OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Round Rock City Council Meeting – September 12, 2024

City Council — Thursday, September 12, 2024
BodyRound Rock, Texas
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, September 12, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Tonight's tonight's invitation will be given by Pastor Glenda Whitehead of Journey of Faith United Methodist Church.

0:09

Pastor, thank you for being here.

0:11

Thank you.

0:12

Let us pray.

0:14

Gracious and loving God who is known by many names and found in many faith traditions.

0:21

We pause to pray to you this day.

0:23

As we gather here to consider the business of our city, we pause to give thanks for the men and women of this council who give so freely and unselfishly of their time to be in service to others.

0:35

We give in thanks as well for the paid employees of our city who give much of themselves as they carry out their duties each day.

0:43

We are so blessed, oh God, to live in Round Rock, a place where crime is low and opportunities are abundant.

0:49

We are blessed by a city that celebrates diversity and the full inclusion of all God's children.

0:55

May we never take those blessings for granted.

0:58

Guide our leaders as they make decisions, set policies, and issue proclamations that will shape our collective future.

1:05

As they deliberate, debate, and discuss, help them to consider all who will be affected by what they decide.

1:12

Be present in these proceedings, touching hearts, opening minds, that your way might truly become our way.

1:20

Amen.

1:21

Thank you, Pastor.

1:23

I'll call the six o'clock.

1:24

Uh City Councilman to order.

1:26

Megan, please call the row.

1:28

Mayor Morgan.

1:29

Here.

1:29

Mayor Pratim Stevens.

1:30

Here.

1:31

Councilmember Lee?

1:32

Here.

1:32

Councilmember Flores?

1:33

Here.

1:33

Councilmember Fleming?

1:34

Here.

1:35

Councilmember Orteka?

1:36

Here.

1:36

Councilmember Montgomery.

1:37

Here.

1:38

All right, if you can stand with me for the pledges.

1:44

I pledge allegiance.

1:59

Honor the Texas flag.

2:00

I pledge allegiance to the Texas one state.

2:05

Under God, one and individual.

2:13

All right, citizen communication.

2:16

Any citizen wishes to speak during citizens in communication regarding item on or off the gym may do so after completing the required registration card.

2:22

All comments must be no more than three minutes in length per section 2-26.

2:26

B5 of the Round Rock Code of Ordinance 2018 edition.

2:29

Any comments card and items not on the post of Jim may not be discussed or responded to by the city council per state law.

2:39

All right, seeing none, we'll go to proclamations.

2:44

E1, consider proclaiming September 2024 as Hispanic Heritage Month in the city of Round Rock.

2:51

And before I turn this over to Councilmember Ortega, I just want to tell the group, David Gordon, all of you that uh great event on Saturday, and thank you for uh having us uh out for Amistad.

3:02

Thank you for being there.

3:03

Councilmember Ortega.

3:06

Whereas each year, the United States of America observes National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the culture, heritage, and countless contributions of those who came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbeans, Central America, and South America.

3:22

And whereas Hispanic Heritage has been celebrated officially since 1968, and whereas we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to show our gratitude for the achievements, inspiration, and service our Hispanic and Latino community provide every day.

3:38

And whereas Hispanic and Latino individuals help drive our business economic economy as workers, business owners, and entrepreneurs, enrich our achievement, environmental environment as teachers, professors, engineers, participate in the good governance and betterment of our society, and ensure our health and community as nurses, doctors, caretakers, and child care workers.

4:06

Now, therefore, I, Craig Morgan, Mayor of the City of Round Rock, do by here do hereby proclaim September 15th through October 15, 2024 as the Hispanic Heritage Month.

4:20

Thank you.

4:27

Gordon, would you like to say so?

4:29

Gordon or David, whoever wants to come up and say a few words, real quick.

4:37

Thank you very much.

4:38

Um Mayor Morgan, uh, honorable chairman and chair ladies of the city council.

4:44

Uh it has been an honor to serve with this club since uh the beginning of it.

4:50

Uh it was before my time, but since 1968, uh Round Rock Alumno Site Club has been uh doing good deeds and good work and connected with the city of Round Rock.

5:04

Uh and for 54 years, we have had a Fiesta growing here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Technology and Innovation████████████12%
Planning and Development████████████12%
Budget Equity Analysis███████████11%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████10%
Public Safety██████████10%
Procedural█████████9%
Public Works███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Local Business Promotion██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Round Rock City Council Meeting – September 12, 2024

The Round Rock City Council met on September 12, 2024, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, adoption of the consent agenda, approval of the FY 2024-2025 budget and property tax rate, and a series of resolutions covering public safety technology, infrastructure projects, and interlocal agreements. All items on the agenda were approved unanimously.

