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2005 ANNUAL REPORT
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2005: Year in Review
HIGHLIGHTS AND CHALLENGES
SHELTER FROM
THE STORMS
Katrina and Rita
Wolf Pen Creek
Upper Trails
Blending
OLD AND NEW
Northgate District
ON THE MOVE
Transportation Projects
Managing Growth
Finding the Way
WHERE YOU'RE GOING AND
r HOW TO GET THERE!
7
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Aggie%nirit,
It distinguishes College Station from any other city.
With Texas charm and 21 St
century energy, you will find a
community that thrives on
challenge and learns from
experience.
above:
The City of College Station's 2005
Citizen Recognition dinner proved a
success as more than 100 in atten-
dance received certificates of apprecia-
tion for individual commitments to City
committees and boards. For the first
time, the Mayor's Award was presented.
The 2005 winner was the Student
Government Association of Texas A &M
University. SGA representatives are pic-
tured accepting the award from Mayor
Silvia.
ometimes those of us who have lived in College Station for a long time
do not notice the powerful transformation our city has undergone dur-
ing the last several years. Northgate. University Drive. Texas Avenue.
Through redevelopment of older sections and attracting new business, the
City has experienced tremendous growth.
Founded in 1938, College Station has a long tradition of thoughtful planning, outstand-
ing infrastructure, rich cultural amenities and cooperative government. Selected for sev-
eral years as one of the top mid -sized cities in the United States, 2005 brought added
recognition as the #1 most undervalued housing market in the country. Not only is our
community well educated, safe and progressive, we are a bargain as well.
As you review this report, we hope you recognize the importance of your participation in
the life of our community, in our schools, as voters, as neighbors, as business leaders, as
employees, as volunteers. From any perspective, we clearly understand and respect the
fact that our most important partnership is with the citizens of College Station.
Together, your City Council continues toward our vision of connecting people and building
community, managing growth, and supporting economic development — each designed
to contribute to the quality of life we enjoy. With all College Station has on the drawing
board, you will see our vision taking shape even more in 2006. The best is yet to come.
Co-� S&&&' Ci�t Co+u�cie
2 College Station Annual Report 2005
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4 2005: Year in Review
Highlights and challenges make for an eventful year
6 Shelter from the Storms
Community opens its arms to thousands fleeing Katrina and Rita
8 Wolf Pen Creek Upper Trails
On track for 2006 completion
10 Blending the Old with the New
Improvements continue in Northgate District
14 On the Move
Transportation projects dominate College Station landscape
16 Overview: Managing Growth
Teamwork key to success
19 Finding the Way
Wayfinding: The art of showing people where they are and helping
them get where they need to go
20 2005 Service Award Recipients
21 Financial Overview
2005 College Station Annual Report 3
2005e, Year in Review
FROM THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
Unique. There are very few, if any, individuals who would argue the point that College Station is indeed unique.
Even those who spend a short time in our community seem to notice. From athletic fans and teams in town
for one event to hurricane evacuees seeking shelter, there always seem to be letters commenting on
the warm welcome that is synonymous with Aggieland.
The 2005 Annual Report serves as a reminder of some of the highlights and challenges
that came our way during a most eventful and unique year.
►Good news arrived in January with official confirmation of
the operational permit for the new State Highway 30 landfill in
Grimes County. With more than 600 acres to serve an 1(-
county area, the new site is tentatively scheduled to open in
Fall 2009. Once it is operational, the existing Rock Prairie Road
landfill will be converted to a regional park covering more than
300 acres:
ratings of all areas, candidate streets for seal coating are identi-
fied and placed on the Public Works calendar.
►Both of College Station's wastewater treatment plants, the
Carter's Creek plant and the Lick Creek plant, received Gold
Peak Performance Awards honoring achievement of 100%
compliance. It marked the third consecutive year College
Station Utilities has received national recognition.
POP- Construction of Fire Station 5 on Greens Prairie Road should
be complete by April 2006, while plans are moving forward for
construction of Fire Station 3 on Barron Road to service the south-
ern end of the city. Completion is anticipated in Spring 2007.
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1. City employees initiated the
re siden ts
�iCA11e$estatt�n creation of Pocket Pages, an
easy reference directory
designed to put key phone
numbers at the fingertips of
residents and improve staff
efficiency when answering
calls from citizens.
K CpLIEG f..
CIV OF
10-Fifth grade students continue to benefit from College Station
Utilities'sponsorship of the Learning to be Water Wise curricu-
lum, an award - winning program that combines classroom
activities with hands -on home projects to install water - saving
fixtures and change water use habits. The 255 students and
teachers who participated saved an estimated 2,000,000 gal-
lons of water in 2005.
1110-Like painting a house to add to its longevity, the seal coating
process used by city crews to add life to city streets surpassed
total lane miles completed in previous years. Armed with a
color -coded roadmap of College Station that reflects numerical
►College Station's Purchasing Division was named a recipient
of the 10th Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement
Award, recognizing organizational excellence in government
procurement. One of only seven cities in the nation to receive
this award at least nine times, College Station received the sec-
ond highest score of all cities.
