Round Rock City Council Meeting - June 11, 2026

The Round Rock City Council met on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, presentations from the UniverCity program and Police Department, approval of consent agenda items, and several resolutions. Significant discussion and public testimony centered on two ordinances: the repeal of a 48-year-old ordinance allowing citizens to place items on the council agenda, and an amendment to Planned Unit Development No. 23 to allow limited commercial development at the Preserve at Stone Oak. The council also approved the annual historic property tax exemption program and appointed a new Mayor Pro-Tem.

Proclamation and Presentations

• Proclamation: The council unanimously proclaimed June 23, 2026, as "Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day" in Round Rock. A representative from the Dravet Syndrome Foundation accepted the proclamation.
• UniverCity Graduation: Joe (staff) presented the 2026 Spring UniverCity graduating class. The program consists of 11 weekly classes covering city government. Two graduates, Marcos Silveira and Heidi Bennett, spoke about their positive experiences. Council members congratulated the graduates, who were recognized individually.
• Police Department Update: Police Chief (not named in transcript) provided a detailed update on 2025 statistics, including a 5.4% decrease in reported Part A offenses (NIBERS), a 13% decrease in property crimes, a 42% decrease in vehicle burglaries, and a 31% decrease in vehicle theft. The department handled 128,796 calls for service in 2025. The chief highlighted the new dispatch record system, the expansion of the public safety training center, the new drone first responder program, and the unveiling of a new patch. Council members praised the department's work and asked about drone training, property crime hotspots, and the reporting system.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7-0) without discussion. Items included:
  • Approval of minutes from the May 28, 2026, meeting.
  • Resolutions for copier maintenance services with Xerox Business Solutions.
  • Vehicle wrap services with Mesquite Signs (Sigma Grafix).
  • Public safety supplies with GT Distributors.
  • Audio-visual equipment with Ford Audio-Video Systems.
  • Digital materials for the library with Midwest Tape.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Richard Parsons (Round Rock Pride Festival founder): Expressed gratitude for the city's support of the festival, which had 5,000-6,000 attendees. Noted the festival is family-friendly and peaceful.
• Item I1 (Repeal of citizen agenda item ordinance): Six speakers opposed the repeal:
  • Courtney Howe: Opposed, stating the ordinance shows the city cares about citizens. She found out about the meeting from Reddit.
  • Nathaniel Chapman: Opposed, comparing the ordinance to an umbrella that is rarely used but valuable.
  • Jessica Chambers: First-time attendee; family has lived in Round Rock for generations. Opposed repeal, noting it would remove a valuable tool for citizens to bring issues to council.
  • Anam Rosiski: Asked why the item was on the agenda and who benefits from repeal. Expressed concern that repeal would limit public engagement.
  • Peter Orr: Opposed, questioned the need for repeal.
  • Lily Trevino: Strongly opposed, argued that the city's environmental policies contradict its Bee City resolution, particularly use of glyphosate in Old Settlers Park. She stated her request to place an item on the agenda was rejected by the city clerk, which she believed was a violation of the ordinance.
  • Gary Oldham: Vehemently opposed, said the ordinance is like an insurance policy. He also stated his request was rejected and that he did not receive responses from council members. He suggested amending the time requirement to comply with state law rather than repealing.
  • Cheyenne Krause: (Did not speak; left.)
  • Sophia: First meeting; opposed repeal, noting that 15-minute presentations allow for structured, recorded public accountability.
• Item I3 (PUD 23 amendment): Seven speakers testified, most expressing concerns:
  • Laura Flynn (Preserve at Mayfield Ranch): Concerned about increased traffic on the private road and difficulty exiting onto RM 1431. Favored less traffic-intensive uses (offices, retail, medical) over drive-throughs, gas stations, or gyms.
  • David "Brian" Duhan (board member, Preserve at Mayfield Ranch): Representing the HOA, stated the community opposes the amendment as currently drafted. Raised concerns about traffic, maintenance costs of the private road (60% responsibility of commercial owners), and safety of students waiting for buses. Asked council to delay approval until maintenance responsibilities are clarified.
  • Joy Doumas (owner, Preserve at Mayfield Ranch): Raised issues about design standards (requesting 100% native stone instead of 75%), lack of a new traffic impact analysis, safety of using decomposed granite for a pedestrian path (preferring concrete), and the narrow two-lane private road. She submitted additional materials.
  • Paula Doran: Strongly opposed allowing a fuel station or auto repair service, citing noise and environmental concerns. Favored retail, medical, restaurant, or daycare uses.
  • Deborah Walters: Supported the amendment despite some concerns, praising the city staff and developer for collaboration. She asked that the compatibility wall be firmly required as agreed.

