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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Bryan Annual Report (2001)Y al ' ♦ f .,t _ • fi Table of Contents Letter from the mayor ........................... 1 Quality of Life .......... ............................... 2 The Great Outdoors ............................... 4 Historic Downtown .. ............................... G Badoes of Honor ...... ............................... 8 Bricks 8f Mortar ............. 10 ....................... Bryan Leadership ... ............................... 12 Financials................... .............................13 Dear Friends, The City of Bryan has been home for my wife and me for more than 30 years. This city is where we earn a livino, where our son was educated, and where we choose to worship. In 2001, I was fortunate to be elected mayor of this ¢rest city, and have cherished the opportunity to serve as policyrnaker and visionary with my fellow city councilmen. There is perhaps no Greater honor than to see an idea borne of this council become reality throuOh the hard work and dedication of the 800 employees of the City of Bryan. These are the men and women who protect our lives and property, who create beautiful parks in which we relax and play, and who ensure that Bryan lives up to, and exceeds, its motto: A Great Place to Live. Through these pages, I invite you to review some of the hi¢hhohts of 2001. These visual ima0es represent the Bryan that I see - one that is dynamic and forward thinkino, yet fiercely proud of its history. Best Wishes, " 4, vat�- Mayor Jay Don Watson Y H E C T Y p p BR TvXAS Quality of Life More than 9 out of 10 residents (94 %) surveyed in 2001 said they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of fife in Bryan — an increase from a similar study conducted in 1998.* Thanks to the completion of several exciting new projects, citizen satisfaction will undoubtedly climb even hi¢her. Public Art In 2001, the City of Bryan became home to three sculptures that are now on display for the enjoy- ment of both residents and visitors. Memoire, Heritage Park Herita¢e Park, located in the East Side Historic District, now offers peaceful surroundings to Memoire, a fife-sized bronze sculpture of a Depression -era woman and her children. Mrs. Maroueritte Gardner commissioned the sculp- ture as a ¢i f t to the City of Bryan and as a memorial to all mothers, includin¢ her own. The Grounds of the City of Bryan Municipal Office Buildin¢ now feature two pieces of artwork: La Familia and Majestic Freedom. Both sculptures were made possible * Raymond Turco and Associates, Arlinoton, Texas, 2001 Resident Attitude Survey throuOh the Arts Council of Brazos Valley and the Art in Public Places Project. Bryan Public Library Computer Lab In the winter, the Bryan Public Library opened its new computer lab, which was funded throu¢h a 5100,000 cash ¢rant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The lab adds 23 computers to the library's system, alono with $80,000 worth of software. The computers are available to the public and can be used for word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheet creation, Internet access, children's stories and foreiOn lan¢uaoe translation. The lab also serves to provide free computer trainin¢ to adults. National Blue Ribbon Community The same signs that proclaim Bryan to be "A Great Place to Live" now emphasize that the city is also a Oreat place to learn. During the summer, the City of Bryan erected additional sionaoe at its points of entry. "National Blue Ribbon School Community" signs now rest atop the existing signs at all nine entrances to the City of Bryan. The new sins celebrate the achievements of Bryan schools, specifically those of Johnson and Bowen elementary campuses. Bowen Elementary School was the only campus in Central Texas to have been named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2000 -01. Johnson Elementary School received the honor in 1998 -99. The U.S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Schools Pro¢ram identifies and recognizes schools that are models of excellence and equity, schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to educational excellence for all students, and schools that achieve hifih academic standards or have shown sign ficant academic improvement over Ave years. Reference and Information Services Librarian john Palmer providing computer lab instruction to fellow librarian, ,lane Smith. The Great Outdoors The creation of new park space and the renovation of established park facilities were amono the hiohliohts of 2001 in the City of Bryan, providin4 enhanced recreation and leisure opportunities for both residents and visitors. Recognized in the spring for its excellence in recreation and parks manage- ment (Texas Gold Medal Award, Texas Recreation and Parks Society), the Bryan Parks and Recreation Department quickly built on its reputation by openino Austin's Colony Park on the city's east side, just behind Harvey Mitchell Elementary School. The most visible feature of Austin's Colony Park is the re0iori s only indoor tennis pavilion, used by the Texas AsrM University tennis teams during inclement weather. Interpretive wetlands, a disc 0olf course, an inline skate rink and an archery range are only a few of the ameni- ties of Bryan's newest park. As 2001 came to an end, so did a $1.25 mil- lion