Round Rock City Council Meeting - April 23, 2026

The Round Rock City Council met on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers at 221 East Main St. Mayor Craig Morgan presided, with Mayor Pro-Tem Kristin Stevens and Councilmembers Michelle Ly, Rene Flores, Melissa Fleming, Frank Ortega, and Hilda Montgomery present. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Kevin Dudley, pledges of allegiance, and citizen communication. The council adopted a consent agenda, approved several resolutions and ordinances, and held public hearings on two major Planned Unit Development (PUD) amendments. The meeting recessed into executive session at 8:40 PM and reconvened at 9:36 PM with no action taken.

Consent Calendar

• F.1 Approved minutes from the April 9, 2026 meeting.
• F.2 Authorized an agreement with Vermeer Equipment of Texas, LLC for utility equipment.
• F.3 Authorized a Second Addendum with AT&T Enterprises, LLC for cellular and data service.
• F.4 Authorized submitting a grant application to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority for the FY 2027 Catalytic Converter Grant Program.
• F.5 Authorized a Supplemental Engagement Letter with Allensworth Law for litigation with Argonaut Insurance Company (Heritage Trail West Project).
• F.6 Authorized an agreement with Preferred Technologies, LLC for video surveillance systems.
• F.7 Authorized an agreement with Rae Security, Inc. for security and access control supplies.
• F.8 Authorized a contract with H.W. Lochner, Inc. for the McNutt Lift Station Improvements Project. All consent items were approved unanimously by a single motion (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Greg (citizen): Spoke against two upcoming propositions: Proposition A (billboard proposition) and Proposition B (fire safety/staffing). He argued Proposition A is about private profit, not public safety, and Proposition B would remove citizen control over safety spending, leaving decisions to unions and lawsuits. Urged citizens to vote no on both.
• Jack Childs: Alleged that the money behind the billboard proposition comes from Media Source (Media Choice), confirmed via a November 2, 2025 email to the Round Rock Firefighters Association. He claimed the group Fireside Strategies was formed by the union leadership and that campaign finance reports did not properly disclose contributions. He questioned where money for the billboard ads would go.
• Public hearings on ordinance items H7, H8, H9, H10: No speakers on H7 (annexation) or H8 (zoning). On H9 (Slate PUD amendment), three residents spoke: Brian Allen (508 Clearwater Trail) expressed traffic concerns on West Mesa Park Drive, noting a five-minute-thirteen-second average wait at the traffic light, suggested adding a right-turn lane, and requested removal of hazardous trees; Rani Kulik asked whether the developer could wait for market conditions to improve to build the higher-density option and expressed concerns about parking spillover and a four-story building near the property line; Theodore Ringer Jr. (614 Clearwater Trail) requested that the medium-density option include a gated entrance similar to the existing Parkwood Terrace apartments for security, and warned that adding 285 units would worsen already-congested traffic. On H10 (Kenney Fort North PUD), one resident, Rick Jones, asked about building height (up to seven stories) and potential noise impacts on nearby neighborhoods; the developer confirmed the first phase is four stories and a height cap exists.

Proclamations & Presentations

• E.1: Proclaimed May 2026 as "Historic Preservation Month" in Round Rock. Richard (Historic Preservation Commission), Frank Darr (Round Rock Preservation Vice President), and Shirley Marquett spoke about preservation efforts, including the stagecoach inn relocation and upcoming events (Chuck Wagon Dinner, Pioneer Day, etc.). Shirley gifted three coffee table books to the Round Rock Public Library.
• E.2: Proclaimed May 4-8, 2026 as "Air Quality Awareness Week." Councilmember Hilda Montgomery read the proclamation, noting that in 2025 the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA had moderate or worse air quality on 57% of days and exceeded federal ozone and fine particulate matter standards. Joseph Daly from Public Works thanked the council for supporting air quality efforts.

