The first regular agenda item is about Williams Lake. It concerns rezoning of land in Williams Lake. A decision will need to be made regarding a rezoning application for a property located in Williams Lake.
The first regular agenda item is about Williams Creek Lake Estates. It concerns rezoning of property for the Williams Creek Lake Estates development. A decision will be made on whether to rezone land for the Williams Creek Lake Estates residential development.
The document outlines a master plan for four major areas in the southeast region of College Station: 1) City property fronting Highway 6 surrounded by greenways for trails. 2) The funded Lick Creek Trail connecting to a proposed Southeast Community Park and Spring Creek trail. 3) The 67-acre Southeast Community Park including ballfields, playgrounds, and parking. 4) The Rock Prairie Landfill currently managed by BVSWMA with options for the city to lease or purchase surrounding land for recreational uses including trails, picnic areas, and restrooms.
The document outlines plans for a proposed inclusive playground called Play for All Park in College Station, Texas. It discusses the partnership between the City of College Station, Rotary Club of College Station, and Noon Lions Club of College Station to develop the park. Texas A&M landscape architecture students created conceptual designs for three potential sites. The preliminary timeline estimates presenting to the city council in spring 2014, with construction planned for summer 2015 depending on fundraising. The estimated $2 million budget would come from capital campaigns and city funding.
Current radio systems have problems transmitting inside buildings, creating a safety issue for firefighters. Testing showed that installing radio repeaters on fire engines improved communications and safety when responding to incidents in buildings. The document requests funding to install radio repeaters on all front line vehicles at a cost of $2700 each to address the communication issues.
This document outlines the FY 15 budget process calendar and key issues to address. It provides the budget calendar with dates for staff to prepare the budget, presentations, workshops, hearings, and adoption deadlines. It also notes the budget policies that will guide preparation and issues like economic growth impacting revenues and expenditures through increased demands for public safety, infrastructure, and other services. Next steps include monitoring the economy, revenues, identifying service priorities, and preparing the proposed budget and financial forecast.
The City Council discussed revising an ordinance regarding electronic cigarettes at their September 11, 2014 regular session. The revised ordinance would prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, prohibit minors from possessing or using e-cigarettes, and prohibit e-cigarettes where traditional cigarettes are banned. The revisions address protecting minors, have general consensus around that provision, and allow more time to discuss public use exemptions before bringing options back at a future workshop.
The document outlines the proposed budget for fiscal years 2014-2015 for the City of College Station. It includes $218.9 million for operations and maintenance, $34.2 million for capital projects, for a total proposed budget of $253 million. It also lists the budget calendar, with presentations of the proposed budget in August, public hearings on the tax rate in September, and adoption of the final budget and tax rate by September 22.
The first regular agenda item is about Williams Creek Lake Estates. It concerns rezoning of property for the Williams Creek Lake Estates development. A decision will be made on whether to rezone land for the Williams Creek Lake Estates residential development.
The document outlines a master plan for four major areas in the southeast region of College Station: 1) City property fronting Highway 6 surrounded by greenways for trails. 2) The funded Lick Creek Trail connecting to a proposed Southeast Community Park and Spring Creek trail. 3) The 67-acre Southeast Community Park including ballfields, playgrounds, and parking. 4) The Rock Prairie Landfill currently managed by BVSWMA with options for the city to lease or purchase surrounding land for recreational uses including trails, picnic areas, and restrooms.
The document outlines plans for a proposed inclusive playground called Play for All Park in College Station, Texas. It discusses the partnership between the City of College Station, Rotary Club of College Station, and Noon Lions Club of College Station to develop the park. Texas A&M landscape architecture students created conceptual designs for three potential sites. The preliminary timeline estimates presenting to the city council in spring 2014, with construction planned for summer 2015 depending on fundraising. The estimated $2 million budget would come from capital campaigns and city funding.
Current radio systems have problems transmitting inside buildings, creating a safety issue for firefighters. Testing showed that installing radio repeaters on fire engines improved communications and safety when responding to incidents in buildings. The document requests funding to install radio repeaters on all front line vehicles at a cost of $2700 each to address the communication issues.
