1) $12,000 off their property assess- ment. The school board raised this from $6,000 July 13, and this year 411 taxpayers are using the exemp- tion. Certain buildings and acreage used exclusively for religious wor- ship are exempted as are all federal, state, city and school district prop- erty. Veterans are eligible for a re- duction in assessed value based on a percentage of a service - connected disability. There is also an agricultural exemption, and in the Consolidated school district it is causing a lot of trouble. "Nearly everything around here is poor land of low productivity," said Butler. "Most of the land in the district is unsuited for crop pro- duction." In order to qualify for the exemption, a farmer must spend over half his time and get over half his income from working the land. Because of the poor quality of the soil, raising cattle is the main ag- ricultural land use and most farmers supplement their income with a job in town. Only 24 parcels of farm land have qualified for the agricul- tural exemption out of 977 within the district. That is about two and a half percent. For those taxpayers irked enough to complain their revaluation was too high, a board of equalization, independent from the tax office and school hoard, is set up every year to investigate. During eight days of open hear- ings in August, 275 people appeared before the board and some 771 properties were reviewed. Of that, 337 properties were lowered in as- sessment value, 19 were raised and 424 properties remained un- changed. The school districts total value changed by $11,509,650, rep- resenting a loss of four and a quarter percent. "The only recourse a citizen has now," Natowitz said, "is to go through the courts. "It is my feeling that the assess- ment is a fair and equitable as it can be. I think that he (Ellis) has done a fairly reasonable job." Natowitz summed up his feelings about the revaluation, "I think we were long overdue." The Battalion Nov. 3, 1977 • Cities get largerrebates Sales tax rebates for the cities of Bryan and College Station for the month ending Oct. 7 were more than 200 percent higher than they were for the same period of 1976. Bryan's rebate check was $118,201.89 for the month, compared to $33,459.69 for the same month in 1976. College Station's check was $77,171.50, compared to $17,973.82 the year previous. The year -to -date figures are: $1.05 million for Bryan, 29 percent higher than 1976's $815,156; and $527,757 for College Station, 28 percent higher than 1976's $409,353. The statewide average for year -to -date changes is a 20.8 percent increase. Houston showed a 17 percent increase, Dallas a 26 percent gain, San An- tonio a 16 percent gain, Fort Worth a 23 percent increase, Killeen was up 23 percent, Temple up 26 percent. Other ,year -to -date in- creases are: Brenham, 21 peec €&; Burleson, 13 percent; Hearne, 17 per- cent; Nhvasota, 11 per- cent. • The Eagle Nov. 3, 1977 i CS zoning board refuses 2 bids for commercial status The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday rejected two rezoning proposals, approved a parking plan for a business, tabled action on the ex- traterritorial jurisdiction plat proposal and turned down another. City Planner Al Mayo said following a public hearing the commission tabled action on a proposal to rezone lots in the Meadowland Addition from residential to commercial. Mayo said the commission tabled action on the proposal until it can obtain more information from developers of the subdivision. "The developers have to work out curb cuts and access to a university owned street to the north," he said. The commission turned down a second proposal to rezone one and one -half acres of land on the East Bypass across from the Ponderosa Inn from agriculture to commercial. The request was made by Mrs. Majorie Eimann, owner of the property. Commission members approved a landscape parking plan for the C &C Office Park on Puryear Drive at the request of Dallas developer Ronald Cruz. The commission tabled action on an extraterritorial jurisdiction plat for Carter Lake Cloisters, a small subdivision near Carter Lake south of College Station. In final action the commission turned down a preliminary ex- traterritorial jurisdiction plat for Easterwood Park on FM 60 across from the Easterwood Field. The three -acre subdivision would be developed into an industrial office park. Mayo said the commission turned down the proposal because the lots would have been only one - fourth acre in size, too small for that purpose. 40 The Eagle Nov...4, 1977 • 0 CS council to discuss airport support A discussion of whether the City of College Station should support Easterwood Airport is on the agenda for the council's regular meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in council chambers. College Station has provided more than $8,000 financial support for the airport in the past five years. A $1.3 million expansion program which is proposed for the airport would necessitate matching federal funds with $270,000 in local funds. State and federal aviation officials said at a planning meeting last month the local funds could come from the cities of College Station and Bryan, Brazos County or other area cities and counties. The airport is owned and operated by Texas A &M University, but serves the entire Brazos Valley. Other items on the agenda for the council meeting include: — A public hearing on the question of rezoning a 1.61 -acre tract, located adjacent to and east of the East Bypass and directly across for the Ponderosa Motel, from Agricultural Open District (a -0) to General Commercial District (C -1). The application is by Mrs. Marjorie Eimann, 1015 Winding Road, College Station. — Consideration of an- ordinance rezoning the above tract. — Consideration of bids on the municipal building. annex and central fire station. The bids were reviewed at a special meeting of the council last week, but no action was taken because the matter was not listed on the agenda. The apparent low bid for the project was $596,920 from Jordan & Woods General Contractors of College Station. — Consideration of a final plat of Woodson Village, fifth installment, section two. — Consideration of bids for police patrol cars. — Consideration of bids for electric system materials. — Consideration of a "Safety Town" project. • The Eagle Nov. 9, 1977 CS council • accepts bid for new offices By DAVID LINDSEY agricultural open and she had Staff Writer planned to put a western wear retail The College Station City Council store and a plant nursey on the site. officially accepted a bid of $596,920' The city's Planning and Zoning for a new municipal building annex Commission had recommended Thursday in a regular session. against the rezoning because the The bid, awarded to Jordan I business would increase traffic Woods General Contractors of problems at the location. College Station, unofficially had ! Councilmen Jim Gardner and been approved Nov. 2 in a special Anne Hazen were in favor of denying meeting of the council. The bid could the rezoning and opposed a motion to not be approved at that meeting table the issue. since it was not on the agenda. *' - Mayor Lorence Bravenec Site preparations already have suggested the city determine begun for the additional building exactly what the State Department that will house city council cham- of Highways and Public Tran- bers and fire station improvement. sportation planned and when that The current chambers will be used work will be done for the road. for office space. The department plans a four -lane Other bids received on the undivided highway to Navasota.__ building included one for $6.17,000 from R.B. Butler Inc., a $625,000 bid Mayor Pro Tem Jim Dozier, who presided at the meeting because from Marcal and a Thurmond & Bravenec was hoarse, suggested Stuart bid of $689,689. Eimann and Dr. Ed Uvacek, who The Jordan & Woods bid projects a owns a adjacent property to the nine -month construction time. south, might get together for a joint As part of Thursday's meeting the proposal for rezoning. Uvacek said council also approved a bid from Halsell Motor Co. of Bryanfor at the meeting he will be asking for five new police patrol cars at wmlof rezon ing in the future as neither site $5,588 per car with delivery time set is suited for residential use. from 60 -90 days. The council also sent back to the City Manager North Bardell told P &Z board consideration of a tract the council the staff had recom - in Woodson Village. The tract of mended the Dodge Monaco vehicles Thomas Street near Pershing first o x because they have dual exhaust and was approved by the P &Z in 1973 but c cn four barrel carburetors as well as never was filed with the city. plenty of space for transporting The P &Z commission will look at F, o3 prisoners. The 450 cubic inch the possibility of putting two cul -de- m engines are necessary to power the sacs on Hawthorne Street in order to electronic devices on the cars as keep down the potential traffic load well as give the city "pursuit on Thomas Street which was v capability," Bardell said. described as one of the narrowest Councilman Gary Halter said he streets in the community. vas glad he didn't have to pay the ;as bills and Bardell joked, "You The council also heard a report do." from from the city's safety committee on Halter replied, "You're right, but a porposed Safety own that uses y I mean personally." painted streets, sidewalks and Councilman Larry Ringer quipped miniature buildings to teach the city could save gasoline if more youngsters bicylce and pedestrian jeople wouldn't run away. safety. The committee plans to go to In other business, the council Bedford to see a similar project and i abled a request on rezoning a 1.61 will report back to the council. icre tract east of the East Bypass City Attorney Neeley Lewis and directly across from the Pon- reported to the council the city derosa Inn on Highway 6. The land, would likely not be able to write an owned by Mrs. Marjorie Eimann of ordinance requiring all motorcycle 1015 Winding road now is zoned riders to wear helmets. • C ity Council tables rezoning for resident By MARK POWER Extensive debate did not prevent the College Station City Council from denying a property owner the rezoning necessary to establish a business on her small tract of land Thursday night. An application from Marjorie Eimann, owner of a disputed 1.6 -acre tract of land directly opposite the Ponderosa Motel south of College Station, asked council to rezone her land to match commercial zon- ing of nearby real estate. "That property is suitable for a commer- cial enterprise, not a residence," said Ed Uvacek, a local property owner urging c an t oter e application. The property, zoned as residential, lies adja- cent to the east bypass and is bordered by holdings owned by Uvacek. "I intend to petition council soon with commercial plans of my own," said Uvacek. "I would hope the city lets her rezone." City Planner Al Mayo disagreed with the zoning request, advising the city to deny the application because of location prob- lems. "The site is too small and could not handle access problems near that intersec- tion of highways," Mayo said. He referred to the intersection of Highway 6 and the east bypass near the property location. "A 75,000 sq. foot site cannot handle the on -site circulation with such limited ac- cess," said Mayo. The property owner wants to establish a western retail store and plant nursery on the site. Councilman Jim Dozier accused the city „ of selective spot zoning, suggesting that having the surrounding area classified as commercial while the Eimann property was residential might be interpreted as prejudicial and discriminatory. To avoid the problem, Councilman Larry Ringer motioned to table any action on the application until if'ie property own- ers of the area could meet to discuss all future plans for nearby real estate. The council passed on the compromise unani- mously. In other items, council approved the purchase of five new patrol units, at a total cost of $27,940. Halsell Motor Co. was the low bidder, providing Dodge Monaco unit equipped for high speed pursuit with a 400 cubic inch engine. Council approved the bid from Jordan and Woods to perform construction on the Municipal Building Annex, new fire station and parking area at a cost to taxpayers of $596,920. Construction will take an esti- mated 270 calendar days.. The city also acquired 1,000 feet of elec- trical cable and other electrical systems materials from Techline Corp. for $16,545. Before adjourning, the council discussed the motorcycle helmet law, concluding on the basis of research by the city attorney that College Station could not enforce a separate ordinance requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets within the city limits. • The Battalion Nov. 11, 1977 E n �J Bravenec outlines 10 solution for airport Four solutions to the capital im- provements problem facing Easterwood Airport were the subject of a letter sent to the University's vice president for business affairs by College Station Mayor Lorence Bravenec. Bravenec sent the letter dated Nov. 4 to Howard Vestal, detailing solutions that the College Station City Council finds acceptable. The letter proposed that Brazos County take a more active role and meet its respon- sibility to provide a community airport. "The responsibility for maintaining Eas- tenvood lies with all of the community, especially Brazos County," said Bravenec.' The council discussed the proposed im- provements as part of the agenda of Thurs- day night's meeting. Members expressed concern that the University cannot meet the cost of the improvements. "Costs have overwhelmed the Univer- sity. We would be kidding ourselves if we think that A& M has the funds to provide for these improvements ftotaAheir discretion- ary finds," Bravenec said. On the local government level, the letter proposed the establishment of an airport district with members appointed by Bryan, College Station, Brazos County and Texas A &M. Third on the list was creating a College Station Airport District with the authority to level a "head tax" on commercial passengers. Citizens of College Station would be assured of paying only their fair share with a head tax system, Bravenec said. The last solution proposed a joint Col- lege Station -Texas A &M University Air- port and Utility District. The plan would allow for administration of the airport and supply of water and sewage services to the two groups. The proposed district would purchase all wells and transmission lines owned by the University, with the provision of responsi- bility of providing all services and future improvements on the system. The council estimates that revenues generated by this district would exceed operating costs and repair costs of both the airport and water system. But the council took different action Thursday night, delaying the action on the improvements until an Inter - Governmental Coordinating Committee can meet to discuss the situation. Bravenec said he wanted to discuss fair distribution of the cost of the improvements among the area groups that use the airport. Council passed the mayor's request unanimously, authorizing City Manager North Bardell to set up a meeting date. • The Battalion Nov. 11, 1977 • Councilman tries to get more lanes By JEAN HENKHAUS Unsuccessful attempts to put bike lanes along Texas Avenue may force bicyclists off that road entirely. Working with the College Station Safety Committee, Councilman Anne Hazen said that she has been trying to sell the idea of putting bike paths along some of College Station's busiest thoroughfares. These in- clude Texas Avenue, Jersey Street, Uni- versity Drive and Texas Highway 30. "We're probably going to have to pro- hibit all bike riding on Texas Avenue," said councilman Anne Hazen. up with a system of getting students across the highway safely. Because of the rising costs of fuel, Williamson said he thinks more and more people will begin using bicycles. Councilman Hazen said that students who are really interested in having bike paths created should get involved and let city officials know what they think. The reasoning for putting the lanos here is simple, said Hazen. Safety. "Bicyclists use those roads and they really have not been constructed for this type of use," she said. The roads generally are without curbs and gutters, and merely "drop -off' along the side of the road, she added. But the committee has run into prob- lems, partly because these are all state roads," Hazen explained. D.D. Williamson of the State Highway Funding Department said that there have been efforts to gain bike paths for the area by using federal funding. Using an accident cost - benefit ratio, the department determines the need for bike paths in specific areas in monetary values. Property damages that occur as a result of accidents allow about $400. Personal in- jury equals $3,400, while fatalities involv- ing bikes amount to almost 80,000, Williams said. Recently a "demonstration project" like this was sent to Washington to appeal for funds. The report and pland were consid- ered, but was ousted in favor of three other plans submitted for this region. If the funds had been granted, the bike lane project would have been funded 80 per- cent federally and 20 percent locally. Now there is a study underway to de- termine the future needs of bicyclists as the west campus expands. Williamson es- timates that at least 20 percent of the cam- pus population will be using the west side of campus in the near future.This means that pedestrians as well as bicyclists will need to cross Wellborn road to get to classes. Williamson said he hopes to come The Battalion Nov. 14, 1977 • CS council to meet r� The College Station City Council will meet in a special meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The principal reason for the meeting is a closed session to discuss land acquisition and pending litigation. Mayor Lorence Bravenec requested the session at the regular meeting of the council last Thurs- •day.° The brief agenda also includes consideration of a resolution op- posing the proposed move of the Agricultural stabilization and Con - servation Service, The meeting will be in the council chambers. The Eagle i Nov 14, 1977 • P &Z to discuss zoning change ,Tile Planning and Zoning The meeting will include between the Foxfire Ad- consider a preliminary Cgq�mmission of College a public hearing on s. dltion and the RainTree plat for White Creek Sfation will meet at 7 p.m. conditional use permit for' Addition. located in the city's ex- Viursday at the city the A &M Church of Christ The final plat of Wind- traterritorial jurisdiction council chambers. for the construction of wood Phase I, located at on FM 60 west of FM 2818. Me commission will additional buildings at its the southeast corner of the c oii s i d e r a petition existing facility located at intersection of the East And the commission will requesting the rezoning of 1001 West Loop South. , Bypass and Harvey Road, -_ consider the landscape areas bounded by FM 2818, The commission will also will be considered as parking plan for the Half Wellborn Road, Southwest consider a'master plat for well as the final plat of Century House located at Parkway and Welsh RainTree Section II. the intersection of • Avenue to low density Emerald Forest, located Wellborn Road and Luther residential zones. east of the East Bypass The commission also will Street. • The Eagle Nov. 16, 1977 In • TO WHOM IT MAY CON- in the name of Rainiree CERN: Developments, 707 Texas The College Station Planning Avenue, College Station, and Zoning Commission will Texas. hold a public hearing to con- The said hearing will he held in sider a request for a con- the Council Room of the ditional use permit for the College Station City Hall at the operation of a day care facility 7:00 P.M. meeting of the City located at 1204 Timm Street. Council on Thursday, The application is in the name December 8, 1977. of Mrs. Patricia A. Pressley, For additional information, 1204 Timm, College Station, please contact me. Texas. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. The hearing will be held in the City Planner Council Room of the College TO WHOM IT MAY COW Station City Hall, 1101 South CERN: Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM meeting of the Planning and The College Station Planning Zoning Commission on and Zoning Commission will Thursday, December 1, 1977. hold a public hearing on the For additional information, question of rezoning the please contact the City Plan- following tract: 0.775 acres ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, located a approximately 1200 the feet east of the East Bypass 713 -846 -8886. and surrounded on three sides TO WHOM IT MAY CON- by the Rainiree Addition from CERN: Agricultural Open District A -0 The Zoning Board of Ad- to Single Family Residential justment will consider a District R -1. The application is request for variance from Tony in the name of the Rainiree Jones Construction Company Developments, 707 Texas at their called meeting in the Avenue, College Station, Council Room of the College Texas. Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, The said hearing g will be held in 1977, the nature of the case the Council Room of the being as follows: - College Station City Hall at the The applicant requests a - 7:00 P.M. meeting of the variance to the front setback Planning and Zoning Com- requirement of the Zoning mission on Thursday, Ordiance in order to occupy a December 1, 1977. duplex constructed over the For additional information, line in error at 308-310 Amherst please contact me. Court. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. Further information is City Planner available at the office of the TO WHOM IT MAY CON - Building Official of the City of CERN: College Station. William F. Koehler, The College Station Planning Building Official and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to con- TO WHOM IT MAY CON- sider a request for a con - CERN: ditional use permit for the The Zoning Board of Ad- construction of an eight (8) unit justment will consider a apartment project to be request for variance from H &S located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the Tires, Inc. at their called Boyett Addition. The ap meeting in the Council Room of plication is in the name of the the College Station City Hall at Donnie Dawson Webb, Bryan, 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Texas. November 22, 1977, the nature, The hearing will be held in the of the case being as follows. Council Room of the College The applicant requests a Station City Hall, 1101 South variance to the sign setback Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM provisions of the Zoning Or- meeting of the Planning and dinance in order to construct a Zoning Commission on sign at 509 University Drive. Thursday, December 1, 1977. Further information Is For additional information, available at the office of the please contact the City Plan - Building Official of the City of ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, College Station. 713-846-8886. William F. Koehler Building Official TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Station City Council will hold a public hearing on the question of rezoning the following tract: 0.775 Acres located ap- proximately 1200 feet east of the East Bypass and surrounded on three sides by the Raintree Addition from 'Agricultural Open District A -0' to Single Family Residential District R -1. The application is The Eagle 40 Nov. 16, 1977 CS offer made i or center use the property for playing fields. He said he opposes paying that much for land just for playing fields. However, if the property were to be used for a civic center, "then that would put a different picture on the location," Halter said. The council is divided on using the property for a civic center, Gardner and Dozier said. Dozier said today the council is basically uninterested in the property which would cost the city approximately $146,000. He added the price is "completely unac- ceptbble" and the city has never "been that wild about the Anderson Street property." The city will hold a public hearing Nov. 28 to determine public opinion on. the use of the Anderson Street property. In other action, the city officially determined to put various parties on notice the city is not liable for the damage which resulted in a massive power blackout in September. The move is a legal precedure and essentially means the city will seek damages from other parties. Halter said the city had contracted for an unmanned substation and the city didn't "have anything to do" with the failure. He noted the city hopes to resolve the issue without going to court. The council also approved a resolution opposing the move of the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service office from Texas A &M University to Temple. The move is proposed for 1978. . Employees of the ACSC, as well as' U.S. Rep. Olin E. Teague have op- posed the move. Dozier reported today a majority of the council also has sent letters to Agriculture Secretary Bob Bergland opposing the move. By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer The College Station City Council offered $60,000 in cash or land plus other services for the A &M Con- solidated School District's Lincoln Center Wednesday night. The offer is the latest in a series of negotiations about the property which the city has been using for a multi - purpose recreation center. Three appraisals of the property have put the price in the $80,000 range. Councilman Gary Halter said today the offer as stated Wednesday includes $60,000 in cash or land and the remainder of the value in other services the city provides the school district. Councilmen Lane Stephenson and Jim Gardner both noted, the city keeps Bee Creek Pool open year around and the school , district benefits from that. Halter said the city also could pave a parking lot for the district or provide some other service. Councilman .Tim Dozier said negotiations also have included discussion of improvements added to the center by the city. Recently the school district board of trustees discussed reclaiming the property temporarily for school use since a program in the district was housed in a building scheduled for demolition and the Lincoln Center property could effectively house the program. The council also discussed school - owned property at Anderson and Holleman Streets. The school district has offered the land at some $12,000 an acre, Halter reported today, and the council has con- templated using the tract for a community center. Halter said one plan would be to The Eagle • Nov. 17, 1977 • • t• / , TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: i The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to con I sider a request for a con- ditional use permit for the construction of an eight (8) unit apartment project to be located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the B6yett Addition. The ap- plication is in the name of the Donnie Dawson Webb, Bryan, Texas. The hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall, 1101 South Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, December 1, 1977. For additional information, Please contact the City Plan- ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, 713846 -8886. The Eagle Nov. 17, 1977 0 a • City, school district disagree Property estimates differ By MARK POWER Doors were closed to the public for more than two hours Wednesday night while the College Station City Council met to debate purchasing land from the A &M Consolidated School District. Joseph Natowitz, representing the school district, appeared before the coun- cil with a proposal for the sale of two tracts o � C fo HP 4 r v rt N F� �o N• V O V 0 of land. One was on Holleman Street near the Sevilla apartments and the other was the old Lincoln Center. Natowitz proposed trading the two properties for a proposed school site in the Southwood Valley subdivision valued at $150,000, plus an undisclosed site for a maintenance operation valued at $15,000. "I am here to ascertain the level of interest the city has about acquiring these properties," said Natowitz. "We want to give the city the first option on these lands." The Holleman street property has been appraised by one source for the school dis- trict at $143,000, while Lincoln Center was valued at $80,000. Councilman Gary Halter balked at the estimate for the Holleman street property, saying that was too much to pay for a ballpark. "My interest in the Holleman property has certainly declined," Halter said. "At those prices, my only interest is the Lin- coln Park." The council agreed with Halter, and the Holleman street property was dropped from consideration even though they had previously considered building a commu- nity center on the siie. Mayor Lorene Bravenec had the couricyl agree to explain the veto of purchase to the public at the next regular meeting. Serious debate followed consideration of purchasing Lincoln Center. Council members had conflicting viewpoints about past arguments with the school board over selling the center. Councilman Jim Dozier maintained that the school board had agreed verbally to hand over title to the center if the city would assume debts for the property. "The original agreement was a gentle- man's agreement that we could have the facilities for the debt," Dozier said. "That's ridiculous," said Councilman Anne Hazen when Dozier offered his opin- ion of the agreement. Hazen maintained there was no agreement because Dozier could not produce a written document. Bravenec agreed with Dozier, though he noted the estimates of the property value had increased since he last reviewed them. Halter seemed more concerned about (paying a fair price for the property than arguing over old agreements. "We have used the facilities and main- tained them through a mutually satisfying agreement up to this point. Now the school board wants to stick us with these prices that might be unfair," Halter said. "Any equal value judgments affecting the price should include the past mainte, nance costs the city has incurred." Councilman Lane Stephensorr suggested including the proposed merger of the school district tax office and the city tax office in any agreements made with the school district toward purchasing the, property. Dozier immediately protested any dis'. cussion of the merger or inclusion of the merger in any agreement. He cited a history of attempts by the; city to purchase the property which were: foiled by problems surrounding the two tax offices. The council then reached an impass; over buying Lincoln Center, and went into closed session at Hazen's request to discuss the proposed purchase price. Dozier was opposed to the closed ses - sion, saying that the session might be in' violation of the Open Meetings Law. He left in protest while the council discussed, the matter. Two hours later, council emerged with a• counter - proposal, offering the school dis - trict $60,000 for Lincoln Center with additional services in consideration. Included in the offer was a stipulation that the city take over heating cost of the center's swimming pool. Dozier was the' only councilman opposed to the acquisi -' tion. In other business, council passed a reso- ; lution asking the Department of Agricul ture to postpone any action that would move the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Services office from here to; Temple. The council opposed the move for a variety of reasons, citing the advan- tages of being located near other national; agricultural offices and related agencies. U • • CS board studies rezoning petition The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday night considered a petition to rezone a high - density apartment area into single family units. The area under consideration lies between FM 2818, Welch Avenue, Southwest Parkway and Wellborn Highway. It is currently zoned a high- density apartment area. zH o :71 � m � w �c m v V Residents of the area presented the petition to the commission requesting the area re rezoned into a single family residential area. The commission accepted the petition and moved to begin the public hearing process. The first hearing tentatively is scheduled Dec. 15. In other action, the commission granted a conditional use permit so the A &M Church of Christ can build classrooms onto the present building. The city planners also approved landscaping plans for the parking lot belonging to the Half- Century House Restaurant. The new eating establishment will be located at Luther and Wellborn Streets. Preliminary approval was given to the White Creek Subdivision and to the master preliminary plans for the Emerald Forest Subdivision. Final approval was given for Raintree, Section Two, and for Phase I of the Windwood Subdivision. Woodson Village, Fiftb In- stallment, Section Two, was denied final approval. • n 0 TO WHOM IT MAY CON CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad jusiment will consider a request for variance from Tony Jones Construction Company at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 1977, the nature of the case) being as follows: The applicant requests a� variance to the front setback) requirement of the Zoning Ordiance in order to occupy a line in error l xs at 308 310 Amherst Court. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station. William F. Koehler Buildinq Official TO WHOM IT MAY CON CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad- justment will consider a request for variance from H &S Tires, Inc. at, their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m.� on Tuesday, November 22, 1977, the nature of the case being as follows. The applicant requests a variance to the sign setback provisions of the Zoning Or dinance in order to construct a sign at 509 University Drive. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station. William F. Koehler Building Official TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College 'Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to con- sider a request for a con- ditional use permit for the construction of an eight (8) unit apartment project to be located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the Boyett Addition. The ap plication is in the name of the Donnie Dawson Webb, Bryan, Texas. The hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall, 1101 South Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM meeting of the Planning and !Zoning Commission on Thursday, December 1, 1977. For additional information, please contact the City Plan- ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, 713 846 -8886. The Eagle Nov. 20, 1977 • 0 • CS may get funds for building The Executive Com- mittee of the Brazos Valley Development Council (BVDC) has voted to award $14,668 to the College Station Parks & Recreation Department if the city can obtain clear title to Lincoln ,Cetitpr by Nov. 28. Barbara Bowerman, director of the BVDC's Area Agency on Aging, said otherwise the funds Will be added to the $4,780 to be given to the Brazos County Senior Citizens Association. The city of College Station is attempting to buy the center from the A &M Consolidated School District. For several years it has operated its parks and recreation department at the center. Now, however, the school district is thinking about using the center as tem- porary housing for one of the district's programs. The city of College Station would use the funds to continue an existing Title VII nutrition program at the center. The city would remove numerous barriers from walkways and other places to accommodate the handicapped. The Eagle Nov. 7.0, 1977 1 C)+ C1 • The Eagle The Eagle The Eagle Nov. 18, 1977 Nov. 20, 1977 Nov. 21, 1977 TO WHOM IT MAY ICON' TO WHOM IT MAY CON - TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: CERN: CERN: The College Station Planning The College Station Planning 9 and Zoning Commission will and Zoning Commission will The College Station Planning hold a public hearing to con- hold a public hearing to con - and Zoning Commission will Sider a request for a con- Sider a request for a con hold a public hearing to con ditional use permit for the ditional use permit for the Sider a request for a con construction of an eight (8) unit construction of an eight (8) unit ditional use permit for the apartment project to be apartment project to be construction of an eight (8) unit located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the apartment project to be Boyett Addition. The ap Boyett Addition. The ap- located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the plication is in the name of the plication is in the name of the Boyett Addition. The ap. • Donnie Dawson Webb, Bryan, Donnie Dawson Webb, Bryan, plication is in the name of the Donnie Dawson Webb, Bryan, Texas. The hearing will be held in the Texas. The hearing will be held in the Texas. Council Room of the College Council Room of the College The hearing will be held in the Station City Hall, 1101 South Station City Hall, 1101 South Council Room of the College Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM Station City Hall, 1101 South meeting of the Planning and meeting of the Planning and Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM Zoning Commission on Zoning Commission on meeting of the Planning and Thursday, December 1, 1977. Thursday, December 1, 1977. Zoning Commission on For additional information, For additional information,, Thursday, December 1, 1977. please contact the City Plan- please contact the City Plan For additional information,. ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, please contact the City Plane 713-846 -8886. 713846 -8886. I ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, - 713 846 8886. • The Eagle The Eagle The Eagle Nov. 18, 1977 Nov. 20, 1977 Nov. 21, 1977 C� • TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Station aplanoing and Zoning Commissitln- will hold a public hearing to con- sider a request for a con- ditional use permit for the (construction of an eight (8) unit apartment project to be located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the Boyett Addition. The ap- plication is in the name of the Donnie Dawson Webb, Bryan, Texas. The hearing will be held in the Cot)ncil Room of the College Station City Hall, 1101 South Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, December 1, 1977. For additional information, please contact the City Plan ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, 713 -846 -8886. The Eagle Nov. 22, 1977 • • TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: ,J WHOM IT MAY CON - J WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Station Planning CERN: hold a public Commission will public hearing con- The College Station Planning The College Station Planning Sider request for a con and Zoning Commission will and Zoning Commission will ditional use permit for r the hold a public hearing to con hold a public hearing to con 'for construction of an eight (8) unit sider a r*quest for a con- Sider a request a con apartment project to be ditional use` permit for the ditional use permit for the located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the construction of an eight (8) unit construction of an eight (8) unit Boyett Addition. The ap- apartment project to be apartment project to be ion is in the name of the plicat located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the Do Dawson Webb, Bryan, Boyett Addition. The ap- Boyett Addition. The ap- Texas. plication in the f the plication is in the name of the The hearing will be held in the Donnie Dawson Webbebb, , Bryan, Donnie Dawson Webb, Bryan, Council Room of the College Texas. Texas. Station City Hall, 1101 South The hearing will be held in the The hearing will be held in the Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM Council Room of the College Council Room of the College meeting of the Planning and Station City Hall, 1101 South Station City Hall, 1101 Sough Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM Zoning Commission on Thursday, December 1, 1977. Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM meeting of the Planning and meeting of the Planning and Zoning For additional information, Zoning Commission on Commission on Thursday, December 1, 1977. please contact the City Plan- ner, AI Mayo, at the City Hall, Thursday, December 1, 1977. For additional information, For additional information, 713 -846 -8886. please contact the City Plan- please contact the City Plan - ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, ner, At Mayo, at the City Hall, 7138468886. 713 - 8468886. -- -- The Eagle The Eagle The Eagle Nov. 23, 1977 Nov. 24, 1977 Nov. 25, 1977 WHOM IT MAY CON- ,J WHOM IT MAY CON- ,J WHOM NT MAY CON- a) CERN: CERN: CERN= The College Station Planning The College Station Planning The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will and Zoning Commission will and Zoning Commissiian unit hold a public hearing to con- hold a public hearing to con hold a public hearing to con- sider a request for a con cider request for con- cider a request for a con- ditional use permit for the P l ditional use permit for the o permit diTianal use permit for the- construction of an eight (8) unit construction of an eight (8) unit construction of an eight i8l unfit apartment project to be apartment pro 1 to be apartment project, to be located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the located on Lot 3, X 6l; Z2 of the located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the Boyett Addition. The ap Boyett Addition." The ap- Boyett Addition. The ap plication is in the name of the plication is in the name of the olicFAion is in the name of the Donnie Dawson Webb, Bryan, Donnie Dawson Webb, Bryan, Donnie Darrsen Webb, Bryan, Texas. Texas. Texas. - The hearing will be held in the The hearing will be held in the The hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Council Room of the College Council Room of the College Station City Hall, 1101 South Station City Hall, 1101 South - Station City Hall, 1101 South Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM Texas Avenue at the 7:08 PM meeting of the Planning and meeting of the Planning and meeting of the: Planning and Zoning Commission on Zoning Commission on Zoning Commission on Thursday, December 1, 1977. Thursday, December 1, 1977. Thursday, December i, 1977. For additional information, For additional information, For additional information. please contact the City Plan- please contact the City Plan- please contact the City Plan ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, ner, At Mayo, at the City Hall, • 713846 8886. 713 -846 -8886. 