01-New avenues of communication were opened with the
addition of streaming video services in November, a step that
allowed broadcasts from Channel 19, our government access
station, to be viewed by anyone with internet access. Archived
meetings, indexed for ease in locating specific agenda items,
make government more accessible to our citizens.
110-In addition to current e - gov services allowing online utility
payments, services were added in 2005 allowing payments
online of most traffic citations (exceptions: minors or tickets in
warrant status).
►To avoid non - functioning signals during electrical outages,
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems were installed at
six high volume, high speed intersections. To allow for longer
UPS operation during outages, the signal indications were
upgraded to LED's which consumes less power during both
UPS and normal operations, reducing monthly electrical cost
by 65 %.
►Parks and Recreation made a significant contribution to the
local economy through the generation of more than 9,000
room nights at local hotels in 2005. These were associated
with numerous amateur sports tournaments and special
events such as the Bluebonnet Street Rod Car Show and the
Texas Public Pool Council annual conference.
4 College Station Annual Report 2005
s you read this report highlighting a
sampling of the city's 2005 achieve-
ments, I know you will realize that
none of this would be possible without a
dedicated City Council, an exemplary
group of employees, responsive citizens
who actively participate in local govern-
ment, and hundreds of volunteers who
help throughout the community.
Each of the City of College Station's more
than 800 employees is committed to pro-
viding simply better service to our citizens.
Whether it's picking up trash, providing a
variety of recreational opportunities, or
responding to a police or fire emergency,
we look forward to serving you in 2006.
✓dY, I � �
Glenn Brown
Interim City Manager
Photos (top to bottom): Fire Chief R. B. Alley, pictured in front
of Station 5 on Greens Prairie, joined the City of College Station
staff in May. Formerly District Fire Chief in Virginia Beach, he
replaced retiring Chief David Giordano.
Samantha Best, Landfill Superintendent for the Brazos Valley
Solid Waste Management Agency, demonstrates the Computer
Aided Earthmoving System that uses computer displays in the
cabs, global positioning satellite (GPS) technology and a high
bandwidth radio network to improve site planning and per-
formance. (Photo by Jennifer Farmer)
New Chief of Police Michael Clancey is pictured with Detective
Tony Kunkel, CSPD Officer of the Year. Chief Clancey's selection
was announced in January when he was named to follow retir-
ing Chief Edgar Feldman.
TR, E STAT10
NO 5
FIRE DEPARTMENT
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Community opens its arms to Among the notable accomplishments of College Station
thousands fleeing Katrina and Rita residents, students and staff were:
September 2005 arrived with hurricane force winds impacting
the Brazos Valley even though it was fortunate to avoid being
the direct target of either Katrina or Rita. College Station's role
shifted from preparing for the worst to helping with the evacua-
tion of those fleeing the rising waters in New Orleans and sur-
rounding areas, and later to provide a safe harbor for thousands
from the Houston area who were initially in Rita's path.
Without exception, employees and residents of College Station
responded to the challenge with unselfish service and a warm
welcome. What evolved from emergency response operations
was a true team effort. Public Safety, Parks and Recreation, Public
Works, College Station Utilities, OTIS (Office of Technology and
Information Services), plus staff members from all other city
departments put "work as usual" on hold and did whatever neces-
sary to accommodate evacuees.
Normal shifts expanded to 12,18 and even 36 hours; days off
were cancelled; paramedics were in constant demand; extra
routes were added to trash collections; site visits were made to
construction areas to insure supplies and equipment were
secured; technicians worked overtime to support communication
channels. And no one complained as priorities were quietly
altered when weather updates moved College Station from tar-
get to responder.
►The Gateway reception area on Highway 6 offered one -of -a-
kind service to evacuees as it provided an initial processing point,
assigned families and groups to shelters, dispatched current infor-
mation, and served snacks and bottled water to travelers who
had been on the road for more than 20 hours.
01-Swift transition of the Lincoln Center and TAMU's Reed Arena to
shelter /hospitality areas, plus services of churches and schools in
the community.
►Conversion of the large animal clinic at Texas A &M to a tempo-
rary hospital for evacuees.
►Activation of the College Station Emergency Operations Center
during Rita to address issues as they arose and provide a coordi-
nation point with the Brazos County EOC.
00-Assistance of public safety officers as they worked to relieve
traffic congestion created by thousands of vehicles fleeing the
storm's path.
Poo-Help from hundreds of volunteers who manned shelters, pro
vided support services and offered medical care.
00-Continuing assistance after Rita as crews from College Station
Utilities assisted Liberty and Jasper in restoring power to those
areas northeast of Houston.
While tens of thousands of evacuees passed through College Station ►Texas A &M opened its doors to 344 students displaced by
as they sought shelter farther north, more than 12,000 took refuge in Katrina, including 90 athletes on six Tulane sports teams.
local hotels, over 30 area shelters, and in homes of area residents.
6 College Station Annual Report 2005
M
':..College Station welcomed
us with open arms, for which
we will always be grateful."
— resident of Kenner, La.
"Service, that is what we provided to our friends from out of state
and neighboring counties," said Brian Hilton, College Station
Emergency Management Coordinator. "We did a great job as a
community, and we just need to fine tune it.'
