City creates program to aid local small businesses
By Debbie Eller, Director of Community Development
While the COVID-19 outbreak has arrived with a high human cost, it’s increasingly evident that the economic impacts could be substantial as well. In response, the City of College Station has created an Economic Assistance Grant Program for our small businesses with low-to-moderate income employees.
The city council unanimously approved the program’s guidelines as part of a special Monday afternoon teleconference meeting.
Funded with almost $300,000 in CDBG Economic Development Funds, the program could help prevent job losses for employees with families in the low-to-moderate household income range, such as a family of four that earns under $54,800 a year. In the long term, the program could also contribute to job creation or enable businesses to reach their pre-disaster employment numbers.
Grants of up to $40,000 will be available, based on the number of employees. Businesses need to provide information regarding their business before and after implementation of the COVID-19 declarations, including financial documents, employee information, and their willingness to comply with local, state, and federal requirements.
To apply, click the link below, register as a vendor, and download the required documents. After you log-in, click on Current Bids and the Eco Assistance Grant link, where you can upload the documents.
New applications are reviewed and funds awarded each week, and each entity may receive only one grant. We expect the requests to outpace the available funds.
Funds will be disbursed in four installments, with the first distributed after the agreement is executed. Subsequent payments will be made following the submission of payroll documentation showing that the funding has helped retained job funding.
For more information, email me at deller@cstx.gov.
About the Blogger
Community Services Coordinator Debbie Eller is in her 21st year with the City of College Station. She has led the Community Services Department since 2010. A native of Fort Worth, Debbie earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Texas A&M in 1984.
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All Up In Your Business: Walk-On’s
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
Who better to open a Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux in College Station than a former walk-on to the Texas A&M football team? Cory (’08) and Jenny (’01) Davis are poised to open their business in south College Station — their first foray into the restaurant business — and talk about how College Station was the only city they ever considered for such a major endeavor.
Also in this episode, Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz and Communications Director Jay Socol talk about how the City of College Station sometimes spots opportunities to help new businesses or developers find just the right location for whatever they want to bring to the market.
Finally, Nat shares updated info on some additional restaurants under development in south College Station or, as Jay calls it, “SoCol.”
All Up In Your Business is now available via Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, and Stitcher.
- Download Podcast
- Transcript
- Previous “All Up in Your Business” Podcasts (Podbean)
- Previous Podcasts (Soundcloud)
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his 11th year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. A native of Breckenridge, he also serves as president of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.
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Podcast: College Station eco-devo 101
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
We hear it all the time: “Hey, College Station, how come you don’t bring a [fill in the blank] to town?”
The other side of that is, “Hey, bozos, why do you keep bringing more [fill in the blank] to our city?”
First, some of you have anger issues. Seriously, though, a lot of people don’t understand:
- What the city can be credited for bringing to town.
- What the city should not be credited/blamed for bringing to town.
- What our economic development staff is actively recruiting to CS.
In this episode of AUIYB, Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz and I discuss all these points, as well as some things about Post Oak Mall you may not know. (cliffhanger!)
Subscribe to All Up In Your Business at your favorite podcast source — Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, or Podbean.
- Download
- Transcript
- Previous “All Up in Your Business” Podcasts (Podbean)
- Previous Podcasts (Soundcloud)
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is starting his 11th year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. A native of Breckenridge, he also serves as president of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.
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Podcast: Breakfast you’ll be la Gladeleine about
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
In this podcast episode, College Station Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz returns to talk about new restaurants, office space, commercial expansion and more. We also dive into an email from a pod listener (we have one!) who expressed concerns about what feels like constant expansion in College Station.
All Up In Your Business is now available via Podbean, Apple Podcasts/iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and Stitcher.
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his 10th year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. A native of Breckenridge, he also serves as president of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.
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5 things to watch at Thursday’s city council meetings
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
The College Station City Council gathers Thursday at city hall for its workshop (about 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings.
