(PHOTO BY INDIA KENNER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
ROAD COMPLAINT … Bryan resident Steve Cox speaks to council about issues on Huntington Drive.
By: India Kenner
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
india@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan City Council met on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024 at 5:30 pm with all members present Mary Leatherman from Ward 1, Richard Hupe from Ward 2, John Betts from Ward 3, Stephen Alspaugh from Ward 4, Jim Kozumplik At Large. Mayor Carrie Schlade, Clerk/Treasurer Patrica Buda, Police Chief Greg Ruskey, Fire Chief Douglas Pool, City Engineer Brian Wieland, and a few community members.
The meeting was called to order by Leatherman promptly at 5:30 pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The council approved the minutes from the October 21st meeting.
Next on the agenda was a hearing of public concerns. Resident Steve Cox approached the council to address concerns about the road repair work on Huntington Drive and paving issues near Eastland Estates.
He had said that the street department chip and sealed and then placed tar over that work that was already breaking apart and that some residents had gravel and tar in yards as well as a damaged mailbox.
Council members Leatherman and Alspaugh explained to Mr. Cox that paving that area would be inconvenient and costly and no other residents seemed concerned.
Mayor Schlade interjected that the city hired a private company instead of the street department because of the extent of complaints from Mr. Cox.
The council informed Cox that he could have residents in that area sign a petition if they wanted to go with paving vs. chip and sealed.
City Engineer Brian Wieland explained to Cox what materials are used in the chip and seal and explained the process. Mr. Cox did not agree and his time at the podium ran out.
Patrica Buda presented item number four, an ordinance to amend section 509.12 entitled excessive noise.
Mayor Schlade said that the ordinance has a few issues and asked that it be amended to allow construction until 9 pm and refuse service to start at 5 am.
Motion to suspend the rules by Kozumplik and seconded by Hupe. Motion to approve by Betts and seconded by Alspaugh.
Next up was an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a work authorization agreement with Arcadis US INC to provide additional basic design phase scope of services for the City of Bryan’s wastewater treatment plant secondary treatment improvements phase one project and appropriating $120,000 for this agreement. This includes a stormwater system.
Motion to suspend the rules by Alspaugh and seconded by Kozumplik. Motion to approve by Betts and seconded by Hupe.
Ordinance 41-2024 is an Ordinance to establish the Bryan mayor’s salary for the years 2026-2029. Motion to approve by Alspaugh and seconded by Hupe. Ordinance 42-2024 to establish salaries for council members for the calendar year beginning in 2026.
Motion to Suspend the rules by Betts and seconded by Alspaugh with motion to approve by Hupe and seconded by Kozumplik.
Bryan engineer Brian Wieland approached the council with resolution 39-2024, a resolution approving the community reinvestment area tax exemption application submitted by Doc’s Diesel who purchased 15 acres.
Motion to suspend the rules by Betts and seconded by Alspaugh. Motion to approve by Hupe and seconded by Kozumplik.
Fire Chief Douglas Pool presented to the council Ordinance 43-2024, an ordinance to authorize the mayor to enter into contracts on behalf of the Bryan Fire Department for mutual aid or fire prevention services for 2025 to Jefferson Township.
Motion to suspend the rules by Alspaugh and seconded by Betts. Motion to approve by Hupe and by Kozumplik.
Police Chief Greg Ruskey presented Resolution 40-2024, a resolution authorizing the police chief of the City of Bryan to apply for grants for the department.
Motion to suspend the rules by Betts and seconded by Hupe followed by a motion to approve from by Kozumplik and seconded by Alspaugh.
Resolution 41-2024 authorizing the clerk-treasurer to advertise bids for safe routes to school sidewalk project known as WIL-CR502-0.37.
Motion to suspend the rules by Alspaugh and seconded by Betts and a motion to approve by Kozumplik and seconded by Hupe.
Mayor Schlade requested that the council waive the hearing for the liquor permit for Jacks Corner Mart because it is just a name change and renewal.
The Bryan City Council meeting adjourned at 6:06 pm. The next meeting will be held on November 18th at 5:30 pm.