Meeting Planners Showcase scheduled for March 11
By Kendra Davis, Visit College Station Event Coordinator
The 27th Meeting Planners Showcase set for March 11 at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center allows meeting and event planners to establish relationships with local businesses to make their events successful.
Reflecting on simpler times inspired this year’s theme of “Back to the Basics.” Some 40 vendors — such as caterers, hotels, venues, attractions, event planners, and florists — are participating, and we’ve encouraged them to decorate their booths to underscore the theme.
The showcase is free to the public, starts about 10 a.m., and wraps up at 1 p.m. The event is open not just to local planners but to those in surrounding areas as well. Preregistration is required by March 4. The first 100 attendees through the door receive a free tote bag.
Register for the Meeting Planners Showcase
We’ve also added Q&A sessions to allow vendors to speak to attendees one-on-one and answer questions about their products and services. Here’s the Q&A schedule:
- Party Time Rentals: 10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
- Texas A&M Hotel: 11:30 a.m. – noon
- Visit College Station: 12:15 – 12:45 p.m.
Since we had to cancel last year’s event because of the pandemic outbreak, we’re especially thrilled to host the showcase in-person and show area planners that we’re eager to make their events successful while abiding by established safety protocols.
Join us for this unique, one-stop-shop for effective planning of events and meetings in the Brazos Valley!
About the Blogger
Kendra Davis is in her second year with Visit College Station and her first as event coordinator. She is a certified professional event manager and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and journalism, and event planning and management. Kendra is a native of Clarendon.
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Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Jan. 23)
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Jan. 23. It’s not the official minutes.
The meeting can be watched live on Suddenlink channel 19 or online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
5:29 p.m.
The workshop has started. No action was taken in the executive session.
5:29 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council pulled no items for discussion from the regular meeting’s consent agenda.
6:52 p.m.
Short-Term Rentals
After discussing possible short-term rental housing regulations and hotel occupancy taxes, the council directed staff to draft an ordinance for the council’s consideration.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:19 p.m.
Tree Preservation and Buffering
The council discussed potential regulatory options for new single-family homes to protect existing trees and provide a buffer to existing single-family homes in established neighborhoods. Staff was directed to explore a possible ordinance for the council’s consideration.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:25 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar and heard committee reports, Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop. The regular meeting starts after a short break.
7:36 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:39 p.m.
Hear Visitors
No one spoke during hear visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.
7:40 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- Changed the runoff election to April 18, if needed, after the Jan. 28 special election for Place 4 on the city council.
- An annual purchase agreement not to exceed $115,000 with Fort Bend Services for dewatering chemical.
- Annual purchases not to exceed $150,000 with NAPA Auto Parts (through the Purchasing Solutions Alliance) for auto parts, shop equipment and services.
- An annual blanket purchase order estimated at $150,000 from SiddonsMartin Emergency Group (through the Buy Board Purchasing Cooperative) for repair parts and labor for fire trucks.
- An annual blanket purchase order estimated at $180,000 with Lonestar Freightliner Group (through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative) for repair parts and labor for fire trucks.
- Annual tire purchases and retread services not to exceed $300,000 with Southern Tire Mart (through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative).
- A service contract not to exceed $210,000 with Xpedient Mail for utility bill printing and mailing services.
- An annual service contract estimated at $1,200,000 with Paymentus Corporation for payment processing services.
- The first amendment to an $18,160 agreement with Intrado Interactive Services Corporation for an economic development website.
- A $305,000 contract with Dunham Engineering for designing and inspecting the recoating of the Greens Prairie Elevated Storage Tank.
7:50 p.m.
Building Setback Amendment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to amend the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to allow the reduction of the side-yard building setback for certain single-family zoning districts down to five feet. Fifteen feet of building separation would have to be maintained between primary structures.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:04 p.m.
Tourism Consultant Study
The council directed the city manager to form a selection committee to hire a consultant this spring to study local tourism and explore opportunities to increase hotel occupancy. The council voted unanimously to include a local hotelier as a member of the committee.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
8:06 p.m.
Experience B-CS Appointment
The council voted unanimously to concur with the City of Bryan in appointing Noel Mayes to fill an unexpired term on the Experience Bryan-College Station board. The term expires in October.
8:09 p.m.
Spring Creek LGC Appointments
The council voted unanimously to appoint Jane Kee and Thomas Jackson to the Spring Creek Local Government Corporation board.
8:15 p.m.
Committee Appointments
- The council appointed Mark Smith as the chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustments.
- The council appointed Gerald Burgner, Shirley Dupriest, Lou Hodges, Thomas Smith, and William Wright to the Historic Preservation Committee. Burgner was selected as chairman.
8:18 p.m.
After the council discussed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Feb. 13.
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.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
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:
- Short-Term Rentals: The council will have a workshop discussion about possible short-term rental housing regulations and the collection of hotel occupancy taxes.