Even after the storms passed, emergency operations ceased and
most of the evacuees returned to their homes, City officials
remained focused on College Station's response to these
unprecedented disasters and the impact of resulting evacuations.
A committee was formed, municipal employee feedback was
obtained, and a comprehensive Emergency Response Report was
created detailing response areas which needed improvement and
recommendations to address those issues.
"If I didn't have to go back to
New Orleans, I'd make College
Station my home."
— New Orleans resident
Photos:
Reed Arena, Paul Zoeller /Bryan - College Station Eagle;
McDonalds Aerial, Jim Joham /Aerial Experts
City Employee Volunteers, Afsaneh Yazdani
Hurricane Katrina*
Strongest in last 100 years
CAT 4 at landfall
920 mb — 3rd lowest on record
500 in four shelters
1700 in local hotels
Local involvement: Aug 29 — Sept 12
200 families still in area (Dec. 15)
$98,813 spent by College Station
Hurricane Rita*
Winds out to 150 miles from center
CAT 3 at landfall
937 mb at landfall
9300 in 32 "official" shelters
1700 in local hotels
Local Involvement: Sept. 20 -28
3 million evacuated Gulf coast
$293,833 spent by College Station
*Both hurricanes were Category 5 in the Gulf- shelter and hotel numbers do not
include evacuees who stayed in private homes
2005 College Station Annual Report 7
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8 Ilege Station A,tanual Report 2005
Wolf Pen Creek
Upper Trails
On track for 2006 completion
0 utdoor enthusiasts have much to look forward to
as the Upper Trails project in the Wolf Pen Creek
District continues toward an April 2006 comple-
tion date for the pedestrian trail system and bridges
spanning almost 1.5 miles.
Stretching from George Bush Drive East to the intersection of
Dartmouth and Holleman, the Upper Trails will link to the previ-
ously completed Lower Trails project, providing a continuous
path from George Bush East to the area behind the new
Cavender's store on the Highway 6 frontage road.
Upper Trail improvements include construction of pedestrian
trails (86mi/es), pedestrian low water crossings, a 60 -space
parking lot, landscaping, irrigation systems, electrical and light-
ing systems, emergency telephone systems, entry structures,
benches, water fountains, picnic tables and bike racks.
Drainage improvements are also part of the package. The
Lower Trails project completed in October 2003 included .62
miles of pedestrian trails.
A Trail Ranger program is being developed to educate staff on
an assortment of trails issues including: habitat, urban streams,
trail safety, tree hazard identification, maintenance protocols,
interpretive services and guest relations.
ities for all ages, and entertainment. Corridor merchants will be
included in the planning.
The conceptual idea for the Wolf Pen Creek corridor began in
1987 when the City Council studied the expenditure of park-
land dedication funds in that area. The Wolf Pen Creek Master
Plan prepared a year later by the College Station Planning and
Zoning Commission envisioned the goal of developing a com-
prehensive plan to recognize the interrelationships of drainage,
erosion and recreation as they applied to the Wolf Pen Creek
Corridor, while simultaneously creating a community attraction
for College Station residents and out -of -town guests.
Connection with the Lower Trails and the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater
also will serve to connect local businesses with that entertainment area;'
said Project Manager Ed McDonald. "Several restaurants that back up to the
trails have added outdoor patios overlooking the area.
Cooperation between the Operations Division and the
Recreation Division is creating a unique work program to opti-
mize resources of both divisions to develop the Trail Ranger
program, which should be fully operational by April 2006.
Costing approximately $3 million, the project was funded by
Wolf Pen CreekTIF funds and Drainage Utility Funds. The con-
struction contract was awarded in August 2004 to JaCody, Inc.
Engineers for the project are McClure & Browne.
Recreation programming scheduled in 2006 along the corridor
will include youth and senior activities, adopt -a -spot,
educational /interpretive programs, sustainable recreation activ-
Photos: Bill Meeks Photography
2005 College Station Annual Report
Northgate-
The name alone conjures
ti
up memories for generation
of Aggies, but even recent
graduates will find change
moving quickly in the
unique area of bookstores,
7 ``� � � � '�
11
bars and restaurants border.
4 -11 ing University Drive north
of the Texas A&M campus.
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...With the New
Improvements continue in Northgate Di5trirt
drive through Northgate reveals both public and
private investment interests targeting the area for
redevelopment. Changing the face of Northgate are
improvements to the Promenade, the Tradition private
dorm, the Warehouse at Cross Street loft apartments and
recently announced plans for Aggieland Gameday, a high
rise sports condominium project that will anchor the west
end of Northgate. The development will be a minimum of
seven stories tall, contain approximately 120 residential
units and provide 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail
along Church Street. Groundbreaking is tentatively sched-
uled to begin in Summer 2006.
Even more change for the area came in 2005 as a proposed
convention center project was announced when the City of
College Station entered into a public - private partnership to
develop a city -owned convention center and privately
owned hotel. Action endorsing the project
followed an extensive study by the Bryan -
College Station Convention & Visitors
Bureau that strongly supported a confer-
ence center as necessary to the communi- P
ty's continued growth.
