Round Rock City Council Packet Briefing - March 25, 2025

This was a briefing session held on March 25, 2025 at 7:30 AM in the City Council Chambers, preceding the regular City Council meeting scheduled for March 27, 2025. The Mayor was absent due to a conflict; Mayor Pro-Tem Kristin Stevens presided. Councilmembers Michelle Ly, Rene Flores, Melissa Fleming, Frank Ortega, and Hilda Montgomery were present. No public comments were made. Staff briefed the council on several agenda items for the upcoming meeting, and council members asked clarifying questions. No formal votes were taken.

Consent Calendar

• Five consent agenda items were listed for the March 27 meeting. Councilmember Fleming asked about item G4, a large increase in a contract. Staff explained that the increase was a ‘stopgap’ to cover rising parts costs (approximately 30% higher) and to bridge the gap until a new cooperative contract is ready in a few months. No other consent items raised questions.

Discussion Items

• CDBG 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan (Public Hearing on March 27): Staff (Joe) outlined the three-step CDBG process: needs assessment, action plan adoption, and year-end CAPER report. The March 27 public hearing is the first step, seeking input on low-income resident needs. The current year’s CDBG allocation is about $642,000; a similar amount is anticipated for the upcoming fiscal year, with the announcement expected around May 15, 2025.
• Entrepreneur Economic Ecosystem Development Plan: Staff noted that a presentation on this plan (developed with Hickey Global, the Chamber, and the City) will be given on March 27.
• H1 – Development Agreement with Frontera Hillside Land LP: Staff (Bradley) presented a combined development and out-of-city water/wastewater services agreement for property at the northeast corner of County Road 172 and State Highway 45. The developer plans 365 multifamily units in two buildings (three and four stories) with up to 183 living unit equivalents (LUEs). The agreement includes a hybrid of MF2/MF3 development standards, surface parking, and compliance with city codes. The developer is partnering with the Texas Housing Foundation, requiring at least 50% of units be affordable for households earning 80% or less of area median income (e.g., $78,250 for a two-person household, $97,800 for a four-person household). In exchange, the property will be exempt from property taxes and will remain in the ETJ (not annexed). Councilmember Ortega questioned the tax-exempt status duration, emergency services (provided by county/ESD), and applicability of recent landscaping ordinances (staff confirmed new standards apply).
• H2 & H3 – Vehicle Upfitting Parts and Services: Staff (Chad) explained that due to vehicle shortages, the city will proactively purchase upfitting parts in advance to avoid long waits. H2 authorizes a contract with Far West Environmental Supply for parts; H3 authorizes a supplemental agreement with Dana Safety Supply for public safety and fire vehicle upfitting. Both are funded within the adopted budget.
• H4 – Transportation CIP Amendment (Type B Board): Staff (Michael) presented several amendments to the Transportation Capital Improvement Program (TCIP) totaling $20 million in new funding. New projects include a sidewalk on Chisholm Trail at Brushy Creek ($1.5M for engineering) and Northeast Downtown Improvements Phase II on Shepherd Street ($2.5M for engineering). Existing projects receiving additional funds: County Road 118 (right-of-way $2.5M), Gattis School Road Segments 4 & 5 (right-of-way $1.5M), Greenlawn Boulevard (construction $11M), and Sam Bass/Harry Man Road roundabout (right-of-way $1M). Councilmember Ortega asked about a traffic signal at AW Grimes; staff clarified there will not be a signal there, only at the other end.
• H5 – 2024 Residential Street Maintenance Program: Staff (Michael) recommended a $5.1 million contract with Lone Star Paving for rehabbing three neighborhoods: Kensington Place, Southern Terrace, and Round Rock Ranch (where soil conditions require more work). The city will conduct citizen outreach via a website and door hangers.
• H6 – Change Order for Wastewater Main Rehabilitation: Staff (Michael) reported a $526,000 positive change order (quantity adjustment) from Texas Pride Utilities, returning funds to the city due to overbidding and design changes (e.g., open-cut instead of pipe bursting under roads).
• H7 – West Transmission Main Valve Replacement: Staff (Michael) recommended a $144,000 engineering contract with DCS Engineering to add gate valves at three locations along the 1431 water main, improving system flexibility and reliability. Councilmember Fleming noted the existing butterfly valves are outdated and prone to failure.
• H8 – Chandler Elevated Storage Tank Rehabilitation: Staff (Michael) recommended a $125,000 inspection services contract with Hot Inspection Services for the 1984-built tank, which requires repainting every 15-18 years. The actual painting work will be a separate contract.
• H9 – Rule 11 Settlement Agreement for Gattis School Road Segment 3: Staff (Michael) presented a $245,000 settlement to acquire the last remaining 0.063-acre parcel from Stephen R. Meeks and 711 Inc. to complete the under-construction road segment. Councilmember Fleming inquired about the legal term; staff explained it is a standard written agreement under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 11 to resolve a condemnation lawsuit.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken at this briefing.
• All items discussed (H1 through H9, plus the CDBG public hearing and entrepreneur plan) will be presented for action at the March 27, 2025 City Council meeting.
• Staff will proceed with preparations: the CDBG public hearing notice has been published; the developer agreement will be on the consent agenda; the vehicle upfitting contracts will be presented; the TCIP amendment will go before the Type B Board on March 27; and the street maintenance program outreach will begin.