Round Rock City Council Meeting – February 13, 2025
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Round Rock City Council Meeting – February 13, 2025
The Round Rock City Council met on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a special recognition for retiring CFO Susan Morgan, approval of a consent agenda, nine resolutions, two ordinances on first reading, and an executive session regarding pending litigation. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- F.1–F.9 (Minutes, purchase agreements, safety plan, etc.) were approved by a single motion without discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mr. Gordon (resident) expressed concerns about an unspecified group’s actions, urged council to investigate, and praised the city’s trail work. He stated he would request a future agenda item.
- No public testimony was offered for the two ordinances (H1 and H2).
Discussion Items
- E.1 – Special Recognition: Council members, department heads, and staff paid tribute to Susan Morgan, CFO, for her 10 years of service. Speakers highlighted her financial expertise, mentorship, and role in achieving AAA bond ratings, transparency stars, and a strong fiscal position. Ms. Morgan expressed gratitude and praised the city’s team.
- G.1 – Equitable Sharing Agreement: The police chief explained the annual certification for federal asset forfeiture funds. Approved.
- G.2 – Quarterly Financial Report: Kevin (new CFO) presented the Q1 FY2025 report. Key points: sales tax citywide down 9.9% (but up 2.8% excluding Dell), property tax up, occupancy tax down 11.6% (December improved), investment portfolio $557.8M with 4.44% yield, and water/wastewater revenues on target due to rate changes. Approved.
- G.3 – Certificates of Obligation: Notice of intent to issue $20 million for transportation capital projects, with formal authorization planned for April 24. Approved.
- G.4–G.6 – Election Agreements: Three agreements with Travis and Williamson Counties for the May 3, 2025 general election. Approved.
- G.7 – Boom Lift Purchase: Contract for an articulating boom lift. Approved.
- G.8 – Old Settlers Buildout – Recreation Center Earthwork: Guaranteed price amendment; project on schedule for 2027 completion. Approved.
- G.9 – Wholesale Rate Case Consulting: Supplemental agreement of $156,000 with Raftelis for expert witness services; final PUC ruling expected March 13, 2025. Approved.
- G.10 – Street Light Maintenance: Five-year, $1 million contract with EARTC for on-call maintenance of city-owned street lights (1,700 of 8,700 total). Approved.
- G.11 – Wyoming Springs Segment 1 Bridge Inspection: $219,000 supplemental contract with Halff Associates for bridge inspection; project completion November 2026. Approved.
- G.12 – Right-of-Way Purchase for N. Mays Gap Road: $835,000 for 0.3231 acres (including ground lease compensation). Approved.
- G.13 – Chisholm Trail South Project: Award to Cash Construction ($4.2 million) via competitive sealed proposal, chosen over lower bidder for experience and quality. Construction will pause Nov–Dec 2025 for holidays, finish July 2026. Approved.
- G.14 – Chandler Road Water Transmission Main Change Order: Net $6,500 increase; project on track for December 2025 completion. Approved.
- H.1 – PUD No. 129 Amendment (The District): Major amendment to redefine Main Street/paseo locations and add multifamily standards. First phase: 7-story, 319-unit building with 14,000–15,000 sq ft ground-floor retail. Planning & Zoning recommended approval 5-0. Approved on first reading; second reading dispensed with unanimously.
- H.2 – Landscaping, Irrigation, and Screening Code Amendments: Changes to reduce water use and improve tree viability. Key provisions: limit turf grass to 50% of pervious area (or use buffalo grass blend), increase soil depth to 6 inches, prohibit artificial turf for code compliance, require evergreen shrubs at least 2 feet tall for screening, remove shrub requirement at dumpster enclosures, and reduce front-yard tree requirement from two to one for lots under 70 feet. Planning & Zoning recommended approval 5-3. Approved on first reading.
Key Outcomes
- All consent items and resolutions were approved unanimously.
- Ordinance H.1 (The District PUD Amendment) passed on first reading; second reading waived.
- Ordinance H.2 (Landscaping Code Amendments) passed on first reading.
- Council recessed into executive session at 8:05 PM to discuss pending litigation (Texas Disposal Systems v. City of Round Rock) and reconvened at 8:33 PM with no action taken. Meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Tonight's imitation will be given by Pastor Brad Britton at First United of First United Methodist Church. Pastor, come on up. Thank you. Right here, okay. Wherever you want to. All right. Right here is good. So uh I'm uh Susan Morgan Pastor, and thank you for inviting me. It's an honor to be here for you. And uh you're a good friend. And I know all of you who uh work with her know the encouraging spirit that she has. And so uh the prayer I wanted to offer today is one we did in church a couple of weeks ago and asked her if we could share it. It spoke to me, and I share it for all of us today. So let's pray. I cannot say our if my religion has no room for other people and their needs. I cannot say, Father, if I do not accept others as siblings in my daily life. I cannot say who art in heaven if all my interests and pursuits are earthly things. I cannot say hallowed be thy name if the way I live my life does not give honor to God. I cannot say thy kingdom come if my needs and wants and agenda always comes first. I cannot say on earth as it is in heaven, unless I am ready to give myself to God's way here and now. I cannot say give us this day our daily bread if I ignore the needs of others. I cannot say forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. If I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone or refuse to forgive them, I cannot say lead us into temptation if I choose to remain in situations where I'm tempted. I cannot say deliver us from evil if I am not prepared to fight against evil in my life and the injustices in the lives of others. I cannot say this thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. My way of life does not reflect God's way, and I seek my own power and glory first. I cannot say amen, unless I can honestly say also, cost what it may, this is my prayer. Let it be so. Loving God, we give you thanks for this night, for the gift of each other, for the gift of this community, for this council, and we thank you for Susan and for the years of service she has offered here, uh, but most of all for the person that she is. We give you thanks for this day. Amen. Thank you, Pastor. I'll call the six o'clock city council meeting to order, and please call the roll. Mayor Morgan here, Mayor Pro Tim Stevens. Here, Councilmember Lee. Here. Councilmember Flores. Here. Councilmember Fleming. Here. Councilmember Ortega? Here. Councilmember Montgomery. Here. All right. We have some pledges that we're going to do. I think we have a troop 27. Is that correct? Come on up. And we'll they'll lead the pledge.
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