WEEKLY COUNCIL UPDATE

August 18, 2023

CITY HALL

AGGIELAND SIGN DEBUTS

The much-anticipated I Love Aggieland sign was installed on Thursday and quickly gained attention. U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul joined City Manager Bryan Woods and Mayor John Nichols for the first photo op at the new attraction. On Friday, the sign attracted a steady stream of visitors for photos. The city council approved the sign in February.

Tag us with your photos @visitcstx.

– Jennifer Cain, Capital Projects Director ([email protected])

ELECTRIC SETS ANOTHER

PEAK USAGE RECORD

On Thursday, CSU set a new system peak of 239.062 MWs at around 5:35 p.m. The previous peak was 233.781 MWs at around 5:37 p.m. on Aug. 9. Last year's peak was 230.970 MWs on July 10.

ERCOT has mandatory conservation requirements in place, but CSU reminds its customers that conservation efforts such as raising the thermostat temperature by a couple of degrees, turning off lights and appliances when not in use, and using programmable thermostats to control usage when you're not home can save energy and reduce your electric bill.

– Timothy Crabb, Director of Electric Utility ([email protected])

IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED

AT BEACHY CENTRAL PARK

The improvements project at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park is complete. The work included an accessible fishing dock, a sidewalk and flume to correct drainage issues at the tennis courts, a water fountain at the tennis courts, and an additional flume to address drainage crossing Recreation Drive.

– Jennifer Cain, Capital Projects Director ([email protected])

REVEILLE VISITS CITY HALL

Reveille X, the first lady of Aggieland, took time from her busy schedule to greet city hall employees for a few minutes on Wednesday. Multimedia Coordinator Lucero Valenzuela took an outstanding portrait of Rev in front of city hall.

– Colin Killian, Public Communications Director ([email protected])

PARKS & RECREATION

Pool Season

Cindy Hallaran is closed for the season, and Adamson Lagoon is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day through Sept. 4. The aqua fitness program continues through Sept. 8.

Adult Athletic Leagues

Gather your team and get ready for some friendly competition. Registration for adult leagues for ages 18 and older ends Sunday!

>> Softball League

>> Kickball League

>> Volleyball League

Fees vary, and there are no residency restrictions. Check out our athletic calendar and programs.

Games for All Ages

Challenge your mind and create friendships while playing board games at the Southwood Community Center on Friday, Aug. 25, and Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Admission is free. Enjoy chess, checkers, Catan, and more to challenge your mind and create friendships. All ages are welcome, but an adult must accompany minors.

Senior Night Out: Dancing & Games

Adults 55 and older are invited to an evening of dancing and games dressed in summer-themed attire next Friday from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Recreation Center. Admission is free, and registration is not required. Light refreshments will be available.

Upcoming Parks Events

Friday, Aug. 25

6:30-8:30 p.m., Games for All, Southwood Community Center

7-9:30 p.m., Senior Night Out: Dancing & Games, Lincoln Recreation Center

For complete details, check out our events calendar.

– Kelli Nesbitt, Parks & Recreation Marketing Coordinator ([email protected])

VISIT COLLEGE STATION

BCS Classic

Boomfit-College Station Crossfit hosts its 14^th annual Crossfit Classic next Friday at the Brazos County Expo. Compete College Station staff members will assist organizers and promote College Station services and businesses to participants.

On the Go-Visit College Station will attend three Texas A&M events this month to interact with residents to promote local businesses and tourism-related services.

Visit College Station Booths

Visit College Station Sales Coordinator Kallie Disharoon and Economic Development Coordinator Stacey Vasquez represented the City with a vendor fair booth on Wednesday at Texas A&M's New Faculty Orientation.

On Wednesday, intern Shannen Novak joined Disharoon at a Visit College Station booth at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center Showcase.

Global Welcome Party

Texas A&M hosts its Global Welcome Party next Friday from 5-9 p.m. at Aggie Park to welcome and celebrate international students, faculty, families, and friends. Intern Madison Palmer will help Disharoon operate Visit College Station's Mobile Visitors Center. They will provide information and giveaways to attendees to promote businesses as upcoming events.

Connect Marketplace

Sales Coordinators Hannah Burkig and Taylor Carr will represent College Station at the Connect Marketplace next Tuesday-Thursday in Minneapolis. The pair have 40 individual appointments with sports or specialty event planners. They expect to establish new contacts and identify prospects considering future events in College Station. They are researching and matching with representatives interested in our area in preparation for the trip.

– Cameron Hill, Marketing Manager, Economic Development & Tourism ([email protected]v)

CITY EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZED

WITH KBB AWARDS

Engineering Program Specialists David Vaughn and Solid Waste Equipment Operator Danny Garcia were recognized for the positive impact of their work on the environment on Thursday at Keep Brazos Beautiful's annual awards and scholarship luncheon.

Vaughn was given the Emerging Leader Award for managing a pair of often-overlooked environmental programs that directly benefit the community and the regional watershed.

The Community Rating System program through NFIP and FEMA sets measurable goals of reducing a community's flood losses, producing accurate insurance ratings, and has an extensive educational outreach program. Participating cities must exceed minimum NFIP standards through participation and an extensive bi-annual auditing process. The City of College Station is classified as a Class-6 Community for providing residents with a 20% discount on flood insurance policies primarily due to Vaughn's efforts.

He also oversees the Stormwater Management Program, which aims to reduce stormwater pollutants by meeting minimum control measures and best management practices annually. The task takes constant management, coordination among city departments, and enforcement to ensure waterways stay pollutant-free.

Garcia was given the Community Stewardship Award for having a tremendous impact on improving our community.

He has been a devoted member of the city's Solid Waste Division for 28 years, providing exemplary services. Garcia has worked on the four-man boom team for two decades, and in the last seven years, the group has collected more than 47 million pounds of brush diverted from landfill disposal and mulched for compost. His service areas include Woodcreek, Emerald Forest, Edelweiss, Trace Meadows, Sun Meadows, Dove Crossing, Southern Trace, Mission Ranch, Great Oaks, and Pebble Creek.

In addition to his outstanding daily work, Garcia is a wonderful neighbor, friend, mentor, and a calm presence for the greenhorns in the division. The city consistently receives praise and kudos regarding his work and ability to make youngsters along his route smile.

Congratulations, David and Danny!

– Caroline Ask, Solid Waste Division Manager ([email protected])

CUSTOMER PRAISES

WATER SERVICES STAFF

Water Resource Coordinator Jennifer Nations received a kind thank you card this week from a customer on Francis Drive praising Distribution and Collection Operator Michael Oliney and apprentice Operator Dylan Hudgins for their assistance with a neighbor's leaking irrigation system:

"Words cannot express the appreciation for what your team did for me @ 1205 Francis. The pair who responded were thorough and professional. After they investigated, they met one of the owners of where the water issue was coming from. My neighbor advised the system had been turned off. The city employee advised if you did that, you have not turned the irrigation system off. A while later, the water stopped flowing. My neighbor did not know how to turn off the water. So glad I called the city and that you helped. Thank you!"

– Alan Gibbs, Assistant Water Services Director ([email protected])