The proposed location for the project in
Northgate is on privately owned property.
Plans call for a 10 -12 story full service hotel
that will be owned by the hotelier and a
convention center with 43,000 square feet
of leasable meeting space including an
exhibit hall, grand ballroom, junior ball-
room and smaller meeting rooms.
Capital investment for the city -owned con-
ference center is projected to be $25 mil-
lion plus additional debt service costs of
$15 million. Forecasts based on the Tax
Increment Financing plan presented in
2005 anticipate $28.5 million generated by
the TIF and approximately $15 million from
additional hotel tax funds from hotels in
the TIF. During the first five years of the project, the City
will provide $5.7 million for initial capital investment and
to make debt service payments as the additional tax incre-
ment and hotel tax revenue grows as development occurs
in the TIF.
Upgrades to streets, lighting and sidewalks; pedestrian safe-
ty measures on University; planning for additional emer-
gency phones; and enforcement of a new ordinance ban-
ning open containers in the Northgate District added to the
enjoyment of the area in 2005 as thousands of Aggies and
visitors frequent the popular spot each weekend. While the
improvements contribute to a safer, more secure atmos-
phere, Northgate's popularity continues to grow with spe-
cial attractions such as the Northgate Music Festival and a
variety of restaurants offering everything from eclectic to
elegant options.
2005 College Station Annual Report 11
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College Station snapshots chronicle
events of 2005.
Kyle Field's famous 12th Man tradition at Aggie
football games dates back to 1922. (TAMU,
University Relations)
Joey Dunn, Director of Planning and
Development Services, in the dunking booth set up
to raise money for United Way. City employees
donated $34,540 through a variety of events.
(Bryan - College Station Eagle /Paul Zoeller)
Bryan Mayor Ernie Wentrcek returns the Brazos
Boot Award to Mayor Pro Tern John Happ following
A &M Consolidated's victory over the Bryan Vikings.
A 1940's style show was part of festivities at the
Bush Library commemorating the 60th anniversary
of the end of World War II. (Anne Boykin)
Blowing bubbles, barbershop quartets and bal-
loons were favorites during the 4th of July celebra-
tion on the grounds of the Bush Library. (Bill Meeks
Photography)
Vintage cars covered Central Park during the
annual Hot Rod Run.
Teen Court volunteers saw technology up close
and personal when College Station Master Officer
Blaine Krauter demonstrated the latest in laser
radar equipment to Mary Downs and other stu-
dents. ( Bryan - College Station Eagle /Paul Zoeller)
" Aggie Spirit" was unveiled in the Northgate
District, joining College Station's public art collec-
tion. (Bill Meeks Photography)
12 College Station Annual Report 2005
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On the Move:
0
Transportation Projects Dominate College Station Landscape
ook any direction in College Station and you will likely find road improvements on the horizon. From Texas Avenue,
L down University, south to Greens Prairie or Rock Prairie, plus numerous other projects dotting the landscape - College
Station is on the move.
While the Texas Department of Transportation* is responsible for the highest profile projects such as Texas Avenue widening,
the City of College Station continues to place a high priority on street improvements throughout the city. Whether it is reha-
bilitating Dominik, extending Longmire or realigning Greens Prairie and Arrington, city engineers and crews have spent 2005
making certain the city's thoroughfares continue to keep pace with the community's growth.
Project: Texas Avenue widening from George Bush to FM 2818
Budget: $17,000,000 (includes $2.5 million funded by CSU for
utility line adjustments)
Description: Headed and funded by the Texas Department of
Transportation, four phases will be implemented to widen Texas
Avenue to three lanes running both north and south. The initial
phase, which began in March 2005 and completed five months
later, runs from 2818 to Manuel Drive and included building a
lane on the west side of Texas, various water and sanitary sewer
work on the east side, and removal of the median from George
Bush to Harvey. Phase 2 began in July 2005 and includes adjust-
ment of all College Station Utilities lines plus all underground
storm sewers to allow for construction of the outside two lanes of
pavement on the northbound side of Texas.
Status: Work is ahead of schedule for the three -year project,
with completion estimated at January 2008.
Project: Greens Prairie /Arrington Realignment Project
Budget: $1,031,196
Description: TOOT, College Station ISD and the City of College
Station coordinated the project prompted by the addition of
Forest Ridge Elementary. To accommodate increased traffic and
address traffic concerns when the school opened in August 2005,
City staff prepared engineering designs to realign Greens Prairie
Road 2500 feet west of Highway 6 to connect with the future
Arrington Road. As Highway 40 is extended on the north side of
the school site, it will intersect with Arrington. Length of
realigned Greens Prairie Road constructed is 1844 feet; length of
Arrington Road added is 605 feet. Scope of the design included
approximately 1500 feet of a new 16 -foot wide asphalt concrete
left turn lane in front of Forest Ridge.
Status: Completed in August 2005.
Project: Dominik Residential Street Rehabilitation
Budget: $871,838
Description: Rehabilitation of Dominik from its intersection
with Munson to the end of the street making the roadway 31'
wide with a sidewalk on the north side of the street.
Status: Construction completed November 2005.
