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Home My WebLink About1987-88 Citizen's Handbook �fCITY OF COLLEGE Citizen Handbook City of College Station (409)764 -3500 1101 TEXAS AVENUE POST OFFICE BOX 9960 COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77840 -0960 The 1987 -88 "Citizen's Handbook" was prepared to help inform citizens of College Station, particularly those citizens who have recently moved to town. The city council and staff of College Station hope this information will help you deal with the city government - it's services and it's political processes. Sincerel r y, ? Larry nger Mayor CITY GOVERNMENT College Station operates under the council- manager form of government. The mayor and six councilmen are elected at- large, that is, in city -wide elections. Elections are held on the first Saturday in May. The City Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday at 7 p.m. at the College Station City Hall. Usually a workshop meeting is held each preceding Wednesday at 4 p.m. Council meetings are open to the public. In addition to these regularly scheduled meetings, special meetings may be held after notice of such meetings is properly posted and publicized.* For agendas and more particular information about council meetings, call the CITY INFORMA- TION LINE at 764 - 3704.* Your council members are: Place 1 Fred Brown Place 3 ... Lynn Mcllhaney Place 5 . . . . Jim Gardner 1 Place 2 . . Sara Goode Jones Place 4 . . Patricia Boughton Place 6 . . . . Dick Haddox Mayor Larry Ringer I City Manager: William K. Cole Assistant City Manager: Ron Ragland I CITY UTILITIES The City of College Station provides and bills for electricity, water, sewer and garbage service. A deposit is required for all accounts. Customers have 15 days to pay their bills. Past due bills are charged an additional fee which cannot be waived or relieved. Bills may be paid at City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is a night deposit box at City Hall for use on nights, holidays and weekends. In addition, bank drafts may be arranged or payments may be mailed to City of College Station, Utility Billing Office, P.O. Box 10230, College Station. All payments should show the account number and must be received on or before the due date. Services disconnected for non - payment cannot be restored until all due payments, penalties and 1 re- connection fees have been paid. Utility bills are computed per monthly readings of electricity and water meters. Rates are established by city ordinance, and copies of the rate schedules are available upon request at the utility counter in City Hall. Meters are the property of the City and are not to be turned on or off except by authorized City employees. Unauthorized connection of a meter is illegal under state law. The City has the right of access to meters whenever necessary. Utility accounts may be listed in one name only and the person whose name appears on the account is responsible for payment of bills and is entitled to the deposit refund when the account is closed. (The City of College Station is not responsible for agreements made between roommates.) A $40 Transfer Fee is required to transfer utility service to a new address. ENERGY DEPARTMENT The College Station Energy Department will conduct free residential energy audits for all citizens. Auditors will perform a professional evaluation of how each home uses and wastes energy. He /she will then discuss the results of the audit with the homeowner and recommend methods of conserving energy. Citizens will also receive estimates of the cost of recommended improvements and possible energy cost savings. The Energy Department also maintains a library of books and pamphlets on a wide variety of energy- related topics and can answer any questions you may have regarding energy conservation. For more information, or to schedule a home energy audit, call 764 -3724. GARBAGE COLLECTION Regular Trash The City of College Station provides curbside pickup of regular household garbage and trash twice weekly. All garbage must be put in bags manufactured for garbage containers. Garbage may not be set out before the morning of the collection day. Pick up days are Tuesday and Friday, or Monday and Thursday, depending on your area. Call 764 -3690. Special Pick -up Heavy trash (leaves, grass clippings, limbs, brush, appliances, furniture, newspapers, or dead animals) is not collected with household garbage. Call 764 -3690 to schedule a special pickup of these materials. There is no extra charge for this service. Landfill You may also haul trash to the College Station landfill yourself. No permit or fee is required if you show the landfill operator proof of residency. To get to the landfill, drive south on Texas Avenue (Hwy. 6) past the