Proclamation

  • The Council proclaimed September 15 through October 15, 2024, as Hispanic Heritage Month in Round Rock. David Gordon of the Round Rock Amistad Club accepted the proclamation.

Consent Calendar

  • F.1 Approved minutes from the August 22, 2024 meeting.
  • F.2 Approved an agreement with Ace Flooring Solutions, LLC for flooring installation and refinishing services.
  • F.3 Approved Change Order No. 1 with Fuquay, Inc. for the Cycle 3 – Basins 4 and 5 Manhole Rehabilitation Project.
  • F.4 Approved an ordinance amending Chapter 44 (water, sewer, reuse, and stormwater rates and deposit requirements) on second reading. A citizen, Ms. Conrad, spoke during public comment expressing concern about the rate increases, stating that residents are suffering from rising utility costs and asking for a breakdown of how water utility revenue is spent. City staff responded that the rates had not increased in over three years, that growth-related impact fees are paid by businesses, and that they would provide the requested breakdown.

Ordinances

  • H.1 Adopted the FY 2024-2025 Annual Budget of $682.2 million on second reading. The budget includes $169 million in the general fund, 26 new staff (including 10 police officers and fire staff for new stations), $85 million for public safety, $37 million for parks and sports tourism, and $41 million for water/wastewater/storm drainage. The budget is the first year of a $1.3 billion community investment program, with 53% funded without debt.
  • H.2 Adopted the 2024 Property Tax Rate of $0.36 per $100 valuation (a 2.9 cent or 8.6% increase over the current rate of $0.342). This equates to an approximately $9 increase for the median homeowner. The rate is below the voter approval rate and is the lowest in the area. The increase is partly for voter-approved bond programs and public safety.
  • H.3 Approved an ordinance (first reading) increasing the City Manager’s authority to contract for pre-approved budgeted items from a lower amount to $350,000. A subsequent motion to dispense with the second reading was approved unanimously.

Resolutions (G.1 – G.22)

All resolutions were adopted unanimously. Key items include:

  • G.1 Authorized the City Manager to execute contracts for pre-approved budgeted items up to $350,000.
  • G.2 Ratified the property tax increase reflected in the FY 2024-2025 budget (state law requirement).
  • G.3 Approved a supplemental agreement with Witmer Public Safety Group for fire equipment (additional $200,000).
  • G.4 Approved a five-year, $4.386 million Software as a Service agreement with Tyler Technologies for a new public safety computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and records management system (RMS), replacing the current 10-year-old system. Funding includes $2 million from Congressman Carter’s office.
  • G.5 Approved a five-year, $4.446 million agreement with Axon Enterprises for body-worn camera and in-car camera system refresh and evidence storage.
  • G.6 Approved a $600,000 professional consulting agreement with Better Trees of Texas for tree broker services to secure tree stock for the Old Settlers Park project, addressing tree canopy loss from a freeze years ago.
  • G.7 Approved Change Order No. 5 ($208,396) with Patin Construction for the Heritage Trail West Project, covering painting of the spiral and rock placement.
  • G.8 Approved an agreement with TK Elevator Corporation for elevator modernization at the Baca Center (30-week lead time; ADA accessibility will be maintained).
  • G.9 Approved selection of Hensel Phelps Construction Company as Construction Manager at Risk for the Bob Bennett Complex Phases II, III, and IV project.
  • G.10 Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Capital Metro for Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 program funds (FY 2025-2026).
  • G.11 Approved a second amendment to the interlocal agreement with Capital Metro for transit services, including fixed route and commuter service. Staff reported fixed route ridership was just over 50,000 in FY2018, peaked in 2019, declined during COVID, recovered slightly in 2022, and leveled off with a slight decrease in 2024 after eliminating Route 51. The paratransit program (Round Rock Rides) saw substantial increases after citywide expansion in July 2024.
  • G.12 Approved the competitive sealed proposal delivery method for the Chisholm Trail Road – South Project to allow flexibility in cost, timeline, and experience.
  • G.13 Approved a $13.12 million contract with Dan Williams Company for the County Road 112 West Project, well below the engineer’s estimate of over $20 million.
  • G.14 Approved Change Order No. 3 ($377,334) with Jordan Foster Construction for the Kenney Fort Boulevard Segment 4C Project, primarily due to excavation/embankment discrepancies.
  • G.15 Approved a reimbursement agreement with Google Fiber, Inc. for conduit installation related to the Gattis School Road Segment 3 Project (estimated $172,268 reimbursement).
  • G.16 Approved a Rule 11 Settlement Agreement with Market Plaza, LLC for acquisition of 0.064 acre fee simple and 0.159 acre temporary construction easement needed for Gattis School Road Segment 6 (total settlement $415,000; additional $229,835).
  • G.17 Approved a real estate contract with Menfi A. Management, LP for a 0.297 acre right-of-way parcel for Gattis School Road Phase 6 (additional $23,512; total $116,500).
  • G.18 Approved a $3.34 million contract with Austin Underground, Inc. for the SH29 Raw Water Line Relocation (I-35 to Wolf Ranch Pkwy) to relocate a 30-inch water line out of pavement.
  • G.19 Approved a $270,598 engineering services contract with Cobb Fendley & Associates for the SH45 and A.W. Grimes Wastewater Line Upsize Project, funded by developer payments.
  • G.20 Approved a $3.8 million contract with Royal Vista, Inc. for Round Rock West Area 5 Water, Wastewater, and Storm Drain Improvements Project (engineer’s estimate was $4.4 million).
  • G.21 Approved a $650,000 agreement with Zone Industries (Precision Pump Systems) for pumping equipment and repair at the regional wastewater plant (cost shared among four cities; Round Rock’s share ~60%).
  • G.22 Approved a five-year, $1.25 million contract with Solenis, LLC for bulk flocculant polymer for the regional wastewater plant (cost shared among four cities).

