Round Rock City Council Regular Session - August 8, 2024

The Round Rock City Council met in regular session on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 6:03 PM in City Council chambers at 221 E. Main Street. Mayor Craig Morgan presided. Present: Mayor Morgan, Mayor Pro-Tem Kristin Stevens, Council Members Rene Flores, Melissa Fleming, Frank Ortega, and Hilda Montgomery (6). Absent: Council Member Michelle Ly (1). The meeting included a prayer, pledges, a special recognition, a staff presentation, a consent agenda, twelve resolutions, council comments, and an executive session. The meeting adjourned at 9:23 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Items G.1 through G.4 were approved unanimously by a single motion. These included: approval of minutes from July 25, 2024; agreements with HCOP, LLC d/b/a Hill Country Outdoor Power and Thomas Outdoor Power, LLC for small engine parts and repair; and Supplemental Agreement No.1 with FarrWest Environmental Supply, Inc. for highway safety and traffic control products.

Mayor's Special Recognition

• Project Red – A Round Rock High School nonprofit founded in 2022 by two students. Originally formed to send relief to Ukraine, it shifted in 2023 to help Central Texas students experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. The organization holds food and clothing drives, prepares meals and snack kits, and distributes mental health and personal hygiene kits. It has partnered with Round Rock ISD Families in Transition, Hope Austin Group, and received grants from Home Depot and Walmart. Project Red has grown to over 100 volunteers, served 100+ families, and distributed 300–400 sandwiches. Council members commended the founders for their passion and impact, encouraging them to continue.

Staff Presentations

• Library Department Update – Library Director Michelle Cervantes reported on FY2024 achievements. Since moving into the new building, the library has seen: 225,000+ visitors, over 1.2 million circulation, 78,000 cardholders, 51,000 holds fulfilled, 700+ programs (adult literacy and lifelong learning), 5,000+ summer reading registrations, 51 teen volunteers contributing 1,000+ hours, and 9,000 seed packets distributed. The library received the Austin Business Journal’s Best Public Sector Project award, the Achievement and Library Excellence Award for the sixth consecutive year, and was named favorite library in Central Texas by Austin Family Magazine. Council members praised the staff and the downtown location.

Discussion Items / Resolutions

All resolutions (H.1 through H.12) were introduced by staff and passed unanimously (6-0, with Ly absent). Key details:

• H.1 – Quarterly Financial and Investment Report (Q3, June 30, 2024) – CFO Susan Morgan presented. Local unemployment claims down 11% year-over-year. Sales tax revenue only 0.5% higher than last year; property tax collections at 99%. Hotel occupancy at 68%, with 4,959 rooms and two more hotels under construction. Investment portfolio shifted toward treasuries and agencies due to higher short-term rates. A $31 million debt payment due in August causes a portfolio dip.
• H.2 – Property Tax Rate for 2024 – Set maximum rate at $0.36 per $100 valuation (voter approval rate $0.360205; no new revenue rate $0.3371). The increase (from $0.342) includes 1.5 cents attributable to voter-approved public safety debt. The public hearing was set for August 22, 2024.
• H.3 – Heritage Trail East Project Engineering Contract – Authorized agreement with BGE, Inc. for $123,756 to perform environmental work required by a $6.3 million federal grant (80/20 match).
• H.4 – Construction Consulting Services – Authorized agreement with AKH Consulting LLC (Arnie Hammett) for construction oversight of the Old Settlers Buildout Project. Hammett has 10+ years of experience with the city.
• H.5 & H.6 – Old Settlers Buildout Guaranteed Price Amendments – Approved two amendments with SpawGlass Contractors, Inc.: Package 3A.1 (Harrell Parkway) and Package 2 (Lakeview). Harrell Parkway work includes road reconstruction, new connections to Kenney Fort Boulevard, pedestrian bridges for safety, a new stage, and a pavilion overlooking the lake. Safety enhancements involve crossings under Harrell Parkway. The Lakeview package includes the stage and pavilion.
• H.7 – Union Pacific Railroad License Extensions – Approved two $1,000 license agreements to extend access for McNeil Road Extension Railroad Culverts project. The project was delayed because Union Pacific inspectors halted boring operations due to methodology concerns. Design amendments have been approved; the city will rebid construction, potentially at higher cost.
• H.8 & H.9 – Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System Allocated Budgets (FY2025) – Approved budgets for Brushy Creek MUD and Fern Bluff MUD. Budgets include flow charges based on winter usage percentages, capital charges for debt, a 3% administrative fee increase, and capital project contributions.
• H.10 – 84-inch Tunnel Repair Contract – Authorized $269,000 contract with Lewis Concrete Restoration to repair an 84-inch wastewater interceptor pipe near I-35. A Verizon fiber line had bored through the pipe 17 years ago, causing inflow/infiltration (I&I) estimated at 60 gallons per minute. City staff are seeking reimbursement from Verizon (estimated treatment cost ~$1.5 million). Work will be performed at night with safety precautions.
• H.11 – Chandler Road 36-inch Water Transmission Main – Approved contract with C.C. Carlton Industries, LTD for $11.1 million (lowest of seven bidders). Funded by a $14 million Williamson County ARPA grant (shared 50/50 with Georgetown). The line will provide future options for Carrizo Wilcox water and Trinity aquifer wells. Remaining $2.9 million may be used to bore under SH 130 or purchase land for pump station/storage.
• H.12 – Household Hazardous Waste Collection Contract – Authorized a five-year, $196,000 contract with Super Universal Waste, LLC for collection and disposal. Replaces Green Planet. The city’s Recycle Center offers free paint to citizens.

Council Comments

Council members noted the start of the school year and thanked teachers for their work.

Executive Session

At 7:15 PM, the Council recessed into executive session under §551.074 to deliberate on city management personnel. The session lasted until 9:25 PM. The Council reconvened with no action taken, and the meeting was adjourned at 9:23 PM.

Key Outcomes

• All twelve resolutions (H.1–H.12) and the consent agenda were approved by a 6-0 vote (Council Member Ly absent).
• The maximum property tax rate for 2024 was set at $0.36/$100, with a public hearing scheduled for August 22.
• The library was recognized for record usage and multiple awards.
• Project Red was honored for its work supporting homeless and food-insecure students.
• A contract to repair a damaged wastewater tunnel was awarded, with reimbursement sought from Verizon.
• The city authorized a major water transmission line project using federal ARPA funds.