713 - 9,•98886_ The Eagle The Eagle The Eagle Nov. 26, 1977 Nov. 27, 1977 Nov. 28, 1977 IN • • I � U a ,J WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Stael6ni Planning and Zoning 'Corinmission will hold a public hearing to con- sider a request for a con- ditional use permit for the construction of an eight (8) unit apartment project to be located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the Boyett Addition. The ap- olicz:tion is in the.name of the Donnie Dawson Webb, Bryan, Texas. The hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall, 1101 South Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, December 1, 1977. For additional information, please contact the City Plan- ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, 713 -846 - 8886. - The Eagle Nov. 27, 1977 pC1 • • CS delays warehouse decision t14 f, By MARILYN RICHARDSON Staff Writer Confronted by a low bid that was too high, College Station councilmen decided Monday night to postpone action on awarding a contract for a new city warehouse. "If we re- advertise, what we are going to get is a smaller building that is going to cost more money," Councilman Jim Dozier cautioned. The low bid for the warehouse, $364,895 from Malek Construction Co. of Navasota, was 19 percent more than the architect's estimate of $296,700 and 23.7 percent more than the $295,000 approved in a bond election. Councilman Gary Halter ex- pressed concern about other costs of the warehouse not included in the basic bid, including cost of land purchase, lighting, fencing, road- way, parking lot, architect's fees and utility extension. He asked that figures on those costs be prepared and presented to the council at its next meeting. The warehouse is to have 25,800 square feet of storage space and includes a mezzanine over the ground floor. Cost of the building would be $14.14 per square foot in- cluding the mezzanine. The building originally had been planned with 16- foot walls, but plans were altered to make the building 20 Meet tall and add the mezzanine at- oat was described as only a slight extra cost. The council also voted to' accept the low bid of $365,700 form R.B. Butler Inc. of Bryan for construction of a police station. The,bid was 4.5 percent more than the are i ec s estimate of $350,000. In other business, the council: — Voted to accept a proposal from Jerry Bishop & Associated of Bryan for enigneering services in the community development program. — Approved right -of -way acquisition in the community development program. • The Eagle Nov. 29, 1977 City Couneil okays bid for buildings Satisfied with the lowest bid for construc- tion of a new police station and municipal court building, the College Station City Council awarded the project to a local company Monday night. But the council wasn't happy with bids for a city warehouse and tabled the issue until Dec. 9. The council accepted the bid of R.B. Butler, Inc. The company's bid of $365,700 for the police station contract was $1,300 below its nearest competitor. The lowest bid for the city warehouse came from Malek Construction Co. of Navasota. It was $365,895. The councilmen complained that the bids for both buildings were higher than the architect's estimates. Councilman Jim Dozier blamed this on the bidding system imposed on the city through state law. "We have a state law that costs the tax- payers money," Dozier said. "We can't protect taxpayers and that's a crying shame. " Dozier criticized the procedure of ac- cepting sealed bids. I don't know why we can't have public auctions," Dozier said. "This puts us in poor bargaining position. "We should be able to negotiate indi- vidually with contractors." Concilman Anne Hazen suggested the w arehouse bids be refused and new ones accepted. But City Engineer Elrey Ash said such a move would be a waste of time and money. "I'm convinced that if we throw these bids out and solicit new ones, the new ones would be higher than these," Ash said. The council voted three to three with Concilman Gary Halter abstaining. The split vote in effect turned down the Malek bid. Halter then moved to table the bids. The motion passed four to two. In other action, Community Develop- ment Planner Jim Callaway asked and got permission to work toward improving Churchill Street. The street is divided by a strip of land. Callaway wants to secure right -of -way through this strip and connect the two ends of the street. The council also approved final plats for Raintree Apartments Section 2 near the East By -Pass and for Windwood Phase 1 along Harvey Road. A master Preliminary plat for Emerald Forest, a development to be located be- tween the Raintree and Foxfire additions, was also approved. • The Battalion Nov. 29, 1977 ire code enforcement often weak - Editor's note: This is the last in a series concerning fire protection in Bryan- College Station. By DAVID TEWES The rapid increase in the number of businesses in College Station in recent years has made proper enforcement of the fire code affect- ing all business establishments nearly impossible. But injuries and deaths from business fires are few. There have been two deaths and 13 injuries since July 1973. Fire Marshal Harry Davis said re- cently that lack of manpower is one reason the code isn't properly enforced. Davis and one inspector, Ron Garrison, are responsible for Z y C m :a A � rt rT PO F� F� 1�o w V o V seeing that nearly 400 businesses adhere to the code. Davis said he doesn't expect to get more help for at least a year. A city ordinance says all business places will be inspected monthly for code Violations. Davis said, "There is just no way we can get around to all of them" He said the ordinance is old and needs updating. Even with three men, all the businesses couldn't be inspected monthly, Davis added. Businesses with the greatest po- tential for fire- caused deaths are in- spected more often. These are es- tablishments which can hold large numbers of people, such as bars and restaurants. Some inspections are made dur- ing peak hours and without notice. Others are made when the business is closed. "We are looking for any hazard — anything that can start a fire," Davis said. "You let some things slip by you. You just can't see everything." Not having enough fire extin- guisher's is the most common viola- tion. Keeping exits unobstructed is the most serious need, Davis "said. If minor violations aren't cor- rected after two warnings, the owner is given a citation. The fines range from $10 to $200. A citation can be given every day the violation isn't corrected. Davis said the judge is usually lenient on first offenders. A major violation must lie cor- rected immediately or a citation is written. If a major violation isn't corrected, fire officials themselves can correct it. "Naturally we try to use the cita- tion as little as possible," Davis said. "We don't do it unless our backs are against the wall." Four citations have been written this year — all to the same owner who finally sold the business. Davis said that he is not allowed to release the name of the business. The hardest part of the code to enforce is limiting the number of people allowed in a place of busi- ness. "There's no way we can take a head count," Davis said. "The main thing is that exits be clear so people can get out in a panic situation. He (the owner) can't ride herd on all these people." Fire department officials checked all businesses here earlier this year to determine crowd limits. Davis said the owners were notified of their maximum capacities, which they are required to post for the public. In a recent weekend survey of six businesses during peak hours no capacities were posted. Some own- ers said they didn't even know their crowd limits. Don Anz, co -owner of the Dixie Chicken and Farkelberry's said he was given a capacity for both build- ings earlier this year. Neither was posted, he said. When the capacity for the Dixie Chicken was raised this summer, Anz said he wasn't given a specific capacity by the fire marshal. But he said if the crowd limit is going to be enforced, it should be doiietfairly. I( we 're going to count the number of people, we'd like the First Baptist Church tb count them," he said. "The church is just as likely to have a fire. "I think the fire department is doing the best they can," Anz said. "I don't think they are lax at all." No special precautions are taken at the Dixie Chicken and Farkelber- ry's to ensure that exits stay clear. "With any club, it's impossible to keep the exits clear," Anz said. Searcy Bond, owner of Dead Solid Perfect, said he hasn't been given a capacity to post, either. He said that since opening in February 1976, the building has been in- spected twice. He said the inspector was in- terested in the number of fire extin- guishers and the condition of the cooking equipment. Bond said he tries to control the number of people in his building by turning them away when it gets too crowded. The College Station Pizza Inn doesn't have its capacity posted and Estes Marshall, owner of the res- taurant wasn't sure of his building's capacity. s none of their damn busi- ness," he said. "I don't ever turn them away. Even if they are stacked up in the street, I don't turn them away." When asked if he follows any code regulations he said, "I try to keep fro_ m burning the building down." It couldn't be determined if any business here was overcrowded be- cause Davis refused to release the crowd limitation figures on the businesses. To protect the city and every- thing, I'd rather not get into it," Davis said. He said releasing the capacities would damage the relationship be- tween the fire department and the businessmen. "We've got a good relationship with the business people," Davis said. "We have to see both sides. We have to be diplomatic, but we have to get the point across. CS granted funds to develop parks Colle &e Station has been awarded a $184,500 HEW grant to develop Thomas and Oaks Parks, U.S. Sen. Lloyd Bentsen's office announced, Wednesday. The money will be matched by $184,000 from the City of College Station and $500 from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The Eagle Dec. 1, 1977 i ' T - - - -- Further information is TO WHOM IT MAY CON- available at the office of the CERN: Building Official of the City The ,College Station Planning of College Station. and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to con- William F. Koehler Sider a request for a con- Building official ditional use permit for the operation of a fraternity in an TO WHOM IT MAY CON - CERN: apartment zone by the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, 418 College Main, College Station, The Zoning Board Of Ad jusiment Texas. The proposed fraternity will consider a request for variance from H. A. is to be located on lots 1 & 2, Block 22, of theBoyett Addition. Luther at their called meeting The hearing will be held in the in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall Council Room of the College at 7:30 p.m, on Tuesday, January Station City Hall, 1101 South 3, 1978, the nature of the case Texas Avenue at the 7 P.M. being as follows: meeting of the Planning and - Zoning Commission on Thursday, January 79,1978. The applicant requests a For additional information, variance to the side setback Please contact the City Plan- requirements of the Zoning Ordinance in order to extend ner, Al Maya, at the City Hall, 71 -846 -8886. an existing garage on his TO �. property at 614 Welch Avenue. WHOM IT MAY CON- - CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad- Further information is available at the office of the jusiment will consider a Building Official of the City of request for variance from Ron College Station. Smestuen (Ritco, Inc.) attheir called meeting in the Council William F. Koehler Room of the College Station Building Official City Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 1978, the• the. ' WHOM IT M- O nature of the case being as CERN: follows: The applicant requests a The College Station City variance to the limitation on Council will hold a Public Spectacular signs within 50 feet hearing on the question of of a street in order to continue, rezoning the following tract: in part a use commenced in Lots 21 and 22 of the 1974. Meadowland Addition and two Further information is adjacent, unplatted tracts available at the office of the located north of the end of Building Official of the City of Meadowland Street and on the College Station. corner of the intersection of William F. Koehler two unnamed streets on Texas Building official TO WHOM IT MAY CON - CERN: _ A &M University property from General Commercial District The Zoning Board of Ad C and Apartment Building jusiment will consider a District R -6 to General Com request for variance from Larry Landry Company at mercial District C 1. The ap Plication is in the name of their called meeting in the Burtex Constructors, Inc., P.O. Box 4765, Council Room of the College Corpus Christi, TX 78404. Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 1978, the nature of the case being as The said hearing will be held in follows: The the Council Room of the College Station City Hall applicant requests a variance to the rear setback requirements at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the City Council on Thursday, January of the Zoning Ordinance in order to construct 12, 1978. For additional in townhouses at 1400 Airline formation, Please contact me. Drive. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. City Planner The Eagle Deco 28, 1977 NOTICING OF PUBLIC HEARING TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Station City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, January 12, 1978, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Room*lof ;I)e College Station City Haft, -1101 South Texas Avenue, to consider the rezoning of several tracts bounded by or adjacent to Southwest Parkway, Welsh Avenue, F.M. 2818 (West Bypass) and F.M, 2154 (Wellborn Road). The rezoning has been initiated by the College Sataion'Planning and Zoning Commission. For further information, please contact the City Plan ner's Office at the City Hall, 713-846 -8886. The Eagle Deco 28, 1977 TO WHOM IT MAY CON - CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad- iustment will consider a request for variance from Larry Landry Company at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Sta7i �;iv yal'I at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 1978, the nature of the case being as follows- The applicant requests a variance to the rear setback requirements of the Zoning Ordinance in order to construct townhouses at 1400 Airline Drive. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station. .William F. Koehler Building official TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad- justment will consider a request for variance from H. A. Luther at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station. City Hall at 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday, January 3, 1978, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests a variance to the side setback requirements of the Zoning Ordinance in order.to extend an existing garage on his property at 614 Welch Avenue. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of CoJ lege Station. i William. F. Koehler Building Official TO WHOM IT� MAY CON - CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad- iustment will consider a request for variance from Ron Smestuen (RitCO, Inc.) at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 1978, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests a variance to the limitation on spectacular signs within SO feet of a street in order to continue, in part a Use commenced in 1974. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station. William F. Koehler Building official The Eagle Dec..l, 1977 TO WHOM IT MAY COW CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, December 15, 1977, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall, 1101 South Texas Avenue, to consider the rezoning of several tracts bounded by or adjacent to Southwest Parkway, Welsh Avenue, F.M. 2816 (West Bypass), and F.M. 2154 ( Wellborn Road). The action is being initiated by the Planning and Zoning Commission. For further information, contact the City Planner's Office at the City Hall, 713 846 8886. J WHOM IT MAY I CON CERN: The Collelge Station Planriing and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to con- sider a request for a con- ditional use permit for the construction of an eight (8) unit apartment project to be located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the Boyett Addition. The ap- olicz:tion is in the name of the Donnie Dawson Webb, Bryan, Texas. The hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall, 1101 South Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, December 1, 1977. For additional information, Please contact the City Plan ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, 713-846-8886. The Eagle Nov. 30, 1977 J WHOM IT MAY CON - CERN: The College S1dti0n Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to con Sider a request for a con- i ditional use permit for the construction of an eight (8) unit apartment project to be located on Lot 3, Block 22 of the Boyett Addition. The ap- 011c0lon is in the name of the bonnie Dawson Webb, Bryan, Texas. The hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station -City Hell, 1101 South Texas Avenue at the 7:00 PM meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, December 1, 1977. For additional information, please contact the City Plan I ner, Al Mayo, at the City Hall, 713846 -8886. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received by the City of Bryan at the Pur chasing Agent's office until 1:00 PM Tuesday December 13, 1977 and publicly opened and read aloud at 2:00 PM same date in the Utilities Bldg. on the following items to be pur- chased. 1. Appox. 1276 L.F chain link fence and related items, for softball fieldsat Haswell Park. The Eagle Dec. 1, 1977 TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, December 15, 1977, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Room of the Colleg9 $dtton City Hall, 1101 South "Texas Avenue, t0 consider the rezoning of several tracts bounded by or adjacent to Southwest Parkway, Welsh Avenue, F.M. 2818 (West Bypass), and F.M. 2154 (Wellborn Road). The action is labing initiated by the Planning and Zoning Commission. For further information, contact the City Planner's Office at the City Hall, 713 -846- 8886. The Eagle Dec. 5, 1977 Population increases to over 40,000 College Station `handles' growth By DEBBY KRENEK Accommodating population growth has been a major problem for many cities. But this doesn't hold true for College Station. College Station is experiencing growing pains, but none the city can't handle, City Planner Al Mayo said last week. The population in College Station has increased from 17,676 in 1970 to more than 40,000 in 1977. "The city has experienced a 10 to 12 percent annual growth for the past seven years," Mayo said. "Frankly, it's unbeliev- able for a city to retain that growth rate for such a long period." Austin has two percent growth per year, a healthy growth figure for any town, Mayo said. The major reason for the rapid popula- tion growth is the increasing enrollment at Texas A &M University. Texas A &M has been cited as one of the fastest- growing universities in the United States. The growth rate for College Station is based on an arbitrary figure arrived at by former city planners. "For every two students enrolled in the University, College Station gains three in population," Mayo said. The figure has proved to be fairly accurate, he said. Students who live on campus as well as in College Station are counted in the city's census. But many students live in Bryan, and the number of students living on- campus remains between 8,000 and 9,000. Therefore, students are not responsible for College Station's large population jumps. "The University is by far the largest em- ployer in this area and its growth creates new jobs that in turn bring in more people," Mayo said. Texas A &M has been growing at an av- erage rate of 2,000 students per year for the last seven years. Although enrollment at A &M is still increasing, the percentage of growth has dropped. "We're still looking at another three to four years of growth before the University's attendance levels off and before College Station growth does the same," Mayo said. To combat this population increase, Col- lege Station has been developing to the south and east — the only land available for growth. Any expansion northward is prohibited by the Bryan city limits bound- ary. Westward development beyond Wellborn Road is limited. A ridge that fol- lows the railroad tracks along Wellborn makes drainage to the sewage treatment plant from any part beyond the ridge ex- pensive. The sewage must be pumped over the ridge to the treatment plant, lo- cated east of the East Bypass. "Most of the development in the next five years in both business and residential sections alike will be to the south," said Vergil G. Stover, head of the College Sta- tion Planning and Zoning Commission. Three major centers will be constructed south of Highway 30 in the next five years. A million - dollar office and warehouse complex will be built as an addition to Culpepper Plaza, located at the intersec- tion of Texas Avenue and Highway 30. John C. Culpepper Jr. said the complex will be built in two stages, with an identi- cal 32,000 square foot building in each stage. In the front of each building will be 16 office suites overlooking two small foun- tain courtyards. Constantine Barbu of the Cruse Corpo- ration that owns part of the project . said the first offices will be completed by early 1978. Richard Smith Realty is developing an outdoor shopping mall for College Station called the Boardwalk. The mall will be lo- cated across the street from Culpepper Plaza. Construction has not begun on the site. Boardwalk will be a specialty shopping center of 25 retail shops separated by gar- dens, trees and wooden walkways. The Boardwalk should open in August 1978, said Dan Acree of the company. Another smaller shopping center south of Southwest Parkway on Highway 6 is being planned by James E. Jetts and As- sociates. Although construction has not . started, the center should be completed within five years, Jetts said. A prime area for development within the next 10 years is the land across from Plantation Oaks apartments on Highway 30. "The property has excellent access roads and utilities," Mayo said. "We hope a de- I veloper will build a regional shopping cen- ter there similiar to Manor East Mall." The number of businesses in College. Station has increased along with the popu- lation growth. In 1974, there were 187 businesses in College Station. Now there are 238. "One area in which College Station has been lagging is in industrial develop- ment," Mayo said. College Station had eight industrial firms in 1974. No new ones have opened since. "The main reason the growth has been slow is because College Station is not on an interstate highway," he said. "We have an airport, railroad and excellent research facilities, but being on an interstate is more important because the truckers have better access to the plant." Mayo said College Station is working to promote industrial growth. COLLEGE STATION , ,c "We have no control over the popula- tion growth in College Station," he said. "The University could stop growing. When the city is geared up to meet the growth the city is geared up to meet the growth and it levels off, we may become over- built." College Station officials are encouraging industrial growth so it can take up the slack when the University levels off. The extension of the town southward should have little effect on Northgate businesses, Mayo said. "Northgate depends on the University business and is not in near as much danger as downtown Bryan. College Station really has no downtown and probably never will because the city has grown around the university as its downtown." Local airport support urged Local governments have a stake in maintaining Easterwood Airport, members of the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee (ICC) agreed Wednesday. The ICC includes members from the Bryan City Council, the College Station City Council, the Brazos County Commissioners Court and Texas A &M University. Attending the meeting at the Brazos County Courthouse were chairman William R. "Bill" Vance, Bryan Mayor Lloyd Joyce, A &M representatives Howard Vestal and W. Clyde Freeman, College Station City Manager North Bardell, CS Mayor Lorence Bravenec, CS Councilman Gary Halter, County Commissioner Bill Cooley, Bryan City Manager Lou Odle and CS Councilman Lane Stephenson. The group suggested $30,000 from Bryan, College Station and the county as local annual support for the airport capital improvements, Bravenec said Wednesday af- ternoon. The airport would continue to be ownea and operateu by A &M Related story on page 1B and would continue to be under the general proposal cpnsjoered Wed- nesday, Bravenec said. - In other business, College Station representatives suggested the City of Bryan submit a proposal to College Station regarding funding for the Bryan Public Library. The discussion of the library funding did not include a specific suggestion as to how much College Station's contribution might be. The ICC also discussed a joint tax office. Bravenec noted the tentative proposal does not include combining the various boards of equalization, but merely a joint appraisal effort. He told the College Station council later Wednesday the plan might be a way of heading off legislative efforts of Wayne Peveto of Orange to establish one county -wide appraisal and tax collections office. The joint tax appraisal office was discussed briefly because representatives of the Bryan and A &M Consolidated school districts were not officially notified of the meeting, Ruth McCloud, assistant to the County Commissioners' Court said today. The ICC also discussed the possibility of a common sewage treatment facility in the west sideof the county that could possible be operated by the Brazos River Authority. A similar proposal was made about two years ago. Humane Society representative Anne Barrow also appeared before the ICC to discuss animal control problems in the county. The Humane Society of Brazos County has been working to build an animal shelter and presiously has stated animal control efforts should be coordinated among the various governments. The ICC does not make specific recommendations on various problems but the committee provides a place for mutual discussion of problems the govern- ments share. The Eagle Dec. 8, 1977 Halter suggests `friendly' suit on meeting law Related story on page lA College Station City : :Gouncilman Gary Halter suggested Wednesday a friendly lawsuit between The Eagle and various governmental bodies might resolve differences over the staters open meetings laws. The suggestion was part of a two - hour 'plus meeting of the In- tergovernmental Coordinating Committee (ICC). The Eagle has been concerned with meetings of governmental committees contending committees are bound by the Texas Open Meetings Law and must post notice of meeting and meet in public. That view is supported by opinions form the Texas Attorney General's office. College Station Mayor Lorence Bravence suggested to the city council Wednesday members of the ICC and representatives of The Eagle meet to determine if dif- ferences could be resolved without a lawsuit. The proposed would be coor- dinated by ICC chairman County Judge William R. "Bill" Vance. The Eagle Dec. 8, 1977 B I ■ s exceed bond The proposed police station and warehouse projects of the city of College Station are approximately $490,000 over the money approved for the projects in the June 1976 bond issue. The city council discussed the projects Wednesday in the regular meeting of the council and voted 4 -3 to approve a bid of $364,895 for the warehouse from Malek Construction Co. of Navasota. Councilmen Lane Stephenson, Jim Gardner and Larry Ringer voted against the bids. Stephenson said he Opposed awarding the contracts because the projects are over the money approved for the projects. The vote included trimming ap- proximately $21,000 from the ware- house facility. Voters approved $350,000 for : the Police station and $295,000 for the warehouse in 1976. Now the build - ings, including architects fees, total $391,300 for the police station and $390,438 for the warehouse, The land cost will be $209,900 and site im- provements will be $146,190. City Manager North Bardell said interest payments -to the city will amoubt to approximately $200,000 issue which can be applied to the projects. He also said he anticipates ap- proximately $600,000 in utility revenue transfers. The city staff will be workiniwith architects to determine if other changes can be made to lower the cost of the buildings somewhat — but not the almost half million dollars the estimates now indicate. The Eagle Dec. 8, 1977 CS approves of a r k lan The College Station City Council quickly approved designated park areas in the Southwood Valley subdivision at its Thursday meeting. The proposals had dominated the agenda Wednesday afternoon with Councilman Jim Gardner opposed to the scattered parcels in the South- wood subdivisions as proposed by developer Bill Fitch. Thursday Gardner and Coun- Gilman Jim Dozier did not attend the meeting. The council unanimously accepted the proposed parks with Mayor Lorence Bravenec noting that the land was "far in excess" of what the park requirement in the city requires. In fact Mr. Fitch is dedicating almost twice as much as required," the mayor added. In other business, the council quickly agreed to rezone a 755 acre tract in the RainTree Addition to single family residential from agricultural open rezoning. The council was to consider a preliminary plat resubdividing lots one through six, block two of the Deerfield Estates Addition Section 2. The section is located in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction on North Jones Rd. By common con- sent, the council agreed not to discuss the change. Councilman Gary Halter took advantage of the agenda item devoted to hearing visitors to note that an article in Thursday's Eagle was incorrect. That article said Halter had suggested The Eagle pursue a "friendly lawsuit" to resolve dif- ferences over the states open meetings law. Actually Mayor - Lorence Bravenec suggested the lawsuit and County Judge Bill Vance said it might be averted with meeting with area media. First Halter noted that The Eagle did not attend the meeting "to which it was invited" and reported inac- curately on the meeting, Halter said. He said the article was based on "hearsay" and called the story "half - assed journalism" that one "might expect out of Journalism 102. I don't expect it out of The Eagle." .The meeting referred to was a Wednesday afternoon session of the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee which comprises members from the country, both cities and Texas A &M university. Area media were not notified of the meeting. The agenda for the meeting was inadvertently not mailed to The Eagle and other news media. The Eagle obtained an ac- count of the meeting from a county staff member who attended the meeting. Attempts by The Eagle to contact several county and city officials who attended the meeting were unsuccessful. The Eagle Dec. 9, 1977 r= +.r College Station projects exceed f undings City manager says federal grant, new bond issue could cut deficit City projects in the city of College Station are now about $4.4 million over the funds approved by th voters in 1976. But the picture is not all tha t bleak, City Manager North Bardell told the council Thursday. First, the city plans to apply for $2.4 million Economic Developmen t Administration (EDA) grant which would, if approved, cut the overage back to $2,015,888. e Plus, $650,000 pegged for sewer system improvements was not Planned in the bond election — but was required since the city will have to build a separate line to service the a Northgate area. The line is required because it is now served by Bryan and the issue was disputed between the cities for several weeks. That would leave $1,365,888 in overage and Bardell proposes to take care of over $600,000 worth of that in a new bond proposal, possibly set for this spring. The net overage,' assuming the EDA grant is available, amounts to $703,848, Bardell said. And since College Station is saving money under its new electrical service contract with Gulf States Utilities, the city can reasonably expect to generate $591,000 in utilities transfers that could go to pay for these overages by June 30, 1978. With projected utilities funds through fiscal year 1978 -'79, the city could expect $1,909,000 that could be used for the overage, Bardell reported., The utilities savings is based on the GSU contract which costs the city less than electrical service did when the city brought all its power from the city of Bryan. The council plans to devote a future session to discussion of new bond proposals including such im- provements as parks in the com- munity. • change p �ld�n code CS bu g mall or shopping center is built and subdivided into smaller stores, the city does not have control over new businesses moving into space vacated by a previous business. Brothers suggested the city have an inspection by the fire marshal when buildings are vacated and before a new firm moves in to be sure the building is fire safe. Mayor Lorence Bravenec noted that the question of building and commercial costs — borne by the consumer — must be weighed against the cost of fire protection to the whole community — also borne by the consumer and /or taxpayer. The second issue was similar in that the city is contemplating a change in the code to insure emergency vehicles access to construction sites. Brothers said it is desirable to have streets in when construction begins because builders can be forced to wait during wet seasons. But he added that the change could also mean higher lot prices since the developer won't sell the land until the streets are already in. Brothers By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer Contemplated changes in the city of College Station's building code could cause commercial rents and building costs to increase dramatically. Or they could aid the city in keeping fire protection — and fire insurance premiums — from increasing unnecessarily. It depended on the viewpoint. City councilmen discussed several amendments to the code Thursday and did not take any final action on proposals submitted by the staff. Two proposals generated the most discussion: 1) Requiring sprinkler systems in all buildings over 15,000 square feet and apartment complexes over three stories tall; 2) Not issuing permits for con- struction on any tract, lot or sub- division where water lines and fire hydrants are not in service and Where all - weather access for emergency vehicles does not exist. Clyde Brothers, speaking for the Bryan - College Station . Home Builders Association, said the Southern Standard Building-Code, which the city uses with amend- ments, sufficiently covers the need for sprinkler systems. He said the sprinklers can be an insurance bene- fit to large store and building owners but that requiring the systems in smaller businesses will put "an extra heavy burden on the small businessman" and "run up the cost as far as the consumer goes and they're the ultimate taxpayer." Another builder said fire wall construction minimizes fire damage to structures and the sprinkler system restriction could be "pro- hibitive to the small businessman." Fire Marshal Harry Davis countered, however, by saying that so- called non - combustible buildings including concrete wall con- struction, do contain fires. But they create higher levels of heat and he said "we're building ovens." Fire- men must still go into the building to fight the blaze. "The old system of squirting water from the street went out with high button shoes," Davis said. He said businessmen who pay con - tenjs' insurance would benefit from the sprinkler systems on insurance payments. City Manager North Bardell said the city's fire service costs about $390,000 per year as compared with other cities of similar size who spend roughly $1 million. The cost is lower, Bardell said, in part because College Station does not have a large number of buildings without srpinklers. The larger the fire liability, the larger the fire force to combat it will have to be, Bardell said. He also noted that in the event a Turn to page 12A, col, 5 Code ammendments could help, hurt From page 1A, col. 4 said he personally felt the utilities should be in before construction. Fire marshal Davis said fire losses are climbing from ap- proximately $25,000 last year to an estimated $160,000 this year with more expensive single losses in- cluded. Bravenec said the issue is that fire loss to unconstructed buildings affects everyone's insurance premiums and "we're concerned that you (the builders) are gambling with other dollars than your own." Davis said construction areas with a lot of work and unfinished streets could be a real hazard if a fire started in a high wind. "We could have a whole city block destroyed and we'd have to sit back and watch it. " The council will devote a work session to the technical and complex code and compare cost versus benefit figures before making final changes. Southwood Valley parks approved With the councilman who most opposed the move absent from the meeting; the College Station City Council approved a park plan for the Southwood Valley subdivision Thursday. Councilman Jim Gardner argued agaiTt the plan proposed by de- veloper Bill Fitch in 'Wednesday's meeting. He opposed Fitch's plan for several small parks throughout the subdivision, suggesting that one large park would suffice. But Gardner missed last night's meeting, as did Councilman Jim Dozier. Councilman Lane Stephenson summed the opinion'of the rest of the council "We talked this thing to death xesterday," Stephenson said, "and I lniov'e approval." The plan was approved unanim- ously the attending councilmen without discussion. Fitch's plan calls for several parks ranging from four to 11 acres in size to be scattered throughout South - wood Valley. His plan received the backing by Lou Hodges, chairman of the coun- cil's parks and recreation commit- tee. In other action, the council re- zoned a 0.775 acre tract in the Rain Tree Addition from an agricultural district to a family residential. The council also approved a pre- liminary plat resubdividing part of Deerfield Estates on North Jones Road. The Battalion Dec. 9, 1977 11.8 1. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the City of College Station, Texas will be received at the Office of fhe City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 P.M. on the 24th day of January, 1978 for the con- struction of electrical distribution substation facilities including the fur- nishing of all necessary labor and a .portion of the required materials. The major com ponents of the project are: 1. Construct two (2) sets of four (4), 12.5 KV distribution bays in the City's 138/12.5 KV Highway 30 Substation using, primarily, Owner furnished materials. 2. Construct G.S.U. Switch Station for 3, 138 KV tran smission circuits using, primarily, Owner furnished materials. 3. Furnish additional materials for these projects not previously purchased by the Owner. all as more fully described in the Specifications. Bids received by 1:00 P.M., January 24, 1978 will be publicly opened and read in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas at 1:00 P.M. on the same date. Bids received after 1:00 P.M., January 24, 1978 will be returned to the sender unopened. Each proposal must be in a sealed envelope bearing on the outside the name of the bidder and the City of College Station Contract No. CS 77 -SB- 11. Each Proposal must be accompanied by a bid bond or a certified check on a bank that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation payable to the order of the City of College Station, Texas in an amount equal to ten percent (10 %) of the maximum bid price. Each Bidder agrees, that by filing its Proposal, together with such bid bond or check in consideration of the City of College Station receiving and considering such Proposal, said Proposal shall . be firm and binding upon each such Bidder. Bid bonds or checks of the.three low bidders shall be held by the City of College Station until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory Performance Bond is furnished by the Successful Bidder, or for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date hereinbefore set for the opening of the Proposals, whichever period shall be shorter. If such Proposal is not one of the three low Proposals, the bid bond or check will be returned in each instance within a period of ten (10) days to the Bidder furnishing same. Plans and Specifications are obtainable at the Office of the City Secretary, College Station, Texas, or from Electric Power Engineers, Inc„ 203 Holleman. Drive East, P.O. Box 9910, College Station, Texas 77840 upon payment. of 820.00, which payment . will not be subject to refund. : Bids will be evaluated by the City based on the qualifications and experience of the Bidder, the Bidder's ability to meet the construction schedule, the quality of materials to be furnished, as well as the price offered. The City reserves the right to accept the proposal that best suits' its - needs whether or not the price is lowest and also reserves the right to reject all bids or waive informalities. Award of the Contract to the Spccessful- Bidder will be made at a subsequent meeting of the City Council of College Station. CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS By Lorence L. Bravenec Mayor TO WHPM IT MAY CON CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a. public hearing to con- sider a request for a con ditional use permit for the - - construction of an apartment project to be located at the southwest corner of the in- tersection of Longmire Drive and Brothers Boulevard (Lots 3 & 4, Block 13, Southwood Valley Section 68). The ap plication is in the name of Don Cain, P.O. Box AV, College Station, Texas. The hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City. Hall, 1101 South Texas Avenue at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thurs day, January 5, 1978. For additional information, please contact the City Plan- ner, At Mayo, at the City Halt, 7 13846-8886. TO WHOM IT MAY CON CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to con sider a request for , a con ditional use permit for the construction of an addition to the A &M United Methodist Wesley Foundation building .located at 200 Tauber Street. The application is in the name of the A &M United Methodist Wesley Foundation, 200 Tauber Street, College Station, Texas. The hearing will be held in the - Council Room of the College Station City Hall, 1101 South Texas Avenue, at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thurs- day, January 5, 1978. For additional information, please contact the City Plan- ner, At Mayo, at the City Hall, 7 13-846 -8886. The Eagle Dec. 12, 1977 CS to review b u n ld m �in co ire s t and ard s Proposed changes in College ments by the city sufficiently covers Station's building code designed to the need for sprinkler systems. increase fire protection within the CS Fire Marshal Harry Davis city and thus lower insurance rates said, however, buildings utilizing will be considered by city coun- fire - resistant walls create "ovens" cilmen when they meet in special in the event of a fire, noting firemen session at 7 p.m. Wednesday at city must go into these buildings to fight hall. the fire. The changes were discussed by In other action Wednesday, councilmen last week and two of the councilmen will discuss cost overrun suggested changes provoked lengthy projections for the city's capital discussion. improvements program. The first proposal would require a City Manager North Bardell sprinkler system in all buildings suggested last week the city hold a with more than 15,000 square feet bond election possibly next spring to and all apartment complexes more cover some $600,000 of the $1.3 than three stories tall. million overage. The second proposal would Capital projects include water and prohibit issuance of building permits sewer lines, an addition to city hall for construction where water lines and a city warehouse. and fire hydrants are not in service and where all- weather access for emergency vehicles does not exist: The proposals met with opposition from several builders at last week's session. Clyde Brothers, representing the Bryan - College Station Home Builders Association, said the Southern Standard Building Code, which is used with amend- The Eagle Dec. 12, 1977 f,, TO WHOM IT MAY CON CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad iustment will consider a request for variance from H. A. Luther at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 1977, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests a variance to.the side setback requirements of the Zoning Ordinance in order to extend an existing garage on his property at 614 Weloh Avenue. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station. William F. Koehler Building Official TO WHOM . IT MAY CON CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad iustment will consider a request for variance from H. A. Luther at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7: p.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 1977, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests a variance to the limitation on spectacular sign within SO feet' of a street in order to continue, n part a use commenced in 1974. f urther information is available at the office of the 3uilding Official of the City of - ollege Station. villiam F. Koehler 3uilding Official The Eagle Dec. 14, 1977 Annexat sparks formed Tuesday by Roberts ver- bally of intent to protest changing College Station's certification to serve the area. And she noted that Scharmen said no action from the PUC will be required if the cities work out their own solution to the issue. By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer The twin cities of Bryan and College Station are again involved in a controversy of electricial utilities — and this question may also take action by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The question is which city is en- titled to provide power to ap- proximately 1,700 acres of land recently annexed into College Station. The area is roughly bounded by Highway 30, the East By -pass, Carter Creek and down to Bird Pond Road, excluding the Foxfire sub- division, according to George Ford, pubkc works director for the City of College Station. Foxfire was not taken into the CS city limits because 'the streets did not meet city specifications. The area includes the RainTree subdivision. The Bryan City Council voted Monday afternoon to authorize the city attorney to file a protest with the PUC. The protest relates to an earlier amendment filed by College Station. Basically the disagreement is over the certificate of convenience and necessity both cities filed when the PUC became a reality. At that time, Ford said, the City of College Station agreed to limit its electrical service area to the area confined to the city limits.- Bryan was certified to kerve the areas not in the College Station city limits, Ford said. When the area was annexed, College Station asked the PUC for authority to amend the original certificate so that that city could provide electrical service to - all of the area within its boundaries. Ford said the city also asked about dual certification so that both cities could serve the area depending on established service. Bryan City Attorney .Joel Roberts said Tuesday that the protest assets Bryan's right to serve the area. He refused comments on the merits of Bryan continuing to serve an area that is now legally part of the City of College Station. Roberts said he anticipated that Bryan officials would .meet with College Station officials to try to resolve the issue.. He added that Bryan has agreed to allow College Station to serve the area tem- porarily until a permanent solution can be determined. She added that hearing officer George Scharmen had been in- Bryan and College Station were involved in a PUC question previously when College Station officials said the city could obtain electricity at a lower rate from Gulf States Utilities (GSU), rather than from Bryan Utilities. At that time the PUC ruled that College Station could proceed to purchase ap- proximately half its power needs from GSU. The city plans to pur- chase all of its power from the private company after January, 1979. The Eagle Dec. 14, 1977 Code Changes College Station councilmen question sprinkler system amendments By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer Amendments to the College Station building code again produced more questions than an- swers for some members of the council at last night's meeting. On Dec. 8 the council first discussed the proposals, but again last night the main area of con - troversey remained with a proposal to require sprinkler systems in stores with 15,000 square feet of space or more. Fire Chief Doug Landua, Fire Marshal Harry Davis and Building official Bill Koehler all spoke in favor of an amendment to the code that would require sprinkler systems in all buildings over 15,000 square feet and in apartment build- ings over three stories tall. Several builders said the Southern Standard Building Code, which the city uses as a guide and amends as necessary, is sufficient in its present requirements that stipulate where the sprinkler systems should be used. Davis said figures he gathered from an insurance company in- dicated that sprinklered buildings would qualify for fire insurance premium credits. And he added that the city's entire fire rate could be affected favorably if buildings were required to have the sprinkler with- out as many exceptions as are now granted. Clyde Brothers, speaking for the Home Builders Association of Bryan - College Station, said the amendment to the code would do several things including increasing state control over the inspection an% approval of sprinkler systems. For example if one business moved out of a building and another moved in, the state would have the authority to come in and reinspect the sprinkler system — and demand changes, Brothers said. He also said the code would require no additional structural work to support the weight of the sprinkler system and that building owners would have a tendency to lower the quality of construction to account for the change in cost required by the sprinkler system. Brothers and Davis disagreed on the cost of installing the systems with Brothers saying the cost could go as high as $1.75 per square foot and Davis maintaining the l the costs would be more likely in the neigh- borhood of $1 per square foot. Brothers said the insurance costs would still vary widely depending on the use of the building, the fire record of the community and so on. Owners of non - sprinkler buildings tend to be more careful about fire, he said. City Manager North Bardell countered that argument by saying that sprinklers tend to be installed more in higher risk buildings. Davis and Brothers also disagreed on the necessity and cost of leakage insurance for the systems. Davis said that few people take out the insurance but Brothers said that it adds approximately 23 cents per hundred dollars evaluation for the insurance buyer. Sprinkler systems could actually increase fire problems if required in buildings that store fertilizer and other such chemicals, Brothers said. "The code is fine," Brothers said of the Southern Building Code. "We have no argument with- the code. What we're saying is stick with the code as it is written. It covers you." Brothers said another problem is that line surges can cause sprinkler systems to pop open with resulting problems. Both Davis and Fire Chief Landua said the failure rate for the sprinkler heads nationally is less than 1 percent. The staff is seeking the tougher standards because it will increase the safety of the building's oc- cupants and the firefighters, Landua said. He indicated that fire training school and seminars "strongly suggest" a move to the sprinkler systems. In a sprinklered building, the building is considered to be 95 per- cent controlled by the in -house system, Landua said. The staff would actually like even tougher restrictions — for example in all apartment buildings — but "we felt that was going to the ex- treme," he added. Builders wanted to know exactly what the savings to the city in fire rates would be as compared with the cost of the sprinkler systems — both of which ultimately will be borne by consumers. Developer Bill Fitch said he couldn't see where the city would gain anything with an arbitrary blanket on all buildings. Davis and Bardell both stressed that the aim of the amendment is to prevent problems from developing in the city rather than to correct past deficiencies. Councilman Lace �Aephenson said the emotional issue of saving lives is a real part of the question and "If I make a mistake I'd want to make in on the side of safety." The second big issue relating to the code is a provision that would allow the city now to issue building permits in a subdivision until all - weather roads are installed and until fire hydrants are in place. Davis said the idea here, too, is to prevent a fire disaster. The streets would let the city get to a fire in an area under construction. Builder Tom Borski said the pro- vision could produce problems as far as getting houses completed in the time the new owners need. The Eagle Dec. 15, 1977 CS est' ■ m a tes bond iqures By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer Voters in College Station could be asked to approve $5.5 million worth of general obligation bonds in April. Then again, it could be more. It could be less. As City Engineer Elrey Ash noted Wednesday, what the bond issue will consist of "is a political question that will be made by this body." As the figures are now compiled — and they are subject to change — the city would spend $275,000 for an aerial ladder truck and $60,000 for a rescue - pumper for the fire depart- ment. Ad additional $300,000 would be spent on a street rebuilding program and $650,000 would be used on the Northgate sewer line the city will have to build to replace a line owned by the City of Bryan which currently serves the area. Improving the intersection of Dominik and Kyle would account for another $200,000 and water system improvements would be $2.5 million. Overhead water storage, probably not built until .7, §80, would , add another $1.6 million to the package, Ash said. Ash noted that the figures do not include money for park im- provements and the council has expressed interest in park im- provements being on the ballot. . Fire Chief Doug Landua said the addition of the aerial ladder truck could favorably affect the city's key rate for fire insurance premiums. Councilman Jim Gardner said he figures it would cost approximately $800,000 for a system of neigh- borhood parks. City Manager North Bardell said Wednesday that the areas cited by the staff were only "identified needs," and that some could wait if necessary. Mayor Lorence Bravenec ap- pointed a three- member committee of Councilmen Halter, Larry Ringer and Gardner to help firm up the projected bond requests. The Eagle Dec. 15, 1977 Zoning actions spark protests Several tracts of land previously zoned for high density apartment buildings will be given lower density zoning if action by the College Station Planning and Zoning Commission meets with the ap- proval of the city council. Last night the commission acted on about 10 parcels of land previously zoned for large apart- ment complexes, Al Mayo, planning director, said. The land in question is located along Southwest Parkway, Welsh Avenue, FM 2818 and FM 2154. Several owners of the land prot6sted the action and will present, in- formation to the city council' in January in hopes of maintaining the current high density zone. The Eagle Dec. 16, 1977 TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad- justment will consider a request for variance from H. A. Luther at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 1977, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests a variance to the side setback requirements , of the Zoning Ordinance in order to extend an existing garage on his property at 614 Welsh Avenue. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station. William F, Koehler Building Official TO WHOM . IT MAY CON- CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad iustment will consider a request for variance from H. A. Luther at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7:_30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 1977, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests- a variance to the limitation on spectacular sign within 50 feet of a street in order to continue, in part a use commenced in 1974. Further information is available 4 . - thg office of the Building Officif'I of the City of, College Station. william F. Koehler Building Official The Eagle Dec. 18, 1977 Council to discuss re- evaluation A proposed re- evaluation of property in College Station will be discussed by College Station city councilmen when they meet in regular session at 5 p.m. Thursday at City Hall. A timetable of the proposed re- evaluation will be planned. At a 4 p.m. special meeting Thursday, councilmen will hear a review of council goals developed by the city staff. In other action at the regular meeting, the council will consider a proposal to join the Texas Municipal Retirement System Insurance plan for city employees. Also to be considered is a resolution supporting the Youth Conservation Camp Project proposal. Three plats will be considered: — A prelimnary plat of Carter creek Cloisters on the south side of Carter's Lake; — A final plat resubdividing lots 1- 6, block 2, Deerfield Estates on North Jones Road; — A preliminary plat of South- wood Valley, section 10. The Eagle Dec. 19, 1977 I. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the City of College Station Texas will, be received at the Office of the City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas of iJanuary,N1978 for the con struction of electrical distribution substation facilities including nishing of all necessary labor and a portion of the required materials. The aj mcom o - ponents of the project re, 1. Construct two (2) sets of four (4), 12.5 KV distribution bays in the City's 138/12.5 KV Highway 30 Substation using, primarily, Owner furnished materials. 2. Construct G.S.U. Switch Station for 3, 138 KV tran smission circuits using, primarily, Owner furnished materials. 3. Furnish additional materials for these projects not previously purchased by the Owner. all as more fully described in the Specifications. Bids received by 1;00 ' January Jan 24, 1978 will be publicly op ened and read in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas at 1:00 received ih me atterl 00 P. January 24, 1978 will be returned t th unopened Each proposal must be in a sealed envelope bearing on the outside the name of the bidder and the City of College Station Contract No. CS- 77 -SI) II. Each Proposal must be accompanied by a bid bond or a certified check on a bank that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation payable to the order of'the City of College Station, Texas in an amount equal to ten percent W°o) of the maximum bid rice. Each Bidder agrees, tat by filing its Proposal, )gether with such bid bond or heck in consideration of the :ity of College Station eceiving and considering such Iroposal, said Proposal shall e firm and binding upon each uch Bidder. Bid bonds or hecks of the three low bidders hall be held by the City of :ollege Station until a Proposal s accepted and a satisfactory Derformance Bond is furnished )y the Successful Bidder, or for ) period not to exceed sixty '.60) days from the date )ereinbefore set for the )pening of the Proposals, Nhichever period shall be ihorter. if such Proposal is not )ne of the three low Proposals, the bid bond or check will be returned in each instance within a period of ten (10) days to the Bidder furnishing same. Plans and Specifications are obtainable at the Office of the City Secretary, College Station, Texas, or from Electric Power Engineers, Inc., 203 Holleman Drive East, P.O. Box 9970, College Station, Texas 77840 upon pay Ment of $20.00, which payment will not be subject to refund. Bids will be evaluated by the City based on the qualifications and experience of the Bidder, the Bidder's ability to meet the construction schedule, the quality of materials to be furnished, as well as the price offered. The City reserves the right to accept the proposa that best suits its need! whether or not the price i! lowest and also reserves th right to reject all bids or waiv informalities. Award of the Contract to th Successful Bidder will be mad at a subsequent meeting of th City Council of College Station CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXA By Lorence L. Bravene Mayc The Eagle Dec. 22, 1977 City -wide revaluation to be studied in CS A tax revaluation for the City of College Station is likely to be a year away after council action.Thursday. At the 5 p.m. meeting of the council, the members agreed to have City Manager North Bardell prepare a proposal on revaluating the entire city. He will be meeting with A &M Consolidated School Superintendent Fred Hopson Jan. 3 to discuss possible transfer of ser- vices between the city and the school district. Council members at first did not agree on the proposal but discussion showed that the council basically agreed to check a variety of sources before making a final decision to reevaluate the city. Councilman Jim Dozier said, "I think we're making a mistake," in reference to using school system valuations for the revaluation project. The school district has gotten into "all sorts difficulty" and he wouldn't care ,to touch the district's valuation with "an eleven foot pole," he said. Later Dozier and other council members, as well as staff employees of the city, agreed to look into purchasing strictly physical measurements from the, district in order to avoid the expensive prospect of measuring all the property. The city also will investigate further the possibility of joining with Brazos County and other govern- ments in a joint appraisal system that would be county wide. The council agreed that reval- uating the city is a big task that should be done correctly and that the effort is being made to affect fiscal year 1979, rather than 1978. . In other business, the council: — Passed a resolution supporting the Youth Conservation Camp Project which provides city youth with environmental -type summer work in the city working on parks and other projects. — Instructed Bardell to look into a private insurance proposal for comparison purposes with the Texas Municipal Retirement System In- surance plan for employees. — Approved without discussion a preliminary plat for the Carter Creek Cloisters in the city's ex- traterritorial jurisdiction on the south side of Carter's Lake, ap- proved a final plat for the resub- division of Deerfield Estates and approved a preliminary plat for Southwood Valley, Section 10. The Eagle Dec. 23, 1977 I. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the City Of College Station, Texas will be received at the Office of fhe City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 P.M. on the 24th day Of January, 1978 for the con- struction of electrical distribution substation facilities including the fur- nishing of all necessary labor and a portion of the required materials. The major com- ponents of the project are: I. Construct two (2) sets of four (4), 12,5 KV distribution bays in the City's 138/12.5 KV Highway 30 Substation using, primarily, Owner furnished materials. 2. Construct G.S.U. Switch Station for 3, 138 KV tran. smiSSion circuits using, primarily, Owner furnished materials. 3. Furnish additional materials for these projects not previously purchased by the Owner. all as more fully described in the received Specifications :00 P.M SJanBuadry 24, 1978 will be publicly opened and read in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas at 1:00 P.M. on the same date. Bids received after 1:00 P.M., January 24, 1978 will be returned to the sender unopened. Each proposal must be in a sealed envelope bearing on the outside the name of the bidder and the City of College Station Contract No CS 77 S0- 11. Each Proposal must be accompanied by a bid bond or a certified check on a bank that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation pa able to the order of the City Of College Station, Texas in an amount equal to ten percent (10 °o) of the maximum bid price. Each Bidder agrees, that by the its Proposal, together with such bid bond or check in consideration of the City of College Station receiving and considering such Proposal, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each such Bidder. Bid bonds or checks of the three low bidders shall be held by the City of College Station until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory Performance Bond is furnished by the Successful Bidder, or for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date hereinbefore set for the opening of the Proposals, . whichever period shall be shorter. If such Proposal is not one of the three low Proposals, the bid bond or check will be I returned in each instance within a period of ten (10) days to the Bidder furnishing same. Plans and Specifications are obtainable at the Office of the City Secretary, College Station, Texas, or from Electric Power Engineers, Inc., 203 Holleman Drive East, P.O. Box 9970, College Station, Texas 77840 upon payr,ent of 820.00, which payment will not be Subject to refund' Bids will be evaluated by the City based on the qualifications i and experience of the Bidder, the Bidder's ability to meet the construction schedule, the quality of materials to be furnished, as well as the price offered. The City reserves the right to accept the proposal I that best suits its needs Whether or not the price is lowest and also reserves file I right to reject all bids or waive informalities. Award of the Contract to the Successful Bidder will be made at a subsequent meeting of the City council Of College Station. CITY OF COLLEGE By Lorec L STATION, ave ec Mayor The Eagle Dec. 25, 1977 CS to receive $269,000 park grant A $269,000 grant for development of Thomas and Oaks parks in College Station has been approved by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation: The city will develop the Thomas Park to include a swimming pool, bathhouse, tennis courts, and picnic shelters. Funds for Oaks Park will be used to provide a group shelter, tennis courts, trails and foot bridges, picnic tables, landscaping and utilities. 4 Costs of the two projects will be shared equally by the bureau, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Depart- ment and the city.. The Eagle Dec. 26, 1977 Planning and Zoning board to hold hearings The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will meet Thurs- day at 7 p.m. to conduct three public hearings. The first hearing is on granting a conditional use permit for an apartment project which will be located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Longmire Drive and Brothers Boulevard. The second hearing is a con- ditional use permit - fqr the con- struction of an apartment project at the intersection of Southwood Drive and Airline Drive. The third hearing is on a con- ditional use permit for a proposed addition to the A &M United Metho- dist Wesley Foundation located at 200 Tauber Street. The commission also will consider a master preliminary plat for the Timber Ridge addition located between Plantation Oaks Drive, Munson Drive and Dominic Drive. The preliminary plat for Wood- stock Section L also will be con- sidered. The final agenda item is the dis- cussion of methods of preparing an annual report of the commission's activity. TheEagle Jan. 3, 1978 CS financial strength. rated h'lgh is yea City Manager 'Lou Odle said today municipality plans to sell bonds. but the last revenue bond rating for Presently some -$3.5 million worth of Moody's was an A rating and an A- bonds are comipg up for sale in plus rating for Standard and Poors, College Station. Those bonds were the other national rating service. authorized by the voters in June The City of Bryan's tax bond rating 1976. The rating services also update was last increased in 1974 from an A their files on the city annually using rating to Al. such data as budgets and building Bardell noted that a half percent permit reports, Bardell said. or a full percent difference on in- terest on $1 million can mean $5,000 to $10,000 saved in interest. The rating services look at the city's last year's audit, the general financial condition of the city, the longevity and stability of city management and the city council members as part of the complex rating process. The ratings are normally review- ed, Bardell said, when the By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer The City of College Station's bond rating — a measure of the city's financial strength and security — has increased on the Moody rating. A trip to New York city in late December by city officials produced the rating increase. The rate went from A to Al. The bond rating is obscure to the average layman, but in essence, it means the rating service feels the city's management and financial history are good risks for pur- chasers of municipal bonds. Primarily the rating relates to the interest the city must pay on bonds it sells, City Manager North Bardell said. The City of Bryan's bonds have not been reviewed in the last year or so, i Bryan's rating will probably next be reviewed some time this spring, Odle said, when the city determines what to sell of $8.55 million bonds remaining from previous bond - elections. The city staff and council will be determining what the city needs are before finally deciding what bonds should be sold this year. He estimated the city will need to spend about half the bonds now authorized. The Eagle Jan. 3, 1978 r O. WHOM IT MAY CON :ERN: the College Station City :ouncil will hold a public tearing on the-question of ezoning the following tract:. 1,11 of Lot 15 in Lakeview Acres lddition, located on Morgan's _ane from Single Family Residential District R 1 to 3eneral Commercial District : 1. The application is in the tame of Mr. Ervin L. Busse, !831 Texast� Avpn ue, College >tati'on, Texas. the said hearing will be held in he Council Roots of the :ollege Station City Hall at the F:00 P.M. Meeting of the City :ouncil on Thursday,. January t6, 1978. ' For additional information, Tease contact me. filbert O. Mayo, Jr. City Planner 70 WHOM IT MAY CON CERN: The College Station' Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the question of rezoning the following-tract : All of Lot 15 in Lakeview Acres Addition, located on Morgan's Lane from Single Family Residential District R -1 to General Com mercial District C -1. The ap- plication is in the name of Mr. Ervin L. Bussee, 2831 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas. The said hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at the 7:00 ' P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Com- mission on Thursday, January 19,1978. For 'additional information, please contact me. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. City Planner The Eagle Jan. 4, 1978 CS council to consider oint ' ' tax office ' proposed tax appraisal office for J several Brazos County govern- mental bodies will be considered by College Station city councilmen when they meet in regular session at 7 p.m. Thursday at City Hall. The proposal has been discussed for several months. One suggestion would have a common appraisal office for the cities of College Station and Bryan, the A &M Consolidated - I ndependent School District and .Brazos County. Bryan schools share tax appraisals with the City of Bryan. Under the plan, each govern- mental body would take the joint appraisal and apply its own tax rate and ratio to determine the amount, owed on the property. Now, each governmental entity has its own appraisal system, which allows different values to be placed on the same piece of property. In other action, councilmen are expected to go into closed session to discuss litigation pending against the city. Councilmen will discuss names submitted for three parks in South- wood Valley Developer Bill Fitch had suggested naming them Pep - pertree Park, Brothers Park and Georgie K. Fitch Park. The first park is located next to the Peppertree Apartments, while the second one is located off Brothers Boulevard. The third would be named fox Fitch's moj er. At a Tuesday nighbqieeting of the College Station Parks and Recreation Committee, Councilman Jim Gardner expressed disatisfaction with naming a park after an apartment complex. The committee already has for- warded Fitch's suggestions to the council for action. Councilmen will hold a public hearing on a rezoning request and will reconsider a request to rezone other land. The public hearing will be on four tracts of land bounded by Southwest Parkway, Welsh Avenue, FM 2818 and FM 2154. The Eagle Jan. 11, 1978 B -CS to meet in Austin before utility commission The twin cities of College Station and Bryan will meet in a prehearing conference before the Public Utilities Commission Feb. 6 at 10 a. m. The issue is which city — or possibly whether both cities — will, be allowed to provide electrical ser -' vice to land recently annexed by College Station. Contacted today, officials for both cities said there has been no pro- gress on negotiating , a resolution to the problem. College Station council members will likely interview a Houston at- torney next week to represent the city before the PUC, City Manager North Bardell said today. Bryan City Attorney Joel Roberts said today that the Feb. 6 meeting in Austin is a prehearing conference where both parties will discuss a timetable. The issue will not be decided at the Feb. 6 meeting, 13Qberts said. When College Station originally filed a certificate to provide elec- trical service, it agreed to limit its service area to area within its city limits. Previously, Bryan Utilities, the city -owned electrical service, had sole right to serve the areas in question. College Station has asked for dual certification for the area and Bryan has protested the move. The Eagle Jan. 13, 1978 CS council sidesteps zoning issue By ROBERT C. BORDEN land west of the tract suggested for Staff Writer rezoning zoned for high density College Station city councilmen apartments. Under city rules, any wrestled with a proposed rezoning of number of apartments can be b !ilt land in the vicinity of Southwest in that zoning, providing the council Parkway and FM 2818 before neatly grants a conditional use permit. , sidestepping the issue and sending it "Using conditional permits as a back to the Planning and Zoning means of zoning when ordinance is Board for further study. the proper way is improper," Maher The land involved property zoned said, alluding to statements by for maximum use apartments with a members of the zoning board that small strip zoned for commercial the number of apartments can be development. regulated through the issuance of a The Planning and Zoning Board permit. had recommended downgrading the zoning to lower density zoning on all Developer Kenneth Schick said his four pieces of land. company already has plans sub- The board recommended a 17 -acre mitted to the city staff for a con - ' tract of land at the northwest corner ditional use permit for the land west of Welsh Avenue and Southwest of the tract being considered. He Parkway be zoned for medium said he plans to build 27 apartment, density apartments. Two tracts of units on 6.5 of the 12.8 acres of land land at the northwest corner of in the tract. Welsh Avenue and FM 2818 were He said lowering the zoning on his recommended to be zoned for single land would present a financial family use. hardship on him, .adding other The large tract at the northeast developers would suffer if their land corner of FM 2818 and Wellborn was zoned downward. Road was recommended for Schick said the land along South - agricultural open land. west Parkway "is one of the last The medium density apartments areas available with city water and zone would allow a maximum of 16 sewer" and good access for apart - living units to be built per acre. The ment development. agricultural open zoning would He said the wide roads in the area allow one dwelling to be built per "lend themselves to the highest five acres and was described by the density development the city would city staff as a holding pattern to see allow. what happens to development in the Area homeowners objected, area in the future. saying Southwest Parkway already Residents and developers alike has a lot of traffic, and is used by opposed the zoning, although for many school children on their way to different reasons. and from classes. Kathleen The residents of the area along Kenefick, a member of the city's Southwest Parkway protested Park and Recreation Committee, allowing any apartments adjacent to said she doesn't want apartments on their property. They said apart- the Southwest Parkway land. "If ments lower the value of their land, you do have apartments there, make They said they felt single - family them as small a number as possible, units or at most duplexes and four include a buffer zone (between plexes would be a better use of the apartments and the single family property at Welsh and Southwest housing) and make them durable." Parkway and a tract of land im= Ed Jones, one of the owners of the mediately to the west, which was not land at Fm 2818 and Wellborn Road, under consideration by the council. said he opposes the proposed Richard J. Maher of 1816 Leona rezoning of his land. "We sure don't Drive said he represented several want it rezoned back to something homeowners in the area who op- we can't live with in the future." posed allowing apartments on the After two hours, the council voted land along Southwest Parkway. to send the recommendations back He said the Planning and Zoning to the Planning and Zoning Board Board should not have considered for further study of the entire zoning the various tracts of land in- picture in the area — a suggestion dividually, but rather as part of the Councilman Lane Stephenson had entire zoning picture in the area. made at the start of the public hearing. Councilmen met another two hours in public before going behind closed doors at 11 p.m. to discuss pending litigation against the city. "I hope we can convince the council it (the land) should be low density," Maher stated. He also objected to leaving the Eagle 13, 1978 108 LEGAL NOTICES �TO WHOM IT AAAY CON The applicant requests a CERN: variance to the terms of Sec The Zoning Board of Ad -` Lion 8 -0.5 of the Zoning Or- justment will consider a dinance in order to construct a request from Dwayne Rhea at detached sign in a neigh - their called meeting in the borhood business district on his Council Room of the College Property at 2751 Longmire. Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. . Further information is on Tuesday, January 17, 1978, available at the office of the the nature of the case being as Building Official of the City follows: of College Station, 846 -8886. The applicant requests a variance to the terms of Sec ' tion 8 -D.5 of the Zoning Or- j Building Offi cial dinance in order to construct a TO WHOM IT detached sign in a neigh- MAY CON CERN: borhood business district on his property at 2751 Longmire. Further information is The Zoning Board of Ad available at the office of the jusiment will consider a request from i,I Building Official of the'City of their called meetine Rhea at College Station, 846 - 8886.. Council Room of the College' William F. Koehler Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. - Building Official on Tuesday, January 17, 1978, the nature ofthe case being TO WHOM IT MAY CON- follows: as - CERN: The applicant requests a variance to the terms of Sec The Zon9ng - Board of Ad- Lion 8 -0.5 of the Zoning Or- justment will consider a dinance in order to construct a - request from victor Caudillo at detached sign in a neigh - their called meeting in the borhood business district on his Council Room of the College Property at 2751 Longmire. Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. Further information is on Tuesday, January 17, 1978, available at the office of the the nature of the case being as Building Official of the City follows: of College Station, 846 -8886. The applicant requests a permit to expand a nom William F. Koehler conforming use by adding to a j Building Offi cial building at 201 College Main -- -- - -- - -which does not meet setback or Koff - street parking F requirements of the Zoning f Ordinance. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station, 846-8886. William F. Koehler Building Official The Eagle TheEagle ,Tan. 12, 1978 Jan. 13, 1978 NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed Proposals addressed to the City of College Station, Texas for the construction and maintenance, including the supply of necessary labor and equipment, of 12.5 KV electric distribution lines will be received at the Office of the City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 P.M. on the 6th day of February, 1978 for the following project: Electric Distribution System Line Extension and Main tenahce Contract ( Labor Only for 1978 as more fully described in the Specifications. Bids received by 1:00 P.M. will be publicly opened and read in the City Council chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas at 1:00 P.M. on the same date. Bids received after 1:00 P.M. February 6, 1978 will be returned unopened to the sender. Each Proposal must be accompanied by a bid bond in the form attached or a certified check on a bank that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Payable to the order of the Owner, in an amount equal to ten percent 10% of the maximum bid price. Each Bidder agrees, provided its Proposal is one of the three low Proposals, that, by filing its Proposal together with such bid bond orcheck in con- sideration of the Owner's receiving and considering such Proposals, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each such Bidder and such bid bond or check shall be held by the Owner until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory Contractor's Bond is furnished by the successful Bidder or for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date hereinbefore set for Proposal is not one of the three low Proposals, the bid bond or check will be returned in each instance within a period of twenty (20) days to the Bidder furnishing same. Plans and Specifications for this project may be obtained from the Engineer, Electric Power Engineers, Inc., P.O. Box 9970, 203 Holleman Drive East, College Station, Texas 77840 upon payment of $15.00 Per set, which payment will not be subject to refund. Bids will be evaluated by the - City based on the qualifications and experience of the Bidder, the Bidder's ability to meet the specified construction schedule, as well as the price offered. The City reserves the right to accept the Proposal that best suits its needs Whether or not the price is lowest and also reserves the right to reject all bids or waive informalities. Award of the Contract to the successful bidder will be made at a subsequent meeting of the City Council of College Station. City of College Station, Texas By Lorence L. Bravenec Mayor TO WHOM IT MAY COW CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad jusiment will consider a request from Dwayne Rhea at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m, on Tuesday, January 17, 1978, the nature of the case being as follows The applicant requests a variance to the terms of Sec ,ion of the Zoning Or dinance in order to construct a detached sign in a neigh- borhood business district on his property at 2751 Longmire. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station, 846 -8886. William F. Koehler Building Official The Eagle Jan. 14, 1978 j5'+ NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed Proposals addressed to the City of College Station, Texas for the construction and maintenance, including the supply of necessary labor and equipment, of 12.5 KV electric distribution lines. will be received at -the Office of the City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 P.M. on the 6th day of February, 1978 for the following project: j Electric Distribution System Line Extension and Main - tenatice Contract (Labor Only for 1978 as more fully described in the Specifications. Bids received by 1:00 P.M. will be publicly opened and read in the City Council chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas at 1:00 P.M. on the same date. Bids received after 1.00 P.M. February 6, 1978 will. be returned unopened to the sender. Each Proposal must be accompanied by a bid bond in the form attached or a certified check on a bank that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, payable to the order of the Owner, in an amount equal to ten percent 10% of the maximum bid price. Each Bidder agrees, provided its Proposal Ls one - of the three low Proposals, that, by filing its Proposal together with such bid bond orcheck in con- sideration of the Owner's receiving and considering such Proposals, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each such Bidder and such bid bond or check shall be held by the Owner until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory Contractor's Bond is furnished by the successful Bidder or for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date hereinbefore set for Proposal is not one of the - three low Proposals, the bid bond or Check will be returned in each instance within a period of twenty (20) days to the Bidder furnishing same. Plans and Specifications for Phis project may - ne obtained from the Engineer, Electric Power Engineers, Inc., P.O. Box 9970, 203 Holleman Drive East, College Station, Texas 77840 upon payment of 815.00 per set, which payment will not be subject to refund. Bids will be evaluated by the City based on the qualifications and experience of the Bidder, the Bidder's ability to meet the specified construction schedule, as well as the price offered. The City reserves the right to accept the Proposal that best suits its needs whether or not the price is lowest and also reserves the right to reject all bids or waive informalities. Award of.the Contract to the successful bidder will be made at a subsequent meeting 0f the City Council of College Station. City of College Station, Texas By Lorene L. Bravenec Mayor TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad- justment will consider a request from Dwayne Rhea at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hail at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 1978, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests 'a variance to the terms of Sec- tion 8 -D.5 of the Zoning Or- dinance in order to construct a detached sign in a neigh- borhood business district on his property a12751 Long ire. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station, 846 -8886. William F. Koehler Building Official TO WHOM IT MAY CON CERN: The Zoning . Board of Ad- justment will consider a request from Victor Caudillo at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday, January 17, 1978, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests a permit to expand a non conforming use by adding to a building at 201 College Main which does not meet setback or off street parking requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station, 8468886. William F. Koehler Building Official Th- . Eagle Jan. 15, 1978 NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed Proposals addressed to the City of College Station, Texas for the construction and maintenance, including the supply of necessary labor and equipment, of 12.5 KV electric distribution lines Will be received at the Office of the City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 P.M. on the 6th day of February, 1978 for the following project: Electric Distribution System Line Extension and Main tenahce Contract ( Labor Only for 1978 as more fully described in the Specifications. Bids received by 1:00 P.M. will be publicly opened and read in the City Council chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas at 1:00 P.M. on the same date. Bids received after 1:00 P.M. February 6, 1978 will be returned unopened to the sender. Each Proposal must be accompanied by a bid bond in the form attached or a certified check on a bank that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Payable to the order of the Owner, in an amount equal to ten percent 10 °0 of the maximum bid price. Each Bidder agrees, provided its Proposal Ls one of the three low Proposals, that, by filing its Proposal together with such bid bond orcheck in con- sideration of the Owner's receiving and considering such Proposals, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each such Bidder and such bid bond or check shall be held by the Owner until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory Contractor's Bond is furnished by the successful Bidder or for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date hereinbefore set for Proposal is not one of the three low Proposals, the bid bond or check will be returned in each instance within a period of twenty (20) days to the Bidder furnishing same. Plans and Specifications for this project may be obtained from the Engineer, Electric Power Engineers, Inc., P.O. Box 9970, 203_ Holleman Drive East, College Station, Texas 77840 upon payment of $75.00 per set, which payment will not be subiect to refund. Bids will be evaluated by the City based on the qualifications and experience of the Bidder, the Bidder's ability to meet the specified construction schedule, as well as the price offered. The City reserves the right to accept the Proposal that best suits its needs whether or not the price is lowest and also reserves the right to reject all bids or waive informalities. Award of the Contract to the successful bidder will be made at a subsequent meeting of the City Council of College Station. City of College Station, Texas By Lorence L. Bravenec Mayor TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad- justment will consider a request from Dwayne Rhea at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 1978, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests a variance to the terms of Sec tion 8 -D.5 of the Zoning Or dinance in order to construct a detached sign in a neigh- borhood business district on his property at 2751 Longmire. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station, 8468886. William F. Koehler Building Official The Eagle Jan. 16, 1978 Ward controversy starts By RUSTY CAWLEY XT ever mind that the council remains Battalion City Editor pure caucasian despite use of the ward sys- Don't look now. But an old controversy is finding new life as College Station city elections near. News analysis The controversy concerns the College Station ward system, an election plan in- troduced here two years ago. The idea is simple enough. Split the town into six sections and allow each to elect one councilman to represent its interests. But in a town as small as College Sta- tion, the critics say, the simplicity turns to chaos. The result is an unproductive, un- necessary gerrymander the voters find in- comprehensible. That's what the critics say. And they have a point. The ward system does have its support- ers. They say the system provides equal representation throughout the city. And, they say, it gives minorities a chance to elect their own representatives without having to compete with the white masses. tem last year. Never mind that incumbent councilmen were re- elected without a challenge. Never mind. College Station voters installed the ward system in the 1976 city elections. The city councilmen didn't like the system from the start and did everything they could to ignore the inevitable. First they took the election itself to court. Not officially, of course. But they did support former mayor Andy Anderson and 700 residents who filed a petition in 85th District Court. Election ballots were vague and confus- ing, the petitioners said. They asked Judge Bill Davis to overturn the election. He re- fused. Strike one. up again Next the council made a half - hearted ef- fort to design a system acceptable to them- selves and to the Justice Department. And when the plan was finished it benefited none of those it was supposed to. Not because the council was unwilling to help the city's minority voters, but be- cause grouping them within a single ward is impossible. Black and Chicano residents are scat- tered throughout the area. Strike two. And now here's the windup for what is hopefully the final pitch. The council told City Attorney Neeley Lewis in last Thurs- day's meeting to start drawing up an amendment for this year's election. If approved, the amendment will bring back the old system of electing all six councilman and the mayor on an at -large basis. And it would put the relatively new but battered ward system out of its misery. The Battalion Jan. 16, 1978 USDA studies ASCS move No decision yet on relocation By CHUCK HOUSE Staff Writer Studies to determine the cost of moving state Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation (ASCS) offices from College Station to Temple are being conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Congressman W.R. "Bob" Poage. No decision has been made con- cerning the move, Deputy Ad- minstrator of . State and County ASCS offices Weldon Denny said today in Washington, D.C. The USDA cost study is not complete, he added, and figures are not currently available. "It's standard procedure to do this when offices may be moved," Denny said. Denny is expected to be influential in making the decision along with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland. According to a spokesman for Poage. 's office, John Baize, moving the offices to Temple would be sub- stantially cheaper than to keep them in College Station. Poage proposed the move several times during the last ten years, ostensibly to. centralize all state agriculture agen*s in Temple, whiclf is included•ih the district he represents. Z "For 10 or 12 years I have thought we ought to have all of the agricul- ture offices together and that would include this ASCS office," Poage said earlier. Over a 10 year period, Baize claimed, the cost per year retaining the offices in College Station would amount to an average of $140,570. If the offices were moved, he said his study indicated, the average per year cost would be $102,700. Baize said these figures include rent, taxes, utilities, the cost of remodelling, and moving expenses for 25 employees. There would be 62 ASCS employees affected by the move, he said, but only 20 super- visory employees and no more than four clerical personnel would relocate. Referring to the cost study, Bryan - College Station Chamber of Com- merce President Armand FKank said, "any report coming out of Poage's office has to be completely biased. Poage is playing politics to the hilt." A suitable building in Temple to house the offices has been found, Baize said. The building is the for- mer Goldstein -Migel department store on North Main Street. The building, now vacant, has 36,000 square feet, substantially more than the space necessary, Baize noted. "These decisions aren't always based on facts and figures," Baize said. "This will be a political decision' But Texas is one of the few states in the Union which doesn't locate all of its state offices in one place." The Eagle Jan. 16, 1978 NOTICE TO BIDDERS i(istance within a period of Sealed Proposals addressed i twenty (20) days to the Bidder to the City Of College Station, furnishing same. Texas for the construction and maintenance, including the Plans and Specifications for supply of necessary labor and this proje& . may be obtained equipment, of 12.5 KV electric distribution lines. from the Engineer, Electric Power Engineers, Inc., P.O. Will be received at -the Office of the Box 9970, 203 Holleman Drive City Secretary, City of College leg East, College Station, Texas Station, Texas until 1:00 77840 upon payment of $15.00 on the 6th day of February, per set, which payment will not 1978 for the following project: be subject to refund. Electric Distribution System Bids will be evaluated by the Line Extension and M i' Main- City based on the qualifications tenahce Contract end experience of the Bidder, and Bidder's ability to meet the (Labor Only for 1978 specified construction as more fully described in the of ered. The City r serves Specifications. Bids received by 1.b0 P.M, right to accept the Proposal will be publicly opened and read in the City that best suits its needs whether or not the price is ouncil chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas lowest and also reserves the at 1:00 P.M. on the same date. right to reject all bids or waive informalities. Bids received after 1: - 00 P.M. February 6, 1978 will be Award of the Contract to the returned unopened to the successful bidder will be made sender. Each Proposal at a subsequent meeting of the must be accompanied by a bid bond in City Council of College Station. ' the form attached or a certified City of College Station, Texas check on a bank that is a By Lorence.L.Bravenec member of the Federal Deposit Mayor Insurance Corporation, payable to the order of the Owner, in an amount equal to TO WHOM IT MAY CON ten percent 1 pri ce Each the maximum bid . price, CORN: The Zoning Board of Ad- , agrees, provided its will consider a Pr iustment Proposal Proposal (s one of the three low request from Dwayne Rhea at Proposals, that, by filing its their called meeting in the Proposal together with such Council Room of the College bid bond o in con- Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m . e of f the he Owner's on Tuesday, January 17, 1978, re receiving i and considering such the nature of the case being as follows: Proposals, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each The applicant requests a such Bidder and such bid bond variance to the terms of Sec or check shall be held by the Lion 8 -D -5 of the Zoning Or- Owner until a Proposal is dinance in order to construct a accepted and a satisfactory detached sign in a neigh Contractor's Bond is furnished borhood business district on his by the successful Bidder or for I property at 2751 Longmire. a period not to exceed sixty Further information is (60) days from the date available at the office of the hereinbefore set for Proposal is Building Official of the City of not one , - of the three low College Station, 846 -8886. Proposals, the -bid bond or William F. Koehler check will be returned in each I Building Official The Eagle Jan. 17. 1978 I. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed Proposals addressed to City of College Station, Texas, will be received at the Office of the City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 P.M. on the 6th of February, 1978 for furnishing electric distribution materials Of the following general categories: Group "A ": Steel Distribution Poles and Crossarms Group "B " Disconnect Switches i all as more fully described in the Specifications. Bids received by 1:00 P.M., February 6, 1978 will be Publicly opened and read in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas at 1:00 P.M. on the same date. Bids received after 1:00 P.M., February 6, 1978 will be returned to the sender unopened. Each proposal must be in a sealed envelope bearing on the outside the name of the bidder and the City of College Station Contract No. CS 78 ED 12. Materials shall be bid by groups, without individual item bids. The bidder is free to bid any single group or com- bination of groups. The Pur- chaser may accept one or more individual group bids or a group combination bid as it deems most advantageous. Materials shipped by truck shall be f.0.b. the City Warehouse on Church Street in College Station, Texas. Those materials shipped by rail shall be f.o.b. cars, the Southern Pacific or Missouri Pacific siding in College Station, Texas. Invoices and shipping notices shall specify that the materials are a part of Con- tract No. CS 78 ED -12 and shall identify materials by the Item numbers assigned in the specifications. Each Proposal must be ac- companied by a bid bond or a certified check on a bank that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation payable to the order of the City of College Station, Texas in an amount equal to five percent (5 %)of the maximum bid price. Each bidder agrees, that by filing its Proposal, together with such bid bond or check in consideration of the City of College Station receiving and considering such Proposal, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each such Bidder. Bid bonds or checks of the three low bidders shall be held by the City of College Station until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory Per- formance Bond is furnished by the Successful Bidder or for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date herein - before set for the opening of the Proposals, whichever period shall be shorter. If such Proposal is not one of the three low Proposals, the bid bond or check will be returned in each instance within a period of ten (10) days to the Bidder fur- nishing same. One copy of the bidding forms and specifications are ob- tainable free of charge at the Office of the City Secretary, College Station, Texas or from Electric Power Engineers, Inc., 203 Holleman Drive East, College Station, Texas. Ad- ditional copies may be pur- chased from the Engineer for a fee of $10.00. Bids will be evaluated by the Purchaser, based on quality, economy of operation, delivery dates, experience of the manufacturer, availability of service for repair and main- tenance, and the adaptability of the particular equipment to the specific use intended. The Purchaser reserves the right to select the equipment which best suits its needs whether the price is the lowest or not, and also reserves the right to reject all bids and waive in- formalities. The Purchaser expects these materials to be, installed before June 1, 1978. Bidders are urged to offer the earliest practical delivery date, which dates shall be considered by the Purchaser when chossing the Successful Bidder. Award of the Contract to the Successful Bidder will be made at a subsequent meeting of theCity Council of College Station. CITY OF COLLEGE S T A T I O N, T E X A S By Lorence L. Bravenec Mayor On February 2, 1978, a public bearing will be held before the ,'City` bf College Station Plan- ning and Zoning Commission concerning the 1978 Com- munity' Development Block Grant Application of the City of College Station. The hearing will be held as a regular agenda item of the Commission meeting. This meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Room of City Hall, 1101 Texas Ave. This meeting shall be held in' order of obtain .views of citizens on community development and housing needs and to receive proposals for the use of the 1978 Block Grant fund. $302,000 in Block Grant funds are available to the City for 1978. Topics to be considered shall include eligible activities, ineligible activities, basic Program requirements and procedures, recent Program performance, and application procedures and timing. Following discussion of these topics the public will be invited to submit their views relative to housing and community development needs and proposals for th use of 1978 funds. The activities for which the 1978 funds shall be used shall be identified through the development of an application to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development on or before April 7, 1978. This ap- plication will be considered at this hearing and subsequent meetings and public hearings. Through this process an ap- plication will be developed for consideration by City Council. Following Council approval of the application the application will be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Upon approval of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and release of funds through environmental clearances the funds will be available for the activities identified. For further information, technical assistance in the preparation and submission of program proposals, and detailed explanation of program requirements, in- terested persons should feel free to contact James M. Callaway, at the Planning Department, City Hall, 846- 8886. The Eagle Jan. 18, 1978 TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Station City Council will hold a public hearing on the question of rezoning the following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 of College Hills Estates Addition located at the intersection of Foster Street and Francis Street from Single Family Residential District R- 1 to Duplex Residential District R -2. The application is in the name of Lorelei B. Brown, '700 Gilchrist, College Station, Texas 77840. The said hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at the 7 :00 P.M. meeting of the City Council on Thursday, February 9, 1978. For additional information, Please contact me. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. City Planner TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad- justment will consider a request from Dwayne Rhea at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 1978, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests a variance to the terms of Sec- tion 8 -D.5 of the Zoning Or- dinance in order to construct a detached sign in a neigh- borhood business district on his property at 2751 Longmire. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station, 846.8886. William F. Koehler Building Official TO WHOM IT MAY CON CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to con- sider a request for a con' ditional use permit for the operation of a day care facility to be located at the northeast' corner of the intersection of Dominic Drive and Puryear Drive (Block E. Culpepper Plaza Addition). The ap- the name M. 11 Green O ks Bryan; Texas. The hearing will be held in the Council Room of the South Texas Avenue, l the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Com- Mission on Thursday, February 2, 1978. For additional information, please contact the City Plan- ner's Office in the City Hall, 71 3 - 8�6 -8886, The Eagle Jan. 18, 1978 I' NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed Proposals addressed to City of College Station, Texas, will be received at the Office of the City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 P.M- on the 6th of February, 1978 for furnishing electric distribution materials of the following general categories: Group "A" -Steel Distribution Poles and Crossarms Group "B" Distribution Disconnect Switches all as more fully described iM1" the Specifications. Bids received by 1:00 P.M., February 6, 1978 will be publicly opened and read in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas at 1:00 P.M. on the same date. Bids received after 1:00 P.M., February 6, 1978 will be returned to the sender unopened. Each proposal must be in a sealed envelope bearing on the outside the name of the bidder and the City of College Station Contract No. CS 78 ED- 12. Materials shall be bid by groups, without individual item bids. The bidder is free to bid any single group or com- bination of groups. The Pur chaser may accept one or more individual group bids or a group combination bid as it deems most advantageous. Materials shipped by truck shall be f.o.b. the City Warehouse on Church Street in College Station, Texas. Those materials shipped by rail shall be f.o.b. cars, the Southern Pacific or Missouri Pacific siding in College Station, Texas. Invoices and shipping notices shall specify that the materials are a part of Con tract No. CS 78 ED -12 and shall identify materials by the Item numbers assigned in' the specifications. Each Proposal must be ac- companied by a bid bond or a certified check on a bank that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation payable to the order of the City of College Station, Texas in an amount equal to five percent '(5 o)of the maximum bid price. Each bidder agrees, that by filing its Proposal, together with such bid bond or check in consideration of the City of College Station receiving and considering such Proposal, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each such Bidder. Bid bonds or checks of the three low bidders shal.l be held by the City of College Station until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory Per- formance Bond - {{s furnished by the Successful Aidder or for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date herein - before set for the opening of the Proposals, whichever period shall be shorter. If such Proposal is not one of the three low Proposals, the bid bond or check will be returned in each instance within a period of ten (10) days to the Bidder fur- nishing same. One copy of the bidding forms and speSifications are ob- tainable #fee bf charge at the Officd of NSe Secretary, College Station, Texas or from Electric Power, Engineers, i Inc., 203 Holleman Drive East, - College Station, Texas. Ad- ditional copies may be pur chased from the Engineer for a fee of 570.00. Bids will be evaluated by the Purchaser, based on quality, economy of operation, delivery dates, experience of the manufacturer, availability of service for repair and main- tenance, and the adaptability of the particular equipment to the specific use intended. The Purchaser reserves the right to select the equipment which best suits its needs whether the price is the lowest or not, and also reserves the right to reject all bids and waive in- formalities. The Purchaser expects these materials to be installed before June 1, 1978. Bidders are urged to offer the earliest practical delivery date, which dates shall be considered by the Purchaser when chossing the Successful Bidder. Award of the Contract to the Successful Bidder will be made at a 'subsequent meeting of theCity Council of College Station. CITY OF COLLEGE S T A T I O N, T E X A S By Lorence L. Bravenec Mayor TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission Ovill hold a public hearing on the question of rezoning the following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 of College Hills Estates Ad- dition located at the corner of Foster Street and Francis Street from Single Family Residential District R -1 to 'Duplex Residential District R- 2. The application is in the name of Lorelei B. Brown, 700 Gilchrist, College Station, Texas. The said hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Com- mission on Thursday, February 2, 1978. - For additional information, Please contact me. Albert O. Mayo, Jr City Planner The Eagle Jan. 19, 1978 I bti I. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed Proposals addressed to City of College Station, Texas, will be received at the Office of the City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 P.M. on the 6th of February, 1978 for furnishing electric distribution materials of the following general categories: Group "A" -Steel Distribution Poles and Crossarms Group" B" Distribution Disconnect Switches all as more fully described in the Specifications. Bids received by 1:00 P.M., February 6, 1978 will be publicly opened and read in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas at 1:00 P.M. on the same date. Bids received after 1:00 P.M., February 6, 1978 will be returned to the sender unopened. Each proposal must be in a sealed envelope bearing on the outside the name of the bidder and the City of College Station Contract No. CS 78 ED 12. Materials shall be bid by groups, without individual item bids. The bidder is free to bid any single group or com- bination of groups. The Pur chaser may accept one or more individual group bids or a group Sombination bid as it deems most advantageous. Materials shipped by truck shall be f.o.b. the City Warehouse on Church Street in College Station, Texas. Those materials shipped by rail shall be f.o.b. cars, the Southern Pacific or Missouri Pacific siding in College Station, Texas. Invoices and shipping notices shall specify that the materials are a part of Con- tract No. CS 78 ED 12 and shall identify materials by the Item numbers assigned in the specifications. Each Proposal must be ac- companied by a bid bond or a certified check on a bank that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation payable to the order of the City of College Station, Texas in an amount equal to five percent (5 1 6)of the maximum bid price. Each bidder agrees, that by filing its Proposal, together with such bid bond or check in consideration of the city of College Station receiving and considering Such Proposal, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each such Bidder. Bid bonds or checks of the three low bidders shall be held by the City of College Station until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory Per formance Bond is furnished by the Successful Bidder or for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date herein - before set for the opening of the Proposals, whichever period shall be shorter. If such Proposal is not one of the three low Proposals, the bid bond or check will be returned in each instance within a period of ten (10) days to the Bidder fur- nishing same. One copy of the bidding forms and specifications are ob— tainable free of charge at tfie° Office of the City Secretary, College Station, Texas or from Electric Power Engineers, Inc., 203 Holleman Drive East, College Station, Texas. Ad- ditional copies may be pur- chased from the Engineer for a fee of $10.00. Bids will be evaluated by the Purchaser, based on quality, economy of operation, delivery dates, experience of the manufacturer, availability of service for repair and main tenance, and the adaptability of the particular equipment to the specific use intended. The Purchaser reserves the right to select the equipment which best suits its needs whether the price is the lowest or not, and also reserves the right to reject all bids and waive in- formalities. The Purchaser expects these materials to be installed before June 1, 1978. Bidders are urged to offer the earliest practical delivery date, which dates shall be considered by the Purchaser when chossing the Successful Bidder. Award of the Contract to the Successful Bidder will be made at a subsequent meeting of theCity Council of College Station. CITY OF COLLEGE S T A T I O N, T E X A S By Lorence L. Bravenec Mayor TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the question of rezoning the following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 of College Hills Estates Ad dition located at the corner of Foster Street and Francis Street from Single Family Residential District R -1 to 'Duplex Residential District R 2. The application is in the name of Lorelei B. Brown, 700 Gilchrist, College Station, Texas. The said hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Com- mission on Thursday, February 2, 1978. For additional information, please contact me. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. _C ity Planner The Eagle Jan. 20, 1978 I. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed Proposals addressed to City of College Station, Texas, will be received at the Office of the City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 P.M. on the 6th of February, 1978 for furnishing electric distribution materials of the following general categories: Group "A" -Steel Distribution Poles and Crossarms Group" B" Distribution Disconnect Switches all as more fully described in the Specifications. Bids received by 1:00 P.M., February 6, 1978 will be publicly opened and read in the City Council Chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas at 1:00 P.M. on the same date. Bids received after 1:00 P.M., February 6, 1978 will be returned to the sender unopened. Each proposal must be in a sealed envelope bearing on the outside the name of the bidder and the City of College Station Contract No. CS 78 ED- 12. Materials shall be bid by groups, without individual item bids. The bidder is free to ,bid any single group or com- bination of groups. The Pur chaser may accept one or more individual group bids or a group combination bid as it deems most advantageous. Materials shipped by truck shall be f. o. b. the City Warehouse on Church Street in College Station, Texas. Those materials shipped by rail shall be f.o.b. cars, the Southern Pacific or Missouri Pacific siding in College Station, Texas. Invoices and shipping notices snail specify that me materials are a part of Con- tract No. CS 78 ED 12 and shall identify materials by the Item numbers assigned in Me specifications. Each Proposal must be ac- companied by a bid bond or a certified check on a bank that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation payable to the order of the City of College Station, Texas in an amount equal to five percent (59 the maximum bid price. Each bidder agrees, that by filing its Proposal, together with such bid bond or Check in consideration of the City of College Station'receivi rig and considering such Proposal, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each such Bidder. Bid bonds or checks of the three low bidders shall be held by the City of College Station until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory Per- formance Bond is furnished by the Successful Bidder or for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date herein before set for the opening of the Proposals, whichever period shall be shorter. If such Proposal is not one of the three low Proposals, the bid bond or check will be returned in each instance within a period of ten (10) days to the Bidder fur nishing same. One copy of the bidding forms and specifications are ob- tainable free of charge at the Office of the City Secretary, College Station, Texas or from Electric Power Engineers, Inc., 203 Holleman Drive East, College Station, Texas. Ad ditional copies may be pur- chased from the Engineer for a fee of $10.00. Bids will be evaluated by the Purchaser, based on quality, economy of operation, delivery dates, experience of the manufacturer, availability of service for repair and main tenance, and the adaptability of the particular equipment to the specific use intended. The Purchaser reserves the right to select the equipment which best suits its needs whether the price is the lowest or not, and also reserves the right to reject all bids and waive in formalities. The Purchaser expects these materials to be installed before June 1, 1978. Bidders are urged to offer the earliest practical delivery dare, which dates shall be considered by the Purchaser when chossing the Successful Bidder. Award of the Contract to the Successful Bidder will be made at a subsequent meeting of theCity Council of College Station. CITY OF COLLEGE S TA T 1 O N, T EX A S By Lorence L. Bravenec Mayor The Eagle Jan. 21, 1978 City needs presented to capital committee By JEANNE LOPEZ Possible long range needs for the city were presented Monday to members of the College Station Capital Improvements Committee by city manager North Bardell. The committee will - have the responsibil- ity of deciding which projects will be given priority for voter approval in the April 1 bond election, as well as deciding which capital expenditures to delay or cut from the city budget. Bardell listed several possibilities for capital improvements. He and Elrey Ash, director of capital improvements, gave the committee a brief explanation of each project and estimated costs. Ash also serves as city engineer. The city's financial adviser from Moroney Beissner and Co. will attend at a later committee meeting. Final tabulations of the priority im- provements will be incorporated, into a booklet for distribution among voters two weeks prior to the election. "An analysis of present street conditions showed that street rebuilding is a must and should be on the priority list," said Bardell. Though some streets may only require coating, some will be completely resur- faced. Ash added that he would like to set up a revolving account for street rebuilding purposes. "With this account we could budget more money from the general fund," he said. The estimated street expenditure is $300,000. Suggestions for new fire apparatus in- cluded the purchase of a rescue - pumper at an estimated cost of $60,000 and a ladder truck at $275,000. City fire fighters cur- rently use a manual ladder. Termed the "grudge line" by Bardell, the Northgate Sewer Relief project would put Bryan and College Station on separate sewer lines in the Northgate area. "We have made several proposals to Bryan officials to avoid building another line, but they are in no mood to cooperate," said Bardell. Sewer system designs are underway and the project is expected to be completed E in next January at the cost of 650,000. Another suggestion was a water im- provement plan proposing a larger water line which connects the Texas A &M Uni- versity water line with College Station's line. A larger line is needed, Bardell said, because of the rapid population increase in , the area. The joint line would cost $2.5 million. Improvements on the Dominik, Kyle, and Jersey intersections at an estimated $200,000 and an overhead storage con- struction in the Southwood Valley area at ` $1.6 million were also discussed. Bardell did not give any figures on a park acquisition suggestion. He said the park commissioner will make a presentation on the needs of the College Station parks at a later 4ate., The Battalion Jan.24, 1978 CS names panel for improvements By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer With an eye toward $5 -plus million worth or capital improvements, a 19- member citizens committee began work Monday in College Station. The citizens were appointed to the committee by city council members in College Station. Councilman Gary Halter chaired Monday's meeting which was also attended by coun- cilmen Jim Gardner and Larry Ringer. The committee received a veritable ream of photocopies detailing the city's financial position, the outstanding bonded indebtedeness and possible capital improvements. Top on the list of priorities recommended by the city staff is $650,000 for a sewer line in Nor- thgate. That area is served by the City of Bryan and the line was the matter of considerable dispute between the two cities. Monday Halter took the opportunity to cast caustic . comments toward Bryan saying that the line is an example that "they (the city councilmen in Bryan) don't want to cooperate." City Manager North Bardell said the line is an example of a "very inef- ficient use of taxpayers' money." Now the City of College Station has no choice but to build a parallel line to the area . around to the sewage treatment plant on Carter Creek, northeast of College Station, Halter said. Under agreement between the two cities, both will be independent in terms of utilities by 1979. That will also necessitate ad- ditional water system im- provements for College Station. The city estimates it will take some $2.5 million now for water improvements and $1.6 million after 1980 for overhead water storage. The water system improvements will bring water over 5.6 miles of additional water line from a new well field. Bardell said the city's water usage figures were "blown out of the tub last summer." The peak use jumped from 4.5 million gallons of water to a projected figure over 6 million last summer. The city will apply for a federal grant to match $2.4 million already approved by the voters for water improvements. The additional $2.5 million estimated for the bond issue in April might not be needed, but Bardell said it looks like the city needs to "go to the voters and get full authorization and hope we never have to use it." He said the system would be able to serve both the city and A &M University in emergencies for several years. Currently the city and the university distribution systems already are tied. Bardell said the proposed water system improvements - needed to handle the city's growth — would be able to "Nackfeed and serve Bryan" if necessary. Halter quipped that serving Bryan was "not likely oc- currence." Other possible capital im- provements discussed Monday in- cluded $275,000 for a ladder truck capable of reaching six stories high, a rescue pumper truck estimated at $60,000; $300,000 for street rebuilding; and $200,000 for im- proving the intersection of Dominik, Kyle and Jersey Streets. Park acquisition is a possible item in the bond election, but no projected estimates were included in the Monday meeting. Park improvement suggestions might,not be one area in particular where the committee could be of service to the city, Halter said. Members of the committee are J.H. Hinojosa, Jon R. Bond, Rav Brooks, Dick Hervey, Phil Sutton, Bill Fitch, W.K. Henry, Clare Gunn, Bill Hensel, Bob Bell, A.C. Vinzant, Codie Wells, Bob Waters, Chappel Riise, George Kunze, Bob Lacey, Erma Jefferson, Roseta Keaton and Tommy Preston. The committee will meet again next Monday at 4 p.m. to discuss the Northgate Sewer, water system improvements and the overhead storage tank in detail. Halter said the committee should meet ap- proximately three more times before coming up with a bond proposal to take to the city council. The Eagle Jan. 24, 1978 On February 9, 1978, a public hearing will be held before the City of College Station City Council concerning the 1978 Community Development Block Grant Application of the City of College Station. The hearing will be held as a regular agenda item of the Commission meeting.' This meeting will be held ai 7:00 P.M. in the Council Room of City Hall, 1101 Texas Ave. - This meeting shall be held in order to obtain views of citizens on community development and housing needs and to receive proposals for the use of the 1978 Block Grant funds. $302,000 in Block Grant funds are available to the City for 1978. Topics to be considered shall include eligible activities, ineligible activities, basic Program requirements and procedures, recent Program Performance, and application procedures and timing. Following discussion of these topics the public will be invited to submit their views relative to housing and community development needs and proposals for the use of 1978 funds. The activities for which the 1978 funds shall be used shall be identified through the development of an application to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development on - or before April 7, 1978. This ap- plication will be considered at this hearing and subsequent meetings and public hearings. Through this process an ap- plication will be developed for consideration by City Council. Following Council approval of the application the application will be submitted to' the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Upon approval of the Department of H o u s i n g a n d U r b a n Development and release of funds through environmental clearnaces the funds will be available for the activities identified. For further information, technical assistance in the preparation and submission of program proposals, and detailed explanation of program requirements, in- terested persons should feel free to contact James M. Callaway, at the Planning Department, City Hall, 846 18 886. TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the question of rezoning the following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 of College Hills Estates Ad dition located at the corner of Foster Street and Francis Street from Single Family -Residential District R -1 to 'Duplex Residential District R- 2. The application is in the name of Lorelei B. Brown, 700 Gilchrist, College Station, Texas. The said hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Corn mission on Thursday, February 2, 1978. For additional information, Please contact me. Albert O. Mayo, Jr City Planner The Eagle Jan. 25, 1978 City Council approves $3.5 million bond sale By FLAVIA KRONE cent. This com aces with the current been funded, will be required to ex- Acceptance of a bid by Rotan national average.inferest rate on Mosle, bonds of 5.74 tend the College Station sewer lines Inc. for the sale of $3,525,000 percent. in bonds was approved unanimously sale be used to Northgate. the a city the bonds will for con ruc- by the College Station City Council within the College Station Wednesday night. tion of a line connecting the College limits, its sewer system is serviced ,Station and Bryan sewerage treat- A total of six bids were received inent plants, said City Manager by the Bryan sewerage treatment plant. The area has experienced with Rotan Mosle offering the lowest North Bardell. effective interest rate of 4.95 per- Another $650,000 which has not problems with sewage overloads in the past. Acceptance of a $317,950 bid by Fairbairn Electric, Inc. of Corpus ' Christi for electrical construction in the College Station substation and switching station also was approved unanimously by the city council. The construction will enable Col- lege Station to take an additional 20 megawatts of load from Gulf States beginning June 1978. The Battalion Jan. 26, 1978 TO WHOM IT MAY CON TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: CERN: The College Station Planning The College Station Planning The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will and Zoning Commission will and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the hold a public hearing on the hold a public hearing on the question of rezoning the question of rezoning the question of rezoning the following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 of College Hills Estates Ad- of College Hills Estates Ad- of College Hills Estates Ad- dition located at the corner of dition located at the corner of dition located at the corner of Foster Street and Francis Foster Street and Francis Foster Street and Francis Street from Single .Family Street from Single ,Family Street from Single Family Residential District A3 -1 to Residential District R -1 to Residential District R -1 to 'Duplex Residential District R- 'Duplex Residential District R- 'Duplex Residential District R- 2. The application is in the 2. The application is in the 2. The application is in the name of Lorelei B. Browry 700 name of Lorelei B. Brown, 700 name of Lorelei B. Brown, 700 Gilchrist, College Station, Gilchrist, College Station, Gilchrist, College Station, Texas. Texas. Texas. The said hearing will be held - The said hearing will be held The said hearing will be held in the Council Room of the in the Council Room of the in the Council Room of the College Station City Nall at the College Station City Hall at the College Station City Hall at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Com- Planning and Zoning Com - Planning and Zoning Com - mission on Thursday, mission on Thursday, mission on Thursday, .February 2, 1978. - February 2, 1978. - February 2, 1978. - - For additional information, For additional information, For additional information, please contact me. please contact me. please contact me. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. C ity Planner , City Plan City Planner The Eagle The Eagle The Eagle Jan. 21, 1978 Jan. 25, 1978 Jan, 27, 1978 TO WHOM IT MAY CON- TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN- CERN: The College Station Planning The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will and Zoninci Commission will hold a public hearing on the hold a public hearing on the question of rezoning the following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 question of rezoning the of College Hills Estates Ad following tr act: Lot 1, Block 9 dition located at the corner of of College Bills Estates Ad- Foster Street and Francis dition local eri at the corner of Street from Single Family Foster Sti and Francis Street from Single Family Residential District R -1 to Residential District R -1 to Duplex Residential District R- 'Duplex Res i�dential District R- 2. The application is in the 2. The app I ication is in the name of Lorelei B. Brown, 700 name of Lor B. Brown, 700 Gilchrist, College Station, Gilchrist, I:ollege Station, Texas. Texas. The said hearing will be held The said h e�aring will be held in the Council Room of the in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at the College Stat ic City Hall at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Com- mission on Thursday, Planning and Zoning Com- February 2, 1976. _ mission o Thursday, February 2, 1978. For additional information, please contact me. For additiixial information, please conta c t me. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. Albert O. Miiy o, Jr, City Planner -- - City Pl anner _ The Eagle The Eagle Jan. 26, 1978 Feb. 2, 1978 By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer Charter changes ranging from dis- 'carding a one - year -old ward system to ridding the College Station charter of excess verbiage were ap- proved Thursday by the College Station City Council. The voters will act on the eight provisions April as part of the city's municipal election for mayor and three council positions as well as a probable $5 -7 million bond issue. The city is now on a ward system with representatives elected from specific geographic areas in the city. Only one election has been held un- der the system. Three of the six council members were elected from wards, while three were already on the council prior to the adoption of the ward system. Technically, the three wards up for election do not have specific ward representation although `Councilmen Jim Dozier lives in ,ward six and Jim Gardner lives in ward four. No present councilman lives in ward two. It also means that Council Lane Stephenson, who lives in five, is ineligible to seek re -ele to the council until next year the ward five position held by Hazen comes up for election. Presently only the mayor's tion is elected citywide. Under proposed charter change — w would really revert the c election process back to the old ward system — all council posit would be elected citywide. When the charter is revi assuming the proposition passe will note that city council mem are elected by place but cityw However, the ballot on AD man ward ction when Anne posi- the hich ity's pre - ions sed, s, it bers ide. ril's election will not have the words "by place" on it to minimize confusing the voters. Proposed charter revisions also call for setting a minimum of 34 per- cent of the votes cast for council offices. In the event that a person does not receive 34 percent or more of the vote, the charter will provide for a runoff election. The rest of the charter changes just clean up the charter and make it conform to the state laws that bind the city anyway, councilmen Said. Two provisions relate to an- nexation either by petition or on the city's initiative. Both change the charter, officials said, to conform to state law. Another change would allow the city manager to designate someone to countersign checks on his behalf and still a further change would allow the city to set its fiscal year by ordinance rather than have the fis- cal year imbedded in the charter. The remaining two changes re- duce the charter by eight pages including taking out the metes and bounds description of the city — which changes whenever an an- nexation is made — and designating the, boundries of the city by re- feience to the articles of incorpora- tioq, the annexation ordinances and the official zoning map of the city. The provision changes also includes allowing the city to establish voting precincts as necessary and requires that these precincts conform with county voting precincts where it is practical to do so. Each qualified voter in the city whose name appears on the tax poll will receive, via mail, a copy of the proposed amendments. Discussion of the charter changes has been underway for several months and Thursday the council agreed on all the changes. The only disagreement came when Councilman Gary Halter suggested the changes appear in numerical sequence to allow voters to study the changes with the present charter more easily. How- ever, the rest of the council agreed to leave the propositions in the order they appear in the ordinance calling the election. The Eagle Jan. 27, 1978 CS City Council approves charter changes Council votes funds for B -CS tourist center By CONNIE BURKE The College Station City Council voted Thursday to fund a tourist in- formation center for the Bryan - College Station area. Generating interest in the Bryan - College Station area will be the center's main function. It will be located on the 2500 block of S. Texas Avenue. The council agreed to donate $50,000, five - sevenths of the project's two -year budget. Bryan City Council wiV be, asked to donate $20,000. . The cities' shares were based upon the amount each received from hotel and motel revenues last year. College Station received $70,000 from hotel and motel reve- nues in 1977. It was not indicated how much Bryan received from hotel and motel revenues last year. In other business, the council voted to allow further study of a pu blic transit system for College Station and Bryan. The two cities are currently studying areas to determine where public transportation is needed. In a survey conducted, earlier this year, 73 percent of those in both cities wanted a transit system. Preliminary plans of the construc- tion of Oaks Park will be reviewed by the council at a later date. The seven and a half acre park will be located on Highway 30 and Planta- tion Oaks. The park will include two party areas, a jogging loop, and a nine -hole frisbee golf course. The Battalion Jan. 27, 1978 TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the question of rezoning the following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 of College Hills pstlJes Ad- dition located at thex rner of Foster Street and Francis Street from Single Family Residential District RA to 'Duplex Residential District R- is in the 2. The name of application IB' Brown, 00 Gilchrist, College Station, Texas. The said hearing will be held ,in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Com- mission on Thursday February 2, 1978- For additional information, please contact me. Albert O. Mayo, Jr City Pla nner The Eagle Jan.27, 1978 CS council votes funding for new Tourist Center By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer A Tourist Information' Center is approximately $50,000 closer toward reality following action of the College Station City Council Thurs- day night. The council voted to fund the center, as presented by an ad hoc committee of hotel -motel representatives, people from the Bryan - College Station Chamber of Commerce and others. Temporary housing will be provided in the city -owned house on the so- called Miller tract on Texas Ave. across from the city cemetery. That tract will also be the site of the new police station and warehouse. Committee representative Ron Smestuen said the City of Bryan will be asked to contribdte $20,000 bf the $70,000 two -year budget. Funding will come from the 4 percent hotel -motel tax. Under state law allowing the cities to increase that tax by 1 percent, that 1 cent must be used for active promotion of tourism and tourist - related ac- tivities. Councilman Lane Stephenson, who later voted for the project, said he was "lukewarm" to the idea unless the tourist agency — which will be seprate from the chamber of commerece — actively seeks to increase convention business in the area. He said most people who come to College Station come here for a distinct purpose already. Stephenson also said the tourist center could be incorporated into the city's much discussed and as yet nonexistent civic center. Councilman Jim Dozier, of- ficiating at the meeting due to Mayor Lorence Bravenec's illness, said he believed the council should fund the center for two years to see if the concept works. He and others assured Stephenson that the center would not be a duplication of ser- vices should the civic center move forward. The city will have input into what the center does since it "controls the pursestrings," Dozier said. In other business, the city voted to continue with the Oaks Park project being designed by architects Timothy Keneipp, Rodney Hill and J.W. Woods. The archietects reviewed design of the park which is unique in College Station's park plan. It will be located on Stallings between High- way 30 and University Park. It is located near several apartment units filled predominantly with college students. Budgeted for the project is $108,000 with approximately half coming from Bureau of Outdoor Recreation funds. The park will incorporate tennis and surfaced playing areas, a one - third mile jogging course, a nine - hole frisbee golf course, a pavilion and lounging - picnic areas. Architects said the seating areas take into BCeount human behaviorial patterns and the park will feature stylized totems of people and oversized typical picnic objects which will define the picnic areas. The council also agreed to con- tinue with a study of a proposed mass transit system for Bryan and College Station. In the study, bus routes have been identified that would serve 77 per cent of the dwelling units in the cities and 93 per cent of the job locations. In 1975 the capital costs were estimated at $815,000 with the local portion estimated at $57,000. Estimated annual operating costs for four 45- passenger buses and 13 20- passenger minibuses is $450,000. Based on a 50 cent base fare and 25 cent off -peak fares, the deficit would be $200,000 per year with the local government having to come up with approximately $100,000 of the deficit. The transit system study was considered by the Bryan Council earlier this week. The council also passed a resolution recalling "with sober and obedient respect" the contributions made by W.A. Tarrow, who died Jan. 20. Tarrow was a teacher and prin- cipal of Lincoln High School for many years, was an outstanding lay leader in his church and was active in community work, the resolution said. The resolution cited Tarrow's "honesty, integrity, wisdom and love for his fellow man both body and soul, "which "went far beyond those of the average man." Following a brief closed session, the council appointed Wes Harper to the Zoning Board of Adjustments pending Harper's acceptance. Harper replaces Tom Comstrock who resigned. 00 O� v ao � co N w N G H� (1 S" /, NOTICE TO BIDDERS hereinbefore set for the opening of Proposals, Sealed Proposals addressed whichever period shall be the to the City of College Station, shorter. If such Proposal is not Texas for the construction, one of the three low Proposals, including the supply of me bid bona or check will. be necessary labor, mateials, and returned in each instance equipmenf, of 12.5 KV electric within a period of twenty (20) distribution lines will be days to the Bidder furnishing received at the Office of the same. City Secretary, City of College Plans and Specifications for Station, Texas until 1:00 P.M. this project may be obtained on the 20th of February, 1978. from the Engineer, Electric The major components of the Power Engineers, Inc., P.O. project are: Box 9970, 203 Holleman Drive East, College Station, Texas 1.) Construct approximately 1.0 three-phase, 77840 upon payment of $15.00 not miles of new 12.5 KV, overhead double- per set, which payment will be subject to refund. circuit, 4 MCM AAC distribution lin e. n Bids will be evaluated by the 2.) Construct approximately City based on the quality of 2.55 miles of new three - phase, materials to be furnished, the 12.5 KV, overhead single- qualifications and experience i circuit, 477 MCM AAC of the Bidder, the Bidder's' ability to meet the specified distribution line. 3.) Reconstruct approximately construction schedule, as well 0.38 miles of existing three- as the price offered. The City phase, 12.5 KV, overhead reserves the right to accept the single- circuit distribution line Proposal that best suits its to a three-phase, 12.5 KV, needs whether or not the price . overhead double - circuit, 477 is lowest and also reserves the a' MCM AAC distribution line. right to reject all bids or waive 4.) R e c o n d u c t o r a p- informalities. .I Award of the Contract to the proximately 0.63 miles of existing three - phase, 12.5 KV, successful bidder will be made overhead single circuit at a subsequent meeting of the distribution line; using 477 City Council of'Cotlege Station. MCM AAC conductor for phases and either a 336.4 MCM COLLEGE STAT ONF or 477 MCM AAC conductor for Texas the neutral By Lorence L. Bravenec all as more fully described in Mayor the Specifications. Bids received by 1:00 P.M., February 20, 1978 will be TO WHOM IT MAY CON- publicly opened and read in the CERN: City Council chambers of the City Hall in College Station, The College Station Planning Texas at 1:00 P.M. on the same and Zoning Corr)mission will date. Bids received after 1:00 hold a public hearing on the P.M., February 20, 1978 will be question of rezoning the returned unopened to the following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 sender. of College Hills Estates Ad- dition located at the corner of Each Proposal must be Foster Street and Francis accompanied by a bid bond in Street from Single Family the form attached or a certified Residential District R -1 to check on a bank that is a 'Duplex Residential District R- member of the Federal Deposit 2. The application is in the Insurance Corporation, name of Lorelei B. Brown, 700 payable to the order of the Gilchrist, College Station, Owner, in an amount equal to Texas. ten percent (40Qe) of the maximum bid price. Each The said hearing will be held Bidder agrees, provided its in the Council Room of the Proposal is one of the three low College Station City Hall at the Proposals, that, by filing its 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Proposal together with such bid bond or check in con- Planning and Zoning Com- sideration of the Owner's mission on Thursday, receiving and considering such February 2, 1978. Proposals, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each For additional information, such Bidder and such bid bond please contact me. or check shall be held by the Owner until a Proposal is Albert O. Mayo, Jr. accepted and a satisfactory Contractor's Bond is furnished City Planner by the successful Bidder or for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date The Eagle Jan. 28, 1978 To lure tourists we need attractions A Tourist Information Center is fine but a cart without a horse will not be of much use. College Station's City Council approved last week $50,000 to help in funding a tourist center for Bryan- College Station. The center has been discussed for some time but thus far we have heard little about at- tractions for tourists. The area has some fine attractions on the campus at Texas A &M University and elsewhere. But they have to be promoted. In addition, Bryan - College Station must develop more tourist appeal through special attractions. We suggest that before a tourist center is set up some thought and planning be devoted to building and promoting tourist attractions. A motel chain has announced plans for a new motel in College Station. This is great. More rooms certainly are needed on those football weekends. But what about those periods when the motels look like a Navy barracks on a liberty weekend? Tourists will not just wander through our cities. Some serious thought has to be given.to events and facilities to fill the motel rooms during the slack seasons. We have an abundance of music, art and dramatic talent in our two communities. Why can't we marshal them for an arts festival during the summer Months? The Jaycees last year began a chili cooking contest that drew good response from area residents. It's imagination such as this and efforts by groups such as the Jaycees that will draw more people to Bryan - College Station. We urge that the ad hoc committee that is promoting the Tourist Information Center assign a committee to look into promotion and planning of tourist attractions. There is no reason this area cannot develop annual events that will draw not only Texas to Bryan - College Station but tourists from all around the United States. The Eagle Jan. 29, 1978 all as more fully described in the Specifications. Bids received by 1:00 P.M., TO WHOM IT MAY CON- February 20, 1978 will be CERN: publicly opened and read in the City Council chambers of the The College- Station Planning City Hall in College Station, and Zoning Commission will Texas at 1 :00 P.M. on the same hold a public hearing on the date. Bids received after 1:00 .question of rezoning the P.M., February 20, 1978 will be following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 returned unopened to the sender. of College Hills Estates Ad- dition located at the corner of Each Proposal must be Foster Street and Francis Street from Single Family accompanied by a bid bond in Residential District R -1 to the form attached or a certified 'Duplex Residential District R- check on a bank that is a 2. The application is in the member of the Federal Deposit name of Lorelei B. Brown, 700 Insurance Corporalion, payable to the order of the Gilchrist, College Station, Owner, in an amount equal to Texas. ten percent (10 %) of the The said hearing will be held maximum bid price. Each Bidder agrees, provided its in the Council Room of the Proposal is one of the three low College Station City Hall at the Proposals, that, by filing its 7:00 P.M. meeting of th$ ,!''