Here are five items to watch:
- Neighborhood Conservation Overlay: In the workshop, the council will consider recommendations related to the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay zoning district and its associated standards and processes.
- CS Business Park Land Sale: As part of the consent agenda, the council will consider a contract to sell about seven acres at the south end of the College Station Business Center to a light industrial user.
- Renaming Greens Prairie Road West: After a public hearing, the council will consider renaming Greens Prairie Road West to maximize efficiency for emergency responders. The action would change the name to Victoria Avenue between Wellborn Road and Victoria, to Woodlake Drive between Victoria and Woodlake, and to Greens Prairie Road between Highway 6 and the city limits. Greens Prairie Trail between Wellborn and the city limits would become Greens Prairie Road.
- Cain Closing at Rail Crossing: After a public hearing, the council will consider closing the Cain Road crossing of the Union Pacific Railroad with the opening of the new Deacon Drive crossing.
- Brazos County MUD No. 2: The council will consider four items related to the formation of Brazos County Municipal Utility District No. 2 in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction along Peach Creek between Wellborn Road and Highway 6.
Related Links:
About the Blogger
Colin Killian (@ColinKillian) has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.
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Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (June 13)
Sitting (L-R): Mayor Pro Tem Linda Harvell, Mayor Karl Mooney, Eleanor Vessali. Standing (L-R): Bob Brick, Jerome Rektorik, John Nichols, Dennis Maloney.
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, June 13. It’s not the official minutes.
The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
5:23 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action out of the executive session.
5:29 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. Councilmembers pulled this consent item for workshop discussion:
- Northgate Park: As part of the consent agenda, the council will consider a $418,000 contract with Caprock Construction for the development of Northgate Park, a 1 ½-acre neighborhood park that will include lighted trails, open play areas, benches, a small lighted pavilion with picnic tables, and drinking fountains.
5:46 p.m.
BVEDC Incentive Report
The council heard a presentation from the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation about incentive compliance in 2018.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:15 p.m.
Water Fund and Rates
The council discussed the city’s water utility fund and the challenges it faces from growth, future capacity needs, and the impact of rainfall patterns. Staff recommended a 15% rate increase for FY20, which would raise the monthly bill by about $3.42 for an average single-family residence.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:38 p.m.
Smart City Initiatives
The council heard a workshop presentation about the city’s technology-driven smart city initiatives. The discussion included public sector trends and the types of advisory boards that exist in the industry.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
6:38 p.m.
Mayor Mooney suspended the workshop. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
6:44 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:49 p.m.
Giles Completes Managing Officer Program
Mayor Mooney recognized Capt. Jason Giles for completing the National Fire Academy’s Managing Officer Program. Giles has been with the College Station Fire Department since 1999. Pictured below with the mayor are Kyler Giles, Capt. Giles, Fire Chief Jonathan McMahon, and Councilwoman Elianor Vessali.
6:55 p.m.
Men’s Health Month
The mayor proclaimed June as Men’s Health Month. Pictured below with the mayor are representatives of the Brazos County Health Department.
7:06 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Two people spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
- Councilwoman Elianor Vessali recognized Marine Capt. Lyle L. Gordon as part of the Fallen Heroes Project. The 30-year-old Midlothian native died on Jan. 26, 2005, in a helicopter crash near Ar Rutbah, Iraq.
7:07 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- Authorized the city manager or designee to execute documents for a grant application for police bomb squad equipment to the Office of the Governor’s Homeland Security Division.
- A $418,266.89 contract with Caprock Construction for the development of Northgate Park.
- A change order reducing by $91,555.33 the contract for the Sandy Point Improvements Project.
- An interlocal agreement with Region 8 Education Service Center to participate in The Interlocal Purchasing System.
- A contract not to exceed $162,271.92 with ASAP Security Services for implementing Phase II of the city-wide integrated video surveillance system.
- An annual price agreement not to exceed $712,700 with Techline for wire and cable.
- Services by Global Payments Direct for merchant card and credit card payment processing services: a) additional funding of $285,000 for the second year of the initial contract term ending May 31, 2020; and b) amended the contract to allow for an estimated annual expenditure of $1.3 million.