Appointments

  • I.1 Appointed Brian Coon as primary member and Gerald (last name not stated) as alternate member to the CAMPO Technical Advisory Committee.

Key Outcomes

  • All agenda items (proclamation, consent agenda, ordinances, resolutions, and appointments) were approved unanimously with no dissenting votes.
  • The FY 2024-2025 budget of $682.2 million and property tax rate of $0.36 per $100 valuation were adopted.
  • The City Manager’s contracting authority was increased to $350,000.
  • Major technology investments: new CAD/RMS system (Tyler Technologies) and refreshed body/vehicle cameras (Axon) were approved.
  • Multiple infrastructure contracts and change orders were authorized for road, water, wastewater, and park projects.

Meeting Transcript

Tonight's tonight's invitation will be given by Pastor Glenda Whitehead of Journey of Faith United Methodist Church. Pastor, thank you for being here. Thank you. Let us pray. Gracious and loving God who is known by many names and found in many faith traditions. We pause to pray to you this day. As we gather here to consider the business of our city, we pause to give thanks for the men and women of this council who give so freely and unselfishly of their time to be in service to others. We give in thanks as well for the paid employees of our city who give much of themselves as they carry out their duties each day. We are so blessed, oh God, to live in Round Rock, a place where crime is low and opportunities are abundant. We are blessed by a city that celebrates diversity and the full inclusion of all God's children. May we never take those blessings for granted. Guide our leaders as they make decisions, set policies, and issue proclamations that will shape our collective future. As they deliberate, debate, and discuss, help them to consider all who will be affected by what they decide. Be present in these proceedings, touching hearts, opening minds, that your way might truly become our way. Amen. Thank you, Pastor. I'll call the six o'clock. Uh City Councilman to order. Megan, please call the row. Mayor Morgan. Here. Mayor Pratim Stevens. Here. Councilmember Lee? Here. Councilmember Flores? Here. Councilmember Fleming? Here. Councilmember Orteka? Here. Councilmember Montgomery. Here. All right, if you can stand with me for the pledges. I pledge allegiance. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to the Texas one state. Under God, one and individual. All right, citizen communication. Any citizen wishes to speak during citizens in communication regarding item on or off the gym may do so after completing the required registration card. All comments must be no more than three minutes in length per section 2-26. B5 of the Round Rock Code of Ordinance 2018 edition. Any comments card and items not on the post of Jim may not be discussed or responded to by the city council per state law. All right, seeing none, we'll go to proclamations. E1, consider proclaiming September 2024 as Hispanic Heritage Month in the city of Round Rock. And before I turn this over to Councilmember Ortega, I just want to tell the group, David Gordon, all of you that uh great event on Saturday, and thank you for uh having us uh out for Amistad. Thank you for being there. Councilmember Ortega. Whereas each year, the United States of America observes National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the culture, heritage, and countless contributions of those who came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbeans, Central America, and South America. And whereas Hispanic Heritage has been celebrated officially since 1968, and whereas we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to show our gratitude for the achievements, inspiration, and service our Hispanic and Latino community provide every day.

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