Round Rock City Council Packet Briefing - December 16, 2025
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Round Rock City Council Packet Briefing - December 16, 2025
The Round Rock City Council held a packet briefing on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 7:30 AM in the City Council Chambers to review agenda items for the December 18, 2025 regular City Council meeting. The briefing lasted approximately 15 minutes. Mayor Craig Morgan was absent with apologies; Mayor Pro-Tem Kristin Stevens presided. No formal votes were taken.
Consent Calendar
- Councilmembers had no questions or changes regarding the consent agenda for the December 18 meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No citizens spoke during the Citizen Communication portion of the briefing.
Discussion Items
- Artwork Commission Agreement with Chihuly Studio (F1): Staff presented a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with Chihuly Studio for an original blown glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly for the future City Arts Center in the Griffith Building. The sculpture would be the only permanent public Chihuly installation in Central Texas, measuring 9 feet by 6 feet, with fabrication beginning in January 2026 and final installation in fall 2026. The total contract cost is $360,000, initially funded through general self-finance and repaid through hotel occupancy tax funds. Councilmembers expressed appreciation for the work and the efforts of Arts Director Scott Wilkinson.
- CDBG 2024-2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (G1): Staff reviewed the CAPER, which reported a CDBG budget allocation of $642,233 for the last fiscal year. Funding supported public services including the Round Rock Area Serving Center (Rent/Mortgage Assistance and Food Pantry), Meals on Wheels, and CASA child advocacy, serving 1,158 families. Project highlights included a new inclusive playground at Bowen Park, home repairs for four LMI residents, and sidewalks for 84 homes in the Chisholm Valley neighborhood. Councilmember Montgomery asked about the consistency of nonprofit recipients; staff explained that CDBG restrictions make it difficult for smaller nonprofits to comply. Councilmember Ortega asked whether application volume had increased; staff said requests have been consistent.
- Adoption of 2024 International Building Codes (H1): Staff presented a first-reading ordinance adopting the 2024 editions of multiple international codes, including mechanical, fuel gas, plumbing, building, existing building, residential, energy conservation, swimming pool/spa, and green construction codes. The city has been operating under the 2015 codes and skipped the 2021 update. The city is not adopting renewable-readiness amendments (e.g., solar, battery, EV charger requirements) as mandatory. Councilmember Ortega asked about the International Green Construction Code; staff confirmed it had been previously adopted.
- Adoption of 2024 International Fire Code (H2): Staff presented a first-reading ordinance adopting the 2024 International Fire Code with 53 amendments. A significant amendment involved smoke detector language aligned with the building code and a previously added animal care facility requirement. No questions were raised.
Key Outcomes
- No formal action was taken during the packet briefing; all items will be considered at the December 18, 2025 City Council meeting starting at 5:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. I'll call the 7 30 packet briefing to order. And please call the roll. Mayor Morgan. Mayor Pro Tim Stevens. Here. Councilmember Lee? Here. Councilmember Flores. Here. Councilmember Fleming? Here. Councilmember Ortega? Here. Councilmember Montgomery. Here. And Mayor Morgenson's apologies. He will be here on Thursday. Citizen Communication. Anyone wishing to speak? No. All right. D staff briefings. D1. Consider staff briefings and council member discussion andor questions regarding items on the agenda for the December 18th, 2025 City Council meeting. And as a reminder, that meeting will start at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Um let's see. Consent agenda. Does anyone have anything on the consent agenda? Any questions on the consent? Nope. Okay. F resolutions. F1. Consider a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an artwork commission agreement with Chahuli Studio for an original piece of artwork for the Griffith building. Good morning. Good morning, Mayor Pro Tem and Council. The funding for this item has already been approved in this year's budget. So this item before you now is an agreement that provides for the creation and installation of a custom blown glass sculpture by internationally recognized artist Dale Chihuli for the future City Arts Center in the Griffith Building in downtown Round Rock, which will be open any day now. This installation would be the only permanent public Shahuley installation in uh central Texas. It would be intended to serve as the visual centerpiece of the City Arts Center, which will be co-located with the visitor center in the Round Rock Chamber. The chamber's offices include a perfunctory space that will overlook the double height gallery, which will give this installation maximum visibility not only to visitors and residents but to prospective partners considering Round Rock for business. Its prominent downtown location supports increased foot traffic, local tourism, and the goals of the Round Rock Creates Arts Master Plan to elevate the city's arts profile. If approved, fabrication would begin in January 2026 with a full mock-up available for review in the spring and final installation in fall 2026. It will be nine feet long by six feet wide and have organically shaped glass elements in Chihuli's signature style. The design that this agreement is based on is partly modeled after one of his chandeliers that was lost at sea in the 1990s. Literally, the shipping container fell overboard, and Mr. Chihuly himself has called it one of his favorites. He has recreated a similar version of this one other time.
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