Discussion Items

• G.1 – Parks and Recreation Fees: Rick presented fee increases for Rockin' River (daily youth admission from $12 to $18, adult from $14 to $20, season pass up $10 with priority for residents before non-residents), baseball/softball field rentals (up $140 to $200 per day, tournament fees up $100, light fees up $7), and pavilion rentals (community pavilion $25 to $100, backyard pavilion new $300/4 hours, Lakeview Pavilion new $600/4 hours). Councilmembers discussed resident priority and capacity management.
• G.2 – Residential Street Maintenance: Michael presented the 2026 program ($4.5 million budget) with work in four neighborhoods (Wendy Park, Quicksilver, Stone Oak, Chisholm Valley). Lone Star Paving was the low bidder at $4.491 million. Councilmember Lee confirmed coordination with Google Fiber.
• G.3 – Meadows Drive Area Improvements: Michael described a $6.1 million project for water, wastewater, stormwater, and street repairs in the Meadows neighborhood (west Round Rock). Royal Vista was low bidder; staff worked with residents and Round Rock ISD on bus routes.
• G.4 – Kenney Fort Boulevard Closeout: Michael reported the project opened December 2024; closeout includes $867,000 in liquidated damages to the city. The change order and settlement agreement finalize the project.
• G.5 – QT South Oversizing Reimbursement: Michael explained QuickTrip built a store at CR 110 and 79 in the ETJ. The city requested oversizing a wastewater line from 12" to 24"/15"; $172,000 reimbursement approved.
• G.6 – QT South Wastewater Amendment: Amendment to allocate 8 additional LUEs (living unit equivalents) for a car wash. In exchange, QuickTrip agreed to voluntarily annex another property (item H6-H8).
• G.7 – Type B Debt Agreement: Kevin explained an agreement for the Round Rock Transportation and Economic Development Corporation to pay debt service on $30 million of the $93 million in certificates of obligation (COs) to be issued, leveraging the city's AAA bond rating.
• G.8 – Services Agreement for QuickTrip Annexation: Services agreement with property owners for 8.531 acres at Chandler Road and CR 107 Spur to provide city services (except water) pending annexation.
• H.1 – Youth Recreation Standards: Rick presented the annual re-adoption of standards of care for the city's youth recreation program, as required by state law. No public comments.
• H.2-H.5 – Bond Issuances: Kevin and financial advisor Gary Kimball presented four debt issuances totaling over $200 million. H.2: $93 million in COs (roadway improvements, public works facility, public safety/parks). H.3: $100 million in General Obligation Bonds (public safety/parks). H.4: $5.3 million in Limited Tax Notes (vehicles/equipment). H.5: Refunding of up to $14.5 million in outstanding bonds from 2016-2017, expecting $759,000 savings over 10 years. Kimball reported strong bidding: 13 bids for G.O. bonds at 4.07% (J.P. Morgan), 11 bids for COs at 4.09% (R.W. Baird), 7 bids for limited tax notes at 2.69% (BOK Financial). Compared to budget, this saves $26 million over 25 years. The AAA rating was affirmed by S&P.
• H.6 – Annexation of CR 107 Spur Right-of-Way: 1.517 acres for continuity with the QuickTrip tract. Approved.
• H.7 – Annexation of QuickTrip Tract: 8.531 acres at Chandler Road and CR 107 Spur. Public hearing held; no speakers. Approved.
• H.8 – Zoning of QuickTrip Tract: Zoned C-1a (General Commercial - Limited). Public hearing held; no speakers. Approved.
• H.9 – Slate PUD Amendment (PUD 148): Major amendment to add medium-density urban multifamily option (up to 285 units, 3-4 stories, surface parking) in addition to existing high-density option (up to 375 units, 4-5 stories, structured parking). Changes include increased setbacks (90 feet for 3-story, 135 feet for 4-story from southern property line), no balconies on south-facing facades unless screened, eight-foot compatibility fence, and 15-foot landscape buffer. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 6-0. Public hearing included resident concerns about traffic on West Mesa Park, tree maintenance, and building height. Council discussed traffic signal timing, right-turn lane, and crosswalks. The developer stated they are leaning toward the medium-density option but have not committed.
• H.10 – Kenney Fort North PUD Amendment (PUD 132): Major amendment to create a trail-oriented development (TROD) on 110.54 acres south of East Palm Valley Blvd. Key changes: relocate the Brushy Creek Regional Trail north, add a Paseo pedestrian corridor, create publicly accessible open space (pitch-and-putt, farmers market), and increase commercial/retail space (over 200,000 sq ft retail, 40,000 sq ft office/warehouse, 40,000 sq ft food/beverage). Multifamily units (700-800 units) will front the trail with a 30-foot setback. Two new signalized intersections on Kenney Fort Blvd. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously. Developer Amanda Swar (Renner Group) presented a phasing plan with infrastructure starting December 2026 and full build-out spring 2031. A resident asked about building height (capped at 7 stories; phase 1 is 4 stories). Councilmember Flores asked about the mix (700-800 residential units, over 200,000 sq ft retail).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 9-0.
• G.1 – Parks Fees Resolution: Approved 9-0.
• H.1 – Youth Recreation Ordinance: Approved 9-0 on first and second reading (second reading dispensed with unanimously).
• G.2 – Street Maintenance Contract: Approved 9-0.
• G.3 – Meadows Drive Contract: Approved 9-0.
• G.4 – Kenney Fort Change Order & Settlement: Approved 9-0.
• G.5 – QT Oversizing Reimbursement: Approved 9-0.
• G.6 – QT Wastewater Amendment: Approved 9-0.
• G.7 – Type B Debt Agreement: Approved 9-0.
• H.2 – COs Issuance: Approved 9-0 (first reading only; second reading not required).
• H.3 – G.O. Bonds Issuance: Approved 9-0 (first reading only; second reading not required).
• H.4 – Limited Tax Notes Issuance: Approved 9-0 (first reading only; second reading not required).
• H.5 – Refunding Bonds Authorization: Approved 9-0 (first reading only; second reading not required). Bond sales awarded: G.O. bonds to J.P. Morgan at 4.07%, COs to R.W. Baird at 4.09%, limited tax notes to BOK Financial at 2.69%. Refunding delegated to city manager and mayor if at least 2% net present value savings.
• G.8 – Services Agreement: Approved 9-0.
• H.6 – Annexation of CR 107 Spur Right-of-Way: Approved 9-0 on first reading, second reading dispensed with unanimously.
• H.7 – Annexation of QuickTrip Tract: Approved 9-0 on first reading, second reading dispensed with unanimously.
• H.8 – Zoning of QuickTrip Tract: Approved 9-0 on first reading, second reading dispensed with unanimously.
• H.9 – Slate PUD Amendment: Approved 9-0 on first reading, second reading dispensed with unanimously.
• H.10 – Kenney Fort North PUD Amendment: Approved 9-0 on first reading, second reading dispensed with unanimously.
• Executive Session: Recessed at 8:40 PM, reconvened at 9:36 PM with no action taken.