This document outlines the FY 15 budget process calendar and key issues to address. It provides the budget calendar with dates for staff to prepare the budget, presentations, workshops, hearings, and adoption deadlines. It also notes the budget policies that will guide preparation and issues like economic growth impacting revenues and expenditures through increased demands for public safety, infrastructure, and other services. Next steps include monitoring the economy, revenues, identifying service priorities, and preparing the proposed budget and financial forecast.
The City Council discussed revising an ordinance regarding electronic cigarettes at their September 11, 2014 regular session. The revised ordinance would prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, prohibit minors from possessing or using e-cigarettes, and prohibit e-cigarettes where traditional cigarettes are banned. The revisions address protecting minors, have general consensus around that provision, and allow more time to discuss public use exemptions before bringing options back at a future workshop.
The document outlines the proposed budget for fiscal years 2014-2015 for the City of College Station. It includes $218.9 million for operations and maintenance, $34.2 million for capital projects, for a total proposed budget of $253 million. It also lists the budget calendar, with presentations of the proposed budget in August, public hearings on the tax rate in September, and adoption of the final budget and tax rate by September 22.
This document requests a comprehensive plan amendment for 3970 Gus Roy Road to change the land use designation from Rural to Restricted Suburban, Wellborn Preserve-Open, and Commercial. It proposes to redesignate parts of the property for residential, open space, and commercial uses to develop a business park with different land uses.
The 2020 incentives compliance report found that six projects were monitored for performance. These projects represented over $405 million in investments and created more than 1,300 jobs with payrolls exceeding $98 million. Specific projects like Advanta US, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies Texas, and LSPI met their investment and job creation requirements. The report provided details on incentives granted and the performance metrics and results for each project.
A market study was conducted in February 2020 through telephone interviews with 600 randomly selected households in Brazos County to determine interest and preferences for a new community recreation center in College Station. The study found that the Central Park and Fire Station 6 locations were preferred and that 4.6% of unaffiliated households expressed great interest in joining a recreation center, higher than the national average. Top programs of interest included an outdoor pool, children's programs, soccer, and teen programs. The city council directed staff to further research operating models and programming partnerships with outside agencies and consider the project alongside other community priorities.
The agenda item discusses a comprehensive plan amendment for 3970 Gus Roy Road. City staff recommends denying the amendment to the comprehensive plan's future land use designation. The Planning & Zoning Commission voted 2-5 to fail a motion to approve the amendment.
The document outlines the City of College Station's proposed debt issuance for fiscal year 2021 totaling $62.443 million. The debt will fund various street, facility, technology, water, wastewater and electric projects. Key details include street projects totaling $21.14 million, vertical/facility/IT projects totaling $1.75 million, and utility projects for water ($8.84M), wastewater ($11.65M), and electric ($16M). General government projects account for 40% of the total issuance and utility projects account for 58%.
This document summarizes a presentation about local historic markers in College Station, Texas. The historic preservation committee's mission is to collect and preserve local history and educate citizens. Their marker program documents structures over 50 years old and businesses over 20 years old, with 105 residential and 13 business markers awarded so far. The application process involves approval by the committee, with an awarded commemorative plaque. One recent marker was awarded to the 1939 Vincent House for its location in the Southside Historic District and its association with local mathematician John Mitchell.
The Historic Preservation Committee presented on their local historic marker program and cemetery projects. The marker program documents the history of structures over 50 years old and businesses over 20 years old through commemorative plaques, having awarded 105 residential and 13 business markers to date. They also discussed documenting and preserving three local cemeteries - College Station Cemetery, Shiloh Cemetery, and Salem Cemetery - through Historic Texas Cemetery Certificates.
The City Council discussed applying for a TxDOT grant to help fund construction of a new shared-use path from the Jones Crossing Development to the Larry Ringer Library. The grant would cover 80% of construction costs, with the city covering the remaining 20% of construction as well as 100% of design costs. Notification of grant funding is expected in October 2021, with construction funds potentially available in fiscal year 2023 or 2024.
The document discusses a public utility easement abandonment at 15301 Creek Meadows Blvd that will be presented at the City Council meeting on May 27, 2021. A location map is included but the specific details of the easement abandonment are not provided in the short document.
This semi-annual report provides updates on the city's impact fee program. It outlines the schedule for the required 5-year update to land use assumptions and the capital improvements plan, which includes appointing an advisory committee, obtaining public and stakeholder input, finalizing amendments, and adopting any changes through an ordinance. The report also includes a table showing the 10-year capital needs and costs for various systems, the maximum and adopted collection rates per service unit, amounts collected in 2016, and projected recovery over 10 years at the collection rate.
The document discusses several existing and potential options for city ordinances to preserve neighborhood integrity, including implementing or modifying neighborhood overlay districts, parking requirements, impervious cover standards, building design standards, and occupancy regulations. Specifically, it outlines options to address parking such as requiring larger parking spaces, one space per bedroom, and driveway designs. It also discusses regulating building placement, size, and types to manage density, occupancy, and aesthetics.
The Northgate Study and Operations Plan document provides recommendations on operations, design elements, and issues regarding a mobility study for the Northgate area. It discusses key issues like day-to-day operations, pedestrian and roadway concerns, and parking supply, demand, and pricing. Funding options presented include generating revenue from current sources, possible changes to rates, comparing to nearby university parking, allocating increased property values, establishing a Public Improvement District or Tax Increment Revitalization Zone. City Council is asked to adopt the Northgate Mobility Study, provide guidance on priorities, and determine the path forward.
The document discusses options for improving the Lick Creek Hike & Bike Trail crossing at Midtown Drive. It notes the existing conditions and provides two options - raising the trail by 2 feet for $100,000-$120,000 or bringing the trail up to the road level and installing a pedestrian refuge and rapid flashing beacon for $250,000-$300,000. A decision on the project will be considered as part of the City Council Workshop Agenda on May 13, 2021.
The document outlines an animal ordinance regarding the housing of fowl. It recommends enclosures be at least 50 feet from neighboring residential structures and limits the number of fowl allowed based on the enclosure's distance from dwellings. For enclosures 50 to 100 feet away, no more than 6 fowl are permitted, and for those over 100 feet, up to 12 fowl are allowed. The ordinance also declares it a nuisance if the keeping of fowl creates odor, noise, attracts pests, or endangers health within the city limits or 5,000 feet outside.
The document discusses the City of College Station's public debt management strategy and plans for fiscal year 2021 debt issuance. It outlines a 4-step process for establishing debt policies, gathering community needs, evaluating resources, and reviewing the strategy. General government and enterprise projects funded by debt since 2015 are shown, with the new police station requiring a 2.5 cent tax rate increase. The anticipated terms and amounts of FY21 debt issuance are provided for various funds. Current planning for a potential 2022 general obligation bond election is also outlined.
The City Council held a retreat in February 2021 to update their strategic plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The plan identifies shared priorities, provides a framework for the annual budget, and highlights the community vision. Key revisions include strategies to engage the public during COVID-19 and share information about fiscal issues, core services, and infrastructure. The proposed fiscal year 2022 initiatives focus on areas like partnerships, broadband expansion, neighborhood issues, economic growth, mobility, and sustainability.
The proposed amendments aim to:
1) Define animal rescue organizations and pet shops or stores.
2) Prohibit commercially raised dogs and cats from being sold at pet shops or stores in College Station.
3) Require pet shops or stores to obtain dogs and cats from animal shelters or rescues and retain records for 3 years.
The City Council meeting discussed a project by Unlimited Potential to fully rehabilitate 1115 Anderson Street. Unlimited Potential presented details on the project description and requested a Section 108 Loan Guarantee from the city to fund the rehabilitation within the proposed time frame. Council members considered authorizing city staff to work with Unlimited Potential on applying for the Section 108 Loan.
The document discusses a rental registration program fee consideration for the city. It provides data on the number of active rental properties from 2015-2021, showing an increase from 5,340 properties in 2015 to 8,930 currently. Failure to register rates have decreased from 9 cases in 2016 to 2 cases in 2020. The number of rentals converting to owner-occupied homes or changing ownership is also presented. The city is considering increasing the one-time rental registration fee from $35 to $60 to move towards fully supporting the program. Noncompliance would result in civil penalties ranging from $25 to $100 depending on the number of days late.
This document requests a comprehensive plan amendment for 3970 Gus Roy Road to change the land use designation from Rural to Restricted Suburban, Wellborn Preserve-Open, and Commercial. It proposes to redesignate parts of the property for residential, open space, and commercial uses to develop a business park with different land uses.
The 2020 incentives compliance report found that six projects were monitored for performance. These projects represented over $405 million in investments and created more than 1,300 jobs with payrolls exceeding $98 million. Specific projects like Advanta US, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies Texas, and LSPI met their investment and job creation requirements. The report provided details on incentives granted and the performance metrics and results for each project.
A market study was conducted in February 2020 through telephone interviews with 600 randomly selected households in Brazos County to determine interest and preferences for a new community recreation center in College Station. The study found that the Central Park and Fire Station 6 locations were preferred and that 4.6% of unaffiliated households expressed great interest in joining a recreation center, higher than the national average. Top programs of interest included an outdoor pool, children's programs, soccer, and teen programs. The city council directed staff to further research operating models and programming partnerships with outside agencies and consider the project alongside other community priorities.
The agenda item discusses a comprehensive plan amendment for 3970 Gus Roy Road. City staff recommends denying the amendment to the comprehensive plan's future land use designation. The Planning & Zoning Commission voted 2-5 to fail a motion to approve the amendment.
The document outlines the City of College Station's proposed debt issuance for fiscal year 2021 totaling $62.443 million. The debt will fund various street, facility, technology, water, wastewater and electric projects. Key details include street projects totaling $21.14 million, vertical/facility/IT projects totaling $1.75 million, and utility projects for water ($8.84M), wastewater ($11.65M), and electric ($16M). General government projects account for 40% of the total issuance and utility projects account for 58%.
This document summarizes a presentation about local historic markers in College Station, Texas. The historic preservation committee's mission is to collect and preserve local history and educate citizens. Their marker program documents structures over 50 years old and businesses over 20 years old, with 105 residential and 13 business markers awarded so far. The application process involves approval by the committee, with an awarded commemorative plaque. One recent marker was awarded to the 1939 Vincent House for its location in the Southside Historic District and its association with local mathematician John Mitchell.
The Historic Preservation Committee presented on their local historic marker program and cemetery projects. The marker program documents the history of structures over 50 years old and businesses over 20 years old through commemorative plaques, having awarded 105 residential and 13 business markers to date. They also discussed documenting and preserving three local cemeteries - College Station Cemetery, Shiloh Cemetery, and Salem Cemetery - through Historic Texas Cemetery Certificates.
The City Council discussed applying for a TxDOT grant to help fund construction of a new shared-use path from the Jones Crossing Development to the Larry Ringer Library. The grant would cover 80% of construction costs, with the city covering the remaining 20% of construction as well as 100% of design costs. Notification of grant funding is expected in October 2021, with construction funds potentially available in fiscal year 2023 or 2024.
The document discusses a public utility easement abandonment at 15301 Creek Meadows Blvd that will be presented at the City Council meeting on May 27, 2021. A location map is included but the specific details of the easement abandonment are not provided in the short document.
This semi-annual report provides updates on the city's impact fee program. It outlines the schedule for the required 5-year update to land use assumptions and the capital improvements plan, which includes appointing an advisory committee, obtaining public and stakeholder input, finalizing amendments, and adopting any changes through an ordinance. The report also includes a table showing the 10-year capital needs and costs for various systems, the maximum and adopted collection rates per service unit, amounts collected in 2016, and projected recovery over 10 years at the collection rate.
The document discusses several existing and potential options for city ordinances to preserve neighborhood integrity, including implementing or modifying neighborhood overlay districts, parking requirements, impervious cover standards, building design standards, and occupancy regulations. Specifically, it outlines options to address parking such as requiring larger parking spaces, one space per bedroom, and driveway designs. It also discusses regulating building placement, size, and types to manage density, occupancy, and aesthetics.
The Northgate Study and Operations Plan document provides recommendations on operations, design elements, and issues regarding a mobility study for the Northgate area. It discusses key issues like day-to-day operations, pedestrian and roadway concerns, and parking supply, demand, and pricing. Funding options presented include generating revenue from current sources, possible changes to rates, comparing to nearby university parking, allocating increased property values, establishing a Public Improvement District or Tax Increment Revitalization Zone. City Council is asked to adopt the Northgate Mobility Study, provide guidance on priorities, and determine the path forward.
The document discusses options for improving the Lick Creek Hike & Bike Trail crossing at Midtown Drive. It notes the existing conditions and provides two options - raising the trail by 2 feet for $100,000-$120,000 or bringing the trail up to the road level and installing a pedestrian refuge and rapid flashing beacon for $250,000-$300,000. A decision on the project will be considered as part of the City Council Workshop Agenda on May 13, 2021.
The document outlines an animal ordinance regarding the housing of fowl. It recommends enclosures be at least 50 feet from neighboring residential structures and limits the number of fowl allowed based on the enclosure's distance from dwellings. For enclosures 50 to 100 feet away, no more than 6 fowl are permitted, and for those over 100 feet, up to 12 fowl are allowed. The ordinance also declares it a nuisance if the keeping of fowl creates odor, noise, attracts pests, or endangers health within the city limits or 5,000 feet outside.
The document discusses the City of College Station's public debt management strategy and plans for fiscal year 2021 debt issuance. It outlines a 4-step process for establishing debt policies, gathering community needs, evaluating resources, and reviewing the strategy. General government and enterprise projects funded by debt since 2015 are shown, with the new police station requiring a 2.5 cent tax rate increase. The anticipated terms and amounts of FY21 debt issuance are provided for various funds. Current planning for a potential 2022 general obligation bond election is also outlined.
The City Council held a retreat in February 2021 to update their strategic plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The plan identifies shared priorities, provides a framework for the annual budget, and highlights the community vision. Key revisions include strategies to engage the public during COVID-19 and share information about fiscal issues, core services, and infrastructure. The proposed fiscal year 2022 initiatives focus on areas like partnerships, broadband expansion, neighborhood issues, economic growth, mobility, and sustainability.
The proposed amendments aim to:
1) Define animal rescue organizations and pet shops or stores.
2) Prohibit commercially raised dogs and cats from being sold at pet shops or stores in College Station.
3) Require pet shops or stores to obtain dogs and cats from animal shelters or rescues and retain records for 3 years.
The City Council meeting discussed a project by Unlimited Potential to fully rehabilitate 1115 Anderson Street. Unlimited Potential presented details on the project description and requested a Section 108 Loan Guarantee from the city to fund the rehabilitation within the proposed time frame. Council members considered authorizing city staff to work with Unlimited Potential on applying for the Section 108 Loan.
The document discusses a rental registration program fee consideration for the city. It provides data on the number of active rental properties from 2015-2021, showing an increase from 5,340 properties in 2015 to 8,930 currently. Failure to register rates have decreased from 9 cases in 2016 to 2 cases in 2020. The number of rentals converting to owner-occupied homes or changing ownership is also presented. The city is considering increasing the one-time rental registration fee from $35 to $60 to move towards fully supporting the program. Noncompliance would result in civil penalties ranging from $25 to $100 depending on the number of days late.
Combined Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) Vessel List.Christina Parmionova
The best available, up-to-date information on all fishing and related vessels that appear on the illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing vessel lists published by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) and related organisations. The aim of the site is to improve the effectiveness of the original IUU lists as a tool for a wide variety of stakeholders to better understand and combat illegal fishing and broader fisheries crime.
