Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
This special-called packet briefing of the Round Rock City Council was held on October 20, 2026, to discuss and receive staff presentations on items scheduled for the October 22, 2026 City Council meeting. No public comments were received, and no formal votes were taken during this briefing.
G1 – Lawsuit Engagement (SPIRE Consulting) : Staff presented an item to continue the engagement of SPIRE Consulting Group to assist with damage expertise in the ongoing lawsuit regarding the wastewater treatment plant 30 MGD project. This extends the existing contract through the pendency of the lawsuit.
G2 – Economic Development Agreement with PulseForge : Staff presented a proposed incentive agreement with PulseForge, an advanced manufacturing semiconductor technology company in Round Rock. The company plans to hire 60 new primary jobs (average salary > $100,000) and invest $20 million ($6M in real property, $14M in equipment). The city would provide a Type B cash grant totaling $600,000, split into two payments ($250,000 in 2030 and $350,000 in 2032) conditional on meeting investment and job creation benchmarks. The company is also pursuing federal and state CHIPS Act funding. Councilmember Flores expressed enthusiasm for the project and asked about wage measurement (average vs. median). Councilmember Stevens inquired about employee types and recruitment areas. Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery asked about the company's role in semiconductor packaging. Councilmember Otega asked about expansion location. The full presentation with company representatives is scheduled for the October 22 meeting.
G3 – Interlocal Agreement with Williamson County (Fiber) : Staff presented a five-year agreement allowing Williamson County to expand its fiber optic network in city rights-of-way. In exchange, the city will receive six pairs of fiber optic cabling wherever the county installs, plus a conduit sleeve under I-35, at no cost to the city.
G4 – MUD Expansion for KB Homes (Solerno) : Staff presented an amendment to include the Verona Tract (approx. 72 acres) into the Round Rock MUD No. 1 (Solerno subdivision). KB Homes purchased the property and seeks to develop it as an expansion of the existing single-family subdivision under the original MUD’s development conditions. Council questioned the debt timeline for new homes, and staff noted the MUD’s requirements apply as they currently exist without resetting the clock.
G5 & G6 – Penfold Theater Grant Amendment : Staff presented an amendment to continue funding for Penfold Theater’s performing arts programming at Rock Creek Plaza. The original 18-month agreement expires; the proposed amendment covers three years at decreasing amounts: approximately $130,000 (first year), $115,000 (second), $100,000 (third), funded by hotel occupancy tax. The theater has met its obligations; staff noted success with workshops and sold-out shows. Councilmember Fleming asked about the long-term sustainability and potential for ending subsidies, while Councilmember Flores asked about economic impact metrics. Staff indicated the agreement will be reassessed in three years. Mayor and Councilmember Brooks noted the community benefit and that it will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The full presentation with Penfold representatives is scheduled for the October 22 meeting.
G7 – BCRUA Bond Resolution : Staff reported that the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority approved a resolution regarding a $12.2 million debt issuance (true interest cost 3.95%) to fund the city’s share of the deep water intake project. The council will consider approving the resolution at the October 22 meeting.
G8 – Annual Reimbursement Resolution : Staff presented an annual resolution to reimburse expenditures from bond and CO funds, ensuring compliance with IRS regulations for tax-exempt financing. No new projects or funding are added.
G9 – Grant Application for Bus Facilities : Staff presented a grant application under the Federal Transit Authority formula program for $111,000 to fund repairs at the transit center, with a 20% local match ($27,000) from the general fund. The transit center was built in 2011 and needs maintenance. Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery asked about closures; staff said it will remain open during repairs.
G10 – Change Order: County Road 112 East : A change order for $71,321 to cover stormwater improvements and traffic diversions. The project is nearing completion, and a traffic signal was activated that day. Council questions about access to the abandoned right of way were addressed.
G11 – Change Order: Gatuscho Road Project (Credit) : A credit of $198,000 after Google Fiber elected not to install a conduit segment. The remainder covers waterline work; project completion is estimated in late 2027.
G12 – Change Order: Smyr Lane/122 and North Mays Paving : A change order for $279,000 to add mill and overlay on North Mays Street from Main Street to Logan Street, completing the resurfacing of that corridor.
Morning, I'll call 730 packet brief into order and please call the roll. Mayor Morgan. Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery. Here. Councilmember Lee? Here. Councilmember Flores? Here. Councilmember Fleming? Here. Councilmember Otega? Here. Councilmember Stevens. Here. All right. So this communication, anybody wishing to speak? Seeing on staff brief and consider staff briefings and councilmember discussion and our questions regarding items on the agenda for the October 22nd, 2026 City Council meeting. We have a presentation by sports and management. Approval minutes, so there's no really no consent. So resolutions resolution authorized Meredith K layer of engagement. Stephanie. Yes, this first item is in regards to the fail lawsuit for the wastewater treatment plan 30 MDD project. This is to engage or continue actually to engage SPIRE Consulting Group. They're assisting Allensworth Law. They're damage experts, so that's that's their role they're playing in the lawsuit. And we currently have a contract with this group that was helping us in the pre-litigation, and then when we filed our counterclaim, but this will take us throughout the pendency of the lawsuit. All right, any questions outside of legal questions? All right. G2 consider resolution approving the action of the Transportation Economic Development Corporation. Thank you. Good morning, Mayor and Council. Uh today we're bringing forward a proposed economic development agreement with PulseForge, an existing advanced manufacturing semiconductor technology company in Round Rock. This project represents an opportunity to support an expansion of a local company, create high paying jobs, and strengthen Roundrock's position in the growing uh semiconductor industry. Today I'll provide a brief overview of the company, its proposed expansion, and the in and the incentive structure that we're proposing. The company's name is PulseForge. Uh they're in the advanced manufacturing and technology. Um they play a very critical role in the semiconductor packaging supply chain, uh, which is very crucial to that moving and onshoring back to the US. Um, they also support electronics, automotive, energy, and the defense sectors as well. Um, this is a company with a long history here. It actually spun out of Nova Centrix, so it's not a startup, it's a company with long-standing ties here. Pulse Forge actually started out of that company. Um, so they are currently located at 400 Parker Drive. So they're actually south of 45 and west of I-35, next to where Dover Solutions is. Um they currently have 56,000 square feet of space, 50 employees with uh average wages of more than 100,000. Um, this provides a really exciting opportunity for us to support an existing company with their expansion. The scope of the expansion that they're proposing is to hire 60 new primary jobs with an average salary of more than 100,000 to invest 20 million dollars broken down here for you with six million in real property improvement and 14 million dollars in business personal property. Part of the reason um that we are engaging with this company is through our business retention expansion efforts. Also, they are aggressively pursuing the Federal CHIPS Act and Texas CHIPS Act money through the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund.