WTAW - Interviews

This podcast contains comments from the July 10, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

After Texas A&M students return for the fall semester, they and residents within one mile of the campus will be among those who will be asked about possible parking restrictions in residential neighborhoods.

That follows a College Station city council discussion that includes a parking ban between two and five a.m.

Assistant city manager Jennifer Prochazka said more than once that the intent of possible restrictions is not to get around a new state law eliminating College Station's housing ordinance against overoccupancy.

Prochazka also said the idea of issuing permits to homeowners who could park in front of their homes would be a burden to administer and difficult to enforce.

Five of the seven council members supported a parking ban on residential streets within one mile of the A&M campus between two and five a.m.

City staff will also collect opinions about paid parking on football game days and special events.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the July 10, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

This podcast contains comments of the ceremonial dedication of two new College Station fire department engines on July 15, 2025.

Two new College Station fire engines were ceremonially dedicated into service Tuesday morning (July 15).

The "pushing-in" event is a throwback to when firefighters had to push wagons with water tanks back into garages following fire calls.

One of the new engines is at station two on Rio Grande and the other is at station five on Fitch.

News release from the College Station fire department:

The College Station Fire Department proudly announces the acquisition of two new state-of-the-art fire engines, demonstrating its commitment to protecting this community and improving emergency response capabilities.

These new engines are replacing engines the department has responded in for 16 years. These fire engines represent a significant investment in the safety and well-being of the residents and visitors of College Station.

Equipped with modern technology and equipment, the new engines will enable our firefighters and paramedics to respond safely and effectively to emergencies.

Key features and facts about the new fire engine include:

• These are all-hazards engines that will respond to fires, EMS calls, specialty rescues, and haz-mat emergencies.
• These engines replace 2009 models and are expected to serve this community as frontline response units for the next 15 years.
• Each engine is expected to respond to over 25,000 calls during its service life.
• The engine for Station 2 carries a 750 gallon water tank and a 1,500 gallon-per-minute pump capable of delivering water or firefighting foam. This engine carries additional technical rescue equipment.
• The engine for Station 5 carries a 1000 gallon water tank and a 1,500 gallon-per-minute pump capable of delivering water or firefighting foam. This engine carries additional wildland firefighting equipment.

This podcast is a visit with the general manager of the Wellborn special utility district, Campbell Young, and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

The more than 10,000 customers in the Wellborn special utility district (WSUD) are invited to find out about proposed rate increases at Tuesday night's (July 15) board meeting. 

General manager Campbell Young says the proposal will be posted on the district's website after the meeting and the board will vote next month. 

Young says the revenue will go towards paying for the pipeline to bring treated water to the district from Robertson County. 

Young says the pipelines will bring water that will replace most of what is being purchased from the cities of Bryan and College Station.

The WSUD board meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the district office on Victoria Avenue in College Station.

The agenda also includes awarding a construction contract to build the new wells and appoint a new committee addressing the district's impact fee policy. 

This podcast contains comments from the June 26, 2025 and June 12, 2025 College Station city council meetings.

College Station city council members receive updates on its capital improvement and drainage projects.

Updates in the capital improvements project presentation included the widening of Rock Prairie Road East, the rehabilitation of Krenek Tap Road and Lincoln Avenue, the three new water wells, the rehabilitation of the McColloch area utilities, Bee Creek sewer lines, the Bachmann Park senior and Little League buildings,  the Central Park Operations Shop, improvements at Thomas Park and the Lincoln Recreation Center, Texas Independence Park, the new ballfields at Veterans Park, Fire Station #7, and the sidewalks on Foster Avenue.

The progress of capital projects in College Station can be monitored with an interactive map at cstx.gov/cip.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials about capital improvement projects from the June 26, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

The council reviewed the City’s drainage maintenance standards and possible projects along Bee Creek. 

Bee Creek flooding has generated public comments to the council and staff from homeowners in the Emerald Forest neighborhood. 

The proposed College Station city budget for fiscal year 2026 includes $740,000 dollars for drainage improvements along Bee Creek.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials about drainage projects from the June 12, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

Dr. Daniel Oney, Research Director at the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M, visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber about office space and new development in the College Station-Bryan metro area.

This podcast contains comments from the June 26, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

July marks 14 years since a landfill was closed on Rock Prairie Road east of the freeway. 

College Station mayor John Nichols said during the council's June 26th meeting that the undeveloped part of the property, where the landfill proper was not built, is being considered as a possible site for a new public works complex.

Nichols said the Brazos Valley solid waste management agency gave permission to allow the city to conduct soil tests.

The mayor's comments were made as the council learned that design work is 90 percent complete on rebuilding Rock Prairie Road between Fitch and Town Lake, which is the section that includes the former landfill.

The current design calls for a three lane road with shared use paths and a separated bike lane.

Capital projects director Jennifer Cain said it was possible to make that section a four lane road by taking out the bike lane. 

Cain also said that decision could be considered after a recommended traffic study, which would be done if the council proceeds with building the public works complex at that location.

This podcast contains comments from the July 9, 2025 Bryan city council meeting.

Tuesday's Bryan city council meeting was the first opportunity for members to speak about a regular public speaker, Patrick Giammalva, who passed away on June 21st.

Giammalva spoke at council meetings for eight years, which began before any current member took office.

He also ran for Bryan mayor in 2019 and Bryan council in 2022 and 2024.

Original story, June 26 2025:

A three time candidate for the Bryan city council who ran following his opposition for moving the municipal golf course and turning that land into Midtown Park has died.

Patrick Giammalva was a regular public speaker during council meetings the last eight years.He ran for Bryan mayor in 2019 and Bryan council in 2022 and 2024.

During his last appearance at a regular meeting on June 4, Giammalva began by telling the council "Y'all are doing a great job."That was followed by saying "You know, my goal for the last ten years was to clean up my neighborhood, which is Midtown Park now and the lake, Williamson Park, and Astin Park."

Giammalva then asked the council to use two water wells at Midtown Park to create a lazy river and a splashpad.

The obituary notice from Hillier Funeral Home said  Giammalva was a skilled carpenter by trade and also had a talent for remodeling homes and working with his hands.

Click below to hear Patrick Giammalva's comments at the end of the June 4, 2025 Bryan city council meeting.

Listen to "Death of Bryan city council candidate and a regular speaker at council meetings Patrick Giammalva" on Spreaker.

This podcast is from the Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce leadership luncheon on July 9, 2025.

Chamber president Glen Brewer introduces the luncheon's featured speaker, Ben Keating.

The luncheon, sponsored by the Leadership Brazos alumni association, is the kickoff for those who are interested in applying for the next class of the Leadership Brazos program. Applications from the chamber are due August 1. 

Click HERE for more information about the Leadership Brazos program and how to apply.

This podcast contains comments from the Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce leadership luncheon on July 9, 2025.

Chamber president Glen Brewer is the emcee, and he introduces the following:

• The presentation of the Royce Hickman leadership scholarship (which includes the photo attached to this podcast)
• A Leadership Brazos program overview
• An overview of the Leadership Brazos Alumni Association

Lacey Lively, Bryan's Communications & Marketing Director, visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board, upcoming city events, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.