." i, Proposal together with such Planning and Zoning Com- - bid bond or check in con - mission on Thursday, sideration of the Owner's February 2, 1978. _ receiving and considering such ' Proposals, said Proposal shall For additional information, be firm and binding upon each please contact me. such Bidder and such bid bond or check shall be held by the Albert O. Mayo, Jr. Owner 'until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory City Planner Contractor's Bond is furnished by the successful Bidder or for a period not to exceed sixty . NOTICE TO BIDDERS (60) days from the date hereinbefore set for the Sealed Proposals addressed opening of Proposals, to the City of College Station, whichever period shall be the Texas for the construction, shorter. If such Proposal is not including the supply of one of the three low Proposals, necessary labor, mateials, and me bid bond or check will be equipment, of 12.5 KV electric returned r each instance distribution lines will be within a period of twenty (20) i received at the Office of the days to the Bidder furnishing City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 P.M. same. Plans and Specifications for on the 20th of February, 1978. This project may be obtained from the Engineer, Electric The major components of the Power Engineers, Inc., P.O. Project are: Box 9970, 203 Holleman Drive 1.) Construct approximately 1.0 aefr College - - Station, Texas 77840 upon payment of 815.00 miles of new three- phase, 12.5 KV, overhead double- per set, which payment will not circuit, 4 MCM AAC be subject to refund. distribution l line. Bidswillbe evaluated bythe 2.) Construct approximately City based on the quality of 2.55 miles of new Three - phase, materials to be furnished, the 12.5 KV, overhead single- qualifications and experience of the Bidder, The Bidder's circuit, 477 MCM AAC distribution line. ability to meet the specified 3.) Reconstruct approximately construction schedule, as well as the price offered. The City 0.38 miles of existing three- reserves the right to accept the phase, 12.5 KV, overhead Proposal that best suits its single circuit distribution line needs whether or not the price to a three-phase, 12.5 KV, is lowest and also reserves the overhead double-circuit, 477 right to reject all bids or waive MGM AAC distribution line. informalities. 4.) R e c o n d u c t 0 r a p- Award of the Contract to the proximately 0.63 miles of successful bidder will be made existing three phase, 12.5 KV, at a subsequent meeting of the overhead single - circuit City Council of College Station. distribution line, using 477 MCM AAC conductor for CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, Phases and either a 336.4 MCM or 477 MCM AAC conductor for _ Texas the neutral. By Lorence L. Bravenec Mayor The Eagle Jan. 29, 1978 TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the question of rezoning the following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 of College Hills Estates Ad- dition located at the corner of Foster Street and Francis Street from Single Family Residential District R -1 to 'Duplex Residential District R- 2. The application is in the name of Lorelei B. Brown, 700 Gilchrist, College Station, Texas. The said hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Com mission on Thursday, February 2, 1978. _ For additional information, please contact me. Albert O. Mayo, Jr City Planner NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed Proposals addressed to the City of College Station, Texas for the construction, including the supply of.,. necessary labor, mateials, and equipment, of 12.5 KV electric distribution lines will be received at the Office of the 1 City Secretary, City of College Station, Texas until 1:00 P.M. on the 20th of February, 1978., The major components of the project are: 1.) Construct approximately 1.0 miles of new Three- phase, 12.5 KV, overhead double - circuit, 477 MCM AAC distribution line. 2.) Construct approximately 2.55 miles of new three-phase, 12.5 KV, overhead single circuit, 477 MCM AAC distribution line. 3.) Reconstruct approximately 0.38 miles of existing three - phase, 12.5 KV, overhead single- circuit distribution line to a three- phase, 12.5 KV, overhead double- circuit, 477 MCM AAC distribution line. 4.) Reconductor ap- proximately 0.63 miles of existing three-phase, 12.5 KV, overhead single- circuit distribution line, using 477 MCM AAC conductor for phases and either a 336.4 MCM or 477 MCM AAC conductor for the neutral. all as more fully described in the Specifications. Bids received by 1:00 P.M., February 20, 1978 will * h publicly opened and read in the City Council chambers of the City Hall in College Station, Texas at 1 :00 P.M. on the same date. Bids received after 1:00 P.M., February 20, 1978 will be returned unopened to the sender. Each Proposal must . be accompanied by a bid bond in the form attached or a certified check on a bank that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, payable to the order of the Owner, in an amount equal to ten percept (10 %) of the maximum bid price. Each Bidder agrees, provided its Proposal is one of the three low Proposals, that, by filing. its Proposal together with such bid bond or check in con- sideration of the Owner's receiving and considering such Proposals, said Proposal shall be firm and binding upon each such Bidder and such bid bond or check shall be held by the Owner until a Proposal is accepted and a satisfactory Contractor's Bond is furnished by the successful Bidder or for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date hereinbefore set for the opening of Proposals, whichever period shall be the shorter. If such Proposal is�not one of the three low Proposals, ine bid bond or Check will be returned in each instance within a period of twenty (20) 'days to the Bidder furnishing same. Plans and Specifications for this project may be obtained from the Engineer, Electric Power Engineers, Inc., P.U. Box 9970, 203 Holleman Drive East, College Station, Texas 77840 upon payment of 515.00 per set, which payment will not be subject to refund. Bids will be evaluated by the City based on the quality of materials to be furnished, the qualifications and experience of the Bidder, the Bidder's ability to meet the specified construction schedule, as well as the price offered. The City reserves the right to accept the Proposal that best suits its needs whether or not the price is lowest and also reserves the right to reject all bids or waive informalities. Award of the Contract to the successful bidder will be made at a subsequent meeting of the City Council of College Station. CITYO COLLEGE STAT NF Texas j By Lorence L. Bravenec Mayo The Eagle Jan. 30, 1978 Sewer line may not disturb area residents By JEANNE LOPEZ Currently the Northgate sewer line is shared by College Station and the city of Bryan, but a separate line will be needed b-f"e !bP -two- tikes -csyvr ir4 htr Pga-ee_-- rnents in J anuary 1979. Should College Station voters approve the $650,000 Northgate Sewer proposal which calls for a separate line, in the April 1 bond election, most residents of that area will not be inconveniericed by the sewer construction which would begin this summer. "There will be no disturbance in the immediate Northgate area," said City Councilman Gary Halter. "The city (College Station) owns the line from Welborn Road to South College Street so actual constriction will begin across College Avenue into Hensel Park," he explained. Halter added tha putting the sewer line through Texas A &M University -owned Hensel Park is dependent on the approval of the University. He said he feels that the University will approve the construction since the line would serve the married student housing in that area. "The only disturbance there will be is that of the foliage," said Halter. Residents on Cooner Street will be in- convenienced because the line is designed to run under the middle of that street. The current Northgate line is shared -'with the city of Bryan and is prone to over - 1'oading. College StatJDn_ hij& fWed tn�e",a_ compromise with Bryan on e sewer situ- ation. . College Station proposed upgrading the present line to meet the needs of the resi- dents. Bryan suggested a merger of the two cities to resolve problems. Councilman Halter blamed the Bryan Council's lack of cooperation on ill feelings toward College Station stemming from a recent utilities suit waged against Bryan. The Battalion Feb. 1, 1.978 TO WHOM IT MAY CON TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: CERN: The College Station Planning The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the hold a public hearing on the question of rezoning the question of rezoning the following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 following tract: Lot 1, Block 9 of College Hills Estates Ad- of College Hills Estates Ad- dition located at the corner of dition located at the corner of Foster Street and Francis Foster Street and Francis Street from Single Family Street from Single Residential District R -1 to .Family Residential District R -1 to 'Duplex Residential District R- 'Duplex Residential District R- 2. The application is in the 2. The application is in the name of Lorelei B. Brown, 700 Gilchrist, College t name of Lorelei B. Brown, 700 Station, .' Gilchrist, College Station, Texas. Texas. The said hearing will be held The said hearing will be held in the Council Room of the in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at the College Station City Hall at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Cali) Planning and Zoning Come mission on Thursday mission on Thursday, February 2, 1978. _ February 2, 1978. For additional information, For additional information, please contact me. please contact me. Albert O. Mayo, Jr. Albert O. Mayo, Jr City Planner City Planner The Eagle The Eagle Jan. 31, 1978 Feb. 1, 1978 191 Poage proposes move to Temple Ag service location still u ndecided By GREG PROPPS Since last October, the 53 local employees of the State Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Serv- ice have been waiting for the final word in a proposed plan to move their offices from College Station to Temple. The move, spearheaded by Con- gressman W. R.' "Bob" Poage, D -Waco, would be another step in his plan to centralize the location of state agricultural offices. Temple, where the Farmers Home Adminis- tration and the Soil Conservation Service are located, is in Poage's congressional district. Poage has been pushing this move for the last 10 to 42 years, maintaining that the state agricul- tural agencies could operate more efficiently if they were located to- gether. Leonard C. Williams, state executive director of the ASCS, said the main offices of the agency have been located in College Station since the early 1930s. Williams added that they have been located in the United States Department of Agriculture Building on the Texas A &M University campus. since ,1942. The ASCS is leasing the building from the University for five -year periods, with one -year options for , move renewal. The present leases expires study storage and other related farm June 30, 1982. g p sion h Poage has a] University has to relocate, it the additional space. Local opposition to the move has been growing since the proposal was announced last October. The agency has an annual payroll of over $1 million, and the loss of this money could have a substantial im- pact on the local economy. - also, in its current location, the A$CS is closer to more branches of the USDA than it would be if it were located in Temple. Some of these branches include: the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Serv- ice, the Federal Crop Insurance Corp., the Texas Forest Service, the Texas Agricultural Extension Serv- ice and the Agricultural Research Service. The ASCS deals with primarily with farm loans for grain so said, although the grams, and many feel that it can op- not asked the agency erate better while in close proximity could probably use with these agencies and the Univer- sity. Other opponents of the move claim that it could cost taxpayers as much as $2 million, and that it would interrupt -service to Texas farmers for several months. It is estimated that if the move is completed, as many as half of the employees would remain in College Station and seek other jobs. These would probably be the secretaries and some of the older employees. Director Williams said that at the present, two factors are affecting the final outcome of the proposal; the cost of moving the offices, and whether or not the University wants the office space. As to the cost of the Williams said "There is a under way, but no final deci- as been reached." Tra Battalion Feb. 1, 1978 Zoning board denies request for rezonoings By ROBERT C. BORDEN Staff Writer Members of the College Station Planning and Zoning Commission were in an unfavorable mood Thurs- day night, denying two zoning requests after public hearings and rejecting a preliminary plat of a new street. Commissioners said no to allowing a day care center at Dominik Drive and Puryear Drive and turned down a request to allow more duplexes in the area of city hall. The request for the day care cen- ter was submitted by John Mounce, who asked for a conditional use per- mit for the northeast corner of Dominik and Puryear. The land presently is zoned for high- density apartments, which would allow a day care center under a conditional permit for that specific use. Traffic problems were cited by the commission in rejecting the request for the permit. Mounce said he planned to build a 40 foot by 85 foot building, with a front drive off Dominik and parking to the east side of the facility. It would serve up to 120 children, Mounce stated. Commissioner Don Sweeney said, "It's a facility we could use," but objected to the location because of increased traffic in the area. Commissioners Vergil Stover and Chris Mathewson both expressed concern about the traffic, as did E. Murl Bailey when he moved to deny the request. Bailey's motion passed unanimously. Mounce can submit the request to the city cou ncil, which as final say in the matter. The request for the duplex zoning was from Lorelei B. Brown and was for the corner of Francis Street and Foster Street, behind College Station City Hall. The land currently is zoned for single - family residences. Several residents of the area opposed rezoning the tract of land. Mrs. Charles Richardson noted the rezoning would be counter to an amended deed restriction approved in 1963. "I can't believe a board of this type would go against deed restrictions." Chairman Stover said the com- mission is not bound by deed restrictions, which are a subject of civil suits, he added. Former bound by deed restric- tions, which are a subject of civil suits, he added. Former College Station Mayor D.A. "Andy" Anderson also opposed the rezoning, saying, "I think it's time to stop the deterioration of the neighborhood." The commission voted 7 -0 to deny the request. Several duplexes exist in the im- mediate vicinity. Mathewson suggested the zoning board look into the possibility of rezoning two tracts of land along Foster from high - density apartments to single - family usage. The land currently is un- developed, he said. but should be changed to avoid problems in the future. Land already developed in the area could be granted non-conform- ing permits if it doesn't comply with the single- family usage. Commissioners also said they would look favorably on a request by developer Don Martel to put three sorority houses between Wild Oak and Munson at University Oaks. The land is zoned for high- density apartments, but Martel said he would like to resubdivide it into approximately one -acre tracts for each of the three proposed sorority houses. He suggested the whole area might serve as a sorority area, with some of the six other sororities at Texas A &M University possibly locating there. Chi Omega has told Martel it would like to build a house with nine bedrooms for 18 girls, plus a bedroom for a house mother. Martel said he has been contacted by two other _sororities that would like to locate in the area. The sororities now are located in the Sausalito Apartments, which Martel owns. Since the matter was not on the agenda, commissioners could not vote on the issue. But, they indicated to Martel they approve of the plan. In other action, commissioners gave their approval to a conditional use permit for a Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity house at 418 College Main and okayed a final plat for the Sutton Place subdivision next to the East Bypass and 2,000 feet south of Harvey Road. And, commissioners discussed briefly a proposed change in the city's commercial zoning code. They took the proposal home to study for discussion at their next meeting. The Eagle Feb. 3, 1978 194- CS city council approves plans for park construction Plans for additional parking and construction of a road at Bee Creek Park were approved by Ccllege Station city councilmen Thursday afternoon. The city will advertise . for bids, which are ex- pected to be opened at the council's first meeting in March, according to City Manager North Bardell. Plans developed by Larry Bishop- and Associates of College Station call for adding some 190 more parking spaces on the north:and south sides of the park swimming pools.' Currently, there are some 50 spaces on the north side of the pool. The parking spaces will serve the pool area and the two baseball diamonds south of the pools. Anderson Street, which deadends .in the park, will be extended along the east edge of the park to an arboretum which will open in the spring. The ar- boretum will feature 17 acres of nature trails and similar areas. Parking will be added at the end of the road to allow school buses and other vehicles to park near the arboretum. The project will cost some $70,000 to $80,000, Bardell said, noting the city has about $104,000 left in bond funds for park projects. The city will not have the money now to build four additional lighted tennis courts, although Bardell said two could be built with the remaining funds. The Eagle Feb. 3, 1978 ?!� Development hearing response limited A very limited response was forth- coming Thursday afternoon when College Station officials held the first public hearing on uses of an anticipated $302,000 in Community Development funds. Only two citizens asked to speak at the public hearing, which was held at the regular meeting of the College Station Planning and Zoning Commission. Further input into uses of the funds is being sought from a com- mittee of representatives of four low- income neighborhoods. The various proposals will be worked into a suggested budget for use of the funds, to be submitted to the College Station City Council. The council will hold a public hearing next Thursday night: After an approved proposal is completed, the request will be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C., for approval. The funds come from HUD's Community Development Block Grant program. One resident at Thursday's hearing suggested paving Richards Street and Sterling Street to city standards with funds from the program. Jim Callaway, community development planner for College Station, said portions of the two streets meet city standards, but the remainder have paving that does not come up to city codes. The suggesion calls for upgrading those portions of the two streets to city standards. Rosetta Keaton spoke against using the funds to build a bridge connecting Southland Street with Oney Hervey Road. Presently, Southland deadends, although plans have been made to complete a bridge connecting the two streets. Money ran out before the project was completed, Callaway said. Residents along Southland are split, Callaway noted, with some persons wanting the bridge and others opposed to it. Those who oppose the bridge say it would create heavier traffic on the street, posing a problem for residents in the area. * ,, Callaway said the city staff favors the bridge to provide better access to the street. The planner said the neigh- borhoods committee has recom- mended against using the Com- munity Development funds for the bridge and the project will not be included in this year's funding request. Callaway noted after HUD ap- proves the grant, the city hires a consulting engineer to design the projects, which then go out for bids by private contractors. Planning and Zoning Com- missioner Bob White objected to hiring the consulting engineers with out advertising that the job is available. He said the present method of allowing the city staff to select the firm creates a "stigma of favoritism." Callaway said the city staff and HUD officials approve of the current method, since the fees for the con- sulting engineers will be ap- proximately the same, based on cost of the project. White suggested the city council take a look at the matter to see if advertising for a firm would be a better method. The Eagle Feb. 3, 1978 0 0 . hree sororities consider t 0 f h construc ion o ouses By JEANNE LOPEZ Several sororities are looking into the possiblity of building homes on Munson Avenue in College Station, says Don Martell of Martell Properties. Martell pre- sented the sororities' plans to the College Station Plan- ning and Zoning Commission in their regular meeting Thursday night. "Nine sororities are presently housed in the Sausalito Apartments," he said. "They have 15 units with each sorority having around 40 or 50 girls." Block 2 on Munson tract will be made into one -acre tracts, Martell said. Alpha Chi Omega sorority has pro- posed a 5,000 foot home with nine bedrooms. The house will accomodate 18 girls and have another bedroom for the sorority housemother. "The shuttle bus goes up and down University Oaks and turns on Munson to pick up the kids at Sausalito and then goes on to pick up passengers at the Sundance Apartments. We feel that this would be convenient for the sorority girls," Martell added. He went on to say that after the three organizations built houses, perhaps the others would follow. Commissioner Violetta Burke asked Martell how he was sure the sororities would actually go through with their plans. "We are essentially treading in new territory as this is something that we've never tried;' he answered. Corn missioner Chris Mathewson suggested to Martell that h make alternate plans for a conditional use permit and present them to the council at a later public hearing. The hearing will allow area residents to express their opin- ions on the possible sorority move. Earlier the commission denied a conditional use per- mit to Alpha Gamma Rho, a mens' fraternity "that wished to use a house located at 418 College Main . The house would accomodate 12 men. "Even though 12 men would live there, they problaby would be feeding 30 to 40 others. This would block the fire lane on Cherry Street because the present parking lot does not meet city standards," Mathewson said. Bob White, commission member, added that de- liveries to the house would also cause parking and block- ing problems. "I cannot decide until I see the floor plans. It is impor- tant to see how the kitchen is relative to the driveway where deliveries are concerned "' White said. He abstained from voting on the issue. Commission Chairman Vergil Stover noticed a discre- pancy in the archifectral drawing of the house and ad- mitted that the fraternity needed to present a "suitable site plan before being considered for a conditional use permit." The Commission agreed the permit would be granted later if the several conditions were met. The existing driveway must be removed and replaced with an appro- priate driving area and the parking lot must be edged and surfaced according to the city standards. The Battalion Feb. 3, 1978 Park plans complete By TIM RAVEN Bids for construction at Bee Creek Park will be solicited over the next few weeks, College Station City Council decided Thursday in a special session. A two -hour long closed session to discuss "pending litigation and land acquisition" followed. Plans for Bee Creek Park include con- struction of a 50 -space paved parking lot on the north side of the park's swimming pool. An extension of Anderson Street will give access to an additional 140 paved spaces while an arboretum, located behind the present baseball diamonds on the south, will give access to the outdoors via a marked nature trail. Paul Wojciechowski, director of Parks and Recreation, presented the plan to the council. Between $70,000 and $80,000 are ex- pected to be spent on this project, accord- ing to councilman North Bardell who dis- cussed the plan after the closed session. He said the city now has $104,000 for such Y .projects from the sale of municipal bonds. He added that the council is considering using the remaining funds to help finance the construction of four new tennis courts ,at the park. Raised voices were heard coming from the council chamber during the closed ses- sion. Grumbling councilmen were herded back into the council room after the closed session by reporters demanding a public adjournment. The reporters said the pub- lic adjournment was required by the Texas Open Meetings Law. After the public ad- journment, Councilmen protested when reporters approached them. "You're embarrassing us," said Coun- cilman Jim Dozier. The Battalion Feb. 3, 1978 Two -city utility fight could go to Supreme Court By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer The current utility hassle between the cities of Bryan and College Station promises to raise several complex legal questions — that could conceivably go all the way to the state's Supreme Court. Utility hassles between the cities have pushed their way to the front page before, but this one is a little different. The situation is this: Bryan holds a certificate of convenience and necessity for electrical service in what is called College Station's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ.) Now that College Station has a Analysis population more than 25,000, its ETJ extends two miles outside the city limits. The ETJ gives the city an- nexation rights and limits other cities rights to infringe upon that area, College Station City Manager North Bardell said. Recently, College Station annexed approximately 1,600 acres into the city's corporate limits. College Station, now certificated to serve residents within its previous city limits with utilities, requested that the Public Utilities Comission allow the city to serve the newly annexed area with electrical service. The city was willing to leave Bryan's certification in force and requested that both cities have the needed certification to serve the area jointly. Bryan has filed in opposition to College Station's extended service request. Representatives of both cities will be in Austin Monday for a procedural hearing which will set dates but will not deal with the merits of either city's case. Bardell said the issue, from College Station's viewpoint, is whether that city will be allowed to serve its own citizens. He noted that somebody has to serve the people in that area with water, sewer, police and fire protection — the normal city services. "College Station assumes it will do this. It's in- congruous that we wouldn't be allowed to provide electrical ser- vices, too" Bardell said. Currently there are ap- proximately 20 customers in the area, Bryan City Manager Lou Odle said. Bryan's position will likely be that it is certificated to serve the area and has the right to continue to do so, Odle said. Why is the question throny? 1) Bryan would be serving people who are legally residents of College 20 customers in disputed area From page 1A, col. 8 4) Bryan customers pay somewhat more for electricity than College Station customers do since College Station's fuel charge through Gulf States Utilities is lower. 5) College Station likely would contend that it would have the right to set rates for the citizens in the area in question. Bryan's position probably would be that College Station can't do that since its rates are not subject to PUC regulation. One knowledgable College Station official said that legal dispute could land both cities in court. 6) College Station may seek dual certification over its entire ETJ to avoid this legal hassle in the future. If College Station were granted dual cer- tification over its entire ETJ, then Bryan's growth into the areas could be limited: Odle said the city would have to consider that issue before extending its ser- vice into an area. "We wouldn't want to go into a place and spend $1 million if we're not going to be able to serve anybody," Bryan said. Previously, whenever College Station has pur- chased Bryan's equipment in the area, further in- dicating that Bryan might not extend its service into College Station's ETJ if both cities were cer- tificated to serve the area. Odle said Bryan's fuel charge is presently higher than College Station's. But that fuel charge does fluctuate depending on fuel sources and Bryan could be in a "better competitive posture" when that charge fluctuates. Since the question is in litigation, representatives for both cities are reluc- tant to talk about it in detail and on the record. But questions will-have to be resolved. Station. Theoretically they wouldn't have any direct voice representing them over rates. 2) Bryan has a municipally owned electrical service, and its rates are not subject to control by the PUC. 3) Since Bryan has a municipally owned system, College Station could not tax Bryan's investments for ad valorem taxes — as College Station could do if the utility service were privately owned. College Station probably could not tax Bryan's gross receipts in the area either, another option if the electrical system were privately owned. Turn tapage 4A, col. I The Eagle Feb. 5, 1978 Extension granted for fine payments BY ANDREA VALLS Texas A &M University students failing to pay traffic violation fines are being granted a four -week "grace period" by College Station Police Department before being issued an additional $28.50 late fi This four -week time allowance is an in- centive for students to pay their traffic tickets, said Bernard Kapella, crime pre- vention officer for the department. He added that by March 13, students will be sent a summons for failure to appear *ith. an $28.50 fine. Tickets dismissed if offenders take defensive driving By BILL WILSON Tickets appealed in the court of Judge Ken Robisom stand an excellent chance of being dismissed if the offender goes to a defensive driving class. The Lions Club offers the course monthly, usually on the third weekend of the month. If the number of people warrants it, another eldss will be held on the following weekend. The enrollment fee is $10. The same course is offered in Bryan by the Optimists Club for $15. It too, is of- fered on a monthly basis. Their classes usually meet during the week. The class certificate can also be used to lower insurance rates. Some insurance companies offer a 10 percent discount on comprehensive insurance for completion of an accredited defensive driving course. The judge has the option of offering the defensive driving course to the defendant, and -or making him pay the fine. Kapella said police have a problem with students failing to pay traffic violation fines. "We have a whole slew of tickets, about 200, that people haven't paid since last June," said Kapella. "When they signed that ticket, they signed a promise to appear in court. If they don't appear, then we will fine them $28.50 for another offense, that of failure to appear in court," he added. Traffic violators must appear in court within 10 days of the date the ticket was issued. Failure to appear in court results in the $28.50.fine in addition to the cost of the original ticket, said Kapella. In cases where the late fine is not paid within 10 days, a warrant for arrest is is- sued. Kapella added that violators will either pay the fine or sit in jail at the rate of $5.00 per day until appearing before court. For instance if a student fails to pay a ticket and the late fine of $40, he would spend eight days in jail. "Rather than embarrass a student by ar- resting him at school for failure to pay his fines, we would rather alert him that there is a warrant out for his arrest by letter," said Kapella. "It's not that they are not paying inten- tionally, it's just that they forget," he said. Kapella said since many students ride bicycles, several of the tickets include bicycle violations. "Bicycle fines are the same as automobile fines," he said, "so the tickets could range form $12.50 for run- ning a stop sign to $28.50 for speeding. "Before we didn't have enough man- power to follow up with failures to appear notices and warrants for arrest. But now we have the manpower and we're going to use it to keep up with the work," said Kapella. The Battalion Feb. S, 1978 1Qa Community Development hearing set 0 ezoning and building code changes on a enda Public hearings on 1978 Com- munity Development grant ap- plications and two rezoning issues are planned Thursday at 7 p.m. in College Station. The meeting will be in the City Council Chamber at City Hall. The first rezoning hearing is for Lot 1, Block 9 of the College Hills Estates Addition at the corner of Francis Street and Foster Street. The request, from Lorelei Brown, is that the area be rezoned from single family residential district R -1 to Duplex Residential District R -2. The second rezoning issue con- cerns four tracts of land in the South- west Parkway, Welsh Avenue and FM 2818 and FM 2154 area. The Planning and Zoning Board has suggested the area be downgraded in zoning from maximum use apartment zoning to lower density zoning on a-ll four pieces of land. The council also will consider proposed changes to the city's building codes. Those changes — including sprinkler system regulations for commercial buildings — have been iscussed in detail at two previous meetings. Support also under discuss on for several months, is on the city agenda Thursday. Wednesday the council will meet at 4 p.m. to consider a contract for design of the proposed Thomas Park swimming pool, parkland dedication in the RainTree Subdivision. The Eagle Feb. 6, 1978 C� AREA YOUNGSTERS like David Taylor, pictured above with tsryan mayor 1,1uyu ivy Let: -av as-- --- j -- --•__ -_ College Station Mayor Lorence Bravenec, started to gather the rate of $1 per mile he completes on March 4. sponsors for the March 4 March of Dimes walkathon Superwalk. (Staff photo by Bill Meeks) March of Dimes kicks off sign -up contest The Brazos Valley Chapter of the March of Dimes today kicked off its campaign to sign up contestants and sponsors for this year's walkathon entitled Superwalk '78 on March 4. Local poster child David Taylor, eight - year -old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Taylor of College Station, signed up Mayors Lloyd Joyce of Bryan and Lorence Bravenec of College Station as the first two sponsors. Walkers will start at Bryan High School, go out Briarcrest and Boonville Road to Steep Hollow, continue on Elmo Weedon Road and return to the school by way of the East Bypass in College Station, Kenny Mallard, superwalk chair- man said. Registration for the annual event will be held the morning of March 4 at 8 a.m., with the walk to get un- derway at 9 a.m. Forms should be available at all area schools and at the March of Dimes office at 3819 Old College Road in Bryan, Mallard said. Lunch will be provided to the walkers by McDonald's Restaurant, Mallard said. Water will also be provided at check points. Traffic control will be provided by the Bryan and College Station Police Departments and the Brazos County Sheriff's Office. The 420th Army Reserve unit is furnishing equip- ment. The goal of this year's campaign is $24,000, Mallad said. Last year $21,000 was raised. Proceeds from the campaign will go toward fighting births defects in children. Businessmen protest St By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer A proposed barrier on Texas Avenue at Dominik Street would be catastrophic and disastrous for business in the area, several businessmen told the College Station Capital Improvements Committee Monday. A proposal drawn up by city staff — and a long way from final ap- provement — would place the barrier to prevent left turns off Texas Avenue for southbound traffic and left turns off Dominik for cars turning left, and south onto Texas Avenue. The improvements committee considered the issue last Monday but the businesses on the street were not directly represented. Monday, however, businessmen were at the 4 p.m. meeting in force. They urged the committee and the city to drop plans to eliminate left turns, though the consensus was that extended Kyle Street to Dominik — also part of the proposal, and the part that would require bond funds — was a good idea. Ken Martin, owner of Pepe's Mexican Food, told the committee that the proposal now considered would "be catastrophic to our businesses." Jim Duckett, owner of the Whataburger restaurants, said the problem at Dominik where left turning cars stack up, would be alleviated if the proposed Kyle bypass were finished. Before any money is expended on construction, the city will have a complete traffic survey to deter- mine where the traffic is coming from and where it is bound, City Engineer Elrey Ash said. Committee chairman Gary Halter said the city is looking at in- terconnected lights as part of the solution. Talks are underway with the State Department of Highways and Transportation to widen Texas Avenue. That would provide more northbound traffic space as well as possibly make two left turn lanes off Texas Avenue onto Jersey Street for traffic headed to Texas A &M University. Henry Miller, another businessman who is working on a new Danvers restaurant, suggested that a light at Dominik would help the situation if the smaller entrances into the Redmond Terrance Shop- ping Center, across Texas Avenue, were consolidated into one larger entrance at a light at Dominik. If left turns off and on Texas kvenue were eliminated the effect :or the business on Dominik would oe quivalgnt to closimt. the street, Miller said. Last week Ash noted` that the in- tersection of Kyle- Jersey and Dominik, when considered as one anit, is the busiest intersection between Houston and Dallas. Records indicate it has almost 40,000 cars per day. Proposed cost of rerouting Kyle is $200,000. In other areas, the committee considered proposed fire equipment as well as a rotating fund for street ticipates placing an order for the custom -built truck in about two years with delivery two years later. He estimates the useful life of the truck to be 20 years. The pumper- rescue truck would have space for a variety of rescue equipment used primarily at major autocrash and other mishaps. Now the city sends one truck to auto crash scenes and when that truck, which Landua said doesn't have rebuilding in the city. All of the liscussions are part of considering what should be put before the voters For a $5 -7 million bond issue. The election will be held April 1 as part of the general city - schools elections to be held that day. Fire Chief Douglas Landua said the city hopes to request $275,000 in bond funds for a 100 -foot aerial ladder truck and $60,000 for a rescue - pumper truck. ` The ladder truck is becoming increasingly necessary, Landua said, due to high rise construction on the A &M campus and in other areas of College Station. The truck he is proposing would have pumper capacity for 1,250 gallons per minute, a 100 -foot ladder with a basket for rescue operations as well as a nozzle at the end of the ladder to halp contain fires to specific areas. Presently, the city neither has the staff to use the truck nor the place to store it. But Landua said he an- adequate storage space, is in need of repair the city's firefighting hands are tied. Ash also said the city proposes to establish $300,000 in bond money to begin an intensive preventive maintenance program for streets. The city would plan to rebuild all or part of five or six streets with the money and replinish the fund out of the operating budget annually to continue the maintenance effort. The Eagle Feb. 7, 1978 �1■ f` NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Station, Texas will be received at the office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 10:00 A.M. on Thursday March 9, 1978 for furnishing the following equipment: five new pickup trucks Specifications can be &ta(Mcl at the Public Works Office at City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue. College Station, Texas. r NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Station, Te)ias will be received at the office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 10:00 A.M. on Thursday March 9, 1978 for furnishing the following equipment: One New Industrial Tractor with Front End Loader Specifications can be obtained at the Public Works Office at City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas. The Eagle Feb. 7, 1978 CS pledges $30,000 for airport Council first to vote funds for Easterwood The City of College Station pledged $30,000 toward support of Easterwood Airport at its Wed- nesday afternoon meeting. Easterwood Airport is owned by Texas A &M University but serves as a community airport for both College Station and Bryan as well as Brazos County. University officials have been discussing financial needs at the airport for several months with various elected bodies and College Staton became the first to vote the funds Wednesday. Earlier Brazos County had pledged to contribute a similar amount for the start of needed repair work if the two cities agreed to fund part of the work. At first Mayor Lorence Bravenec suggested the decision to support the airport should be contingent on the other bodies participating, but Councilman Jim Dozier said the city should just go ahead and vote the money because waiting on the other governments was "a chicken ap- proach." In other business, the council approved a resolution to pay $19,000 toward widening and improving FM 60 from the railroad overpass West of FM 2818. Texas A &M University will fund the project with ap- proximately, $55,000 and for curbs and gutters the State Department of Highways and Public Tran- sportation will pick up the rest of the tab. The project will cost an estimated $346,695, and will take 100 working days to complete. The city awarded a $270,447.75 bid for electric distribution line ex- tension to A &M Construction. Gulf States Utilities submitted the only other bid of $980,742.55. The award is based on what the city estimates it will need in terms of electrical struction this year other than large scale projects separately con- tracted. The council approved a contract for the design of a proposed Thomas Park swimming pool, estimated to cost $210,000. The motion to approve the contract . - fvas contigent on checking the economies of using a stainless steel pool and heating the pool. The council accepted 2.28 acres of land in the RainTree Subdivision for parks and developer E.W Schultz said he will work with the city to extend park acreage in the area over the next few years. The council also approved a final plat submitted by Bryan City Councilman Richard Smith for Sutton Place, which is located west of and adjacent to the East Bypass, approximately 2,000 feet south of Harvey Road. The College Station Recreation Council also received approval to spend $1,400 of city money for the duly 4th Celebration. The council went into executive session to discuss pending litigation. City Attorney Neeley Lewis briefed the council on pending litigation _before the Public Utilities Com- mission in Austin. Bryan and College Station representatives appeared before the commission Monday to set a hearing date of March 28 on a dispute service to an area recently annexed into the City of College Station. The council meets again at 7 p.m. today. The Eagle Feb. 9, 1978 9 lamins blamed for road damage ile traveling over a bad road sitting a series of chuckholes, ors may complain about aged tires or alignments ced out of kilter. ime the weather. ,t weather directly causes an ease in the number of potholes rea streets, said George Ford, age Station director of public yan Director of Public Works Cornish agrees, adding that number usually tapers off in the summer." Moisture seeps into the roads during inclemate weather, and can weaken the base. Freezing tem- peratures compound the problem, Bryan Streets Supervisor Vince Nuche said. With the amount of rain and ice in the Bryan - College Station area recently, the best the crews can do is make temporary repairs, he said. Both the Bryan and College Station area recently, the best the crews can do is make temporary repairs, he said. Both the Bryan and College Station street crews are filling the holes with crushed rock. When dry weather arrives, more permanent repairs will be made. Bryan usually has two crews repairing potholes, but during the recent poor weather, three crews have been on the streets. College Station has only one such repair crew. Emergency repairs are the highest priority item, Nuche said. Bryan's streets and general services budget for 1977 -78 was approximately $839,000 dollars, Cornish said, adding that the figure includes drainage and everything connected with streets. About $87,000 is slated for equipment, he said. The figure for College Station's Street Department alone is about $39,000, of which approximately $19,000 went for materials. Both public works directors emphasized that exact figures for pothole repair could not be given, since those crews also perform other services. Officials blame recent wet weather for the deteriorating condition of area streets. (Staff photo by Bill Meeks) Needs officials' okay Pool contract en in p a By JEANNE LOPEZ A design services contract for the proposed Thomas Park swimming pool was approved pending certain conditions by the College Station City Council Wednesday during a regular meeting. First the contract must be ap- proved by City Manager North Bar - dell. Second, the contract is subject to change depending on the findings of a committee headed by Mayor Lorence Bravenec. The committee will price a pool heater and deter -' mine the possibility of purchasing a stainless steel pool. Lawrence E. Hans and Associates of San Antonio designed the $210,000 junior Olympic pool for Thomas Park, which is located be- tween Puryear Drive and James Parkway west of Kyle Avenue. The contract was first presented to the council in November but was re- jected until the designer's fee was renegotiated with a $3,000 reduc- tion by Bardell. The architect will be paid $20,500 for his services. The 30- by- Q& -Tcet wedge- shaped Pool will feature a bathhouse, light- ing, and fencing as well as filtration structures and a recirculating sys- tem. Construction will begin, late summer and be completed by Spring 1979. ' Council members voted to accept '2.28 acres of park land in the Rain - tree subdivision. E. W. Shultz, de- veloper of the subdivision, said he would be working with the city to provide more acreage.. A College Station ordinance requires a de- veloper to donate a certain percent- age of the subdivision to the city for park use. The amount of land given is based on the number of houses planned for the area. The council also approved a state highway minute order that will en- able the city and Texas A &M Uni- versity to cooperate with the state department to widen, curb, and gutter Wellborn Road. Renovation of Wellborn Road will begin at the overpass near FM 60 and continue southward on Wellborn for one mile. A bid of $270,447.75 from A &M Construction Co. for electrical line strings was accepted by the council. In other action, local financial support of $30,000 for Easterwood Airport was approved and the coun- cil voted a $1,400 support request for the College Station Fourth of July fireworks display. The council went into closed ses- sion to discuss pending litigation. The Battalion Feb. 9, 1978 Catch -22 holds up CS funding By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer The City of College Station may get firsthand knowledge of a federal "Catch -22" over Community Development funds. 