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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Round Rock City Council Meeting Summary – September 10, 2026

City Council — Thursday, September 10, 2026

BodyRound Rock, Texas

SessionCity Council

DateThursday, September 10, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:58:59

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:03

Good evening.

0:04

Tonight's invitation will be given by Rabbi Mendel Marisol of Shabbad Round Rock.

0:10

Rabbi, thank you for coming.

0:12

Thank you for having me.

0:15

Almighty God, we ask your blessing tonight upon the city of Round Rock, its residents, and the leaders gathered here.

0:23

The Torah teaches that every human being is created in the image of God.

0:27

Every person has value, every person has purpose.

0:30

Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

0:33

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, we enter a season of reflection and renewal, a time to look back at the year that has passed and consider what we can do better, and to look ahead with hope and renewed commitment to add goodness to the world around us.

0:49

The Rabbi taught that each of us has a responsibility to make our corner of the world to be about to make our corner of the world better.

0:58

To build a society rooted in goodness and kindness, justice and morality, and respect for one another.

1:05

Those entrusted with leadership have a unique opportunity and responsibility to help make that happen.

1:11

Tomorrow, our nation marks September 11th.

1:15

Remember the precious lives that were lost, the families who continue to carry that loss, and the extraordinary courage of the first responders and ordinary citizens who ran towards others in their moment of the greatest need.

1:28

May their memory remind us of the strength that comes from when we stand together of our responsibility to answer darkness by bringing more light into the world.

1:37

Grant our mayor, city council, and all who serve our city with wisdom to make good decisions, the courage to stand for what is right, and the compassion to hear and understand the people they represent.

1:50

May Round Rock continue to be a city where families can flourish, neighbors care for one another, and people of every background are treated with dignity and respect.

1:59

As we enter a new year, may it be a year of blessing, a year of peace, health, prosperity, kindness, and great life for our community, our country, and our world.

2:11

May God bless this council, bless all those who serve our community, and bless the city of Round Rock.

2:17

Amen.

2:18

Thank you, Rabbi.

2:19

Appreciate you.

2:21

I'll call six o'clock city council may in order, and please call the roll.

2:25

Mayor Morgan.

2:26

Here.

2:29

Councilmember Lee.

2:30

Here.

2:30

Councilmember Flores.

2:32

Here.

2:32

Councilmember Fleming.

2:34

Councilmember Itega.

2:35

Here.

2:36

Councilmember Stevens.

2:37

Here.

2:38

And Councilmember Fleming will be joining us or try to join us a little bit later.

2:42

But she is at a gold out game for Cedar Ridge in honor of her late son that she lost to childhood brain cancer.

2:54

So if everyone will stand with me for the pledges that you're if you're able.

3:10

One nation.

3:16

Honor the Texas flag.

3:18

I pledge allegiance to the Texas.

3:21

One state under God, one.

3:28

Citizen Communication, he says and wishes to speak during citizens and communication regarding it on or off.

3:32

The gin and may do so after completing the required registration card.

3:35

All comments must be no more than three minutes and link per section 2-26B5 of the Round Rock Code of Ordinances 2018 edition.

3:43

Any comments regarding Obama's nine on the post agenda may not be discussed or responded to by the City Council per state law.

3:50

So when I call your name, please come up.

3:53

State your name for the record and your address.

3:56

Peter Orr.

4:14

One picture is worth a thousand words.

4:18

And I only have three minutes, so I brought a picture with me.

4:22

Council, my name is Peter Orr.

4:24

I live at 1516 Ashwood Court.

4:27

And I'm here to talk about the Transportation Department and the very poor job that they do in overseeing the construction projects here in the city of Round Rock.

4:38

This picture is of Green Lawn Boulevard during this street maintenance program.

4:46

And you'll see that there is no traffic safety in place.

4:55

But you'll notice that there are several loaders here loading dump trucks in the middle of the street.

5:02

There's also construction trucks, construction trailers.

5:06

The crew was around 30 members with no safety traffic safety in place at all.

5:15

This is a very dangerous situation.

5:18

I contacted the Transportation Department about this, but they ignored the problem.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Parks and Recreation██████████████████████22%

Trail-Oriented Design███████████████15%

Procedural█████████████13%

Budget Equity Analysis█████████████13%

Public Engagement██████████10%

Property Tax████████8%

Economic Development█████5%

Miscellaneous████4%

Water And Wastewater Management████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Round Rock City Council Meeting

Date: September 10, 2026 – 6:00 PM
Location: City Council Chambers, 221 East Main St.

