City Council News - April 2009

City Council News - April 2009

By Community Impact Newspaper Staff Friday, 03 April 2009

Round Rock

Legislative efforts

The city’s federal legislative program, managed by the public works department, includes a list of projects for which the city is requesting funding. FM 1460 from University Boulevard to Old Settlers Boulevard was previously at the top of the list, but has since received stimulus funding and is now lower on the list of priorities.

Requested funds include the following projects:

• Brushy Creek Regional Water Supply $14.1 million
• RM 620 Union Pacific railroad overpass $9.6 million
• Police department technology and equipment $304,000
• Final testing for CTRMA commuter rail $500,000
• Downtown street repairs $828,000

Federal grant

In March, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development granted the city $392,000 of the $900,000 requested for a project to extend Main Street from San Saba to IH 35. The $3.3 million project includes the construction of a bridge. The 4B transportation system improvement fund is being considered for the remaining cost of the project. This road extension will create a new gateway to downtown Round Rock, a key element of the city’s new downtown master plan. No timeline is set for the road extension.

Sports Capital of Texas ambassadors

The Sports Capital of Texas campaign launched in 2004, and the city is kicking off a second, more intense phase of the program. The city is seeking citizens to be appointed by the mayor to serve as ambassadors for the campaign. Volunteers will promote healthy living and help engage the community in the Sports Capital of Texas brand. Members will serve two-year terms.

Applications are available for download at http://roundrocktexas.gov/sportsapp. Submit them by April 10 to Jill Goodman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Learn more about the Sports Capital of Texas campaign at www.sportscapitaloftexas.com.

Pflugerville

Increase in sales tax revenue

The sales tax revenue in Pflugerville is projected to increase by 20.3 percent from 2008 to 2009, according to a March report by the city’s finance department. The revenue growth outpaced that of many neighboring cities, several of which experienced declines. Finance Director Beth Davis attributed the increase to the rising number of retailers moving to the city, including The Home Depot, SuperTarget and Best Buy. In 2008, the city generated $2.7 million in sales tax revenue and is on track to collect $3.2 million by the end of September. From October to February, sales taxes yielded $1.3 million toward the anticipated 2009 total.

New comprehensive plan consultant

The city was unable to reach a mutual agreement concerning the scope of work and specific contractual obligations with the original planning consultant hired to develop an updated comprehensive plan. Two additional firms, therefore, were asked to present to the city council in March. Design Workshop’s Austin office was selected to lead the development of the updated comprehensive plan, which will serve as the principle guide for daily planning decisions on growth and development in Pflugerville. The plan is expected to be complete by March 2010.

Lake Pflugerville

As part of an $800,000 Lake Pflugerville improvements project, the council authorized the city manager to hire Austin Filter Systems, Inc. to pave an entrance road from Weiss Lane and a new parking lot, and to build a pavilion and picnic shelters. The lake improvements are funded by the city’s parkland escrow fund, a grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation. The city recently constructed a beach on the north shore of the lake. A boat ramp will also be completed on the north shore by this summer. The city plans to have a boat rental facility in place by late summer.

Election: May 9 | Early voting: April 27-May 5

• Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees
  • Place 2 candidates:Charles Chad Chadwell (incumbent) and Gunnar Ristroph
  • Place 7 candidates:Antonio Champion and Bobby Seiferman
• Round Rock City Council
  • Place 3 candidate:Joe Clifford, mayor pro-tem (incumbent)
  • Place 5 candidates:John MomanCraig Morgan
• Pflugerville ISD Board of Trustees
  • Place 1 candidate:Elva Gladney (incumbent)
  • Place 2 candidate:Cynthia Graves (incumbent)
• Pflugerville City Council
  • Place 3 candidate:Darelle White (incumbent)
  • Place 5 candidates:Victor Gonzales (incumbent) and Erica Anne Grignon

Look for a complete Election Guide in our May issue.