renovation project at Sue Haswell Memo- rial Park, located just east of Historic Down- 4 town. Already one of Bryan's most -used parks, Haswell now boasts an outdoor learnino center focusing on our nation's presidents, a pond with fountains and a gazebo that also serves as a bandstand. All playground equipment. picnic facilities, lighting and irrigation were improved, as well. Snapshots April 20, 2001: Henderson Elementary School third - graders help beautify Tanglewood Park by planting trees and wildflowers. August 17 2001: Learn to Swim outreach program teaches lifesaving skills to 240 Bryan- College Station children, a record number. September 26, 2001: Lightning Prediction Device is installed at Bryan Aquatic Center to alert swimmers and Bryan High School coaches and athletes of favorable condi- tions for a hohming strike. 5 Historic Downtown Development Renovation and revitalization of Historic Downtown Bryan took 0 ant steps forward in 2001 throuOh the city council's approval of the Downtown Master Plan. The plan serves as a blueprint for creating and promoting a dynamic, positive business climate, civic pride and a distinct identity in the city's oldest business district. The Downtown Master Plan provides detailed descriptions of infrastructure, urban design and streetscape schemes, land use and economic development strate fts, a marketin¢ plan and identification of f undino sources. Among the downtown development hiohhohts of 2001 was the construction of the first new building in Historic Downtown Bryan in 35 years. The Discount Carpet Building, located at the corner of William Joel Bryan Parkway and Bryan Street, is a beautiful example of a completely new structure designed to blend with the surrounding period architecture. The Discount Carpet development was made possible, in large part, to the City of Bryan's Downtown Fagade Grant Program, and has already had an effect on several pendino downtown projects. Another celebrated development project in Historic Downtown was the reloca- tion of The Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley to the renovated Old City Hall on East 27th Street. The museum grounds, now located across from the Bryan Public Library, are a component of the proposed Bryan Cultural Corridor that will link the Carnegie Center of Brazos Valley History to the future Visitor Center on William Joel Bryan Parkway. Recognition The many visible improvements to Historic Downtown Bryan were recognized in the 2001 Randall Marketing Group Research Study conducted for the Bryan- Colleoe Station Convention and Visitor Bureau. The study revealed that visitors to the community most enjoyed: 1. Texas AS(M University 2. The George Bush Presidential Library 3. Historic Downtown Bryan Partnership Sioni ficant contributions to Historic Downtown Bryan were recognized through the annual Mayor's Downtown Impact Award. The 2001 winners of this pres- ti0ious award were Mrs. Edward (Pat) Hiler and Earth Art. Mrs. Hiler was reco¢nized for her work with The Children's Museum and other projects that directly benefit downtown. Earth Art, a retail shop located in Historic Downtown Bryan for more than 10 years, received the award for preservation efforts to downtown buildings, and for attractin¢ a steady stream of customers to the area. 7 Discount Carpel, Bryan Street and William J. Bryan Parkway Badges of Honor Perhaps at no other time in our nations history have police officers and fire fighters been so appreciated, so embraced by their communities. And perhaps at no other time in Bryan's history have these brave men and women focused their efforts so sharply on preserving their community - not just protecting it. dents have become familiar with their beat officers. (icers. Police are also bein¢ trained to identify such nei0hborhood problems as overfirown lots, junk vehi- cles and other code - enforcement violations, and to initiate appropriate and proactive responses from the city. Fire Police Police Chief Ken Burton came to the City of Bryan in February, bringing with him a new model of law enforcement known as "geographic policing." Through the model, patrol officers, supervisors and detectives are assigned geo- graphic beats, allowing deeper familiarization within specific geographic areas. In turn, resi- Officer Jon Agnew In 2001, the Bryan Fire Department continued to maintain a high level of service, focusing on protecting fives and preserving property. The department also found some of its firefighters being called to perform extraordinary work hundreds of miles away. When the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center towers in New York City shifted from a rescue mission to a recovery operation, Bryan/Colle¢e Station -based Texas Task 8 Force 1 was brouOht in to perform the specialized work. Amon¢ the task force's rescue experts, hazardous material specialists, structural en¢ineers, canine search teams and medical personnel were three members of the Bryan Fire Department. The ability to save fives back home was improved in the springy throuOh a col- laborative purchasing effort with the City of Colle¢e Station that brouOht hand- held thermal- imaoino cameras to both departments. The equipment enables firefighters to locate vic- tims inside smoke -filled structures or other "zero visibility" environ- ments, and has already proven to be a valuable tool. • tic s Miramont M ortar The Miramont ¢ol course and residential development on Bryan's east side pro- Buildings on the Community of the Year Award received from the Texas chapter dressed quickly in 2001 of the American Plannino Association in 2000, the City of Bryan continued throu¢h infrastructure and to plan and mana¢e the Growth and progress on the east and west sides o creation o the actual O o1f the city. course. Fairways are con - Development hiohhohts of 2001 include: strutted, greens and hazards are in place and Grass has Residential been planted in the Ool Park Hudson course's first phase. This planned community now features high -end, single- and multi - family, Austin's Colony residential developments, a state-of-the-art hospital, a tranquil park area This popular residential and other mixed uses. The initial public investment in Park Hudson bean development experienced with infrastructure and an extension to Copperfield Drive, and is now si¢nificanT growth in 2001, enjoyin¢ brisk ppivate development. * ! NNX A , of r Miramont If 10 _� -► - _ _ �'r t �_ developin¢ in response to new elementary school and park facilities. Throuoh the city's investment in Austin's Colony Boulevard and Austin's Colony Park, adjacent nei0hborhoods have experienced expansion. Tiffany Park An extension of Oak Hill Drive, from Copperfield Drive to Woodcrest Drive, drove much of the prosperity in the Tiffany Park subdivision in 2001. Additional phases of single- family lots continue to be developed, allowin¢ Tiffany Park to be linked to th Bryan's east side. Commercial Townshire Shopping Center The oldest retail shopping center in Bryan received a major facelift in 2001. Townshire Shoppin¢ Center now features a new Albertson's supermarket and fuel center, new facades and si¢na¢e. The Townshire project truly dives a boost to an area of Texas Avenue that was in need of redevelopment. Burton Creek Bar -B -Que One of Bryan's newest restaurants is located near the bend in Texas Avenue. Burton Creek Bar -B -Que is a commercial development that uti- lized a reuse of an old buildino in a hi¢hly visible area of Texas Avenue 11 and only a few blocks from Historic Downtown. 12 Bryan Leadership Of paramount importance to the City of Bryan is the role of the Bryan City Council, which is tasked with planning and visioning for the community's future success. Bryan councilmembers are the elected representative leaders of the city and the community. The council makes short- and long -term decisions that influence and affect the city's history and future. The Bryan City Council consists of seven elected individuals who serve three - year terms. Five councilmembers represent single member districts and are elected only by voters in those districts. The mayor and another councilmem- ber are elected at- large, as all Bryan voters participate in electing these two individuals. Once elected, these seven become one as decisions are made through a majority vote process. The vote of the majority determines policy and provides guidance to the city staff. As the council provides direction and expresses expectations, the city manager is responsible for the successful implementation of processes to achieve the council's goals and desired results. The city manager is the chief executive officer of the city. The city manager is responsible for providing management and leadership for the organization. To provide administrative leadership, the Bryan City Council appointed a new city manager in 2001, Mary Kaye Moore. Bryan City Council (From left to right) Mitchell P. Morehead, Paul Madison, Jay Don Watson, Joe Mann, Ernie Wentrcel, Russell Bradley, Michael Bea/ With the assistance of over 800 employees, the city manager maximizes resources to provide quality services to Bryan residents. Upon interpreting the council's vision and goals, the city manager develops city staff goals and objectives to parallel the established mission. In 2001, the Bryan City Council and City staff was busy planning for the future, and several major milestones were accomplished that will have an impact on the city's future. The Bryan City Council adopted several strategic plans, including the Downtown Bryan Master Plan and the award- winnin¢ Central Business Corridor Master Plan. The council also initiated other master plans, including the South Colle¢e Revitalization Plan and the Parks, Open Space 8j Trails Master Plan. While planning is only one focus for the Bryan City Council, such accomplish- ments are significant in paving the way for future success. FY 2001 General Fund by Sour Property Tax 26% Sales Tax 29% Total Funds: $33,128,000 Unaudited Fi¢ures * * ** Net of reimbursements from other funds. ther Taxes • 5% Fiscal ear 2001 Licenses & Permits 1% Charges for Services 6 • • =fines & Court Charges Financials 5% ,rgovernmental Grants 3% Librarh 4% Development Services 8% Streets & Drainage Maintenance 9% Environmental Servi 5% Fire 19% Government * * ** 14% Police 29% FY 2001 MYVrol Government Expenditures by Function Total Expenditures: $32,144,000 Other Sources 25% Capital Outlay 1g � l City of Bryan P.O. Box 1000 Bryan, Texas 77805 -1000 www.bryantx.00 Produced by The City of Bryan Public Information Office City of Bryan P.O. Box 1000 Bryan, Texas 77805 -1000 (979 ) 209 -5120 / FAX (979 ) 209 -5106 E -mail: jsocol @ci.bryan.tx.us Public Information Officer: Jay Socol Photography: Chad Cockrum Design: Cobb Graphics