Video: Why are there cameras on traffic signal arms?

In this episode of “Actually…,” City Traffic Engineer Troy Rother says people often often mistake the purpose of the cameras mounted on top of traffic signal mast arms. The cameras simply detect vehicles at the intersection and give them a green light so they don’t have to wait as long.
– Public Communications Office
Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (Aug. 13)

By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Aug. 13. It’s not the official minutes.
The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. To hear the meeting online, go to Zoom or call 888-475-4499 and enter meeting number 945 5259 1668.
6:03 p.m.
The workshop has started. The council took no action from its executive session.
6:10 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council discussed these items from the consent agenda, which will be considered in tonight’s regular meeting:
- George Bush Drive Landscaping: The agreement with TxDOT is for the maintenance of landscaping along George Bush Drive. TXDOT will be installing raised medians from Rosemary Lane to Timber Street. Planter boxes will be installed within the medians along with trees, shrubs, turf plantings, irrigation systems, and other aesthetic elements. The city would maintain landscape elements in the right-of-way.
- FM2818 Landscaping: The agreement with TxDOT is for the maintenance of landscaping along FM 2818. As part of the FM 2818 widening project, TXDOT will install landscaping improvements from University Drive to Wellborn Road. The improvements will include trees, shrubs, turf plantings, irrigation systems, and other aesthetic elements. The city would maintain landscape elements in the right-of-way.
- Aggie Football Postgame Traffic Control: The $104,965 contract with Buyers Barricades is for 2020 Texas A&M football postgame traffic control. After each A&M home game, Public Works manages several operations to improve mobility along the roadways. A contractor deploys traffic control devices that close some access points to increase capacities to move football fans safely and efficiently away from Kyle Field. The university reimburses the city for 50% of costs.
6:43 p.m.
Rental Registration
The council heard a presentation about the rental registration program’s history since its adoption in 2009.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
6:45 p.m.
After the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports, Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop. The regular meeting starts after a short break.
6:52 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
6:56 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.
6:57 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda.
- Amended the dates and times for early voting in the general and special runoff election on Nov. 3 to elect four city council members.
- An agreement with TxDOT for the maintenance of landscape along George Bush Drive.
- An agreement with TxDOT for the maintenance of landscape along FM 2818.
- An interlocal agreement with the College Station ISD for standby ambulance service.
- Awarded a $139,496 contract to CF McDonald Electric to install previously purchased VFD at Dowling Road Pump Station.
- The 2020-24 Consolidated Plan.
- The FY2021 Annual Action Plan and Community Development Budget.
- A $34,727 advance funding agreement with TXDOT for the city’s contribution for signal improvements at the Wellborn Road-Holleman Drive intersection.
- A $246,681 advance funding agreement with TXDOT for the city’s contribution for utility relocations for the Wellborn-Road-Holleman Drive intersection project.
- A $91,427 advance funding agreement with TXDOT for the city’s contribution for signal improvements at the intersections of Texas Avenue at Walton Drive and University Drive at Nimitz Street.
- An award not to exceed $750,000 to Southern Electric Corporation of Mississippi for overhead electric distribution construction and maintenance.
- A $600,000 contract with Electrical Consultants for engineering services.
- An inter-local agreement with Brazos County and the City of Bryan for the 2020 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program. College Station has been allocated $13,416.40 for law enforcement programs.
- A $104,965 contract with Buyers Barricades for 2020 Texas A&M Football postgame traffic control.
- An annual contract not to exceed $150,000 with Rios Tree Services for tree trimming and removal services.
- A resolution selecting a depository bank and authorizing the mayor to enter into the contract on the city’s behalf.
- An annual price agreement not to exceed $189,000 with Techline for air switches.
- An amendment not to exceed $99,982 to an agreement with Invoke for additional implementation services for Microsoft solutions.
7:01 p.m.
FY21 Budget Public Hearing
The council conducted a public hearing on the city’s proposed FY21 budget, which is scheduled to be adopted on Aug. 27. The budget was presented to the council on July 23, followed by three budget workshops on July 27-29.
No one signed up to speak in the public hearing.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:09 p.m.
FY21 Tax Rate Discussion
The council voted unanimously to keep the FY 21 property tax rate the same as the current rate of $0.534618 per $100 of assessed value. Since the rate does not exceed the no-new-revenue or voter-approval tax rates, a public hearing was not required under state law.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:17 p.m.
Midtown Drive-SH 6 Water Tower
The council voted unanimously to approve a $6.6 million contract with CB&I Storage Tank Solutions for the construction of a 3-million gallon water tower near the intersection of Midtown Drive (formerly Lakeway Drive) and State Highway 6.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:25 p.m.
Fitch Parkway Rehabilitation
The council voted unanimously to approve an $812,000 contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for construction services for the rehabilitation of William D. Fitch Parkway from State Highway 30 to Rock Prairie Road. That section of Fitch has started to fail because of increased heavy loads and truck traffic to the Twin Oaks Landfill.
Here’s the PowerPoint Presentation:
7:27 p.m.
After the council discussed future agenda items, Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, Aug. 27.
Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as the 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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5 things to watch at Thursday’s city council meetings

By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
The College Station City Council meets Thursday by teleconference for its workshop (no sooner than 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings.
The live audio will be streamed on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. To join the meeting online, go to Zoom or call 888-475-4499 and enter meeting number 998 0711 3729.
If you want to address the council about any agenda item — or about non-agenda topics during Hear Visitors — register with the city secretary before the meeting by calling 979-764-3500 or emailing CSO@cstx.gov before the meeting starts. Written comments submitted to CSO@cstx.gov will be provided to the council members.
Here are five items to watch:
- Tenant-Based Rental Assistance: As part of the consent agenda, the council will consider Tenant-Based Rental Assistance guidelines to assist households unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 disaster declarations. The guidelines would reprogram $475,000 in existing federal grants.
- Former Police Station: Another consent item is a three-year, $1.02 million lease of the old police station at 2611 Texas Avenue to International Leadership of Texas.
- TxDOT Funding Agreements: The council will consider two advance funding agreements with the Texas Department of Transportation. The city would contribute about $35,000 for signal improvements at the intersection of George Bush and Dexter Drive and $323,345 for signal improvements that are part of the FM 2818 widening project.
- Dowling Road Rezoning: After a public hearing, the council will consider a request to change the zoning from Rural, Office, and Light Commercial to General Commercial for about 15 acres at 95 North Dowling Road B, 101 North Dowling Road A & B, 103 North Dowling Road, and 107 North Dowling Road. The change would better fit the Comprehensive Plan’s designation for more intense uses.
- Short-Term Rental Ordinance: The council will consider regulating short-term housing rentals such as Airbnbs. The proposed ordinance would place the units into three categories and restricts the zoning district based on owner occupancy. The directive would also provide clarity on bed-and-breakfast facilities and establishes regular inspections.
Related Links:
Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as the 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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What’s the deal with the signal timing on University?

By Troy Rother, City Traffic Engineer
Few things are more frustrating than being stuck in seemingly endless traffic.
If you’ve driven down University Drive in Northgate in the last couple of weeks, you’ve probably faced extraordinarily long wait times. A soon as you go through a green light, the next light turns red. At times, it takes 15 or 20 minutes to travel a single mile.
Let me assure you, we share your frustration and apologize deeply for the inconvenience.
Allow me to explain what’s behind all the chaos. It won’t ease your frustration, but at least you’ll know what’s going on.
Our contractor activated the reconstructed Northgate traffic signals on Aug. 22. Regrettably, the signal contractor didn’t have his subcontractors present for the activation as the city had directed. As a result, the detection systems didn’t function properly, which caused the traffic signal to give the maximum green time for all approaches — even if a vehicle wasn’t present on that approach.
Rest assured we’re working diligently with the subcontractors to correct the problem. We’ve developed coordinated timing plans for the corridor and are installing them this week. We’re also working on camera activation, emergency vehicle recognition, and getting the signals to talk to one another.
That said, it’s essential to keep in mind that the focus of the entire project is pedestrian safety in an area bustling with thousands of students. Recent pedestrian accidents in the area – including several tragic fatalities – led the city to work with the university and the Texas Department of Transportation to make necessary changes.
The good news is that we expect to have the final timings installed the week of Sept. 9. The complex project was supposed to be finished months ago, but weather and utility conflicts created numerous delays.
When fully implemented, the signal timings will have an exclusive pedestrian-only phase for walking and cycling traffic to cross University Drive or the minor roadway at the intersection. During this time, all vehicular traffic will be stopped, including right-turning vehicles.
The pedestrian-only phase will undoubtedly create delays for motorists, but benefits include a safer situation for pedestrians and no pedestrian conflicts for vehicles attempting to turn onto University Drive. For example, we observed traffic at the Nagle intersection this week and saw 12 vehicles turning left onto University instead of the usual four because the vehicles didn’t have to wait for pedestrians to cross during motorists’ green light.
Our overriding goal will always be to operate and maintain a safe and efficient transportation system. Unfortunately, the complexities involved sometimes create frustrations and inconveniences for us all. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
About the Blogger
Troy Rother has been College Station’s city traffic engineer since 2003. He previously served as an engineer with the Texas Department of Transportation and in the private sector with Wilbur Smith Associates. Troy earned bachelor’s (1997) and master’s (1998) degrees in civil engineering from Texas A&M.
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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:
- Thomas Park Improvements: In the workshop, the council will discuss options for improvements to Thomas Park. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommends a covered tennis court, a dog park and two covered picnic tables on the park’s north end.
- Traffic Signal at Barron-Alexandria: The consent agenda includes a $282,000 contract to install a traffic signal at the Barron Road-Alexandria Avenue intersection.
- Water Conservation and Drought Plans: Also on the consent agenda are updates to the city’s drought contingency and water conservation plans.
- Bird Pond Road Development: After a pair of public hearings, the commission will consider a request to change the land use and zoning for about 13 acres northeast of the Rock Prairie-Bird Pond intersection. The changes would allow the development of a residential subdivision.
- Lick Creek Sewer Line: The council will consider a $10.9 million contract with Thalle Construction for the Lick Creek Trunk Line Project. The sewer line will extend from the Lick Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant through the southern boundary of Pebble Creek Country Club and tie into an existing line north of Fitch Parkway.
Related Links:
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!