4 The catch is that the city is due to' get approximately $302,000 in Com- munity Development funds to be used to upgrade low and moderate income areas. The trouble is this: regulations about getting any of the funds may be tied to a rent - subsidy program known as Section 8. But the Department of Housing and Urban Development has recommended that College Station fold its attempts at setting up a Section 8 housing program since few, if any, units in College Station fit the regulations for the program. Councilman Jim Dozier said dis- cussion at the Brazos Valley Development Council Thursday afternoon indicated that all com- munity development funds will be tied to Section 8 expenditures. And College Station hasn't used money for that program. Jim Callaway, Community De- velopment Planner, for the city, said, however, that he has been told by HUD officials that other housing assistance programs might allow the city to continue to get the funds. A housing goal to encouragae private builders to build 100 units of subsidized housing next year and 300 units over the next three years might allow the city to continue to qualify for the funds. Two separate officials in the Houston HUD office have sent contradictory information to College Station on the Section 8 housing pro- gram, Callaway said. One official recommended College Station phase out its program due to lack of suc- cess. Another official has recom- mended putting more mdney in the program. Considering the federal mish- mash of regulations, "how did we win World War II ?," Dozier said. ' Part of College Station's problem with the program is that vacancy rate in the city is too low, Callaway said. College Station's vacancy rate is approximately 4.5 percent and the government is finding that Section 8 housing does not work well with less, than 6 -plus percent vacancy rate. Callaway will check further into the issue. Callaway also detailed proposed expenditure of the $302,000 Com- munity Development entitlement for 1977 — assuming the city can get the money. He suggests that much of the money be spent to improve all or parts of Churchill, Banks, Richards, Sterling and Elmore Streets. Also included in the program is $69,302 for housing rehabilitation, $18,000 for administration and $25,000 for contingency funds. The city has approximately $5,000 left over from last year's funds for a total possible this year of $307,100. The Eagle Feb. 10, 1978 CS Council upset By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer The big issues of zoning and community growth dominated the College Station City Council meeting Thursday night. A few people lost, others were put on hold and the city council ex- pressed strong displeasure with the city's Planning and Zoning Com- mission in a two hour discussion where tempers occasionally flared. The issue that took the most time was one of rezoning four tracts of land bounded by or adjacent to the Southwest Parkway, Welsh Avenue, F.M. 2818 and F.M. 2154. The council earlier returned the rezoning proposals to the P &Z Commission. Thursday night the rezoning proposal was resubmitted to the council in virtually the same shape the council earlier rejected. A petition of citizens in the area initiated the request that the area be rezoned to lower densities in order to were aware of the zoning when they minimize traffic and other Purchased their homes. His position congestion in the areas near the was that zoning is established in A &M Consolidated High School. order to inform people before they But property owners O.D. Butler and Edsel Jones want a large piece of their property — now zoned for high density apartments and commercial use kfi'the way it is now zoned. The P &Z recommends that the tract be rezoned' agriculture open — often used as a holding zone. Councilmen were split on what to do with the rezoning of the area. Councilman Jim Gardner presented a rezoning proposal aimed at cutting future growth in the area by as much as 50 percent. Mayor Lorence Bravenec and Gary Halter, coun- cilman, expressed interest in future traffic problems that presumably would be created if the area were developed under the present plan. Councilman Larry Rigner asked proponents of lower density if they She stressed that her design was for a modern structure that would blend into the neighborhood. She also noted that the area was originally set aside for multi - family dwelling back in 1944. Mrs. Charles Richardson said the duplex might be a "lovely struc- ture" but that citizens in the area don't want to "open the flood gate" which would lead to deterioration in the neighborhood. The P &Z com- mission had suggested the council turn down the zoning request. In other business, the council: — Adopted changes to the city's building code over the recom- mendation of Clyde Brothers, representing the Home Builders Association of Bryan - College Station. Brothers said the trend in College Station is to "zero growth" and that a number of developers are being driven away from the city by the general "restrictiveness" of various codes. Halter, officiating for pruchase land in the area. Councilman Jim Dozier sided with landowners who want to keep higher density zoning since lower density — particularly agriculture open — is much lower in value than zoning that' allows commercial development. The council voted to send the matter back to P &Z on a motion by Halter. He said he wished to make it clear that the council does not want the Butler -Jones land in the agriculture open category" and if they send it back that way they might as well not send it back." O The council denied a request for a duplex located behind the city hall. Lorelei Brown requested the change but several people have objected that the duplex would open the door to deterioration of the neighborhood. F Bryan - College Station, Texas s P age yan - College Station and the Brazos Valley Friday, February 10, 1978 Pogo 1B part of the meeting, told Brothers that "quite frankly I don't think you know what you're talking about." The building code changes relate to sprinkler systems in buildings and other changes designed to minimize fire danger. The /e,4- log /971 — Discussed the possibility of a newsprint reclamation program where citizens could separate newsprint from other refuse for recycling through a private firm. — Awarded two bids for elec- trical equipment. ;a ' flu 3 CS to start municipal art program Over the next nine to 12 months, the City of College Station will begin acquiring a municipal art collection in a program described as a first in Texas. Phyllis Dozier, executive direc- tror of the Arts Council of Brazos Valley (ACBV), won approval of a plan Thursday night which calls for• statewide competition for paintings depicting College Station as it is in 1978. Total prize money will be $13,250 through a juried show. The money will come from the city's hotel -motel tax. Dozier suggested that the paint- ings be realistic and that the com- petition J etqde the Texas A &M University- `campus as part of the greater College,Station community. Councilman Jim Gardner said his reservation about the proposal was limiting the contest to realistic versus more abstract paintings. Dozier suggested realistic works as a beginning and she noted that the city could conduct other art com- petitions later for such art and sculpture if it desires to. A six - member steering committee will work to draw guidelines for the competition as well as to screen the art that comes in from the com- petition. The works will be judged by three non -local art judges. The Eagle Feb.10, 1978 Uang our taxes to enrich Art is getting a financial boost yin College Station. The city :council voted to use funds from .the hotel -motel tax to subsidize a :municipal art collection and competition. Legislation has permitted the use of hotel -motel tax funds to support the arts. And, it's good news that College Station is taking the lead in this area. We hope that other municipalities follow and initiate art programs with this special 'tax fund. In Europe the arts ,long have had government support. Inexpensive theater and musical 'programs make art available to some who would not otherwise be able to enjoy it. Some, of course, might argue that using tax dollars to support thei arts when some citizens are Without food and shelter seems tb be a paradox. We think there is -a need for both and there is room for supporting both in our tax structure. In the College Station program, the funds are an add - qxi'tax to hotel -motel room costs. Oi neral tax dollars are not being Ma.. ■ he soul diverted. The soul, as well as the body, needs enrichment. Appreciation of the arts is as important to a full life as the bread on the table. Without the beauty of a well - done painting or the strains of fine music,life would be as gray as the current weather. ` Now that the ball is rolling, it would be great to see others get in the game. The municipal art collection is but a start. How about a municipal music Program? The good weather is coming soon and it would be pleasant to enjoy a warm spring evening under the stars with some good music. The talent is here. We have a university full of musical ability and we have others in the community who are equally talented. Sponsorship of free outdoor concerts — in the parks and in the neighborhoods — would be a great second step in the municipal arts program. Good work, College Station. Let's see more. The Eagle Feb. 12, 1978 .;OZ /IG C ity council asks for $302,000 Housing funds requested By TIM RAVEN A speedy decision by the College Station City Council Thursday sent a request for $302,000 on its way to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds are to be used to set up a Community Development fund for the im- provement of four designated low - income areas and street improve- ment. The council was urged to the quick decision by Community De- velopment Planner Jim Callaway because of impending deadlines set by HUD. A part of the program is linked to a rent - subsidy program, Section 8, which was designed to limit housing expenditures of low to moderate - income families to 25 percent of their income. Section 8 will no longer exist as of March 31, Calla- way said, but the city will still be able to obtain funds for the de- velopment project. The council was forced to hold an unscheduled public hearing on the matter. Speed and complexity of the council's preceeding discussion ap- parently confused those present. "I don't think anyone can com.- prebend it," Councilman Jim Dozier said. Members of the council also expressed some confusion over some details of the program. Con- flicting information had been given to the council by HUD concerning the use and availability of the funds under Section S. The council asked Callaway to look into the matter fur- ther. Help for low to moderate - income, owner- occupied housing could come in one of several different forms, he said. One program men- tioned was a grant program whereby low- income home owners could re- sk Wo up to $2,000. This money could be used to minimize health and safety hazards in the home, Cal- laway said. Callaway also suggested two other programs providing for low- interest loans through either private inter- t ests, or through other national - level loan programs. In this case, the $69,000 allotted to this program would provide security for the loans. "Obviously there wouldn't be too many (direct grants) with $69,000," he said. This type of aid will be directed toward four primarily black com- munity development neighbor- hoods. One area is located just north of Texas Avenue and just south of Uni- versity Drive. Another area, known as the Richards addition, runs along Texas Avenue between Richards and Sterling Streets. The third neighborhood extends from Texas Avenue to Anderson Street along Park Place. The remaining area is located near Holleman and Wellborn Road, including the McCulloch addition. Mayor Bravenec referred to some of the houses in the last area as "shacks." Students living in "sub- standard housing by choice" will not be af- fected by the program. "That's a data phrase that doesn't actually mean anything," Callaway said. He explained that HUD considers any- one paying more than 25 percent of his income for housing as living below standard. 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Swa/Vlun aSalii The Battalion Feb. 13, 1978 ARCHITECT ENGINEERING SERVICES U.S. Department of Agriculture, Science and Education Administration, Southern Region, will issue an A&E contract to conduct a comprehensive structural - mechanical - electrical in spection of our facilities in COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS. The Contractor shall inspect the facilities, noting the existing physical conditions of the site. A writlAA'ieport shall be furnished on thr existing conditions, suggestions as to how to correct any deficGencies and a suggested budget cost. In addition, each contract will include an Optional provision to negotiate a design contract based on the results of the Inspection report. Interested parties are requested to submit completed Forms SF -254 and SF 255, Architecture !Engineering Questionnaire, to the U.S. Department of ;Agri lture, SEA, Contracting P.O. Box 53326, New s, Louisiana, 70153 on K. J. Enclade one 504/589- 6714). This request for a proposal. ted SF -254 and SF -255 e received in this office h 17, 1978 The Eagle Feb. 14, 1978 Council looks at sites for park construction By JEANNE LOPEZ Acquisition of approximately 143 acres of College Station as park land was suggested to the City Council Capital Improvements Committee Monday night. Lou Hodges, chairman of the Col- lege Station Parks and Recreation Committee presented to the im- provements group a proposed list of site acquisitions and estimated costs of developing some of the land. "We place a high emphasis on land acquisition now because of the rising price of land," said Hodges. A proposed 50 -acre athletic com- plex in the southeast section of Col- lege Station took top priority on the list. The area, known as the Golden Triangle, is bounded by Texas Av- enue, Highway 30, and the High- way 6 east bypass. The land would be purchased for approximately $375,000. Develop- ment of the complex, which would include several fields for baseball, football, and soccer, would cost an estimated $300,000. Another 50 acre - athletic complex was proposed for the southeast sec- tion beyond the carrent Southwood Valley area at an $250,000. A recreation center and neighborhood park is planned for a proposed 15 acres located northeast of College Station. The area is bounded by Highway 60, Highway ,6, Highway 30, and the east bypass. The recreation center will be de- veloped in three to five years de- pending on money available to the Parks and Recreation Department. The center would contain a gym- nasium, and assembly and meeting rooms for arts and crafts classes and workshops. Construction of the cen- ter is was estimated at $225,000. Other suggested acquisitions in- cluded the 14 -acre Holik tract park site for $200,000. It is located south of the Dexter Drive and Holleman Drive intersection. A neighborhood park site of 10 to 15 acres of land is being sought for acquisition in the Southwood Valley area at the cost of $150 Com- mittee members will meet next Monday to make final decisions on all the capital improvements they have reviewed since last month. They then will compile priority pro- posals into a brochure for voters to view two weeks prior to the spring bond election. A• park construction progress re- port was given by Paul Woj- ciechowski, director of the Parks and Recreation Department. Wayne Smith Park improvements will be completed prior to April 1, 1978. Anderson Park and Oaks Park will be completed by this summer. The Thomas Park pool and tennis courts will be completed by May 1979. The completion date for the Bee Creek park improvements has not been determined. The Battalion Feb. 14, 1978 By ROBERT C. BORDEN Staff Writer Some $1.8 million in park proposals possibly to be included in a $5 million to $7 million bond issue to face College Station voters soon were discussed by the Capital Im- provements Committee Monday afternoon. The proposals include purchasing >everal park sites and constructing recreation facilities at those sites and other locations already owned by the city. Most expensive items discussed include purchase of two large tracts )f land, one of development now as an athletic facility and one of for 'uture development. Lou Hodges, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, ;aid "One of the immediate needs we've been aware of for some time is )allfield areas." The first proposal is to purchase 50 acres of land in the southeast portion of College Station known as the "golden traingle" because of real estate prices. Councilman Gary Halter, chairman of the capital improvements group, said the city has a committment for a firm selling price of $375,000 for the land. Under the proposed bond issue, another $300,000 will be used to develop the land with ballparks and other facilities. A second 50 -acre tract would be purchased in southwest College Station in the Southwood Valley area. Estimated purchase price would be $250,000. If necessary, the city could get option on the second parcel of land from developer Bill Fitch and wait to purchase the land until the area is developed. Hodges noted, however, "Five to six years ago we could have had this land (for proposed parks) at one- mm ■ fifth the cost. If we wait five more years, the cost will double or more." One of the reasons the park proposals are being considered for the upcoming bond issue is to pur- chase the land before prices go up and any more. The first large athletic park would serve the needs of the city for several yeras, according to Paul Wojciechowski, director of the city's Parks and Recreation Department. The other large tract would remain undeveloped until it is needed. Other park proposals call for spending $225,500 to purchase a 15- acre neighborhood park in the northeast section of the city, bounded by Highway 60, Highway 6, Highway 30 and the East Bypass. Another $225,000 .is proposed to develop a recreation center at the park. Land known as the Holick Tract south of where Dexter deadends at Holleman is suggersted as another park site. Purchase of the 14 acress is estimated to cost $200,000. Another $150,000 will be used to purchase some 10 to 15 acres for a neighborhood park in southwest College Sation in the Southwood Valley area. Land between Anderson and Bee Creek parks would be purchased for some $23,100 under the proposal. The 3.3 acres would connect the two city parks. And, Halter told the group the city already is committed to purchasing Lincoln Center from the A &M Consolidated Independent School District. The facility will cost the city"- $80,000, but Halter said the scljool will accept some $20,000 of the cost in services rather than money. Thus, the city will only have to spend $60,000 on the facility. Committee members discussed a proposal to raise fees for using some of the facilities in an effort to generate funds for future park ex- pansion. Most members felt raising the fees would eliminate use of the facilities by many persons. Halter said, "I don't think it would take too much of a fee to begin excluding people." Wojciechowski noted the fees collected for use of Bee Creek pool cover only about 75 percent of operating costs, with the rest of the tab picked up by the city. Councilman Jim Garnder brought up the possibility of putting off purchase of one of the large tracts of land. He said he favors the athletic facilities "but not at the expense of neighborhood parks." The committee will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in city council chambers to prepare the final bond proposal to submit to the council for approval. The Eagle Feb. 14, 1978 0 c Bond.issue may include park proposals Gardner will not run for re- election By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer Incumbent city councilman Jim Gardner will not seek re- election to the College Station City Council. Gardner, 57, has served on the council since 1974. He said he has a continuing , interest in community affairs but "with perhaps a narrower focus or perspective." Gardner will be working with citizens to "encourage better, more effective planning and develop- ment." "I am especially concerned about the heavy reliance on electrical and other utility sales profits as sub- stitutes for other forms of taxation to support general local government. I feel it is a regressive form of taxation and, as we are witnessing, has a costly and divisive influence on the overall metropolitan com- munity," Gardner said. He also ex- pects to establish "some sort of public information - education framwork ... to create broader citizen participation and understanding. These should include forums or debates among various interests, with ample opportunities for citizens of the Brazos area to read, observe and hear the issues debated among those who can or should do something about them." Gardner noted he was elected citywide but the new ward system — which will come up for a vote April 1 — is still in effect in College Station. He said he has citywide interests rather than interests limited to his own ward. By announcing his intention not to run, Gardner said he hopes to en- courage others to compete for a seat on the council. Gardner lives in Ward 4 which includes the South Knoll and Southwood Valley area. The filing deadline for the April 1 elections is March 1. Bryan and College Station residents, as well as residents in both the Bryan and A &M Con- solidated School Districts, will be voting April 1 for representation. The Bryan council has already attracted a number of candidates for six positions. Normally only three Positions would be up for election. However, since Mayor Lloyd Joyce is running for county judge, coun- cilman Travis Bryan III is running for district attorney and councilman Richard Smith is seeking election as mayor, those three positions will be filled for the one -year .unexpired terms. All Bryan terms are city wide but by specific council seat. To date, Smith is unopposed for election as mayor. Joe Hanover and Gardner Osborn have filed for place on the council. That position is currently held by Smith. Incumbent Ples Turner, in place 2, is unopposed for election. Two candidates, Peyton Waller and August Fridel, are seeking election to place 3, now held by Bryan. Henry Seale, is currently unop- posed for re- election to place four on the Bryan council. Place S, held by Wayne Gibson, is not up for re- election. The Rev. Ralph l7. Camp- bell has filed for place 6, now held by Daniel Hernandez who has not filed for re- election. In College Station, councilmen are elected by geographic wards. The ward system has been much disputed and College Station voters will have a chance to speak to the issue April 1. Wards up for election include, other than Gardner's ward four, wards two and six. Since no coun- cilman lives in ward two, technically that area of town has no specific representation. Councilman Jim Dozier, originally elected at large, lives in ward six. The mayor's position, now held by Lorence Bravenec, is elected citywide in College Station. No one has yet filed for any of the positions in College Station. On the A &M Consolidated Board of Trustees, two positions are up for re- election. Incumbent Bruce Robeck, position 6, filed for re- election today. Roger Feldman, appointed to position 7 recently, has not filed for re- election. Two people have filed for the position held by Feldman including Herman Brown and Walt "Big Brazos" Hardin. Two positions are up for election in the Brazos school district. Place 4 incumbent Tom King and place 5 incumbent Arthur L. Davila have both filed for re- election. Neither is opposed. In order to vote in the city and school elections, persons must be registered to vote with the Brazos County Tax Assessor - Collector's office by March 1. The deadline to register to vote in the Democratic and Republican primaries is April 1. The Eagle Feb. 15, 1978 C TO WHOM IT MAY CON CERN: The Zoning Board of* Ad- justment will consider a request for variance from Mr. Timothy Keneipp at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 1978. the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests a variance to Section 5 -D4 of the Zoning Ordinance in order to add to an existing carport which is nearer to the rear property line on this property at 203 Suffolk Street. Further information is abailable at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station, 846 -8886. William F. Koehler Building Official TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to con- sider a request for a Con- ditional Use Permit for the construction of a multi - family residential project to be located on the extension of Holleman Drive ap-. proximately 1700 feet west of Wellborn Road (F.M. 2154). The request is in the name of Edsel G. Jones, 411 Tammy Drive, San Antonio, Texas. The hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall, 1101 South Texas Avenue at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, March 2, 1978. For additional information, Please contact the City Plan- ner's Office at the City Hall, 713 -8886. TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad- justment will consider a request for variance from Mr. Abe Cyrus at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station Ctiy Hall at 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday, February 21, 1978, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests a variance to Section 5 D4 of the Zoning Ordinance to allow the continued existence of a residence nearer than 25 feet from the rear building line and to add a patio cover to the structure at 1303 Augustine Court. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station, 846 -8886. William F. Koehler Building Official TO WHOM IT MAY CON CERN. The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to con- sider a request for a Con ditional Use Permit for the construction of a sorority house project to be located west of Munson Drive and between Dominic and University Oaks Drives. The application is in the name of Marcal, Inc. Box 4106, Bryan, Texas. The hearing will be held in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall, 1101 South Texas Avenue at the 7:00 P.M. meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, March 2, 1978. For additional information, please contact the City Plan- ner's Office in the City Hall, 7 13-846 -8886. The Eagle Feb. 15, 1978 Commission to consider rezoning plan The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission will grapple with an issue that generated city council displeasure last week. The commission will again con- sider rezoning certain tracts located in the area generally bounded by Southwest Parkway, Welsh Boulevard, F.M. 2818 and Wellborn Road. The council earlier returned the suggested zoning proposal calling for a lower density in the area to the commission, but the commission resubmitted the zoning in virtually the same shape the council had rejected. One rezoning suggested by the commission particularly irritated the council. That rezoning would change land owned by O.D. Butler and Edsel Jones to agriculture open from high density apartment zoning. The council last week voted to send the rezoning back to the commission. The motion, by Gary Halter, specifically stressed that the agriculture open category was unacceptable and "if they send it back that way they might as well not send it back," Halter said. The commission also will consider the final plat of Tinsley Square, located east of. and adjacent to Texas Avenue s%ith of the Texas Avenue and Highway 30 in- tersection. Several Southwood Valley items are on the comission's agenda as is consideration of a preliminary plat resubdividing part of Blocks A &G of the College Heights Addition. , The commission also will discuss revisions to sections of the Zoning Ordinance dealing with commercial zones and development in com- mercial zones. The Eagle Feb. 16, 1978 yr - ° ...,....... .....,,.. Commission approves rezoning By FI AVIA KRONE The College Station Planning and Zon- ing Commission Thursday approved the rezoning of several tracts of land bounded by Southwest Parkway, Welsh Boulevard F.M. 2818 and Wellborn Road. , The major result of the action is to lower the zoning density in the areas involved. Three tracts of land north of Southwest Parkway and between Wellborn Road and Welsh Boulevard were rezoned from R -6, high density apartment and A -O, agricul- tural open land to R4, R -5 and R -2 zones. An R -4 designation means a rr c of 16 units per acre may be built'taA&Ihat the land is classified as a low- density ,apartment zone. R -5 is a high - density apartment zone which can contain as many as 24 units per acre. R -2 is considered a low- density zone suitable for duplexes and may contain up to 10 units per acre. Another large tract bordering F.M. 2818 south of Sout� west Parkway was also rezoned from high density apartments to family units and low density apartments. Commissioner Chris Mathewson ques- tioned dividing the tract into both apart- ment and single family zones. "The apartment area has only one con- nection to the outside world without going through the single family area," he said. "Do we want that many apartments de- pendent on one road ?" Other commissioners said the city cx)uld avoid the problem by properly designing roads for the area. The Commission's rezoning recom- mendations must be approved by City Council before they become final. The Commission also voted to table consideration of a final plat for Tinsley Square, located east of Texas, south of the intersection of Texas Avenue and Harvey Road. Tinsley said he wants the property sub- divided in order to build a restaurant there. Commissioner Vergil Stover said, "I have reservations about subdividing fron- tage on a main street like Texas Avenue." Other commissioners also expressed con- cern about traffic having to slow down on Texas Avenue to turn into the restaurant. The Battalion Feb. 17, 1978 Dividing a js no way problem to solve it To the Editor: I've said it once and I'll say it Again, only this time the stories in the Eagle and on KBTX will bear me our that North Bardell and Law- rence Bravenec and the city of Col- lege Station have no intention in the world of trying to cooperate with the city of Bryan. College Station's city fathers keep complaining that Bryan is in the electric generating business, and should not be. Well, I don't see the name "Gulf States Utilities" ap- pearing on the bills that College Station sends to its customers. In fact, the truth of the matter is that the customers in College Station# should be paying a 5 percent tax on the electricity they use, since the city buys it from Gulf States and resells it to the customers. Now the real meat of this article is this — with this explanation in mind, please tell me how in heaven's name there can be one chamber of com- merce? Pat Mann is a fine person but even if he had the wisdom of King Solomon he would still not be able to solve a problem by dividing it in half. So, when a business op- portunity comes to this area he would have to say "Take it to College Station, I had rather it be yours than to see it lost" — as the real mother said to King Solomon in the old Testament when he offered to divide a living child to satisfy a selfish and greedy mother. Letters to the Editor Letters to the editor are welcomed by The Eagle. However, they must meet certain criteria. They must be signed. They must be no longer Itban 250 words and., preferably, should deal with issues rather than personalities. The Eagle reserves the right to edit letters and to delete material that is not ,in good taste or is legally questionable. When a man and woman reach a point that they can no longer get along, then they both go their separate ways and both are better off for it. I think the time has arrived for Bryan to have its own Chamber of Commerce and to sever the un- bilical cord to College Station and let it fare for itself. The longer we wait the more difficult it will be to turn the situation around. Visual proof of this is the last Christmas Parade. It was the biggest and best attended in the last several years and the merchants of Bryan are the ones to be thanked for asking that it be held in "downtown." You're g- r -e -a -t College Station — simply Great! Lee Piraino The Eagle Feb. 17, 1978 NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Station, Texas will be received at the office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 10:00 A.M. on Thursday March 9, 1978 for furnishing the following equipment: five new pickup trucks Specifications can be obtained at the Public Works Office, at City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Station, Texas will be received at the office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 10:00 A.M. on Thursday March 9, 1978 for furnishing the following equipment: One New Industrial Tractor with Front End Loader Specifications can be obtained at the Public Works Office at City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas. The Eagle Feb. 18, 1978 NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Station, Texas will be received at the office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 10:00 A.M, on Thursday March 9, 1978 for furnishing the following equipment: five new pickup trucks acifications can be obtained the Public Works Office at y Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, liege Station, Texas. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council of College Station, Texas will be received at the office of North Bardell, City Manager, until 10:00 A.M. on Thursday March 9, 1978 for furnishing the following equipment: One New Industrial Tractor! with Front End Loader Specifications can be obtained at the Public Works Office at City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Bids will be received by Brazos County, at the office of the County Auditor in the Brazos County Courthouse, Bryan, Texas, until 9:00 A.M. March 10, 1978 for the following equipment. A public address system to be integrated into the exisitin9 taping system in the County Court at Law Courtroom. This should include: (1) Amplifier, (1) speaker, (1) microphone and Stand for the witness box and installation. The existing equipment and courtroom may be examined by appointment by calling 822 -7373, ext 239. Brazos County hereby reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids and to waive all formalities and technicalities TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad- justment will consider a request for variance from Mr. Timothy Keneipp at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 1978, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests a variance to Section 5 -134 of the Zoning Ordinance in order to add to an existing carport which is nearer to the rear property line on this property at 203 Suffolk Street. Further information is abailable at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station, 846 -8886. William F. Koehler Building Official TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad- iustment will consider a request for variance from Mr. Abe Cyrus at their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station Ctiy Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 1978, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests a variance to Section 5 -D4 of the Zoning Ordinance to allow the continued existence of a residence nearer than 25 feet from the rear building line and to add a patio cover to the structure at 1303 Augustine Court. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station, 846 -8886. William F. Koehler Building Official The Eagle Feb. 19, 1978 Citizens' group okays ro osa By JEANNE LOPEZ After four weeks of studying a suggested list of proposals, the College Station Citizens' Capital Improvements Committee voted Monday to present to College Station voters an $8 million bond issue this May. The purpose of the Capital Improvements Committee is to decide what im- provements will receive priority in the May 6 bond election. Voter approval is still needed to enact these proposals. Committee members approved a $7.7 million water and sewer utility im- provements proposal that would enable College Station to drill three water wells and transfer the water to reservoir tanks and distribute it throughout the city. The city will also tie the Northgate sewer 1 M a separate line for treatment at the North Creek Outfall plant. The sewer line that is currently shared with Bryan is inadequate and often overloads. Last October the College Station City Council proposed upgrading the presently shared line to overcome the overload problem, but the Bryan City Council rejected the idea and suggested a merger of the two cities. However, both cities failed to reach an agreement and will sever utility agreements in January 1979. A $300,000 street maintenance program was approved by the committee. The fund would be annually supported by approximately $150,000 from a general city budget. Extension of Kyle Avenue to Dominik Street also received committee approval. The $230,000 reconstruction of Kyle Avenue will alleviate the flow of southbound traffic on Texas Avenue, said Elrey Ash, city engineer. The committee approved a $1.7 million proposal for the acquisition and de- velopment of park lands. Approximately 143 acres of land would be bought by College Station for future development. Presently owned city parks would be further developed. A 50 -acre tract is sought for acquisition as a future athletic complex in the southeast section of College Station. The area is bounded by Texas Avenue, Highway 30, and the Highway 6 bypass. Another 50 acre -tract is proposed in the Southwood Valley area along with an additional 10-15 acres for a smaller park. The 14 -acre Holik park tract located south of the Dexter Drive and Holleman Drive intersection is also proposed for acquisition. Fifteen acres of land bounded by Highway 60, Highway 6, and Highway 30 are sought for park acquisition. Committee members rejected a suggestion from the College Station Fire Chief Doug Landua to purchase $347,000 worth of fire equipment. Landua proposed the purchase of a ladder truck, rescue pumper, and a grass fire truck at last week's capital improvements meeting. Members agreed that the 3 -6 year life of the equipment would make it a "questionable item to be financed by a bond." Committee Chairman Gary Halter said he will prepare a report of the im- provements and present it to the College Station City Council next week. The council will then hold a public hearing to hear citizen comment on the commit- tee's suggestions. The Battalion Feb. 21, 1978 2L( Plats top council agenda The College Station City Council will discuss several plats as part of the 4 p.m. Wednesday meeting at City Hall. The council will discuss a final plat on a portion of Southwood Valley and a master preliminary plat on Southwood Valley, Section 21. Also on the agenda is , /. preliminary' btats in College Heights Addition. Thursday the council will reconsider possible rezoning in -an area generally bounded by Southwest Parkway, Welsh Boulevard, F.M. 2818 and Wellborn Road. One rezoning proposal has been considered several times by the council and the city's Planning and Zoning Commission. The council also will consider a safety town project, a city logo and a community appearance award. A closed session to consider personel ap- pointments is planned for' the Thursday meeting. The Eagle Feb. 21, 1978 A miniature city for our little ones If you've ever had to stomp suddenly on your brakes to behind a parked car or a cyclist avoid having your car strike a child, who suddenly swerves out into YOU will appreciate more than the average the path of a car. A traffic accident usually driver what the A &M Consolidated Independent involves two people. If both are School District is doing to observing the rules of safety the prevent such incidents. chance of an accident is greatly This is not to say that ,only drivers will be happy about diminished. Training young children in the program. Every parent will safety on miniature streets will help the appreciate it, too. The program is a safety city. It young ones to avoid becoming a traffic statistic. was approved by the A &M school board Reports from Bedford, Texas, where a similar safety Monday night. It will cost about $38,000,most of which program has been in use are encouraging. will come from donations. Not one child who participated in The safety city will be the program has been injured in in miniature and it will be used to a traffic accident. teach elementary school The A &M school board is to be children pedestrian and bicycle commended for approving the project. safety on city streets. Being safety conscious and The remainder of the safety watching for children — program is up to the drivers. We can help by being especially in residential areas — can help drivers more alert to our playing youngsters. avoid being involved in a pedestrian accident We can slow down in areas where or in a collision with a bicyclist. children play and keep a close But even the most careful driver cannot avoid the surprise eye on youngsters on bikes. of a child darting out from Safety is everyone's respon- sibility. The Eagle Feb. 22, 1978 Zl(,* O ft director of parks to.assume new duties * 0 College Station's Director of Parks and Recreation Paul Wojciechowski will be moving to York County, Pennsylvania to become director of parks and recreation. Wojciechowski's last day with the City of College Station will be Feb. 28 and he'll assume his new duties in early March. Originally from New Jersey, Wojciechowski, 29, has a B.S. degree in parks and recreation at Texas A&M University. He has been with the City of College Station since October 1972 and became a fulltime employee in the ''city in February 1973. In Pennsylvania, Wojciechowski will be in charge of a 3,200 -acre park system which includes a reservoir and a solar energy nature center. He and his wife Patricia have two children. Park planner Andrew Czimskey, 23, will be in- terim director of parks and recreation through May. The Eagle Feb. 22, 1978 Councilman Dozier seeks re- election to Weer With important decisions facing College Station city government, Councilman Jim Dozier has filed for re- election stressing continuity and experience. Dozier, 54, lives in ward six which includes roughly the Northgate and Eastgate areas of College Station. He was first elected to the council in 1968 and also served as city attorney from 1972 to 1974. He was re- elected to the city council in 1974. "I really enjoy my work on the city council andworkingfor the city, Dozier, an associate professor of finance at the College of Business Administration at Texas A &M University, said today. "I've always enjoyed the work I've done both as city attorney and city councilman. I also believe I have experience and expertise in certain fields that are a benefit to the city and to the people of College Station." Dozier noted that the city faces several important decisions in- cluding capital improvements and completing the break from Bryan in the utility services Dozier opposes the ward system which will be voted on April I as part of a city charter election. He said the system is confusing and does not serve to enhance minority representation — which it was designed to do — since the small minority population is scattered throughout the city. Dozier noted he is not adamant in his opposition to the ward system, but thinks the city would have a more representative government without the system where coun- cilman are elected by geographic boundary rather than citywide. He is unopposed for re- election. The filing deadline for city elections in College Station and Bryan, as well as for school board positions in both the A &M Consolidated School Dis- trict and the Bryan School District, is March 1. Dozier's wife, Phyllis, is executive director of the Arts Council of Brazos Valley. Z oning Board grants variances 7... By FLAVIA KRONE The College Station Zoning Board of Adjustment granted two var- iances and denied a third at a meet- ing Tuesday night at City Hall. . The Zoning Board of Adjustment is a quasi - judicial body that rules on :.citizen appeals concerning zoning ' . .ordinances, "non- conforming' building use permits and variances, _says City Attorney Neeley Lewis. A variance is arty exception to the city ordinances which govern such 'things as lot size, building setbacks and building permits. In granting a variance, the board considers whether or not it will change the characteristics of an area and if the variance is in the public interest. A person ,must also show that compliance with a city ordinance will cause him "undue hardship." "By and large, undue hardship means what the board says it means," said Lewis. The board denied a variance re- quest for a patio covering from Abe Cyrus, 1303 Augustine, College Station. Building Inspection Department official Bill Koehler said his office had received a complaint about the patio cover from Cyrus' neighbor, Joe McNabb of 1302 Angelina Ct. McNabb said Cyrus built the patio cover without a permit in violation of city ordinance. He also said he could see the cover over his backyard fence and considered it an eyesore. "I don't think not filing a permit is a# ' ;'acuse to let a structure stand that reduces the value of my prop- erty," McNabb said. " I didn't pay the money I paid to move into this area to look at something that looks like an apartment complex." Cyrus said he was not aware that he was in violation of any ordinance until a building inspector came to his house to investigate MINA complaint. "if I had been advised I would have been in here much sooner to get a variance," Cyrus said. Cyrus added, 'The patio cover reduced my utilities $10 a month in the hottest months. I think it is safe. I don't think it poses a problem from an aesthetic viewpoint." During the patio cover inspec- tion, building inspectors also dis- covered that Cyrus house was built 17 feet from the rear property line, also in violation of the city setback requirement of 25 feet. Cyrus said he was not aware of the violation when he bought the house. "it is obvious that it would be a great hardship to do away with one third of my kitchen and half of my family room in order to comply with the ordinance," Cyrus said. Board members agreed and granted him a variance for the house. The board also granted a variance to Timothy Keneipp, 203 Suffolk, College Station for an addition to his carport. _ The Battalion Feb. 22, 1978 ES Driver suit for accident A man is suing the City of College Station for damages and medical expenses he says he incurred as a result of a police car striking his vehicle. Anthony J. Caporina filed the suit Wednesday in State District Court. Caporinm, that a police vehicle, driven by Erving Elmer Todd, was speeding at the time of the accident, Sept. 28, 1977. The accident occurred in the 200 block of Anderson. Caporina contends that his vehicle was attempting to make a left turn into a driveway when struck from behind. Among other injuries, Caporina suffered a fractured cervical ver- tebra. The Eagle Feb. 23, 1978 Zip cods dismays k'rom page lA, col. 4 apartments on Highway 30 that are in College Station's urbar- % delivery system. Councilman Larry Ringer said that people should have the same address asthe city in which they live and "neither rain nor sleet nor dark of night will change my opinion." The Postal Service might be opening itself up to lawsuit about civil rights because of. potential. problems in voter registration and other matters' by imposing the Bryan address on College Station residents, Mayor Lorence Bravenec said. If the Postal Service wants a "rain of problems to come down on their heads, then they should proceed with it," Coun- cilman nary Halter said. He saia the Postal Ser- vice's action was "ab. solutely unacceptable" and that thereis already enough confusion regar- ding telephone exchanges in the twin cities. Halter said it was aburd to assume that the rest of, ` rural Brazos County is in Bryan, Texas. t Bryan Postmasters 0 Gayland Moulder, who is also area manager for the s �croostal service, said today t ghat the Bryan address for College Station residents should present no s aroblems. e Many places have similar situations in. c ;luding Highland Park which is completely eparate from Dallas, but t part of the Dallas postal ervice system, Moulder aid. Snook residents, for ample, are served by a 1 route of Somerville, heelock residents get ail via the Hearne post ice and so on, Moulder 4 d. i he postal Service's tangle council problem is multi -fold in College Station. he said: 1) The post office (in the Northgate area) is vastly overcrowded, has inadequate parking space for mail trucks and per- sonnel parking, and is dangerous to get in and out of. Additionally, two years ago there were 10 mail routes out of the office. Now there are 16. 