Project: Longmire Extension
(Graham Road to Cypress Meadows)
Budget: $2,899,000 (combined with Longmire, Birmingham to
Graham)
Description: Acquire right -of -way and construction of Longmire
from Graham to Eagle Avenue. Provides new north -south route,
extending a major collector roadway with two travel lanes, a two -way
left turn lane, bike lanes and sidewalks. Coordinated with TxDOT's
project to convert Highway 6 access roads to one -way operation in
late December 2005.
Status: Completed August 2005. Highway 6 access roads between
Rock Prairie and Greens Prairie converted to one -way travel in
December 2005 to provide enough room for construction of new
entrance and exit ramps in that area.
Project: Jones - Butler Phase II
Budget: $2,036,000
Description: Extend Jones - Butler Road south from Holleman
Drive to intersect with Harvey Mitchell Parkway (FM 2818) and
align with Jones - Butler (formally Marion Pugh Drive) on the south
side of FM 2818. Length of the roadway will be approximately
2600 feet with a 90 -foot wide right -of -way. The project includes
drainage facilities, sidewalks, street lighting and bicycle lanes.
Extension of Jones - Butler will provide a north -south route paral-
leling Wellborn Road, the major north -south thoroughfare that
services the west side of the city and Brazos County. With studies
showing about 50% of traffic traveling on Jones - Butler was des-
tined for Texas A &M's Main and West campuses, the future exten-
sion of Jones - Butler will provide an alternate route to campus
bypassing Wellborn.
Status: Construction to begin Summer 2006.
A complete listing of the status of all City of College Station capital
projects can be accessed from www.cstx.gov. (Click on the Capital
Improvement Projects button in the righthand column of the home page.)
*Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is responsible for state and federal highways
Photo: Aerial view of Arrington Road /Greens Prairie realignment and SH 40 near
Forest Ridge Elementary, Jim Joham /Aerial Experts
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2005 College Station Annual Report 15
Overview: Managing Growth
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What does it take to complete a successful development project? Some might say
"lots of dollars,' others might say "patience" to get through the process. In College Station,
we know from experience that success by any measure requires effective teamwork.
D evelopers, design profes-
sionals, contractors and
many others must work in
partnership with each other and
the City to see projects through.
Together we are building a thriv-
ing, dynamic community that
supports the economy and
encourages growth in a positive
manner.
College Station's population esti-
mate topped 81,000 in 2005. A
spike in residential growth in 2002
has now been followed with signifi-
cant commercial growth which is
projected to continue into 2006.
Total valuation of commercial devel-
opment topped $30.8 million in
2005, with hotels, restaurants, retail
stores and office buildings continu-
ing to build along University Drive,
Earl Rudder Freeway and Texas
Avenue. New regional retail shop-
ping centers are anticipated in areas
south of the city at the Greens
Prairie /Highway 6 and Rock Prairie /Highway 6 interchanges.
lo-In 2005, a unique addition to the community came in April
with the opening of the Arctic Wolf Ice Center, a 42,000 square
foot recreation ice skating facility in the Wolf Pen Creek Corridor
Built at a cost of approximately $4.5 million, it provides year
round public skating, hockey sessions, skating lessons, youth
hockey leagues, figure skating competitions, hockey tourna-
ments and other services previously unavailable in the area.
►Construction award for the West Park Rehabilitation Project,
located in one of the oldest areas of College Station, is scheduled
in February 2006. Approximately $3.75 million is budgeted to
improve the aging infrastructure and drainage problems in the
area bounded by Wellborn, George Bush Drive, Fairview Avenue
and Luther Street.
Scope of the West Park Project includes improvements to more
than 11,500 feet of existing water lines and over 8,700 feet of
existing sewer lines, installation of new storm drain system lines,
and upgrading of some existing storm drain lines. Plans also call
for the rehabilitation and additions of curb and gutter systems
where needed along Maryem Street, Park Place, Grove Street,
Angus Street and Kerry Street. Sidewalks along one side of
several streets are included in the project.
► A quick drive down University East
will find a commercial corridor evolving
daily. Among the additions is University
Town Center, 105,000 square feet of
retail and restaurant space. One of the
more attractive design elements will be
central water feature with fountains,
walkways, benches and landscaping, as
well as outdoor seating for several of the
surrounding restaurants.
Its close proximity to the nation's fifth
largest university (over 45,000 under-
graduates), a traffic count of 40,000 cars
daily, and the location of eight hotels
with 945 guest rooms within a short
walking distance, make this stretch of
University Drive one of the most desir-
able pieces of retail real estate in central
Texas.
Restaurants in Phases 1 and 2, including
Pei Wei, T.G.I. Friday's, Boston's Pizza
Restaurant & Sports Bar, Atami Steak &
Sushi, Jamba Juice and Hangtown Grill, are scheduled for com-
pletion by Spring 2006. Additional retail and restaurants spaces
in Phase 3 are scheduled to open in Summer 2006.
110- Because of tremendous growth in both commercial and resi-
dential sectors, College Station has begun a process to update its
Comprehensive Plan to help guide decisions about future
growth and development of the community. This effort will
include input from all stakeholders, including citizens, neighbor-
hood groups, developers, and business owners.