The Round Rock City Council held a regular meeting to address a proclamation, department updates, consent agenda items, resolutions, ordinances, public hearings on the FY 2027 budget and tax rate, and other business. The meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM.

Consent Calendar

E.1 – Approved minutes from the August 27, 2026 meeting.
E.2 – Authorized the City Manager to execute pre‑approved budget contracts up to $350,000.
E.3 & E.4 – Authorized agreements with Progressive Commercial Aquatics, LLC and Sunbelt Pools, Inc. for swimming pool chemicals, supplies, and equipment.
E.5 – Authorized purchase of an Articulating Aerial Boom Lift from American Material Handling, Inc.
E.6 – Adopted ordinance amending Chapter 44, Article VI (environmental services fees) – second reading.
E.7 – Pulled from consent for separate discussion and later approved (see Key Outcomes).

Public Comments & Testimony

Peter Orr (1516 Ashwood Ct.) – Criticized the Transportation Department for poor oversight on the Green Lawn Boulevard street maintenance project, citing lack of traffic safety, no pre‑construction meeting, minimal inspections, and alleged use of a staging area for drinking beer. He called for a citizen oversight committee similar to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Rabbi Mendel Marisol (invocation) – Led an opening prayer, noting the upcoming Rosh Hashanah and September 11 remembrance.
Alana Harrison (1024 Chadloop) – Speaking on the FY 2027 budget and water rates, she proposed maintaining the no‑new‑revenue residential tax rate by reducing Chapter 380 commercial incentives, and advocated for a tiered commercial water rate structure to shift revenue burden away from residents. She cited examples from Kalahari and Dell, and noted that cities like Kyle and San Antonio use tiered commercial rates.

Staff Presentations

D.1 – Parks & Recreation Department Update
Rick, Parks & Rec Director, presented a video and slides highlighting achievements:
- Lakeview area – Over 240,000 visitors since opening; 52% from outside Round Rock; reallocated rangers due to peak usage.
- Old Settlers Park expansion – 3,000 runners at the Turkey Trot; new pedestrian bridge and tunnels improved safety for runners/walkers.
- Rockin’ River – 117,000 visitors in 77 days.
- Playscapes – Joanne Land playground replaced with a larger, shaded structure.
- Athletic Performance Center (APC) – New facility (synthetic turf, track, gymnasium, airnasium) planned; Gabby Thomas (three‑time Olympic gold medalist) endorsed the project via video. Justin Faulkner, a local high school track athlete, also expressed excitement.
- Physical Therapy program – Operating at 30% capacity with 92% bookings; partnered with Texas State University for student training and bio lab collaboration.
- Recognitions – Eight first‑place finishes in “Round Rock’s Best”; state championship for aquatics team (fourth year); awards for Thor’s Hammer trail campaign and the Unbirth Day Party (inclusion event).
G.1 – Trails Plan Update (Playbook 2030)
Tim Bergener (RVI) presented the Round Rock Trails Plan, emphasizing connectivity, safety, and economic development. Key recommendations included closing critical trail gaps (e.g., Heritage Trail East), improving crossings, and exploring Trail‑Oriented Development (TROD) in select areas (Heritage Trail, Georgetown Street, May Street). Case studies of successful TROD projects (Katy Trail in Dallas, BeltLine in Atlanta, Indianapolis Cultural Trail) were shown. The plan pairs trail investment with implementation tools such as overlay districts and development incentives.

Discussion Items

F.1 – Fire Protection Agreement with ESD 9
An interlocal agreement guarantees the city receives a minimum of 90% of property tax and sales tax collected by ESD 9. Estimated collections: $4.8 million property tax, $3 million sales tax in FY 2027. Approved.
F.2 – CDBG Sidewalk Project (Parkside Circle)
Construction contract with Ratliff Hardscape, Ltd. for $203,000 (low bid among eight); funded by HUD grant. Sidewalk will be 1,135 feet on one side of the street. Estimated completion: 4–6 months. Approved.
F.3 – Brushy Creek East Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
Supplemental contract #3 with Plummer Associates for $149,000 to add tasks related to flood plain analysis and regulatory compliance. Round Rock pays 60% of expansion cost; partners include Cedar Park, Leander, Austin. Approved.
F.5 – Heritage Trail East Project
Contract with Patin Construction, LLC for $6.591 million to close the trail gap from Mays Street to Georgetown Street, including a bridge under Main Street. Nine bidders; property donated by the Henna family. Approved.
G.2 & G.3 – FY 2027 Budget and Property Tax Rate
Kevin (budget director) presented: Total budget $684.1 million ($199.4 million general fund; $141.8 million utility fund); 52.5 new FTEs (48 in general fund for public safety, parks, etc.). Proposed tax rate $0.4230 per $100 valuation, an increase of 3.8 cents (9.8%) over the no‑new‑revenue rate. Median home value $370,288; median tax bill $1,566 ($131/month); increase of $11.64/month. The tax rate increase funds public safety (0.9¢), bond project operations (0.5¢), and debt service (2.4¢). 92% of parcels are residential; 52% of property tax revenue comes from commercial properties. Adopted.
F.4 – Ratification of Property Tax Increase
Resolution ratifying the tax increase reflected in the FY 2027 budget. Approved.
E.7 – Water, Reuse Water, and Sewer Rates
Ordinance amended Chapter 44 rates (second reading). Approved.
H.1 – Appeal of Historic Preservation Commission Decision
Tabled.
I.1 – Alcohol Variance Request (Mark IV Capital)
Tabled.
J.1 – Appointments to TEDC Board
Council approved Mayor’s appointments: Councilmember Flores as President, Jessica Mossman as Vice President, Michelle Sherwood as Secretary. Approved.