2) A Bryan rural route carrier goes right by the RainTree area now. 3) The area is a half a mile from the nearest College Station urban route and it would be ex- pensive and inefficient to deliver the mail just to that one area. As far as vote registration goes, Moulder ,— said i tilt r "St7'aduri people have stressed that it will create no problems. And since there are separate phone numbers for the south part of the C ounty, emergency service S not be a problem either, Moulder added. "I've made my decision," Moulder said. 'I have a boss like any one else and if someone wants 0 overrule me, let them verrule me. Moulder called later to ay that he was attempting o set up a meeting with College Station officials for Monday to work out a olution by considering hanging zip codes or making some other ac- om t , The Eagle Feb. 23, 1978 Zip code snafu Postal erviGe zaps annex By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer The new RainTree subdivision is in: a) College Station b) Bryan c) all of the above. The correct answer may be a), b), or possibly c). The subdivision is east of the East Bypass and is within the area recently annexed by the City of College Station. But the U.S. Postal Service has determined to list the area ad- dresses as Bryan, Texas 77801, College Station City Council members learned Wednesday. And council members are far from happy about the situation. The council instructed City Manager North Bardell to write a letter to the Postal Service detailing the city's Opposition. The letter is to go to Washington officials, too. The problem is not just one of city pride, officials said. Rather, telling College Station residents they live in Bryan for mailing purposes creates what city officials foresee as significant problems. Bardell said the, confusing address situation will unnecessarily com- plicate voter registration for people living in the area. Additionally, when a person in RainTree calls for emergency service — assuming he or she doesn't use College Station's 911 emergency number, but instead calls the operator — emergency service may come from Bryan. That's in spite of the fact College Station residents pay taxes sup- porting emergency services. Fire insurance key rates are somewhat lower in College Station than Bryan, Bardell said, so people who actually live in College Station but have a Bryan address may have o pay' more for fire insurance. ardell said he didn't know Precisely how much higher the rate would be. According g to a memo from College Station building official Bill Koehler, "The post office has concluded that they cannot change their decision. They said that their considerations were that to serve these residents by other than rural delivery out of Bryan would reflect poorly on their performance evaluation. They told me that alternative solutions studied would result in 24 hour delay of delivery and that they could not estimate that the service could be converted to urban delivery. within 18 months or so, but might be con- tinued as long as five to 10 years." Several councilmen suggested Wednesday that the mail be delivered to the College Station City Hall and the city would take care of getting it to the people. Councdmnn Jim Dozier said the 'city should demand compensation from the federally subsidized mail — if the city delivers it — since the city would be doing Postal Service work. "This may be better for the Postal Service, but it's not better for the people," Dozier said. Right now there are nine homes occupied or ready for occupancy. But the city estimates that several hundred people may be affected in the five to 10 years the situation might last. The issue came up as College Station was setting up utility ac- counts for the area, Bardell said, and staff members realized that the homes were to have Bryan ad- dresses. There is no rural delivery from the College Station Post office which has'the 77840 zip code. Bardell noted RainTree is not far from Turn to page 2A, col. 4 By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer College Station Mayor Lorence Bravenec is seeking re- election to the post promising to work for refinements and improvements in city government. Bravenec, 42, said today that he considers city work challenging and stimulating and "you feel like you're doing something that's very worth- while." Bravenec is an attorney, a cer- tified public accountant and a professor of accounting at Texas '78 HAM -H"KS* eiECnav A &M University. He has lived in College Station since 1971. He was elected to the council in 1974 and elected mayor in 1976. He said he will continue to work for an improved parks system and to work on refining development standards in the city. Work on establishing a street maintenance program — proposed as part of the April 1 $9.2 million bond issue — is important, Bravenec said, because the street system is the city's largest capital investment. "We have to take steps now to see that we don't lose them." Bravenec will also continue to "make an effort to counter statements by some people that College Station is anti - business. We're doing things for business all the time such as getting them cheaper electricity." The mayor said he personally doesn't think the disputed ward system is the best system for the city but that if the voters want to retain the system, "then they will have the ward system and it will be im- plemented in good faith." Bravenec is studying specifics in the bond proposal but said the city has to complete water and sewer improvements since utility agreements between College Station and Bryan end in 1979. Bravenec currently is unopposed for re- election. The filing deadline is March 1. The mayor's position is the only city position elected city wide. Bravenec seeks re- election as College. Station mayor Council rezones land', allots money By MICHELLE BURROWES The College Station City Council Thursday rezoned tracts of land in the South- west Parkway - Wellborn Road area, set the date for a $9.1 million bond election, and agreed to donate $15,000 to the Safety City, project. Several tracts in the Southwest Parkway area voere down -zoned from R -6, a high density apartment zoning, to R -4 and R -5, low and medium density zonings. One tract that had been designated A -0, agricultural -open, was rezoned to R -2, a duplex zoning. This tract is surrounded by residential areas, and one commerical zone. The Planning and Zoning Commission had submitted priority and alternate proposals for the City Council's consideration. After voting on the tracts in a piecemeal fashion to start, and then voting on the proposal as a whole, the coun- cil's final zoning plan closely resembled the alternate proposal. A petition had been filed by property owners protesting the downzoning of their 75 acres from the high density apartment zoning to a single family unit zoning. However, councilman Gary Halter said the petition was invalid, because only one of the two property owners had signed the petition. If the petition were valid, a three- fourths vote would be required of the council to change the zoning. Since the council vote was 6 -1, the petition had no affect on the zoning. The council also tentatively set April 1 as the date for voters to approve a $9.1 billion bond issue. $3 million will be paid by taxes, and the remaining $6 will come from revenue from utility sales. The bonds, if approved, will go to fund utility improvements, a street rebuilding project, park acquisitions, and a water revenue project. The Battalion Feb. 24, 1978 az4 Filing deadline ,ends Wednesday for city elections Only two candidates have filed for Col- lege Station's city electity , Wednesday is the last` day candidates may submit petitions to have, their name placed on the ballot for the April 1 munic- ipal election. Four portions appearing on the ball' ot include mayor and councilmen for Places 2,4 and 6. OfiiciaJ candidates as of Thursday are; James H. Dozier, associate professor of finance at Texas A&M University, for councilman, Place 6. Tony Jones, owner of Tony Jones Con- struction Co., Inc., for councilman, Place 4. The Battalion Feb. 24, 1978 op;L5 CRY C Ound 11 takes steps to insure bond election By TIM RAVEN A $9.2 million municipal bond election moved a step closer toward College Station voters Monday when the city council asked for the wording of the ballot to be pres- ented for approval at the next regular meet- ing, March 8. Presently, five projects will be presented to the voters. Item one on the ballot will ask for $5.3 million to develop an independent water utility system. Along with the $2.4 million left from bonds approved in 1976, total cost of the project is expected to be $7.7 million. These funds would provide for the con- struction of water wells, transmission lines, pump stations and additional distribution lines. About $6.3 million of the total water funds would be eligible for matching funds from the federal Economic Development Administration. The city's share of the cost then would be about $3.2 million, accord- ing to a report by the capital improve- ments committee. Bonds sold for this project will be backed by revenue from the water service. Item two asks for $845,000 to take the Northgate area away from the Bryan sewer system. Some $350,000 is left in 1976 bonds, making the total cost of this project $1.2 million. Revenue bonds would back this project. Item three askk,fo'r'$300,000 for a per- manent road rebuilding program. The cap- ital improvements cdmmittee recom- mended the council budget additional fiords to the program each year. Bonds for the project will be repaid with revenue from municipal taxes. Item four involves the construction of two 50 -acre athletic complexes. Also C is the development of neighbor- hood parks. Total planned expenditures for the two athletic complexes are $925,000. A com- plex in the "Golden Triangle" area is ex- pected to cost the city $675,000, if ap- proved. A tract of land in Southwood Valley to be used for the additional complex is expected to cost about $250,000. About $880,000 would be spent on the development of neighborhood parks in the Carters Grove area in Southwood Valley. These funds include $60,000 for the pur- chase of the Lincoln Center recreation facility from the A&M Consolidated School District as a possible site for a civic center. Plans for the civic center have not been fully developed at this time. The total cost of this project is $1.81 mil- lion. Some $263,000 Could be trimmed from these costs with help from the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. The final item would provide additional finds for the completion of the city fire station, police station, and warehouse complex, at a cost of $680,000. Th4eEagle Feb. 28, 1978 By ROBERT C. BORDEN Staff Writer Despite expert advice to the contrary, College Station city councilmen decided once again Monday to hold a $9.16 million bond issue April 1, the day . of city council elections and a charter amendment election in the city. R. David Fetzer, executive vice president of Moroney, Beissner & Co. Inc., the city's financial agents, told councilmen bond elections held jointly with council elections are not as successful as those held independently. The council still could change its minds, but that appears unlikely. They formally will call the bond election at their March 8 council meeting. Councilmen discussed individual items to be included in the bond issue and approved the order of the items on the 'ballot. They also raised the proposed total slightly to $9,165,000 at Fetzer's suggestion. This will allow bonds for each of the five items on the ballot to be sold in multiples of $5,000. "It looks like you have a pretty full ballot right now," Fetzer said. When bond elections are held with council elections, candidates tend to run on platforms either for or against the bond issue, thus bringing personalities into the matter and often causing the defeat of the bonds, he said. "It has been our ex- perience that it does" cause problems with bond elections when held in eonjunction with council balloting, he added. Councilman Jim Dozier said, "We'd like the bond issue to pass, but we need to get it done as soon as possible," Fetzer said, "It is our basic advice to separate them (the council and bond elections)." Agreeing with Dozier was Councilman Gary Halter, who said he fears "voter fatigue" if too many elections are held in the next few months. Dozier noted College Station has a large number of votes who rent their homes and these "historically support bond issues." Other councilmen agreed, noting A &M ends its spring classes in the middle of May and many potential voters will leave then. Halter said, "That's why I'm hesitant to have it any 4 later than the middle of May." Dozier suggested keeping the election April 1 unless councilmen change their minds prior to calling the election officially March 8. After a brief discussion of each of the various items to be included in the bond issue, councilmen set the order of each item on the ballot. The first item will be water utility im- provements, for which the city will seek approval to sell $5,300,000 in revenue bonds, to be paid back with monies generated by the city utility system. The second item will be sewer utility im- provements, with $845,000 in revenue bonds requested, also to be paid out of utility income. Item three will be streets, with $300,000 asked to set up a revolving fund to pay for street repairs each year. Another $230,000 is requested to make improvements in the Jersey - Kyle - Dominik connection. The fourth item will be a request for $1,810,000 to purchase park land and make improvements on the land. The fifth and last item will be for $680,000 to pay for the land purchased for a new city police station, fire station and warehouse. Total amount of the bond proposals is $9,165,000. Items three through five will be paid back out of tax funds if approved. Councilmen spent considerable time Monday discussing whether to include all the park issues as one item or to separate them into three issues: land acquisition for major athletic facilities, land acquisition for neigh- borhood parks, and im- provements at the parks. Councilman Jim Gard- ner noted only library requests get less support in bond elections than parks. Mayor Lorence Bravenec said he feared separation of the park issues might cause some to fail. Dozier said, "Well, I'd like to see them separated." Bravenec asked for a motion on the matter, and Dozier said, "I'll get mine out of the way since it won't be carried," moving to divide the parks issue into three parts. It died for lack of a second. Councilman Anne Hazen moved to put the parks into one bond proposal and Councilman Lane Stephenson seconded. The first vote was 3 -2 -2, with Hazen, Stephenson and Bravenec in favor and Gardner and Dozier op- posed. Councilman Larry Ringer and Halter ab- stained but Ringer later agreed to the single proposal and it carried 4 -2- 1. Bravenec brought up the possibility of a greater homestead exemption for taxpayers over 65 so they will not be hurt by having to pay for the park bonds if approved. The exemption is $10,000 now, a figure that could be increased in the near future if councilmen agree with Bravenec. Stephenson and Halter got into a heated discussion over a civic center. Stephenson said he is under a lot of pressure from citizens who com- plain nothing has been done about the center, for which $500,000 in revenue bonds were approved by voters in 1976. "There's a certain element peeved with us for not doing something about it," he said. "They're the same group peeved with us for not following their directions," Halter said. "They've got me peeved with them." "That's not hard to do," Stephenson said. "I think we ought to do something or just say we're not going to do anything and abandon the project." Dozier said, "I think we'd be silly building a civic center until the county gets its convention and civic enter open and we see how well it is used." The Eagle Feb. 28, 1978 CS sets April 1 bond vote Wards and the student - councilman By JIM CRAWLEY April Fool's Day is ome month away and so are the, College Station city elections. What a coincidence? The mayoral and three council seats will be up for election. So far, only one candi- date has filed for each position. None of the announced candidates are Texas A &M students although the two incumbants are professors. During the past three years, two stu- dents have campaigned for a position on the council. Neither were successful. This was before the ward system was installed. Last year, in the three ward races, only three candidates, the incumbants, ran. This year the ward system will receive its second test. This exam should be more telling than the intitial test as two of the four positions will be without incumbants. A question circulating among many in- terested students and politicians has been whether a student will run for a position in city government. Several council members are opposed to an on- campus student on the panel. They believe that the student would be unre- sponsive to off - campus problems. Additionally, an on- campus resident doesn't pay property taxes or receive city services. The only city department he could come into contact with on- campus is the fire department when it responds to an on- campus fire. During the past two years, the student government has appointed a student to sit Politics as a non -voting member of the council. This liaison program was hoped to relieve some problems of getting students in- volved in the governmental process. This program can be termed as a failure be- cause of student inattention. Often the student assigned to cover the council has been absent or uninformed on the issues. Another problem has been that the stu- dents that have filled the spot have just filled the seat. They have not been effec- tive in influencing student - related policy decisions of the council. The ward system also has affected the ability of students to run. With the split- ting of the city into six separate wards, each electing their own representative, the student vote is likewise split among the wards. The campus living areas are split between three separate wards, two of which are have council seats open for the April election. While students make up a large part of the population in every ward within the city limits the real factor that will deter- mine their effect om the election will be the percentage voting. In the last election only 7 percent of the eligible students voted, with the polling place in the MSC. This year the two wards covering parts of the campus have polling places off - campus. And the election is being held on a Saturday according to a state law. Most students will be spending Saturday after- noon in their hometowns or out relaxing in the sun. Getting your name on the ballot is a matter of no cost and only an hour or two's effort. With no filing fee, the only requi- site for a candidate is to have a petition containing the names of 25 registered vot- ers within his or her ward. After signing a few more forms and filling out a campaign financial disclosure form, the candidate is on the ballot. This simplicity of filing makes it easy for Texas A &M students to become candi- dates. But, can a student win a ward election. The answer may be known in April. For a student to win a place on the council he or she would have to get the students to go to the polls and vote as a bloc. This is not as easy as a student election where the Corps of Cadets can vote almost as a group. The student turn-out rate in elections is constantly low. Not only here in Texas, but throughout the nation. A plan of attack would have to be devised considering several factors. One consideration would be a high - profile campaign by the student. The can- didate would have to resort to oldstyle campaigning. He would have to make his name known to every student and give every student a good reason to spend part of a Saturday at the polls. This campaigning would be on the emo- tional level. The candidate- student would have to appeal to some aspect that would cause students to rally for him. The only problem is where to find such a candidate? If anyone believes they fit the bill, they have only a few hours left before filing closes. Filing ends at 5 p.m. at City Hall. Fifteen people stepped down from the gooseneck trailer Wednesday to take their turn with one of the five gold shovels. College Station Mayor Larry Bravenec, Bryan Mayor Lloyd Joyce and Judge Bill Vance and 12 other citizens grabbed a shovel to mark the site of the new Regional Multi-Use Facil- ity. About 200 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the $1,592,000 complex, which will be located on a 50- acre tract in Brazos County Park. It will include: a large banquet room, a ca- terer's kitchen, a lecture hall, and four meeting rooms. The facility will also house the Brazos Val- ley Museum of Natural Science. Construction is expected to b e completed in November 1978. The Battalion March 1, 1978 Groundbreaking Batt ali i oboto bN Karr„ Roge,-s Seven Council candidates file for April election BY KAY WALLACE Seven city cot'neit hopefuls met the 5 P.M. filing deadline yesterday for College Station city election. College Station voters will elect a mayor and three city council' �if = April 1. Signatures on the petftions filed must be verified by City Secretary Florence Neeley as those of registered College. Sta- tion voters before the candidate's name can be placed on the ballot. Candidates have filed'as follows: MAYOR - Lorence bent mayor of College Sat on nec, incum- Karl A. Crawley sopho more environmental design major at Texas A &M University COUNCILMAN, PLACE 2 - Homer B. Adams, owner of Adams Transfer and Storage .Co David L. Pugh, assistant pr_ r o ud,� a d re 'onal OU lift PLACE -pn —— Tony Jones, owner of Tony Jones Construction Co homemaker Patricia B. Boughton, COUNCILMAN, PLACE 6 - James H. Dozier, associate Professor of finance The Battalion March 2, 1978 Postal Service reverses ZIP code decision By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer "City hall" has become synon- ymous with unconquerable govern- ment hassle. .The phrase "you can't fight city hall" is as American as apple pie. But College Station City Hall proved you can fight city hall and win, sometimes. The U.S. Postal Service has rescinded a decision to give some College Station residents Bryan addresses. Instead, the Postal Service will assign the area, which includes the RainTree subdivision, a new ZIP code: 77849. And while the area will be College Station, 77849, the mail will still be handled out of the Bryan Post Office and delivered by the rural route carriers. Postmaster Gayland Moulder said today. Moulder also is area manager for the Postal Ser- vice. Moulder said the new ZIP is not approved by the regional office in Memphis, Tenn., but he sees no problem getting the number ap- proved. The ZIP for the area east of the East Bypass is part of a countywide plan the Postal Service is working on, Moulder said. That plan, to be approved by April, will give all rural residents a street address rather than a rural route number. A uniform address system will not only aid mail delivery, but will help get emergency service to rural residents and residents in recently annexed areas, College Station City Manager North Bardell said. For the area east of the bypass, the boundary line for the 77849 ZIP code will be Highway 30 and the bypass. North of Highway 30, the ZIP will be 77809 if the regional of- fice approves the plan, Moulder said. Moulder and city officials met this week to discuss the issue after the city had twice objected to the plan and Bardell had presented the matter to the city council. The council was more than a little displeased about the issue and in- structed Bardell to express the council's displeasure. At the time, city officials said the Bryan address for College Station residents would create unnecessary confusion. Moulder said today he changed his mind about the matter because the Bryan address could affect such things as College Station's portion of federal revenue sharing which is based in part on population. Housewife seeks council p ost, citin g zoning, issues g� election to the College Station City Council. Boughton, 46, seeks election to the position in Ward 4 which is now held by Jim Gardner. Gardner is not running for re- election. Tony Jones also is a candidate for the position. Boughton is a native of College Station and moved back here seven years ago after her husband, Richard Boughton, retired from military service. Her husband is an engineer with the Spencer J. Buchanan firm. Candidate Boughton is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Bonnen who have lived in the city for 50 years. Bonnen served on both the A &M Consolidated School District and the College Station City Council. Boughton has been involved in a rezoning effort in her ward aimed at lowering the density'of the area. Interest in the future of the community is her main reason for running for the position, Boughton said today. "I'm very concerned about the growth and the way its developing. I particularly expect to work to improve and protect the livability of the neighborhoods and the development of the park system." She also said she is opposed to the ward system which will be voted on as part of the April 1 election. The Eagle March 3, 1978 Concern with growth and the livability of neighborhoods has prompted Patricia Boughton to seek Former councilman Adams seeks return to CS post Former city councilman Homer Adams is seeking to return to the College Station City Council stressing experience in city government. Adams, 55, lives at 205 Timber and seeks election in Ward 2. David Pugh also has filed for the position. Technically there is no incumbent in the ward since none of the present councilmen live in the ward which was instituted after present coun- cilmen were elected. Adams has served three terms on the College Station City Council. He is president of Adams Transfer of College Station and Conroe. He has lived in College Station since 1941 when he entered Texas A &M University. He holds a BS degree in accounting. Adams is a member of St. Thomas Episcopal 011ureh, the Kiwanis Club and is on the board of directors of the Bryan - College Station Chamber of Commerce. He is married to the former Jacqueline Brown of Dallas and they have four children. "I think that the council needs some experience on there," Adams .said. He noted he is vitally in- terested in the utility program for water and sewer improvements which will be voted on April 1 as part of a $9.1 million bond issue. The city needs to pass those bonds in order to maintain service after the split from the City of Bryan In January 1979, he said. Adams promised equitable government for all the people in College Station. The Eagle March 4, 1978 ''Urban planning professor files for CS city council Urban planner David L. Pugh has filed to represent Ward 2 on the College Station City Council stressing developing and main- taining strong neighborhoods in College Station. Pugh, 35, lives at 1200 Timm Drive, and is opposed for election by Homer Adams. None of the current councilmen live in Ward 2 so there is no incumbent in the race. Pugh is a native of Wayne, Mich., an is an assistant professor of urban planning at Texas A &M University. For the past year, Pugh has served as an advisor and consultant on developmental ordinances and has worked closely with the Planning and Zoning Board. He is married to a Texas native, the former Susan Kennedy and they He has a BFA in graphic design and a master of regional and city planning from the University of Oklahoma and a law degree from the University of Missouri School of Law in Kansas City. "My decision to run for office is based on my strong concern for the future social, physical and economic development of the city." "I feel that my 10 years of professional practice as an urban land use planner and my associated experiences with many municipal governments will enable me to ef- fectively participate as a member of the council." Pugh said the city needs to attract university - related service oriented industry to broaden the city's economic base. The Eagle March 3, 1978 have one son. Pugh is past president of the Brazos Valley subsection of the American Institute of Planners and is currently assistant director for the central Texas section of the American Institute of Planners. A &M student joins CS mayoral race By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer Saying the people of College Station deserve a choice, Karl Crawley, 19, joined the race for mayor against incumbent Lorence Bravenec. Crawley lives on campus at Texas A &M University where he is a sophomore majoring in en- vironmental design. Crawley hopes to be a regional planner when he graduates. He is an honors graduate of Skyline High School in Dallas and was active in a number of organizations including the German Club, the art club and VICA while in high school. Crawley is Bravenec's only op- ponent in the April I election. He said he is running "because no one was running against Bravenec. The people ought to have a choice. I'm not running just because I'm a student. I think the city needs a change; they've got a lot of old blood in there." "College Station's growing, but I'm not sure the government's growing with it," Crawley said. "I don't think that they're looking at the long range. Every study shows that the student population will level off. We need to get light industry in here." Crawley said College Station and Bryan should work together to at- tract new industry. "The two cities live right together and have to work - for the betterment of each other." In spite of the need to work together, Crawley said he strongly opposes any effort to merge the two cities and he feels College Station must pass the water and sewer bonds on the April 1 bond vote. Those bonds are needed, city officials say, in order to provide the city service after the utility break from Bryan is complete in January 1979. Crawley said the city should stress planning and look into land use and land management issues. "My main fear is that College Station may be over - expanding it- self. We need to expand but we have to make sure we don't over-expand, but take it one step at a time," Crawley said. Crawley said the city should continue studying public trans- sportation on a regional basis. The city also needs to expand athletic - recreational facilities because "people are going out more and they have to have some place to go )1 Crawley also favors extending the hours that alcoholic beverages can be sold to 2 a.m, everyday but Sunday. While he considers his candidacy a long shot, he said he takes running in the race serious "because it's a serious job." The Eagle March 4, 1978 NOTICE TO BIDDERS NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the City Council, City of College Station, Texas for Bee Creek Park Development Plan, will be received in the Office of the City Secretary, City Hall, College Station, Texas until 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 20, 1978. Proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Council Room of the City of College Station City Hall at 2:00 p.m. on the same date. Any bid received after the above closing time will be returned unopened. Plans, Specification, and in- formation for Bidders, are on file and may be examined at the Department of Parks & Recreation, Eleanor St. A certificate or cashier's check on a State or National Bank of the State of Texas, or a Bid• der's bond from an acceptable Surety Company, authorized to transact business in the State of Texas, in the amount of not less than five (5 percent) percent of the total bid must accompany each Proposal as a guarantee that if awarded the contract, the Bidder will within ten (10) calendar days after award of contract enter into contract and execute a Bond on the forms provided in the Contract Documents. A Performance Bond and a Payment Bond in an amount of not less than one hundred percent (100 percent) of the contract price, conditioned upon faithful performance of the contract and payment of all persons supplying labor or furnishing materials, shall be executed by the successful bidder and accompany his signed contract. Proposals must be submitted on the forms bound within the Specifications and the right to accept any or all bids, or to reject any or all bids and to waive all formalities is hereby reserved by the City Council of the City of College Station, Texas. Andy Czimskey Interim Director of Parks & Recreation The Eagle March 4, 1978 Sealed proposals addressed to the City Council, City of College Station, Texas for Bee Creek Park Development Plan, will be received in the Office of the City Secretary, City Hall, College Station, Texas until 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 20, 1978. Proposals will be publicly pro Osals will 'be ublicly p p opened and read aloud in the opened 'and read aloud in'th8 Council Room of the City of touncjl Room 'of. the, City' -of College Station City Hall at College. Station City Hall' at 2:00 p.m. on the same date. Any bid received after the 2.00. p.m: on, the; sadte dater above closing time will be Any � bid' reteived after the returned unopened. above closing, -time will be returned unopened -. Plans, Specification, and In- formation for Bidders, are on Plans, Specificaiion, and ,in- file and may be examined at formation for.13idders,..are. on the Dep�riment of Parks & file and may be .examined at Recreat�oh, Eleanor St. the Department of Parks. & • - Recreation, Eleanor St. A certificate or cashier's check on a State or National Bank of A certificate or cashier's check the State of Texas, or a Bid- on a State or National Bank of der's bond from an acceptable the State of Texas, or a Bid - Surety Company, authorized to der's bond from an acceptable transact business in the State Surety Company, authorized to of Texas, in the amount of not transact business in the State less than five (5 percent) of Texas, in the amount of not percent of the total bid must less than five (5 percent) accompany each Proposal as a percent of the total bid must guarantee that if awarded the accompany each Proposal as a contract, the Bidder will within guarantee that if awarded the ten (10) calendar days after contract, the Bidder will within award of contract enter into ten (10) calendar days after contract and execute a Bond on award of contract enter into the forms provided in the contract and execute a Bond on Contract Documents. the forms provided in the Contract Documents. A Performance Bond and a - Payment Bond in an amount of A Performance Bond and a not less than one hundred Payment Bond in an amount of percent (100 percent) of the not less than one hundred contract price, conditioned percent (100 percent) of the upon faithful performance of contract price, - conditioned the contract and payment of all j upon faithful . performance :of. persons supplying labor or the contract and payment of all furnishing materials, shall be persons supplying labor.* or executed by the successful) furnishing materials, shall be bidder and accompany his executed by the successful signed contract,- bidder and, accompany - his signed contract. Proposals must be submitted - on the forms bound within the Proposals must be submitted Specifications and the right to on the forms bound within the accept any or all bids, or to Specifications and the right to reject any or all bids and to accept any or all bids, or to waive all formalities is hereby reject any or all bids and to reserved by the City Council of waive all formalities is hereby the City of College Station, reserved by the City Council of Texas. the City of College Station, Texas. Andy. Czimskey Andy Czimskey Interim Director of - Parks & Recreation Interim Director of Parks& Recreation The Eagle The Eagle March 5, 1978 March 6, 1978 NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the City Council, City of College Station, Texas for Bee Creek Park Development Plan, will be received in the Office of the City Secretary' T College Station, Texas until 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 20, 1978. Proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Council Room of the City of College Station City Hall at 2:00 P.M. on the same date. Any bid received after the above closing time will be returned unopened. lans, Specification, and In- )rmation for Bidders, are on le and may be examined at le Department of Parks & ecreation, Eleanor St. , certificate or cashier's check n a State or National Bank of he State of Texas, or a Bid er's bond from at1'acc9p tab e ,urety Company, authorized to ransact business in the State ,f Texas, in the amount of not ess than five (5 percent) )ercent of the total bid must )ccompany each Proposal as a guarantee that if awarded the :ontract, the Bidder will within en (10) calendar days after award of contract - enter into _ontract and execute a Bond on �he forms provided in the ontract Documents. 