Round Rock City Council Meeting - March 27, 2025

The Round Rock City Council met at 6:00 PM on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included an invocation, pledges, roll call (all members present), public comments, a public hearing, a staff presentation, approval of a consent agenda, and unanimous approval of nine resolutions. The meeting adjourned at 7:09 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizen Communication: Roberta Tina Whittlesey, a resident of 109 Moy Street, reported a coyote problem on the east side. She stated that her cat was killed on March 15 and that coyotes have returned daily. She contacted Round Rock Police, animal control (which referred her to Texas Parks and Wildlife), and a game warden, who advised elevating the issue to the Department of Agriculture Extension Agency to hire a Williamson County trapper. She requested the city look into the matter for the safety of neighbors and pets. The mayor said staff would follow up.
• Public Hearing on CDBG 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan: Staff opened the hearing to assess needs of low-income residents. Three nonprofit representatives spoke in support of continued Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding:
  • Eric Mejia, representing Jail to Jobs (workforce development for formerly incarcerated youth ages 17-24, based at 5 Indian Meadows), requested continued funding, noting Round Rock was the first city to hire their program participants.
  • Kara (representing a nonprofit providing equine-assisted learning programs, likely CAREPAL) thanked the council for partnering with nonprofits and noted increasing program numbers.
  • Wendy Prendle, from CASA of Williamson County (advocacy for foster children), noted that 19% of cases originate from Round Rock and requested continued support.
  • A representative from a bed-building organization (likely Sleep in Heavenly Peace) reported delivering 50 beds in Round Rock with a goal of 300 this year, and requested funding and awareness support.

Staff Presentation

• Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development Plan: Jordan (Economic Development) introduced Lauren Posler, who presented findings from a comprehensive study. Key points:
  • Round Rock ranks #2 in the Austin cluster globally (Austin is #1, Round Rock is ahead of Leander, San Marcos, and Cedar Park). Globally, Round Rock ranks 168th in the U.S. and 365th worldwide out of over 3,675 cities.
  • Challenges include lack of co-working spaces, accelerators, limited mentorship, and difficulty attracting seed funding. Opportunities include partnerships with existing programs and use of the Griffith Building.
  • Recommendations focus on partnerships, securing physical space, and enhancing digital marketing (shifting from 50% in-person events to 50% website-based lead generation over five years).
  • Council discussion clarified differences between incubators and accelerators, and funding models (participant fees vs. chamber budget).

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from March 13, 2025 City Council meeting.
• Resolution authorizing agreement with Grainger, Inc. for building maintenance and industrial supplies.
• Resolution authorizing agreement with Ingram Library Services for publications and audiovisual materials.
• Resolution authorizing Supplemental Agreement No. 1 with Genuine Parts Company (NAPA Auto Parts) for aftermarket vehicle parts.
• Resolution authorizing agreement with Elliott Electric Supply for building maintenance repairs and operations.
• All consent items approved unanimously by roll call vote (7-0).

Resolutions (Discussion and Votes)

• H1 – Development Agreement with Frontera Hillside Land, LP: Staff presented a combined development and out-of-city water/wastewater services agreement for a 365-unit multifamily complex at the northeast corner of CR 172 and SH45 (in the ETJ, not in city limits). At least 50% of units must be reserved for households earning ≤80% of Area Median Income (e.g., $78,250 for a 2-person household). Developer partners with Texas Housing Foundation, making the property tax-exempt, so annexation is not required. The city will charge twice the retail water/wastewater rate plus impact fees. Council approved unanimously.
• H2 – Agreement with FarrWest Environmental Supply: Staff (Chad) explained proactive pre-ordering of vehicle upfitting parts to avoid 4-6 month delays from nationwide shortages. Approved unanimously.
• H3 – Supplemental Agreement No. 1 with Dana Safety Supply: For public safety and firehouse supplies and equipment. Approved unanimously.
• H4 – Amendment to Transportation Capital Improvement Program (TCIP): Staff (Michael) requested $20 million in additional funding from the Type B corporation (already approved by the board earlier that evening). Included $16 million for four existing projects (CR 118 widening, Gattis School Road 4&5, Green Lawn Boulevard, Sambass Road/Harryman roundabout) and $4 million for two new projects (Chisholm Trail sidewalk at Brushy Creek, and Northeast Downtown Improvements). All projects aim to improve connectivity and safety. Approved unanimously.
• H5 – Residential Street Maintenance Program Contract: Awarded to Asphalt Inc. dba Lone Star Paving for $5.1 million to repave Kensington Place, Southern Terrace, and Round Rock Ranch subdivisions. Staff noted $9 million annual investment in street maintenance (local and arterial). Approved unanimously.
• H6 – Change Order No. 1 with Texas Pride Utilities: A quantity adjustment returning $526,000 to the city due to an overestimation in pipe bursting quantities and reduced traffic control needs for the wastewater main rehabilitation project. Approved unanimously.
• H7 – Supplemental Contract No. 1 with DCS Engineering: $144,000 for adding three large gate valves on the west transmission water main to improve system resiliency and isolate future breaks (following a major break on 1431 two years ago). Approved unanimously.
• H8 – Professional Consulting Services Agreement with HOT Inspection Services: $125,000 for inspection and rehabilitation of the Chandler Elevated Storage Tank (built 1984, 750,000 gallons, located near Stony Point High School). Staff noted the tank currently has a Stony Point Tiger logo that will be removed during repainting; council requested a conversation with the school district before removal. Approved unanimously.
• H9 – Rule 11 Settlement Agreement with Steven R. Meeks and 7-Eleven, Inc.: Acquisition of a 0.063-acre parcel for $245,000 required for construction of Gattis School Road Segment 3. Staff noted an updated corrected version was provided. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items and nine resolutions were approved unanimously (7-0).
• Council directed staff to have a conversation with the school district regarding the removal of the Stony Point Tiger logo from the Chandler tank.
• The coyote complaint from citizen communication will be referred to appropriate departments for follow-up.
• The Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development Plan will continue with next steps from the chamber and city staff, including evaluation of partnership proposals and potential use of the Griffith Building.