Key Outcomes

Proclamation C.1 – September 12, 2026 declared “Fiesta Amistad Day” in Round Rock.
Consent Agenda E.1–E.6 adopted unanimously (6‑0; Councilmember Fleming absent).
Resolutions F.1, F.2, F.3, F.5 adopted unanimously.
Ordinance G.1 (Trails Plan) adopted on first reading; second reading dispensed (unanimous).
Ordinance G.2 (FY 2027 Budget) adopted 7‑0 (Fleming returned).
Ordinance G.3 (Property Tax Rate of $0.4230) adopted 7‑0.
Resolution F.4 ratified tax increase 7‑0.
Ordinance E.7 (water/sewer rates) adopted 7‑0.
Items H.1 and I.1 tabled.
Appointments J.1 approved 7‑0.
Council Comments included reminders of 9/11 observances, the Alamo State game, and thanks to the community.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Tonight's invitation will be given by Rabbi Mendel Marisol of Shabbad Round Rock. Rabbi, thank you for coming. Thank you for having me. Almighty God, we ask your blessing tonight upon the city of Round Rock, its residents, and the leaders gathered here. The Torah teaches that every human being is created in the image of God. Every person has value, every person has purpose. Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. As we approach Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, we enter a season of reflection and renewal, a time to look back at the year that has passed and consider what we can do better, and to look ahead with hope and renewed commitment to add goodness to the world around us. The Rabbi taught that each of us has a responsibility to make our corner of the world to be about to make our corner of the world better. To build a society rooted in goodness and kindness, justice and morality, and respect for one another. Those entrusted with leadership have a unique opportunity and responsibility to help make that happen. Tomorrow, our nation marks September 11th. Remember the precious lives that were lost, the families who continue to carry that loss, and the extraordinary courage of the first responders and ordinary citizens who ran towards others in their moment of the greatest need. May their memory remind us of the strength that comes from when we stand together of our responsibility to answer darkness by bringing more light into the world. Grant our mayor, city council, and all who serve our city with wisdom to make good decisions, the courage to stand for what is right, and the compassion to hear and understand the people they represent. May Round Rock continue to be a city where families can flourish, neighbors care for one another, and people of every background are treated with dignity and respect. As we enter a new year, may it be a year of blessing, a year of peace, health, prosperity, kindness, and great life for our community, our country, and our world. May God bless this council, bless all those who serve our community, and bless the city of Round Rock. Amen. Thank you, Rabbi. Appreciate you. I'll call six o'clock city council may in order, and please call the roll. Mayor Morgan. Here. Councilmember Lee. Here. Councilmember Flores. Here. Councilmember Fleming. Councilmember Itega. Here. Councilmember Stevens. Here. And Councilmember Fleming will be joining us or try to join us a little bit later. But she is at a gold out game for Cedar Ridge in honor of her late son that she lost to childhood brain cancer. So if everyone will stand with me for the pledges that you're if you're able. One nation. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to the Texas. One state under God, one. Citizen Communication, he says and wishes to speak during citizens and communication regarding it on or off. The gin and may do so after completing the required registration card. All comments must be no more than three minutes and link per section 2-26B5 of the Round Rock Code of Ordinances 2018 edition. Any comments regarding Obama's nine on the post agenda may not be discussed or responded to by the City Council per state law. So when I call your name, please come up. State your name for the record and your address. Peter Orr. One picture is worth a thousand words. And I only have three minutes, so I brought a picture with me.

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