- An annual contract not to exceed $100,000 with Larry Young Paving for the repaving of utility cuts.
- The first renewal of a contract not to exceed $432,000 with Brazos Paving for the installation of one-inch overlay with specialty mix.
- An annual contract not-to-exceed $101,640 with Buyers Barricades Houston for 2019 Texas A&M football postgame traffic control.
7:14 p.m.
Budget Amendment No. 2
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a $2.33 million amendment to the city’s FY19 budget that includes an attenuator truck and two equipment operators for the Solid Waste Division, parkland dedication funds, an assistant to the city manager, medical claims, and a cemetery water line.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:23 p.m.
Updated Building Permit Fees
The council voted unanimously to adopt amended building permit fees to align with state law and the city’s policy of full fee support for the costs of permitted services.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:32 p.m.
University Drive Rezoning
The council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Office with Corridor Overlay to General Commercial with Corridor Overlay for about three acres at 1101, 1103 and 1105 University Drive East.
The change would allow for a wider range of uses in the existing development.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:48 p.m.
Interlocal Agreement for Prisoners
The council voted unanimously to approve an interlocal agreement with Brazos County to house City of College Station Class C misdemeanor prisoners at $55 each per day.
The Police Department’s new headquarters that will open early next year will not have a holding facility. State Law mandates that the local sheriff accept and house arrests from county agencies that are a Class B misdemeanor and above.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:00 p.m.
Harvey Mitchell Parkway Multi-Use Path
The council voted unanimously to approve a $102,735 contract with Dudley Construction for the Harvey Mitchell Parkway multi-use path landscaping project, which includes trees and shrubs along the existing path between Texas and Welsh Avenues.
The 2013 South Knoll Area Neighborhood Plan gave direction to continue enhancing park and trail facilities. The landscaping project was specifically identified and also helps implement the Comprehensive Plan as it relates to FM2818 as a primary image corridor.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:26 p.m.
Semi-Annual Impact Fee Report
The council voted unanimously to accept the semi-annual report on the system-wide water, wastewater, and roadway impact fees adopted in 2016. The fees have been implemented in phases with full implementation occurring in December.
The city limits bound the service area for roadway impact fees, but service areas for system-wide water and wastewater impact fees also include areas in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. Land use assumptions and the related capital improvement plans were unchanged in the reporting period, and the report documents the fees collected in each service area.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:28 p.m.
Interlocal Agreement with Wellborn SUD
The council voted unanimously to approve an interlocal agreement with the Wellborn Special Utility District for cost participation in the city’s Greens Prairie Trail Phase 1 Widening Project. To reduce costs and make sure the project is completed on schedule, Wellborn SUD will reimburse the city for relocating its water lines located in the city’s right-of-way.
The project will reconstruct and widen Greens Prairie Trail from Royder Road to the city limit and will include the replacement of the existing asphalt pavement with a four-lane concrete section.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:30 p.m.
Greens Prairie Preliminary Engineering Report
The council voted unanimously to approve a $234,500 contract with Jones & Carter for the preliminary engineering report for the rehabilitation of Greens Prairie Trail from Wellborn Road to Victoria Avenue.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:33 p.m.
McCulloch Utility Rehabilitation Project
The council voted unanimously to approve an $839,800 contract with Kimley Horn and Associates for the McCulloch Utility Rehabilitation Project, which includes water and wastewater lines in the Southgate area near Arizona Street, Phoenix Street, Carolina Street, and Georgia Street.
The sewer lines need to be replaced because of service disruptions caused by deteriorating lines, shallow lines, and poor access to mains located near back lot lines. The water distribution lines need to be replaced due to service disruptions caused by deteriorating lines and inadequate fire protection from small lines.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:38 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
8:38 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the regular meeting. The workshop meeting will resume.
8:42 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports.
The council meets again on Thursday, June 27.
About the Blogger
Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.
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