The cities of Bryan and College Station have come to an agreement on their joint landfill dispute. After going through mediation, the two sides ratified a seven-page settlement Monday.

The agreement stipulates:
• Clarification on operational relations between the cities, as well as rights and obligations for contemplated future construction of Twin Oaks Landfill. Both cities will be parties to the Twin Oaks contract, and the award of the bid will be approved by the city councils of both cities.

• Through the administration of the contract for the Twin Oaks Landfill by College Station, the Bryan City Council will have 15 days to reject or approve a matter requiring its approval. Any change order on the construction of the new landfill requiring an expenditure of $25,000 or more must be approved by both cities, and all expenditures on behalf of BVSWMA in excess of $50,000 will be approved by both city councils.

• The City of Bryan shall be notified by BVSWMA staff prior to application of any intended modifications to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) landfill permit. Any amendments to the permit will require the approval of both City Councils prior to application to the TCEQ.

Bryan will ask the judge to postpone the temporary injunction hearing scheduled for Aug. 27 so that the two sides can continue to negotiate to resolve other issues by Nov. 1.

"My fellow council members and I are happy to meet in the middle with Bryan. I want to thank my council for their strength and leadership on this issue," said College Station Mayor Ben White.

"This is really a victory for the entire community," said Bryan Mayor Mark Conlee. "We've both compromised and reached an agreement that better serves the citizens of Bryan and the citizens of College Station."