To date, the following regional organisations maintain or share lists of vessels that have been found to carry out or support IUU fishing within their own or adjacent convention areas and/or species of competence:
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT)
General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO)
North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)
North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC)
South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (SEAFO)
South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO)
Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA)
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)
The Combined IUU Fishing Vessel List merges all these sources into one list that provides a single reference point to identify whether a vessel is currently IUU listed. Vessels that have been IUU listed in the past and subsequently delisted (for example because of a change in ownership, or because the vessel is no longer in service) are also retained on the site, so that the site contains a full historic record of IUU listed fishing vessels.
Unlike the IUU lists published on individual RFMO websites, which may update vessel details infrequently or not at all, the Combined IUU Fishing Vessel List is kept up to date with the best available information regarding changes to vessel identity, flag state, ownership, location, and operations.
AHMR is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed online journal created to encourage and facilitate the study of all aspects (socio-economic, political, legislative and developmental) of Human Mobility in Africa. Through the publication of original research, policy discussions and evidence research papers AHMR provides a comprehensive forum devoted exclusively to the analysis of contemporaneous trends, migration patterns and some of the most important migration-related issues.
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
A Guide to AI for Smarter Nonprofits - Dr. Cori Faklaris, UNC CharlotteCori Faklaris
Working with data is a challenge for many organizations. Nonprofits in particular may need to collect and analyze sensitive, incomplete, and/or biased historical data about people. In this talk, Dr. Cori Faklaris of UNC Charlotte provides an overview of current AI capabilities and weaknesses to consider when integrating current AI technologies into the data workflow. The talk is organized around three takeaways: (1) For better or sometimes worse, AI provides you with “infinite interns.” (2) Give people permission & guardrails to learn what works with these “interns” and what doesn’t. (3) Create a roadmap for adding in more AI to assist nonprofit work, along with strategies for bias mitigation.
UN WOD 2024 will take us on a journey of discovery through the ocean's vastness, tapping into the wisdom and expertise of global policy-makers, scientists, managers, thought leaders, and artists to awaken new depths of understanding, compassion, collaboration and commitment for the ocean and all it sustains. The program will expand our perspectives and appreciation for our blue planet, build new foundations for our relationship to the ocean, and ignite a wave of action toward necessary change.
This report explores the significance of border towns and spaces for strengthening responses to young people on the move. In particular it explores the linkages of young people to local service centres with the aim of further developing service, protection, and support strategies for migrant children in border areas across the region. The report is based on a small-scale fieldwork study in the border towns of Chipata and Katete in Zambia conducted in July 2023. Border towns and spaces provide a rich source of information about issues related to the informal or irregular movement of young people across borders, including smuggling and trafficking. They can help build a picture of the nature and scope of the type of movement young migrants undertake and also the forms of protection available to them. Border towns and spaces also provide a lens through which we can better understand the vulnerabilities of young people on the move and, critically, the strategies they use to navigate challenges and access support.
The findings in this report highlight some of the key factors shaping the experiences and vulnerabilities of young people on the move – particularly their proximity to border spaces and how this affects the risks that they face. The report describes strategies that young people on the move employ to remain below the radar of visibility to state and non-state actors due to fear of arrest, detention, and deportation while also trying to keep themselves safe and access support in border towns. These strategies of (in)visibility provide a way to protect themselves yet at the same time also heighten some of the risks young people face as their vulnerabilities are not always recognised by those who could offer support.
In this report we show that the realities and challenges of life and migration in this region and in Zambia need to be better understood for support to be strengthened and tuned to meet the specific needs of young people on the move. This includes understanding the role of state and non-state stakeholders, the impact of laws and policies and, critically, the experiences of the young people themselves. We provide recommendations for immediate action, recommendations for programming to support young people on the move in the two towns that would reduce risk for young people in this area, and recommendations for longer term policy advocacy.