Bryan council advances charter amendment on Texas Avenue medians to special election after large petition drive

Council moved to suspend the rules to consider a citizen-initiated charter amendment (item 6B) early in the agenda and the motion carried unanimously. On the immediate motion for the ordinance calling a special charter amendment election to be held jointly with Brazos County on Nov. 3, council members voted unanimously to approve the ordinance.

Multiple residents addressed the council during public comment urging approval. Jack Robbins, who gave his Bryan address, said the charter amendment would allow voters to decide the future of the medians on Business Route 6/Texas Avenue and recounted his view of the project's history and reported TxDOT involvement. "I urge you to go ahead and pass this thing. Let's see what the people have to say about it," Robbins said.

Denise Friess said volunteers collected and certified 2,868 signatures asking for medians to be removed and recounted an incident where first responders were delayed on Texas Avenue. The mayor and other council members thanked petitioners for their work and noted the council was "listening" to the residents as they advanced the item to election.