East Bypass and turn left on Rock Prairie Road. The landfill is located on the right approximately two miles from Hwy. 6. The landfill is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PARKS AND RECREATION The College Station Parks and Recreation system includes 28 park sites totaling approximately 310 acres. Major recreation facilities are located at Thomas Park, Bee Creek Park, Southwood Athletic Park and College Station Central Park. The department sponsors a variety of organized athletic and aquatic programs as well as many special events throughout the year. Call Adamson Pool in Bee Creek Park at 764 -3575; Thomas Pool in Thomas Park at 764 -3721; Southwood Pool in Southwood Athletic Park at 764 -3787; Central Park Softball Complex at 764 -3732. Maps are available at the Parks Office located at Central Park, 1000 Krenek Tap Road. For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Office at 764 -3773. COMMUNITY CENTER The College Station Community Center, located at 1300 Jersey, has six meeting rooms, an auditorium, kitchen, gallery, and two patios that can be rented for parties, meetings, seminars, exhibits and conventions. For more information call 764 -3720 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. SHENANIGANS TEEN CENTER Located adjacent to the Community Center, the Teen Center is operated by Community Center staff. Students in grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 in College Station are eligible for membership. Call 764 -3720 for information. TAX INFORMATION The Brazos County Tax Office, located at 300 E. 25th St., Bryan (361 - 4480), is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Brazos County Central Appraisal District is located at 1673 Briarcrest Dr., Suite A -90, Bryan (774 -4100) and is responsible for property valuation. Property owners should notify either of these offices of ownership changes and address changes when they occur. There are four basic stages in the tax process: property appraisal, equalization, tax rate adoption, and tax collection. January 1 to May 1 marks the first stage - the rendition (listing) period. Value, ownership and taxability are determined during this period. The City offers a reduction in assessed value for those people over the age of 65 and for disabled veterans. Exemptions for agricultural productivity valuation are also available. All exemptions must be filed during this stage. Applications may be filed directly with the Central Appraisal District. In the second stage, the appraisal review board meets to hear taxpayer appeals. Members of this board will review property values listed in the appraisal records to ensure equality and uniformity within and between all classes of property. The appraisal review board also has the authority to review applications for exemptions and productivity valuation. This process should begin by May 15 or as soon thereafter as possible. The tax rate will be calculated and set in the third stage of the tax process. During this time, property owners should be alert to notices in the local newspaper regarding calculated effective tax rates and possible public hearings on tax increases. Tax rate adoption occurs when the College Station City Council holds its budget hearings. Tax collections occur during the fourth stage of the tax process. Tax statements should be mailed to property owners by October 1. Taxes should be paid by January 31 of the following calendar year. On February 1, unpaid taxes become delinquent and start accruing penalty and interest. Taxes should be paid at the Brazos County Tax Office. ANIMAL CONTROL The city requires that all dogs and cats must be licensed and must be under physical restraint at all times. Licenses may be obtained through your local veterinarian or the Brazos Animal Shelter at a cost of $5.00. A veterinarian's certificate of rabies vaccination must be shown. Animal Control picks up stray animals and delivers them to the Animal Shelter where they will be held for 72 hours before being adopted or destroyed. To report animals running at large or a case of abuse, call the College Station Police Department at 764 -3600. If your pet is missing, you should check with the Animal Shelter at 775 -5755. If a pet is impounded, the owner may reclaim it by paying required boarding fees to the Animal Shelter. Any fines which may be imposed must be paid at the Municipal Court before the animal is released from the shelter. CITY CEMETERY Since 1948, the City has owned and maintained the College Station City Cemetery on Texas Avenue. Also included in this property is a tract of land used for burials since before 1870. For information on the purchase of property in the cemetery, contact the City Secretary at 764 -3512 The use of plastic flowers is prohibited by cemetery rules. GARAGE SALES Garage sales are limited by ordinance to one each six months per resident and may be held for a maximum of 72 hours. The ordinance also states that "no sign, directional or otherwise, shall be erected within the city limits, except on the property of the individual conducting the garage sale." No permit is required. LAND USE Land use is restricted by the City's zoning ordinance. Copies of the zoning ordinance and zoning map are available at City Hall for the cost of printing. Any subdivision of land must be approved by the City according to Subdivision Regulation, a copy of which may be obtained at City Hall for the cost of printing. BUILDING PERMITS Building Permits are required for all construction other than ordinary minor repairs such as re- painting, re- roofing (up to 25 %) or one - for -one replacement. For information, call 764 -3741. BICYCLE ROUTES Bicyclists are required by law to use bicycle routes where they are provided. These routes are clearly marked by signs. Parking is not permitted in bicycle lanes and bicyclists are reminded that bicycle traffic is prohibited on Texas Avenue and SH 30 (Harvey Road) in the section beside Culpepper Plaza Shopping Center, only. Maps are available at City Hall. For information, call 764 -3766. CITIZEN COMMITTEES Below is a list of the Citizen Committees appointed by the College Station City Council. For information concerning the activities of these committees or on how to become a member, call the Council Office at 764 -3541. Cemetery Committee Parks and Recreation Board Community Appearance Committee Franchise Advisory Committee Community Center Advisory Committee Planning and Zoning Commission Shenanigans Teen Center Board Plumbing Appeals and Advisory Board Easterwood Airport Zoning Board Structural Standards Board Electrical Examining Board Zoning Board of Adjustments Energy Management Committee Economic Development Foundation Historic Preservation Committee MISCELLANEOUS If your home or apartment was built after June, 1985, it is equipped with a smoke detector. We recommend that you check the detector's operation regularly. Assistance to students with housing problems is available through the Off - Campus Information and Referral Center, 845 -1741. Important Telephone Numbers EMERGENCY ONLY Numbers Public Services Department Fire - 911 764 -3690 Ambulance - 911 Public Utilities Department Police - 911 Electrical Distribution - 764 -3674 Electrical, Water & Sewer - 764 -3638 Water & Sewer - 764 -3655 City Council Dowling Road Pump Station - 764 -3671 764 -3541 Waste Water Treatment Plant - 764 -3665 City Manager 764 -3510 For Recorded Information on Events, Meetings City Secretary and Employment - 764 -3704 764 -3512 Public Information FOR ALL CITY OFFICES NOT LISTED ABOVE 764 -3768 764 -3500 Citizen Service Representative 764 -3510 OTHER IMPORTANT NUMBERS City Attorney Animal Shelter 764 -3515 2206 A Finfeather, Bryan Personnel Department 775 -5755 764 -3517 B -CS Chamber of Commerce Finance Department 401 S. Washington, Bryan 764 -3555 779 -2278 Accounts Payable B -CS Chamber of Commerce 764 -3574 Convention & Visitors Bureau Accounts Receivable 715 University Dr. E 764 -3562 260 -9898 Central Receiving Justice of the Peace 764 -3533 775 -7400 Purchasing Brazos County Appraisal District 764 -3557 774 -4100 Building Inspection Brazos County Tax Office 764 -3741 361 -4480 Engineering & Planning Brazos County Courthouse 764 -3570 775 -7400 Energy Audits & Information Brazos County Health Unit 764 -3724 361 -4450 Utility Connects /Disconnects & City of Bryan Billing Information 300 S. Washington Ave. 764 -3535 779 -5622 Fire Department - Non Emergency Calls College Station Public Library Central Station - 764 -3700 2551 Texas, Suite E Station No. 2 - 764 -3715 764 -3416 Industrial Development Foundation Bryan Public Library 764 -37.23 201 E. 26th Municipal Court & Ticket Information 779 -1736 2611 B Texas Ave Lone Star Gas 764 -3683 201 E. 27th Parks & Recreation Department 775 -8406 Office (Central Park) - 764 -3773 General Telephone Central Park Softball Information - 764 -3732 700 University Drive E Adamson Pool (Bee Creek Park) - 764 -3735 779 -4210 Lincoln Center - 764 -3733 Department of Public Safety Thomas Park Pool - 764 -3721 (Driver's License Office) Southwood Athletic Park - 764 -3787 1540 E. ByPass Community Center /Teen Center - 764 -3720 776 -5593 Police Department - Non - Emergency Calls U.S. Post Office Main Switchboard - 764 -3600 College Station Main Post Office Administrative Bureau - 764 -3605 104 Houston St. Criminal Investigation Bureau - 764-3616 846 -5715 Crime Prevention - 764 -3611 Internal Revenue Service Records Bureau - 764 -3636 (Federal Tax Information & Forms) Patrol Bureau - 764 -3600 Toll Free 1- 800 -492 -4830