For the latest information on the Comprehensive Plan Update or
any new developments in the City of College Station, visit the
Planning and Development page on www.cstx.gov.
Photos: Arctic Wolf Ice Arena, Bill Meeks Photography; University Drive corridor
looking east to Earl Rudder Freeway (Highway 6 Bypass), Jim Joham /Aerial
Experts.
16 College Station Annual Report 2005
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2005 College Station Annual Report 17
• Multi - Family Residential
• Commercial
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18 College Station Annual Report 2005
A
NOT TO SCALE
❑•
2005Development
rogress on the Wayfinding and Signage Project funded by the City Wayfinding:
of College Station, City of Bryan and Texas A &M University is tak- the art of showing
ing giant steps forward as it moves from the design stage to deter- people where
mining specific locations in Brazos County.
they are and
Exactly what destinations will be targeted for signage will be determined in 2006 as actual helping them
places (Reed Arena, Northgate District, Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater) are identified by each get where they
entity. Costs will be divided based on sign placement directing traffic to a variety of locations,
with Brazos County participating for signs related to County destinations. need t0 g0.
Recommendations from 2005 address wayfinding needs that fit the College Station and Bryan
area, including vehicular wayfinding along and off the controlled access highways appropriate
to finding the safest/best route; vehicular and pedestrian wayfinding in appropriate areas of
each city; better definition of the area's boundaries and gateways; and reinforcement of each
wayfinding partner — College Station, Bryan, and Texas A &M University.
"Because the two cities share a common border — one that is irregular - they sometimes
appear to visitors as one seamless entity," said Barry Biggar, executive director of the
Bryan /College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau. He noted that the wayfinding project
is designed to ease travel within the cities and University area, providing visitors with a "you
have arrived" kind of feeling.
Based on reports from other cities which have implemented similar programs, Biggar noted
that visitors and residents report more confidence that they are going the right direction, a
heightened sense of security and safety, and awareness of a unique sense of place. The CVB is
coordinating the project for the three entities and anticipates signage could be installed
toward the end of 2006.
2005 College Station Annual Report 19
F inding the Way
2005 Service
40 Award Recipients
5 YEARS
10 YEARS
Glenn Brown — City Manager's Office
Daylene Bain - Police
Mike Mullen - Community Programs
Adrienne Bishop - Police
Sharon Rice - Community Development
Julia Franz - Police
Carolyn Sanders - Human Resources
Paul Price - Police
Wanda Lapham - Fiscal Services
Rhonda Seaton - Police
Joseph Benningfield - Police
Tracy Sheets - Police
Jimmy Brown - Police
Ernie Goode - Fire
Paul Brown - Police
Christopher Kelly - Fire
James Elkins - Police
Cecilia Browder - Public Works
Garlene Flippin - Police
Roy Curtis - Public Works
Ryan Flynn - Police
Craig Dohnalik - Public Works
Olivia Galvan- Carrillo - Police
Daniel Garcia - Public Works
Oran Jones - Police
Missy Green - Public Works
Dan Junek - Police
Arthur Lara - Public Works
Benton Keough - Police
Joe Ocon - Public Works
Daniel Leschber - Police
Rusty Smith - Public Works
Karla Wiesepape - Police
Ryan Stoker - Public Works
Matt Brunson - Fire
Pete Caler - Public Works
Heather Cruce - Fire
Frank Krause - Public Works
Scott Giffen - Fire
Dean Mushinski - Public Works
Jason Giles - Fire
Karl Goldapp - CSU
Stacy Teter - Fire
Dan Graalum - CSU
Leon Moore - Fire
Mike Gutowski - CSU
Chad Phillips - Fire
Charles Johnson - CSU
Mikel Reed - Fire
David Olivarez - CSU
Emilio Sanchez - Fire
James Roberts - CSU
Kevin Stobbs - Fire
Sandra Wegman - Parks
Andrew Throne - Fire
Beverly Langille - OTIS
Molly Hitchcock - Planning & Development
Gary Balmain - Public Works
Anthony Bryant - Public Works
15 YEARS
James Carey - Public Works
Julie O'Connell - Human Resources
Donald Harmon, Jr. - Public Works
Paula Peel - Fiscal Services
Leonard Waldon - Public Works
Greg Leeth - Police
Spencer Thompson, Jr. - Public Works
Paul Gunnels - Fire
Samantha Best - Public Works
Greg Janda - Fire
James Boykin - CSU
Lance Norwood - Fire
Michael Garcia - CSU
Curtis Hays - Public Works
Marshall Karkoska - CSU
Doug Payne - Public Works
Vincent Rodriguez - CSU
Alfonce Supak - Public Works
David Roye - CSU
Patrick Walker - Public Works
Paul Schoenfeld - CSU
Marshall Wallace - Public Works
JB Simek - CSU
Richard Stewart - CSU
Jeffrey Speed - CSU
Greg Wall - CSU
Ronnie Harris - Parks
Artis Lawson - CSU
Patrick Hazlett - Parks
Ross Albrecht - Parks
Nita Hilburn - Parks
Gary Watson - Parks
Floyd Maples - Parks
Brenda Martz - OTIS
Kevin Joyner - OTIS
Roger Earwood - OTIS
Dan Merkel - OTIS
Erin Provazek - OTIS
Other nominees for the top honor were Dana
Albrecht, Parks and Recreation; Carol Arnold,
Municipal Court; Karl Goldapp, CSU; Mike Hare,
OTIS; Brian Hilton, Emergency Management;
Howard Putz, Parks and Recreation; Marshall
Wallace, Public Works; and Mark Wiese, Public
Works. The program also provided recognition
for 116 employees with a combined total of
1190 years of service to the citizens of College
Station.