- Tree Preservation and Buffering: Another workshop item is potential regulatory options for new single-family homes to protect existing trees and provide a buffer to existing single-family homes in established neighborhoods.
- Building Setback Amendment: After a public hearing, the council will consider amending the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to allow for the reduction of the side-yard building setback for certain single-family zoning districts down to five feet.
- Tourism Market Study: The council will consider engaging an outside consultant to identify opportunities to increase hotel occupancy.
- Board and Committee Appointments: The council will make appointments to the Experience Bryan-College Station board, the Spring Creek Local Government Corporation, the Historic Preservation Committee, and the Zoning Board of Adjustments.
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.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
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 first workshop (about 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meeting of 2020.
Here are five items to watch:
- Local Tourism: The council will receive a workshop report from Experience BCS about its strategies to increase area tourism.
- Hands-Free Ordinance: The council will have a workshop discussion about a potential ordinance to require hands-free use to talk on wireless communication devices while driving.
- University Drive-Eisenhower Rezoning: After a public hearing, the council will consider a request to change the zoning from Office and Duplex to General Commercial for about 1 acre at the intersection of University Drive East and Eisenhower Street. The applicant is preparing the property for commercial redevelopment and lot consolidation.
- Arrington Road Bar Expansion: After a public hearing, the council will consider a conditional use permit for a 1,270 square-foot expansion of The Angry Elephant bar near the southwest corner of Arrington Road and William D. Fitch Parkway.
- Board and Committee Appointments: The council will consider appointments to several local boards, committees, and commissions.
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.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Texas Weekend of Remembrance to honor our fallen
By Gabby Salazar, Tourism Events Supervisor
While other cities in Texas are known for space exploration, kolaches, and live music, College Station has a well-earned reputation for its enthusiastic support for our nation’s armed forces, especially our veterans.
After all, College Station happens to be home to Texas A&M University, which produces more officers than any institution besides the military academies and maintains a 2,000-member Corps of Cadets. More than 1,400 veterans were enrolled at the university last fall.
That makes College Station a natural venue for a Memorial Day weekend event designed for Texans to pay their respects and honor the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives for our country.
The inaugural Texas Weekend of Remembrance will be May 25-27 (Friday-Sunday) at Veterans Park & Athletic Complex. Our goal is to grow the event into an annual Memorial Day mainstay for military members, veterans, their families and the public to remember the fallen.
The commemoration begins Friday, May 25 with softball and flag football teams dedicating their competition to fallen soldiers. The tournaments are coordinated by Heroes Sports, an organization that supports service members and veterans by providing ways to maintain active lifestyles, bond through teamwork, and become active in their communities.
The weekend officially starts Saturday with opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. The schedule includes a motorcade, parachute jump, presentation of colors, rifle salute, and roll call with a ship bell from the USS Kearsarge, which served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Brig. Gen. Joe E. Ramirez, Jr. (Ret.), commandant of the Corps of Cadets, will provide opening remarks, and Maj. Gen. Paul T. Calvert of Fort Hood will give the keynote speech.
Since good music has a unique way of bringing people together, we’ve invited some outstanding artists to entertain our visitors. Saturday’s opening act (6 p.m.) is the Scooter Brown Band, which will be followed by Joe Nichols and Jamey Johnson. On Sunday beginning at 2:15 p.m., Cody Wayne and Aaron Watson will perform.
Before Sunday’s concerts, join us at 8 a.m. for the kid’s mile fun-run and the 5K run/walk. All proceeds will benefit Brazos Valley Cares for the support of veterans and their families who experience financial hardship. After the races, a free breakfast will be provided by the West End Elixir Company at the American Pavilion. Chaplain Benjamin T. Mayhugh of the U.S. Coast Guard will be the speaker.
Concessions will be available for purchase throughout the weekend, with part of the proceeds donated to the Texas A&M University Veterans Resource & Support Center to assist with scholarships. No outside food, drinks or pets are allowed, but you may bring plastic water bottles. Ample parking is available on-site.
The Texas Weekend of Remembrance embraces the tradition and history College Station is known for by highlighting Memorial Day weekend events and related facilities around the community.
For a complete schedule of events and other information, go to cstx.gov/TWR or call 979-764-3486.
About the Blogger
Tourism Events Supervisor Gabby Salazar is in her third year with the City of College Station. Before joining the city staff, she was the night manager at Texas A&M’s Reed Arena. A product of A&M’s sports management program, Gabby earned her bachelor’s degree in 2014 and is working toward her master’s. A native of Alamo, she was also a member of the Aggies’ nationally-ranked track and cross country teams.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (April 23)
![gavel[1]](https://cityofcs.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/gavel1.jpg?w=300)
This is a live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, April 23. It’s not the official minutes.
Both meetings are being broadcast live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and can also be watched online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
5:56 p.m.
The workshop meeting has started.
6:10 p.m. (more…)
