Round Rock City Council Packet Briefing - January 7, 2025
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Round Rock City Council Packet Briefing - January 7, 2025
On January 7, 2025, at 7:30 AM, the Round Rock City Council held a packet briefing to discuss and review agenda items for the upcoming regular meeting on January 9, 2025. The meeting included staff presentations and councilmember questions on several resolutions and reports. No public comments were made. All items were discussed in preparation for formal action at the January 9 meeting.
Discussion Items
- D1: Staff Briefings and Councilmember Discussion – Council reviewed items for the January 9 agenda, including a special recognition of a middle school student and approval of minutes.
- G1: Resolutions – Adopting the City of Round Rock's Legislative Program – Staff noted that changes from the retreat were incorporated; council indicated readiness to move forward on Thursday.
- G2: Resolution Authorizing Assignment of Engineering Services Contract to BCRUA – Staff explained this is a housekeeping matter related to litigation against an engineering company over the raw water barge pipeline project; the three cities are formally assigning a previous contract to the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA).
- G3: Resolution to Deny Atmos Energy's Natural Gas Rate Increase – Staff presented a resolution to deny an 11% increase in base fees (no increase in gas rates). The city will partner with legal counsel to examine the justification. Councilmember Montgomery questioned past success and the frequency of increases; staff noted this is the sixth year with a full rate adjustment (last full adjustment in 2019).
- G4: Resolution Authorizing Application to Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) – Police Division Commander Tom Sloan presented a grant request for $417,000 (20% city match of $83,000) to purchase Flock camera systems, a drone for first responder use, and point-tilt-zoom cameras to combat vehicle-related crime. Council discussed drone capabilities (5–7 minute response time across the city), integration with existing drones, and personnel needs (no additional hires required initially). Chief stated the drone will be used primarily for stolen vehicles and violent crimes, not routine surveillance.
- G5: Resolution Authorizing Agreement with Environmental Logistics Company – Chief presented a five-year, $732,000 contract for cleaning and remediation of the indoor shooting range (biohazards, filters, brass recycling). Brass proceeds go back to the city. Filter changes occur every 3–6 months; full range cleanup after about 3 million rounds.
- G6: Resolution Authorizing Agreement with TFR for Disaster Cleanup Services – Staff presented a five-year, not-to-exceed $10 million contract for pre-event and post-event cleanup (vegetative, construction debris, household hazardous waste). The contract is for non-FEMA-level disasters; if an event later meets FEMA thresholds, the city can switch to a FEMA-compliant vendor. Council questioned whether early use precludes FEMA reimbursement; staff indicated the city will seek reimbursement when possible.
- G7: Resolution Determining Necessity of Eminent Domain for Property at 901 Manuel – Staff explained the property near Heritage Trail West Bathing Beach Park is needed for additional parking; the park is seeing high demand. Two vacant structures on the property are an eyesore. This resolution is a first formal step; negotiations will continue. Council asked no questions.
- G8: Resolution Authorizing Change Order #5 with Austin Underground (Lake Creek Wastewater Interceptor) – Staff presented a $443,000 change order to install a steel encasement pipe where the city's wastewater line crosses under the planned Lake Creek Trail bridge. Work expected to finish by early March, then trail construction resumes, targeting summer completion.
- G9: Resolution Authorizing Supplemental Contract with AECOM (Water Treatment Plant) – $127,000 for construction phase services for sampling lines and valve rehabilitation at the water treatment plant (originally built in 1980).
- G10: Resolution Authorizing Change Order #1 with Bennett Paving – Local Street Maintenance – Staff reported a $480,000 credit (savings) from the $8.9 million contract due to shallower fiber utilities, allowing reduced full-depth repairs. Funds return to the street maintenance program for future use.
- G11 & G12: Resolutions Authorizing Consulting Services with Robert Kishner (County Road 112 West and East) – $105,000 and $142,000 respectively for soil, concrete, and asphalt testing on new road construction. The city only pays for passing tests; the contractor pays for failing tests.
- G13: Resolution Authorizing Supplemental Contract with K. Friese & Associates (Green Lawn Project) – $98,000 for additional engineering due to water line impacts. The six-lane road project from frontage road to SH 45 is expected to go to bid in February.
- G14, H1, H2: Resolutions on Sol's Ranch Phase 2 (Annexation, Zoning, and Services Agreement) – Staff presented the second phase of the Sol's Ranch development (milestone community builders). The 55.77-acre property will receive SF-3 zoning (single-family mixed lot). The development agreement was executed in October 2022; subdivision improvements are already underway. Planning and Zoning unanimously recommended approval. A resident spoke at P&Z about wildlife displacement and stormwater concerns. Council asked about right-turn lane analysis on Creek Bend Boulevard; the analysis did not trigger a required lane, though council expressed concern about future traffic. Staff noted the median opening is unlikely. Once approved, the entire Sol's Ranch property will be within city limits.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes were taken; all items were discussed in preparation for action at the January 9 regular meeting.
- Council asked questions and received clarifications on several items, including the rate increase denial (G3), police technology grant (G4), and Sol's Ranch traffic (G14/H1/H2).
- Staff will provide additional details on Sol's Ranch right-turn analysis and traffic issues at the January 9 meeting.
- All resolutions are expected to be considered and likely approved on January 9, subject to council discussion.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. I'll call 730 packet brief into order. Well, welcome everybody back. And please call the roll. Mayor Morgan. Here. Mayor Pro Tim Stevens. Councilmember Lee. Here. Councilmember Flores. Here. Councilmember Fleming. Here. Councilmember Ortega. Here. Councilmember Montgomery. Here. All right. Staff brief. Oh, citizen communication, anybody wishing to speak? Seeing some none. Staff briefing D1 consider staff briefings and councilmember discussion and our questions guarding items on the agenda for January the 9th. We're going to do a special recognition of a middle school student. Approval of the minutes. Anybody have any questions on the minutes? Resolutions consider resolutions adopting the City of Round Rock's legislative program. So uh I think on Thursday have you take the lead on this. We did make the couple of changes that were discussed at the retreat. And uh happy to answer any questions council might have, but it's pretty locked locked down at this point. Questions on that? Yeah, I'll do it on Thursday. All right. None? All right. G2 consider resolution authorized merit executive assignment of contract for engineering services. Yes, that's mine. Um this is related to litigation. BCRUA is currently involved in against an engineering company. It's related to the raw water barge pipeline and project. Um this is just a housekeeping matter. It's just the three cities formally assigning a previous engineering contract to the BCRUA. I'm happy to answer any questions if I can. So the engineering contract that was like an original contract or so at the time it was entered into the BCRUA had not been created, but there was language in the contract that it could be assigned to B C R UA or any other type of. So in essence, B CRA stepping in the place of all the three cities now as an entity to be the one that's taking the lawsuit against the that's correct. Okay. Yeah, makes sense. Questions? All right. G three consider a resolution to die an atmosphere energy corporations increase in natural gas rates. Why does it shock me?
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