4 Performance Bond and a Payment Bond in an amount of not less than one hundred percent (100 percent) of the contract price, conditioned upon faithful performance of the contract and payment of all persons supplying labor or furnishing materials, shall be executed by the successful bidder and accompany his signed contract. Proposals must be submitted on the forms bound within the Specifications and the right to accept any or all bids, or to reject any or all bids and to waive all formalities is hereby reserved by The City Council of the City of College Station, Texas. Andy Czimskey Interim Director of Parks & Recreation The Eagle March 7, 1978 CS council to consider $9.1 million The College Station City Council will consider calling a $9.1 million bond election when they meet in regular session Wednesday and Thursday at 4 and 7 p.m. in city hall. The bond election would be held in conjunction with city and school board elections on April 1. The council will also consider adopting an ordinance updating the city's fire code. The revisions have been suggested by the College bond vo Station Fire Department. Members will discuss increasing the tax exemption for elderly residents age 65 and over from its current level of $10,000 to $12,000 or $15,000. The increase would take effect in 1979. They will also consider the potential risk to area residents when hazardous materials are carried through the community by the railroad. ' The Eagle March 7, 1978 2 3f� CS City Council passes compromise on utility dispute By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer A compromise that could settle the current utility dispute between Bryan and College Station was approved Thursday night by the College Station City Council. But city officials refused to divulge the contents of the agreement until the Bryan City Council can consider it at its next meeting Monday. The issue has been a complicated question about electrical service to an area recently annexed by the City of College Station. Bryan was cer- tified to serve the area under the original certification issued by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). College Station was certified to serve only the area within its previous city limits. Mayor Pro Tem Jim Dozier said. Thursday the council would not, release the information before the Bryan council can consider it. "We're not trying to put any pressure on the City of Bryan," Dozier said. If Bryan accepts the compromise, worked out by at- torneys for both cities, the question before the PUC would be un- contested. College Station has maintained that it would accept dual cer- tification in the annexed area per- manently. Dozier said the dual certification question was unchanged in the compromise. He said other con- siderations — including monetary considerations — were included in the proposed contract. "But I can't say what they are or how much they He said the compromise was aimed st saving both cities the cost _of taking the issue through legal channels. Councilman Gary Halter said he would have preferred that College Station have single certification for the area. The Bryan Council will consider the issue Monday at the 12:30 p.m. meeting. In other business, the College Station council: — Approved a resolution sup- porting a study of moving railroad tracks that bisect the Texas A &M University campus; — Agreed to let the Brazos Valley Development Council act as an area - wide agent to administer rent subsidy funds under a Houston and Urban Development program. Halter also noted that a number of letters explaining proposed charter changes had been returned to city hall. He said that residents who have not received the letter in the mail could get a copy of the changes at city hall. The charter changes are part of the city's ballot April 1 and would do away with the ward system, used in only one election, if approved by the voters. The changes also would required a candidate to get 34 per cent or more of the vote or a run off election would be required. Other changes basically make city charter conform to existing state law. The Eagle March 10, 1978 "Battle of the may end with By FLAVIA KRONE For six months, College Station and Bryan have been fighting over which city should provide electric power to a 1,600 - acre tract between Highway 30 and High- way 6. That battle may soon be over. Well, at least a truce may be called. A compromise agreement, intended to resolve the conflict over which city should receive certification to provide electric power to the area, was approved by the College Station City Council during a closed session of its Thursday night meet- ing. To become effective, the agreement must be approved by the Bryan City Council. Council members refused to discuss terms of the compromise. "We don't want to put undue pressure on the city of Bryan," councilman Jim Dozier said. In order to sell electricity, a city must receive a "certificate of convenience and necessity" from the Texas Public Utilities Commission. Bryan has a certificate of convenience and necessity which allows the city to sell power to most of Brazos County, including College Station. In the past, College Station bought all its electric power from Bryan. Recently, however, College Station has been buying some of its power from Gulf States Utilities. By January 25, 1979 all of Col- lege Station's electricity will be generated by Gulf States. The battle between College Station and Bryan over the 1,600 acres between Highway 30 and Highway 6 broke out after College Station incorporated the area into the city limits. Bryan, which already was certified to sell power to the area, wanted cities' truce exclusive rights as an electric power provider. "We just don't think that residents of College Station should have to pay Bryan for electric power," Dozier said. "The res- idents benefit from College Station fire and police protection which is funded .f om the #s the city earns by selling electric power." College Station applied to the Public Utilities Commission for dual certification, which would allow both cities to sell er to the area. Residents would be able to buy power from the city of their choice. But because College Station power is cheaper than Bryan power, most residents would'probably buy their electricity from College Station. Dual certification would also require each city to maintain its own power lines. In the past, Bryan has objected to the dual certification plan. When questioned, council members re- fused to comment on whether or not the Bryan - College Station electric power compromise included dual certification. The Battalion March 10, 1978 14 Council District 5 Polling Place, at Bee Creek Municipal Swimming Pool, in said city with Mrs. Leatrice B'Ouse as Presiding Judge, and Mrs. Sharon Claassen as Alternate Judge, and said Presidino Judge shall appoint no more than 8 clerks to assist her. Council District 6 Polling Place, at College Station Fire Station, in said city with Mrs. G.H. Draper as Presiding Judge and Mrs. Nina Quitta as Alternate Judge, and said Presiding Judge and Mrs. Nina Quitta as Alternate Judge, and Said Presiding Judge shall appoint no more than 8 clerks to assist her. Council District 6 Polling Place, at College Station Fire Station, in said city with Mrs. G.H. Draper as Presiding Judge and Mrs. Nina Quitta as Alternate Judge, and said Presiding Judge shall appoint no more than 8 clerks to assist her. Absentee voting shall be conducted by the Office of the City Secretary at her office in the City Hall at 1101 Texas Avenue, in said city. _ Punch card voting machines shall be used for voting at the foregoing election district and electronic counting devices and equipment shall be used for counting the ballots in said election. The Council Room of the College Station City Hall is hereby established as the Central Counting Station to receive ballots for said elec- tion, the ballots to be tran- sported to Texas Data Center, Inc., located at 1705 E. 29th Street, Bryan, Texas, to be tabulated and returned to the Central Counting Station. The following persons are hereby authorized and ap- proved as persons employed and designated to handle the ballots, operate the tabulating equipment, and count the ballots: a. Presiding Judge: O.M. Holt b. Clerks: to be named by Presiding Judge The following persons are hereby authorized and ap- proved as persons employed and designated to handle the ballots, operate the tabulating equipment, and count the ballots: a. The Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of College Station b. The County Judge and members of the Com- missioners Court of Brazos County c. The Attorney General of the State of Texas or his authorized representative d. Frank Boriskie, County Clerk of Brazos County e. City Secretary f. Candidates for the office of City Councilman and Mayor 106 LEGAL NOTICES A committee is hereby established of the following persons to hold a Computer Accuracy Test prior to the start and subsequent to the count of the voted ballots to ascertain that the computer will accurately count the votes cast for the offices to be voted upon in said election: debidamente calificados quienes son residences de la Ciudad de College Station seran permitidos a votar. Los sitios de votar estaran abiertos prontamente a las 7 AM y cierraran prontamente a las 7 PM. a. Mayor Lorence Bravenec la O u ! dad elec las b. City Manager Florence oi lbgaciones ejecutada nor - Neelley mamente por el Secretario del d. Presiding Judge O.M. Holt Condado en elecciones generals con 'es peto al votar A copy of this ordinance, shall, en ausencia, dando noticia del when published in a newspaper eleccion y preparando las of general circulation in the boletas oficiales. City of College Stationk serve as proper notice of said elec- La eleccion sera conductda en Pion. las siguientes lugares y Ids oficiales del eleccion seran, PASSED AND APPROVED Para el proposito de esta this 9th day of February, 1978. eleccion como sigue: APPROVED S /Lorence Bravenec Mayor ATTEST S /Lorence S /Floren,Te Neelley C46ecretary ORDENANZA NO. 1101 UNA ORDENANZA DE LA CIUDAD DE COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS CON - VOCANDO UNA ELECCION MUNICIPAL GENERAL EN LA CIUDAD DE COLLEGE STATION EL SABADO 1 DE ABRIL DE 1978 PARA ELEGIR UN ALCALDE Y C O N C E J A L E S PAR A DISTRITO 23, DISTRITO 4, y DISTRITO 6, FIJANDO EL TIEMPO, S1T10 Y MANERA DE CONDUCIR LA ELEC- -ION Y NOMBRANDO LOS )UECES E EXCRIBIENTES DE ESTO. SEA ORDENADO POR EL CONSEJO MUNICIPAL DE LA CIUDAD DE COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS: Jna eleccion general sera y el nismo es por esto ordenado a levar a tabor el primer iabado en Abril de 1978, el nismo siendo el primero de abril, para el proposito de alegir un alcalde y concejales Cara Distrio 2, Distrito 4 1 y Distrito 6. =l eleccion Ilevara a Cabo lebajo los provisioner de las eyes del Estado de Texas lobernando elecciones lenerales, y solamente votores Distrito Concejal kl Sitio de V otar, en College Hills Elementary School en dicha cu idad, con Sra Jay Zal como Juez President y, Sra Sally Forehand como Juez Alterna y dicha Juez Presidente nom - brara no mas do ocho (8) escribientes Para asistir. Distrito Concejal #2 Sitio de Votar, en A &M Consolidated Special Services Building en 1330 Jersey, Cuarto 13, en dicha Ciudad con Fred Gardner como Juez Presidente y Sra Peggy Owens como Juez Alterna y dicho Juez Presidente nombrara no mas de ocho (8) escribientes Para asistir. Distrito Concejal N3 Sitio de Votar en Lincoln Center en dicha Ciudad, con Sra. Helen Hawkins como Juez Presidente, y Sr., G.W. Litton como Juez Alterno y dicho Juez Presidente nombrara no mas de ocho (8) escribientes Para asistir. Distrito Concejal p4 Sitio de Votar en South Knoll Elementary School, en dicha Ciudad con Sra. Fumi Sugihara como Juez Presidente nom - brara no mas de ocho (8) escribientes para asistir. Distrito Concejal #5 Sitio de Votar en Bee Creek Municipal Swimming Poo), en dicha Ciudad con Sra. Leatrice Bouse como Juez Presidente, y Sra. Sharon Claasen como Juez Alterna, y dicha Juez Presidente nombrara no mas de ocho (8) escribientes para asistir. Distrito Concejal p6 Sitio de Votar en College Station Fire Station, en dicha Ciudad, con lo6LEGAL NOTICES Sra. G. Draper Como Juez Presiden y Sra. Nina Quitta Como Juez Alterna, y dicha Juez Presidente nombrara no mas de ocho (8) escribientes Para asistir. Votar en ausencia sera con - ducida por la Oficina de la Secretaria del Municipio en su oficina en City Hall en 1101 Texas Avenue en dicha Ciudad. Maquinas de Votar de Boleta Electronica reran usadas pare votar en Ios distritos de elec- cion precedence y maquinas de tabulation electronics a equipo seran usadas Para tabular las boletas en dicha eleccion. El Cuarto de Consejo de City Hall de College Station es por esto establecido como el Estacion Central de Tabulation para recibir boletas para dicha eleccion, las boletas seran transportadas al Texas Data Center, Inc. localizado en 1705 East 29th Street, Bryan, Texas Para ser tabuladas y regresadas al Estacion Central de Tabulacion. Las siguientes personas son por esto autorizadas y aprobadas como personas empleadas y designadas para manocear las boletas: a. Juez President: O.M. Holt b. Escribientes: seran nombrados por el Juez Presidente Los siguientes oficiales del estado y otras persons designadas son por esto autorizadas a estar presence en el Estacion Central de Tabulacion Para observar el procesamiento de Escrutinio electoral: a. El Alcalde y miembros del Consejo Municipal de la Ciudad College Station. b. El Juez del Condado y miembros del Corte de Comisionados del Condado de Brazos. C. El Procurador General del Estado de Texas o su representante autorizado. d. Frank Boriskie, Secretario del Condado de Brazos. e. La Secretaria de la Ciudad f. Condidatos para el puesto de Alcalde y Consejo Municipal. Un comite es por esto estalbecido consistiendo de las siguientes personas para tener una Prueba de Exactitud del Calculador antes de comenzar y subsiguiente al escrutinara _xactamente los votos hechos para los puestos abiertos en iicha eleccion_ a. Alcalde Lorence Bravenec b. Adminisfrador de la Ciudad North Bardell c. Secretaria de la Ciudad Florence Neelley d. Juez Presidente O.M. Holt Una copia de esta ordenanza servira, cuando publicado en un periodico de circulation general en la Ciudad de College Station, como noticia propia de dicha election. PASADO Y APROBADO este el 9 dia de Febrero de 1978. APROBADO S /Lorence Bravenec Alcalde ATESTADO S /Florence Neelley Secretaria de la Ciudad The Eagle". Parch 10, 1978 N ORDINANCE NO. 1099 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS, ORDERING THE SUB- ' MISSION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY CHARTER OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS, AT AN ELECTION APRIL 1, 1978; PROVIDING FOR NOTICE OF THE ELECTION POLLING PLACES AND JUDGES AND PRESCRIBING FORM OF BALLOT. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS: SECTION 1 That an amendment to the existing charter of the City of College Station, Texas, be submitted by the City Council of the City of College Station, Texas, to the electorate of the City of College Station, Texas, at a general municipal election April 1, 1978, to amend the city charter of said city as follows: Section 18 -a of Article I I I shall be amended to read: The Mayor and other members of the City Council shall be elected from the City at large by place. Section 18 of Article I I I shall be amended to read: (e) No person shall be deemed elected to an office unless that person receives ,thirty -four percent of the votes st for all the candidates for - h office. In the event that no ,ndidate receives thirty -four percent of all votes cast for all of the candidates for such of- fice, the City Council shall, on the first day following the completion of official count of the ballots casts at the first election, issue a call for a second election to be held within thirty days following the issue of such call, at which election the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for any office in the first election in which no one was elected by receiving thirty -four percent of all votes cast for all candidates for such office shall again be voted for. I Section 6 of Article I I shall be .fended to read: Whenever a majority of the qualified voters who are citizens of the State of Texas and inhabitants of any territory adjoining the City of College Station, as such territory may be designated by the City Council; or in case there are no qualified voters in such territory, then when persons owning a majority of the land in area of said territory desire the annexation of such territory to the City of College Station, they may present a written petition to that effect to the City Council and shall attach to said petition the affidavit of one or more of their number to the effect that such petition is signed by a majority of such qualified voters; or in case there are no qualified voters in said territory and that the persons signing the petition own a majority of the land in the area of such territory; and thereupon the City Council may annex such territory in accordance with the provisions of the "Municipal Annexation Act" Article 970a, Vernon's Annotated Texas Statutes as it presently is written or may hereafter be amended. Section 7 of Article I I shall be amended to read: The City Council shall have power by ordinance to fix the boundary limits of the City of College Station; and to provide for the extension of such boundary limits and the an- nexation of additional territory lying adjacent to said city, with or without the consent of the territory and inhabitants an- nexed. The city shall follow the procedures set forth in the "Municipal Annexation Act" Article 970a, Vernon'a An- notated Texas Statues as it presently is written or may hereafter be amended. Section 45 of Article V shall be amended to read: The fiscal year of the City of College Station shall be determined by ordinance of the Council. Such fiscal year shall also consitute the budget and accounting year. Section 77 of Article VI I shall be amended to read: All checks, vouchers or warrants for the withdrawal of money from the city depository shall be signed by the director of finance, or his deputy, and countersigned by the city manager or his designee. Section 3 of Article 1 shall be amended to read: The bounds and limits of the City of College Station are hereby established and described as shown by the articles of incorporation, the several annexation ordinances and the official zoning map of said city. Section 4 of Article I shall be am mended to read: The City Council shall divide the City of College Station into precincts for voting purposes only, and when practicable they shall conform to the county voting precincts. Section 2 That the aforesaid amend- ments shall be submitted to the qualified voters within the City of College Station, Texas, for acceptance or rejection at an election called for April 1, 1978, following the adoption of this ordinance. Section 3 The election will be held under the provisions of the laws of the State of Texas governing general elections, and only duly qualified voters who are residents of the City of College Station shall be al lowed to vote. The polls shall be opened promptly at 7:00 a.m. and shall be closed promptly at 7:00 P.M. The Office of the City Secretary shall perform all duties normally performed by the County Clerk in general elections with respect to ab- sentee voting, giving notice of the election, and preparing the official ballots. The election will be held at the following places and the election officials shall be, for the purpose of this election as fol l ows : Council District 1 Polling Place, at College Hills Elementary School, in said city, with Mrs. Jay Zal as Presidinq Judge, and Mrs. Sally Forehand as Alternate Judge, and said Presiding Judge shall appoint no more than 8 clerks to assist her. Council District 2 Polling Place, at A&M Consolidated Special Services Building at 1330 Jersey, Room 13, in said city with Mr. Fred Gardner as Presiding Judge, and Mrs. Peggy Owens as, Alternate Judge, and said Presiding Judge shall appoint no more than 8 clerks to assist him. Council District 3 Polling 'Place, at Lincoln Center, in said city, with Mrs. Helen Hawkins as Presiding Judge, and Mr. G.W. Litton as Alternate Judge, and said Presiding Judge shall appoint no more than 8 clerks to assist her. Council District 4 Polling Place, at South Knoll Elementary School, in said city with Mrs. Fumi Sugihara as Presiding Judge, and Mrs. Doris Watson as Alternate Judge, and said Presiding Judge shall appoint no more than 8 clerks to assist her. Council District 5 Polling Place, at Bee Creek Municipal Swimming Pool, in said city with Mrs. Leatrice Souse as Presiding Judge, and Mrs. Sharon Claassen as Alternate Judge, and said Presiding Judge shall appoint no more than 8 clerks to assist her. Council District 6 Polling Place, at College Station Fire` Station, in said city with Mrs'. G. H. Draper as Presiding Judge and Mrs. Nina Quitta as Alternate Judge, and said Presiding Judge shall appoint no more than 8 clerks to assist her. amendments shall appear on the ballot substantially as follows: Section 18-a of Article III presently states that the Mayor is elected at large and the six -1 City Councilmen are elected from six Council Districts (Wards). Do you favor an amendment that would change this provision and provide for the Mayor and six City Councilmen to be elected at large? YES NO Do you favor an amendment to Section 18 of Article III to provide that no person shall be elected to an office unless that person receives 34% of the votes? YES NO The present charter in Section 45 of Article V designates the fiscal year of the city begins on the first day of July and ends on the last day of June. Do favor an amend - ment allowing the CityCouncil to determine the city's fiscal year by ordinance? YES NO The present city charter in Section 77 of Article VII requires that all checks must be countersigned by the city manager. Do you favor an amendment allowing the city manager to designate some person to have authority to countersign checks on his YES NO Do you favor an amendment to Section 6 of Article II to provide that the City Council shall annex upon petition in Absentee voting shall be accordance with t h e conducted by the Office of the "Municipal Annexation Act ", City Secretary at her office in Article 970a, Vernon's An the City Hall at 1101 Texas notated Texas Statues? Avenue, in said city. YES NO Punch card voting machines shall be used for voting at the foregoing election precincts and electronic counting devices and equipment shall be used for counting the ballots at said election. The Council Room of the College Station City Hall is hereby established as the Central Counting Station to receive ballots for said elec- tion, the ballots to be tran- sported to Texas Data Center, Inc., located at 1705 E. 29th Street, Bryan, Texas, to be tabulated and returned to the Central Counting Station. The following persons are hereby authorized and ap- proved as persons employed and designated to handle the ballots, operate the tabulating equipment, and count the ballots: a. Presiding Judge: O.M. Holt b. Clerks: to be named by Presiding Judge The following state officials and other designated persons are hereby authorized to be present at the Central Counting Station to observe the election counting process: a. The Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of College Station b. The County Judge and members of the Com- missioners Court of Brazos County c. The Attorney General of the State of Texas or his authorized representative d. Frank Boriskie, County Clerk of Brazos County e. City Secretary f. Candidates for the office of Mayor and City Councilman Do you favor an amendment to Section 7 of Article II to provide that the City Council shall annex territory on its own initiative in accordance with the "Municipal Annexation Act ", Article 970a, Vernon's Annotated Texas Statues? YES NO The present city charter in Section 3 of Article I contains a metes and bounds description of the territory within the city. Do you favor an amendment designating the boundaries of the city by reference to the articles in incorporation, the annexation ordinances and the official zoning map of the city? YES NO The present city charter in Section 4 of Article I designates original voting precincts within the city. Do you favor an amendment allowing the City Council to divide the city into precincts for voting purposes only, these precincts to con- form to the county voting precincts where practical? YES NO SECTION 5 The City Secretary is hereby ordered and directed to mail a copy of the proposed amend- ment to each qualified voter -of the City of College Station as such list appears on the tax rolls of the said City of College Station for the year ending December 31, preceding said election, which notice shall be mailed not less that thirty days prior to said election as provided in Article 1167 of the Revised Civil Statues of Texas. Section 6 A committee is hereby A copy of this ordinance established of the following signed by the Mayor of the City persons to hold the Computer of College Station, Texas, and Accuracy Test prior to the attested by the City Secretary start and subsequent to the of the City of College Station, count of the voted ballots to Texas, under seal of said City, ascertain that the computer shall serve notice of such will accurately count the votes election. The Mayor is hereby cast for the proposition to be ordered and directed to cause a voted upon in said election: notice of said election to be published in said City of a. Mayor Lorence Bravenec College Station in some b. City Manager North newspaper of general cir- Bardell culation in said City, which c. City Secretary Florence notice shall be published on the Neelley same day for one day each d. Presiding Judge O.M. Holt week for two successive weeks prior to said election, the first Section 4 of said notices to appear not less that 14 days prior to the The proposed charter date of such election. The Eagle March 12, 1978 B -CS settle � I utility hassle for $120,000 By DAVID LINDSEY Staff Writer The City of Bryan will sell 8 megawatts of electiricty for $120,000 to the City of College Station that neither city planned on. A consultant for College Station estimated today that the cost of the power from Bryan is approximately $46,000 more than what it would have cost had the city bought that power from Gulf States Utilities. The sale is part of a settlement of the latest utility hassle that would have taken the cities to the Public Utilities Commission and possibly through the courts to the state Supreme Court. Bryan signed the agreement Monday at the regular meeting of the council after discussing the issue in a two two -hour closed session Monday afternoon. College Station agreed to the compromise last Thursday but city officials refused to release details of the settlement until Bryan officials could consider the proposal. The issue arose when College Station annexed roughly 1,600 acres east of the East Bypass into its city limits. At that time College Station asked the PUC to allow it to provide the area with electrical service. Originally, College Station was certified only within its previous city limits. Bryan was certified to serve the area as part of its rural electrifiation division and opposed dual cer- tification for College Station. According to Bryan Mayor Lloyd Joyce, the settlement means that College Station's request for dual certification will be unopposed before the PUC. The cities also will allow dual certification in another area likely to be annexed into College Station. Bryan will sell the 8 megawatts of power to College Station in June. City officials estimate that that power will cost the City of College Station $120,000. Additionally, the settlement resolved several easement problems the City of Bryan had in parts of Southwood Valley, Joyce siad. Had the matter gone to the 1 and the PUC had denied College Station's request for dual cer- tification, the issue would have gone to court, College Station officials said privately. One issue in that event would have been whether or not College Station had any control over rates within its city limits. Since 'Bryan has a municipally owned utility system, the city does not fall under PUC rate setting powers. But College Station likely would have held the position that it had the right to set rates within its city limits. The issue was to go to the PUC in Austin later this month. Joyce said Monday that the dual certification -was the best the City of Bryan could expect since the PUC, a recent creation of the legislature, has not previously denied a city the right to serve residents within its corporate limits. There may be areas with existing Bryan -owned lines that will be an- nexed into College Station, Joyce said, but College Station may not be able to immediately serve those areas with electricity. In those cases, Bryan probably will get the customers. "We don't envision running two sets of lines to every area," Joyce said. The dual certification issue derives from an earlier decision of College Station to move away from Bryan as its chief supplier of elec- tricity and to purchase power from Gulf Sates Utilities. That break will be complete in January 1979 when all utility agreements will be severed between the two cities. The Eagle March 14, 1978 ORDINANCE NO. 1104 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING 1976 SOUTHERN STANDARD FIRE PREVENTION CODE WITH 1978 REVISIONS SETTING FORTH RULE S AND REGULATIONS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY BY PROMOTING THE CONTROL OF FIRE HAZARDS, REGULATING THE INSTALLATION, USE AND MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT, REGULATING THE USE OF STRUCTURES, PREMISES AND OPEN AREAS IN THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION: PROVIDING FOR THE ABATEMENT OF FIRE HAZARDS; ESTABLISHING THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROCEDURES FOR ENFORCEMENT; SETTING FORTH STANDARDS FOR COMPLIANCE, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCI L OF THE CI TY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS: SECTION 1. Ordinances No. 967 and 1000 are hereby repealed, and Ordinance No. 49 is hereby amended. SECTION 11. Adoption of the 1976 Southern Standard Fire Prevention Code with the following amendments and additions: A. Chapter 20, Division X, Section 20.1013 Parking & Garaging, Paragraph D. At no time while discharging flammable liquids shall the driver or operator be out of sight and reach of the discharge valves. If at any time while discharging, the operator must leave the truck, for any reason, he shall shut down all valves until he returns and shall be totally responsible for any and all spillage. B. Firelanes: Shall be Chapter 41 Division 1. 41.101 When required: No building of any type construction for occupancy shall be constructed in such a i manner than any part of the i structure is more than one hundred fifty (150) feet from a public street or highway; provided, however, that such structure may be erected at a greater distance if the owner designates, constructs and maintains a fire lane or access easement having a minimum width of twenty feet and a minimum height clearance of fourteen feet terminating within one hundred fifty feet of the furthest point of Such structure; providing further, however, that no fire lane shall be required for; 1. Any single family or duplex dwelling. 41.102 Specifications: Any fire lane more than one hundred feet in length shallf either connect at each end to a dedicated street or be provided with a turnaround having a minimum radius of fifty feet when measured from curb to curb. All fire lanes shall be maintained and kept in a state of good repair at all times by the owner, manager of person in charge of the premises, and the City of College Station shall never be responsible for the maintenance thereof. The Fire Official or his authorized representative is hereby authorized to designate adequate fire lanes and /or turnarounds to any building when deemed necessary for Fire Department access in the event of fire in such building. 41.103 FIRE LANE SIGNS; TOW-AWAY ZONE SIGNS. The owner, manager or person in charge of ary building to which fire lanes have been approved by the Fire Official or his authorized representative shall post and maintain appropriate signs in conspicuous places along such fire lanes stating: NO PARKING -FIRE LANE. Such signs shall be twelve (12) in- ches wide and eighteen (18) inches high, with a companion sign twelve (12) inches wide and six (6) inches high stating: TOW -AWAY ZONE. Any NO PARKING FIRELANE or TOW -AWA , ZONE SIGN SHALL B PAINTED on a whit f background with symbols letters and border in red Drawing and samples of suc h signs may be obtained from th e Fire Department of the City o College Station. Standards fo mounting, including but no limited to the height above th grade at which such signs ar to be mounted, shall be a adopted by the Fire Official o College Station. 41.104 DESTRUCTION O F FIRE LANE OR TOW-AWA Y SIGNS. It is hereby unlawful for an Person, without lawful authority to attempt or in fact alter, destroy, deface, injure, knock down or remove any sign designated a fire lane or tow - away zone erected under the terms of this ordinance. 41.105 ABANDONMENT OR CLOSING. No owner, manager or person in charge of any premised served by a required fire lane shall abandon or close such fire lane without written permission of the Fire Official of the City of College Station. 41.106 PARKING IN FIRE LANES PROHIBITED. No person shall park, place, allow, permit or cause to be parked, place or remain unattended any motor vehicle, trailer, boat or similar ob- struction within or upon an area designated as a fire lane and marked by an appropriate sign. Any motor vehicle, trailer, boat or similar obstruction found parked or unoccupied within an area designated as a fire lane as required by this section is hereby declared a nuisance per se and any such motor vehicle, trailer, boat or similar obstruction parked or unoccupied in such a manner as to obstruct in whole or in part any such fire lane shall be prima facie evidence that the registered owner, unlawfully parked, placed or permitted to be parked or placed such ob- struction within a fire lane. The records of the State Highway Department of the County Highway License Department showing the name of the person to whom the Texas Highway License or boat or trailer license is issued shall constitute prima facie evidence or ownership by the named person. 41.107 MODI FICATIONS. The Fire Official of the Fire Department shall have power to modify any of the provisions Of the code hereby adopted upon application in writing by the owner or lessee, or his duly authorized agent, when there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the code, provided that the spirit of the code shall be observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done. The particulars of such modification when granted or allowed and the decision of the Fire Official of the Fire Department thereon shall be entered upon the records of the department and a signed copy shall be fur- nished the applicant. 41.108 ENFORCEMENT; ISSUANCE OF CITATIONS; IMPOUNDMENT OF OB- STRUCTIONS. The Fire Official or any member of the Fire Depart- ment designated by the Fire Official, the Chief of Police or any member of the Police Department designated by the Chief of Police are hereby authorized to issu prking citations for any motor ve trailer, boat or similar ob- struction found parked or unattended in or upon a designated fire lane and may have such obstruction removed by towing it away. Such vehicle or obstruction may be E redemmed by payment of the e towage and storage charges. No parking citations shall be voided nor shall the violator be relieved of any penalty assessed by a Judge of the f Municipal Court for any provision by the redemption of r the obstruction from the t storage facility. e 41.109 SUBMISSION OF e PLOT PLANS; DUTIES OF s CONTRACTORS. f Prior to the issuance of a building permit two (2) plot plans with designated fire lanes shall be submitted to the Building Inspection Depart - y ment for review by the Fire Official of the City of College Station. The Fire Official then will approve or disapprove the designated fire lanes and in- dicate the needed signs and Pavement markings. One of these plans shall be retained by the City of College Station and the other returned to the owner for his use. The contractor or person in charge of any construction site for commercial, industrial, mercantile, educational, in- stitutional, assembly, hotel, motel, multifamily dwelling, or mobile bome park occupancies shall provide and maintain during construction an ap- proved all-weather fire lane, not less than twenty (20) feet in width, as shown on approved plot plans. Final paving of such fire lane shall be copleted prior to issuance of any certificate of occupancy. 41.110 PENALTIES. Qy.person who shall violate . Qf'the provisions of the an 'code tiefeby adoptecI or tail to comply herewith, or who shall violate or fail to comply with un any order made thereder, or who shall build in violation of any detailed statement of specifications or plans sub- mitted and approved thereunder, or any certificate or permit issued thereunder, and from which no appeal has been taken, or who shall fail to comply with such an order as affirmed or modified by the City of College Station, shall severally for each and every violation and noncompliance respectively, be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than 85.00 nor more than $200.00 or by im- prisonment for not less than two days not more than ten days or both such fine and imprisonment. The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue; and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations or defects within a reasonable time; and when not otherwise specified, each ten days that prohibited conditions are maintained shall constitute a separate offense. The application of the above penalty shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal of prohibited conditions. SECTION I I I Date of Effect. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its adoption and its publication. SECTION IV Severability Clause. The sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, and phrases of this ordinance are severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence paragraph or section of this ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such un- constitutionaality shall not affect any bf the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and sections of this ordinance. PASSED, ADOPTED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this the 8th day of March, 1978. APPROVED The Eagle March 16, 1978 141 TO WHOM IT MAY CON- CERN: The Zoning Board of Ad- justment will consider a request for variancti' from Mr. John C. Culpepper 'at- their called meeting in the Council Room of the College Station City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, 1978, the nature of the case being as follows: The applicant requests a variance to the rpaximum length limit of unsprinklered buildings in order to construct an office building on his property at 1700 Puryear Drive. Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station, 846-8886. William F. Koehler Building Official The Eagle March 17, 1978 ORDINANCE NO.1104 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING 1976 SOUTHERN STANDARD FIRE PREVENTION CODE WITH 1978 REVISIONS SETTING FORTH RULES AND REGULATIONS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY BY PROMOTING THE CONTROL OF FIRE HAZARDS, REGULATING THE INSTALLATION, USE AND MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT, REGULATING THE USE OF STRUCTURES, PREMISES AND OPEN AREAS IN THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION: PROVIDING FOR THE ABATEMENT OF FIRE HAZARDS; ESTABLISHING THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROCEDURES FOR ENFORCEMENT; SETTING FORTH STANDARDS FOR COMPLIANCE, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCILOF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS: SECTION 1. Ordinances No. 967 and 1000 are hereby repealed, and Ordinance No. 49 is hereby amended. SECTION 11. Adoption of the 1976 Southern Standard Fire Prevention Code with the following amendments and additions: A. Chapter 20, Division X, Section 20.1013 Parking & Garaging, Paragraph D. At no time while discharging flammable liquids shall the driver or operator be out of sight and reach of the discharge valves. If at any time while discharging, the operator must leave the truck, for any reason, he shall shut down all valves until he returns and shall be totally responsible for any and all spillage. B. Firelanes: Shall be Chapter 41 Division 1. 41.101 When required: No building of any type = onstruction for occupancy shall be constructed in such a manner than any part of the structure is more than one hundred fifty (150) feet from a public street or highway; provided, however, that such structure may be erected at a greater distance if the owner designates, constructs and maintains a fire lane or access easement having a minimum width of twenty feet and a minimum height clearance of fourteen feet terminating within one hundred fifty feet of the furthest point of such structure; providing further, however, that no fire lane shall be required for; I. Any single family or duplex dwelling. 41.102 Specifications: Any fire lane more than one hundred feet in length shall either connect at each end to a dedicated street or be provided with a turnaround having a minimum radius of fifty feet when measured from curb to curb. All fire lanes shall be maintained and kept in a state of good repair at all times by the owner, manager of person in charge of the premises, and the City of College Station shall never be responsible for the maintenance thereof. The Fire Official or his authorized representative is hereby authorized to designate adequate fire lanes and /or turnarounds to any building when deemed necessary for Fire Department access in the event of fire in such building. 41.103 FIRE LANE SIGNS; TOW -AWAY ZONE SIGNS. The Eagle March 18, 1978 14q Chlet of Police are hereby authorized to issue parking The owner, manager or citations for any motor vehicle, person in charge of any trailer, boat or similar ob building to which fire lanes struction found parked or have been approved by the unattended in or upon a Fire Official or his authorized designated fire lane and may representative shall post and have such obstruction removed maintain appropriate signs in by towing it away. Such vehicle conspicuous places along such or obstruction may be fire lanes stating: NO redemmed by payment of the PARKING FIRE LANE. Such towage and storage charges. signs shall be twelve (12) in No parking citations shall be ches wide and eighteen (18) voided nor shall the violator be inches high, with a companion relieved of any penalty sign twelve (12) inches wide assessed by a Judge of the and six (6) inches high stating: Municipal Court for any TOW-AWAY ZONE. provision by the redemption of Any N O PARKING - the obstruction from the 5lfacility. FIRELANE or TOW-AWAY 4 1.109U 41 109 SUBMISSION OF ZONE SIGN SHALL BE PLOT PLANS; DUTIES OF PAINTED on a white CONTRACTORS. background with symbols, Prior to the issuance of a letters and border in red. building permit two (2) plot Drawing and samples of such plans with designated fire signs may be obtained from the lanes shall be submitted to the Fire Department of the City of Building Inspection Depart - College Station. Standards for ment for review by the Fire mounting, including but not Official of the City of College limited to the height above the Station. The Fire Official then grade at which such signs are will approve or disapprove the to be mounted, shall be as designated fire lanes and in- adopted by the Fire Official of dicate the needed signs and College Station. pavement markings. One of 41.104 DESTRUCTION OF these plans shall be retained by FIRE LANE OR TOW -AWAY the City of College Station and SIGNS. the other returned to the owner It is hereby unlawful for any for his use. person, without lawful The contractor or person in authority to attempt or in fact charge of any construction site alter, destroy, deface, injure, for commercial, industrial, knock down or remove any sign mercantile, educational, in- designated a fire lane or tow- stitutional, assembly, hotel, away zone erected under the motel, multifamily dwelling, or terms of this ordinance. mobile bome park occupancies 41.105 ABANDONMENT OR shall provide and maintain CLOSING. � "dur4ng construction an ap- No owner, manager or - proved all- weather fire lane, person in charge of any not less than twenty (20) feet in premised served by a required width, as shown on approved fire lane shall abandon or close plot plans. Final paving of such such fire lane without written fire lane shall be copleted prior permission of the Fire Official to issuance of any certificate of of the City of College Station. occupancy. 41.106 PARKING IN FIRE 41.110 PENALTIES. LANES PROHIBITED. . Any person who shall violate No person shall park, place, any of the provisions of the allow, permit or cause to be code hereby adopted or tail to parked, place or remain'' comply herewith, or who shall unattended any motor vehicle, violate or fail to comply with trailer, boat or similar ob- any order made thereunder, or struction within or upon an who shall build in violation of area designated as a fire lane any detailed statement of and marked by an appropriate specifications or plans sub - sign. mitted and approved Any motor vehicle, trailer, thereunder, or any certificate boat or similar obstruction or permit issued thereunder, found parked or unoccupied and from which no appeal has within an area designated as a been taken, or who shall fail to fire lane as required by this comply with such an order as section is hereby declared a affirmed or modified by the nuisance per se and any such City of College Station, shall motor vehicle, trailer, boat or severally for each and every similar obstruction parked or violation and noncompliance unoccupied in such a manner respectively, be guilty of. a as to obstruct in whole or in misdemeanor, punishable by a part any such fire lane shall be fine of not less than $5.00 nor prima facie evidence that the more than $200.00 or by im- registered owner unlawfully prisonment for not less than parked, placed or permitted to two days not more than ten be parked or placed such ob- days or both such fine and struction within a fire lane. imprisonment. The imposition The records of the State of one penalty for any violation Highway Department of the shall not excuse the violation or County Highway License permit it to continue; and all Department showing the name such persons shall be required of the person to whom the to correct or remedy such Texas Highway License or boat violations or defects within a or trailer license is issued shall reasonable time; and when not constitute prima facie otherwise specified, each ten evidence or ownership by the days that prohibited conditions named person. are maintained shall constitute 41.107MODIFICATIONS. a separate offense. The Fire Official of the Fire The application of the above Department shall have power penalty shall not be held to to modify any of the provisions prevent the enforced removal of the code hereby adopted of prohibited conditions. upon application in writing by SECTION 111 Dateof Effect. the owner or lessee, or his duly This ordinance shall be in full authorized agent, when there force and effect immediately are practical difficulties in the upon Its adoption and its way of carrying out the strict publication. letter of the code, provided that SECTION IV Severability the spirit of the code shall be Clause. observed, public safety The sections, paragraphs, secured, and substantial sentences, clauses, and justice done. The particulars of phrases of this ordinance are such modification when severable, and if any phrase, granted or allowed and the clause, sentence paragraph or decision of the Fire Official of section of this ordinance shall the Fire Department thereon declared unconstitutional b y shall be entered upon the records of the department and the valid judgment or decree of a signed copy shall be fur- any court of competent nished the applicant. jurisdiction, such un- 41.108 ENFORCEMENT; constitutionality shall not ISSUANCE OF CITATIONS; affect any of the remaining IMPOUNDMENT OF OB- phrases, clauses, sentences, STRUCTIONS. paragraphs and sections of The Fire Official or any thisordinance. member of the Fire Depart- PASSED, ADOPTED AND ment designated by the Fire ORDERED PUBLISHED this Official, the Chief of Police or the 8th day of March, 1978. any member of the Police APPROVED Department designated by the The Eagle March 18, 1978 14q It is good to see compromise working The sister cities of Bryan and College Station have taken a big step toward understanding and cooperation. That's good news The cities were able to work out a compromise in the latest utility dispute. Both councils and their representatives have spent numerous hours on the issue. Both gave a little. Bryan opposed dual cer- tification for electric service in an area recently annexed to College Station. It would have been inconceivable that a city could not furnish its own residents with electric service. Both cities would have preferred to have the sole right to serve the area. But to settle the issue — and to avoid possibly lengthy legal battles — the cities agreed to a compromise. The compromise gives both cities the right to serve the area. The settlement means that College Station's request for certification will be uncontested when the matter comes up before the Public Utilities Commission. Realistically the settlement is long term because College Station may annex other areas. Had' the issue not been settled this time, it might have come up time and again. Now, with this precedent, College Station has staked a claim to serve areas it legally annexes. At the same time, Bryan has been able to defend its investments in the rural part of the county. Any cooperation between the cities that can eliminate or minimize legal difficulty is welcome. Disputes will come up, but if the cities can work together for the good of the entire B -CS community, then everyone gains. Answering issues with lawsuits is wasteful because ultimately the taxpayer pays the price. The Eagle March 19, 193$'.: 151 TO WHOM 17' MAY CON- CERN; The Zoning Board of Ad- justment will consider a request for variance from Mr. John C. Culpepper at their called meeting in the CoUhrili Room of the College- Sti§tidn City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, 1978, the nature of the case being a,, follows: The applicant requests a variance to the maximum length limit of unsprinklered buildings in order to constryyct an office building, on nis property at 1700 Puryear Drive. , Further information is available at the office of the Building Official of the City of College Station, 846 -8886. William F. Koehler Bull in40ffieial _. The Eagle March 19, 1978 261 BIDS ADVERTISEMENT FOf I Sealed proposals addressed t, the City of C011ege Station Texas, will be received at th e Office of Mrs. Florenc Neelley, City Secretary, Cit Hall, College Station, Texas until 2:00 p.M, o'clock, 4 April, 1978, for furnishing all necessary material, equipment and labor required for the construction of: 16" Inch TAMU. Water Line Connection to Bidders MUST SUbmlt WITn melr bids a Cashier's Check or a Certified Check in the amount Of five (5 %) percent of The maximum amount of bid payable without recourse to the City of College Station, Texas or a proposal bond in the same amount from a Surety Com- pany holding permit from the State of Texas to act as Surety, and acceptable according to the latest list of companies holding certificates of authority from the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States as listed in latest Revision of Treasury Depart- ment Circular 570, as a guarantee that Bidder will enter into a contract and execute bond and guarantee forms provided Within five (5) days after notice of award of contract to him. Bids without checks or proposal bond Will not be considered. In accordance with Article 5160, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas, 1925, as amended, the successful Bidder will be required to furnish not only a Performance bond in the amount of the contract, but also a payment bond for the Protection of all claimants supplying labor and materials' as defined in said law. The bonds must be executed by an approved Surety Company holding a permit from the State of Texas to act as Surety and acceptable according to the latest list of companies holding certificates of authority from the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, or other Surety acceptable to the Owner. The Owner reserves the right e to reject any or all bids and to y waive informalities. In case of I ambiguity or lack of clearness in stating the price in the bids, the Owner he the right to consider the most ad- vantageous construction thereof or to reject the bid. Unreasonable or unbalanced unit prices will be considered sufficient cause for rejection of any bid. Bidders are expected to inspect the site of the work and to in- form themselves regarding local conditions under which the work is to be done. At- tention is called to the provisions of the Texas 3'Miojmum Wage Act of 1970 and .Article 5159a. Revised Civil Statutes of Texas concerning the prevailing wage rate ap plicablle in municipal con- struction. Contract Documents, Proposal Forms, Specifications, and Plans are on file and may be examined without charge in the office of Mr. Elrey Ash' City Engineer, and may be obtained from Riewe & Wisch- meyer, Inc., Consulting, 11325 Pegasus Street, Suite S -209, Dallas, Texas 75238, upon the deposit of Twenty -Five ($25.00) Dollars, which sum as deposited will be refunded provided the Contractor submits a bid and returns all documents to the Engineer within 72 hours after bid. Non bidders returning plans within 72 hours after bid opening will be refunded Ten ($10.00) Dollars. Suppliers returning plans within 72 hours after bid opening will be refunded their deposit. Bids submitted will be ex- clusive of any state sales tax on any permanent material to be installed in the project. CITYOFCOLLEGE S T A T 1 O N TEXAS Lorence Bravenec, Mayor ATTEST: Mrs. Florence Neelley, City Secretary The Eagle' March 20, 1978