20 YEARS
Connie Hooks - City Secretary's Office
Phil Brown - Police
Scott McCollum - Police
David Dobbs - Public Works
Jesse Quintero - Public Works
Chris Gonzales - CSU
Jerry Hejl - CSU
Ronald Schlechte- CSU
25 YEARS
Luther O'Banion - Fiscal Services
James Connor - Fire
Steven Hisaw - Fire
Jon Mies - Fire
Johnny Ward - Fire
Pat Quinlan - Fire
Garry Lange - CSU
Tony Michalsky - CSU
Mark Smith - Public Works
30 YEARS
Tim Fickey - Fire
Luis Ocon - Public Works
20 College Station Annual Report 2005
Employee of the Year honors went to
Bridgette George, Development Manager in
Planning and Development Services, during the
annual 2005 Employee Awards Banquet. (She is
pictured receiving the award from Mayor Silvia.)
T
financial
TOP 10 TAXPAYERS
Company
Type of
Assessed
%Total
Texas A &M University (College Station)
Business
Valuation
Assessed
Bryan ISD
Educational
Valuation
C.B.L. & Associates
Retail Mall
$49,331,205
1.50%
Verizon Communications, Inc.
Utility
34,528,500
1.05%
College Station Hospital LP
Medical
31,254,230
0.95%
Alkosser/Weinberg
Housing
31,168,425
0.95%
Wa l -Ma rt/Sa m's
Retail
24,916,345
0.76%
H -E -B; H.E. Butt Store Property Co.
Retail
18,912,125
0.57%
301 Church Avenue, LP
Housing
17,936,445
0.54%
Melrose Apartments
Housing
17,753,830
0.54%
Fairfield College Station, LP
Housing
17,514,700
0.53%
University Commons -CS
Housing
17,279,200
0.53%
Total:
$260,595,005
7.92%
TOP 10 AREA EMPLOYERS
Company
Products
Employees
Texas A &M University (College Station)
Educational
12,000
Bryan ISD
Educational
2,090
St. Joseph's Regional Health Center (Bryan)
Health Services
1,560
College Station ISD
Educational
1,100
Wal -Mart (College Station & Bryan)
Retail
802
City of College Station
Government
800
City of Bryan
Government
771
Brazos County (Bryan)
Government
650
Blinn College (Bryan)
Educational
609
Scott & White Clinic (College Station)
Health Services
513
College Station Medical Center
Health Services
425
Source: Research Valley Partnership
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
HOTEL TAX
SALES TAX
$2,500,000
(Millions of Dollars)
$2,000,000
16.0
14.0
$1,500,000
12.0
10.0
$1,000,000
8.0
6.0
$500,000
4.0
- - - -
- -
2.0
- - - - -
2005 College Station Annual Report 21
financial
WHAT CITIZENS GET FOR EACH TAX DOLLAR:
Development Service 4t
Public irks 16t I Finance
_ I
®■ y ; >0. v 06
7 IS ROTE 13 LEIAL TENDER
FOR 11 DLBTS. PUBIID AND PRIVATE J 4 5 62 7' 217 B
Ea
10 -
J 45E 27217 B -
�R1E5
1
Fire 174 Parks & Library 21C
Recreation 154
I
Other 2t
Government 8t
2006: BUDGET IN BRIEF
The Fiscal Year 2005 -2006 Annual Budget was approved by the
College Station City Council in September 2005. Approved expendi-
tures for FY06 total $189,129,144. It is anticipated that $147,659,221
will be received in revenues. Existing Fund Balances, Working Capital
Balances, and Long Term Debt Issuance are not reflected in revenues.
These additional funds contribute the difference between Revenues
and Expenditures in the annual budget.
The new budget is maintained with a property tax rate of 43.94 cents
per $100 of valuation. Approximately 73% of the total budget is ded-
icated to Core Services. These are basic services provided by the City
and include public safety, public works, utilities and support service
functions.
Notable features of the FY06 budget include:
00 to hire 14 public safety officers (9 police officers and 5
firefighters /paramedics).
0 to equip the Fire Department's new ladder truck that
will enter service in FY06.
10- $1,206,875 in additional resources in the Public Works Department
to continue infrastructure improvements.
►$239,098 in the Parks Department to enhance existing facilities and
bring new facilities on -line.
►$50,474 is budgeted for Capital Improvement Projects.
$4,290,000 of that total represents transfers from existing funds to
avoid debt issuance. Capital projects funds are used to upgrade
existing infrastructure, as well as for new projects.
2005: MUNICIPAL COURT
lo-Municipal Court handled 40,968 cases of which 23,417 were
traffic violations, 11,127 were parking cases, 6,229 were non -
traffic penal violations, and 195 city ordinance violations.
►Total revenue from the court was $5,938,069 which includes
court costs going to the State and fines to the City of College
Station.
No- Interns at the Court logged 1,608 hours of volunteer service
from January to October, 2005.
00-College Station Municipal Court issued a total of 3,020
warrants.
1110-3,120 cases were handled during walk -in arraignments in
which citizens appear before a judge to make any unique
request they might have regarding their case.
AREA OF COLLEGE STATION
1938 - PRESENT
Year
Area (in square miles)
1938
2.0
1940
2.5
1950
2.9
1960
1970
1980
1984
1994
1995
1996
2005
_6.3
16.0
28.5
32.6
38.1
40.7
47.2
74 Tech /Info 64
1
22 College Station Annual Report 2005
General
Police 234
1
f finandair I
COMBINED FINANCIAL POSITION
($ x 1,000 )
September 30, 2005
Assets (amount owned)
Cash and Investments
Restricted Cash & Investments
Other Current Assets
Property and Equipment (Net)
Other Assets
Total Assets
Liabilities and Net Assets
Liabilities (Amount Owed)
Accounts Payable
Other Liabilities
Outstanding Debt
Total Liabilities
Net Assets (Excess of Assets over Liabilities)
Investment in Capital Assets
Restricted
Unrestricted
Total Net Assets
Total Liabilities and Net Assets
TAXING ENTITY
College Station
Brazos County
CSISD
Hotel -Motel Tax
Sales Tax
2004
$ 90,361
26,641
13,695
330,212
8,075
$ 468,984
$ 9,208
7,980
157,445
$ 174,633
"`R' COMBINED REVENUES
& EXPENDITURES
2005 September 30, 2005 ($ x 1,000) 2004 2005
$ 223,764
Revenues
$ 97,074
Property Tax
24,244
Sales Tax
15,266
Franchise Fee
351,757
Hotel /Motel Taxes
7.928
Investment Earnings
496 269
Charges for Services
Electric Revenues
Water Revenues
Wastewater Revenues
$ 13,862
Sanitation Revenues
8,919
Northgate Parking
168,120
Capital Contributions
$ 190,901
Other
Total Revenue
$ 223,764
$ 233,282
16,995
7,085
53,592
65,001
294,351
305,368
$ 468,984
$ 496,269
TAX RATE (2005 -2006)
$0.4394 per $100
$0.4650 per $100
$1.6750 per $100
13.00%
8.25%
BOND RATING AGENCY
Moody's
Standard & Poors
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
---------------
BOND RATING
Aa3
AA-
Expenditures
Public Safety
Parks and Recreation
Public Works
General Government
Fiscal Services
Office of Technology & Info Services
Planning & Development Services
Interest on Long Term Debt
Electric Service
Water Service
Wastewater Service
Sanitation Service
Northgate Parking
Other
Total Expenditures
$ 14,669
15,239
1,975
2,191
1,887
9,526
47,432
8,320
9,335
4,829
604
10,446
3,214
$129,667
$ 16,844
6,154
5,004
7,536
1,953
2,653
1,586
3,449
41,121
6,542
7,214
4,849
551
2,753
$108,209
CITY OF
COLLEGE STATION
AD VALOREM TAX
VALUATION
(Millions of Dollars)
$ 15,889
15,705
1,719
2,307
2,435
9,210
51,467
9,520
9,697
5,151
480
6,464
2 592
$ 132,636
$ 18,466
6,528
5,383
6,446
2,460
2,871
1,574
3,896
47,800
7,901
7,250
4,910
591
5,543
121 619
2005 College Station Annual Report 23
rte'
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
On behalf of the citizens of College Station, home of
Texas A &M University, we will promote and
advance the community's quality of life.
5 �.. `
1
P.O.Box 9960 / 1101 Texas Avenue
College Station, Texas 77842
Home of Texas A &M University
and the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
HEART OF THE RESEARCH VALL.I
Published February 2006 by the City of College Station
www.cstx.gov / 979 - 764 -3500
SPECIAL THANKS:
Anne Boykin, Planning and Development; Vonn Casares, City Secretary's Office;
Susan Chmelar, Finance; David Gerling, Parks and Recreation; Cynthia Giedraitis, Fire;
Sven Griffin, Planning and Development Services; Bryan Guinn, Finance;
Bart Humphreys, Fire; Patti Jett, Public Communications; Mark Langwell, Police;
Shelia McQueen, BVSWMA; Hayden Migl, City Manager's Office; Jennifer Nations, CSU;
Carol Baker Roach, CSU; Carolyn Sanders, Human Resources; Rhonda Seaton, Police;
Dawn Self, Public Works; Cathy Stark, Office of Technology and Information Services;
Charles Wood, Economic Development; Afsaneh Yazdani, Parks and Recreation
Cover photo credits: George Bush Presidential Library, Brian Blake;
Aggie Band and Reveille, Texas A &M University Relations