Discussion Items

• I1 - Ordinance repealing citizen agenda item procedure (Section 2-26(b)(5)(b)): (First Reading)
  • Former City Attorney Steve Sheets provided history: The charter (1977) and ordinance (1978) allowed citizens to request agenda items. The state Open Meetings Act was amended in 2019 to give public comment rights but not agenda item placement. The ordinance has a 6-day submission requirement, which can conflict with the state's 72-hour posting requirement. No other Texas city has such a provision. The item was brought forward after recent use of the ordinance by a few individuals.
  • Council discussion: Mayor Morgan noted the ordinance conflicts with state posting laws. Mayor Pro-Tem Stevens pointed out there is no restriction on what citizens could request. Council members emphasized that citizens can still speak during public comment for 3 minutes, and that email and meetings are available. Several speakers argued that the 15-minute presentation is valuable for complex topics. Councilmember Fleming clarified she did not respond to one speaker due to discomfort from past interactions. The ordinance was approved on first reading 7-0, and a motion to dispense with the second reading also passed 7-0, effectively adopting the repeal.
• I3 - PUD 23 Amendment (Preserve at Stone Oak): (First Reading)
  • Planning staff (Bradley) presented: The 13.22-acre parcel (Parcel 4E) is currently zoned for office and place of worship (since 2018). The applicant proposes changing to General Commercial Limited (C1A) with restrictions. Proposed uses include daycare (max 15,000 sq ft), fuel sales (limited pumps), auto service (200 ft setback), bars prohibited, drive-throughs limited to restaurants/banks/pharmacies (max 2 stand-alone), dog daycare (indoor only). Building height limited to 1 story for non-worship uses, setbacks 50 ft. A compatibility wall will be placed based on elevation study. The developer (Endeavor Real Estate Group, represented by Amanda Swar) presented a conceptual plan showing two drive-through pads, daycare, medical office. They committed to maintaining the private road and contributing to a bus stop area. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously.
  • Council discussion: Concerns about traffic, private road maintenance, and the future of the Signal at RM 1431. Councilmember Flores noted property rights and that the developer has a good reputation. Council voted 7-0 to approve the ordinance on first reading, and unanimously dispensed with the second reading, adopting the amendment.
• I4 - Historic Property Tax Exemption: (First Reading)
  • Staff reported 51 applications, with 48 recommended for approval (11 residential, avg. $1,626 exemption; 37 commercial, avg. $4,127). Three properties failed inspection due to recurring maintenance issues. Council approved the ordinance 7-0 and dispensed with the second reading.
• J1 - Appointment of Mayor Pro-Tem
  • Mayor Morgan nominated Councilmember Hilda Montgomery for Mayor Pro-Tem. The council unanimously approved (7-0). Council thanked outgoing Mayor Pro-Tem Kristin Stevens.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of consent agenda (7-0).
• Repeal of ordinance allowing citizens to place items on the agenda (I1): Ordinance adopted on first reading (7-0) and second reading dispensed with (7-0), effectively removing the procedure. Citizens retain the right to speak during public comment for 3 minutes.
• PUD No. 23 Amendment No. 7 (I3): Ordinance approved on first reading (7-0) and second reading dispensed with (7-0), allowing limited commercial uses with specific restrictions on the 13.22-acre site.
• Historic Property Tax Exemption (I4): Ordinance approved on first reading (7-0) and second reading dispensed with (7-0), granting exemptions to 48 properties for tax year 2026-2027.
• Appointment of Mayor Pro-Tem: Hilda Montgomery appointed (7-0), replacing Kristin Stevens.
• Next steps: The city will continue to work with TXDOT on signal timing at the RM 1431/Sendero Springs intersection. Developers of the Stone Oak PUD will proceed with site plan development and maintain compliance with the approved PUD conditions.