Community Conversations

This could be the start of something big

Will Hampton — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:10:00 GMT

At long last, we've got our consulting team under contract and work on the Downtown Redevelopment and Expansion Master Plan is about to get under way.

The City Council approved a contract with the lead consulting firm on Aug. 28. The goal of the planning effort is to create a series of practical yet forward-thinking strategies to guide the future development and growth of the downtown area. The Plan will be environmentally responsible, respectful of the existing landscape and built environment, financially feasible, and visionary.

In addition to land use and design, the planning process includes an analysis of economic opportunities, transportation and utility infrastructure needs, and historic preservation issues associated with the redevelopment and expansion of the downtown area.

Torti Gallas is the lead firm for the effort. Sub-consultants are Economic Research Associates (economic analysis), Walter P. Moore Inc. (transportation engineering), Meléndrez (landscape architecture), Urban Design Group (civil engineering), Limbacher & Godfrey (historic preservation), and BWM Group (landscaping, way finding and local support).

The City hired consulting firm Glatting Jackson in 2007 to develop a scope of work to ensure we included the appropriate topics in this sector development planning. As part of the scoping process late last year, City staff and the consultants held an intensive two-day series of focus groups, interviews, and a public meeting with key stakeholders, technical experts, and members of the community.

If you want specifics of how the planning process will unfold, here's the scope of services that lays it out in some detail.

We expect the first opportunities for broad public input will occur in approximately two months when Torti Gallas will lead a week-long charrette, featuring a store-front studio downtown where people can come and go to provide input. The consultants are also scheduled for a site visit approximately one month after the contract is awarded, and we expect they will conduct some one-on-one interviews at that time.

We anticipate the planning effort to last nine to 12 months.

We'll provide regular updates as the plan progresses, including a timeline, and look forward to everyone's input on this exciting project.

Will Hampton is the project manager for the Downtown Redevelopment and Expansion Master Plan. If you have questions, contact him directly at 218-5409 or whampton@round-rock.tx.us.

Construction Update: August

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:13:00 GMT

Well, its the end of August, and if you've been out at Old Settlers Park, the girls softball complex concession/restroom building is 75% complete and the fields are 90% complete. We're on schedule and starting to plan the Grand Opening Celebration for the beginning of November! If you have speaker or event ideas for the Grand Opening, post a comment as we're planning a celebration!

As many of you know, baseball and softball fields aren't the only part of this project. The football parking lot is complete and ready for the upcoming football season and we recently broke ground on the tennis restroom/pro shop building which should be complete by early December. If you haven't been to Old Settlers in awhile, you're in for an eye-opening treat!

Last Chance to Splash This Labor Day Weekend

Kristi Morgan — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:10:00 GMT

So school has started and summer officially feels over, BUT Rock' N River and the Parks and Recreation Department want to give you a couple more days of summer fun by re-opening the Aquatics Center for the Labor Day weekend. This is the last chance to enjoy the Rock' N River until next year. The weather should be nice and hot so it will be a perfect way to cool off, relax and enjoy the long weekend!!

Rock' N River will be open Saturday, August 30 through Monday, September 1 from noon - 6 pm. Micki Krebsbach Pool and Lake Creek Pool will remain closed this weekend.

We hope to see you at Rock' N River this weekend. For more information visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/pools or feel free to leave a comment/question below!

Let's talk dollars -- 2009 Round Rock budget and tax rate

Will Hampton — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:54:00 GMT

It's time for public input as the City Council considers the 2008-2009 budget and tax rate. The proposed $134.6 million budget and our strategic budget can be found here. They're huge documents, so be patient as they download. For an overview, you'll want to read the Budget Message that starts on Page 4 of the budget document.

We face a challenge as the City develops its budget this year. We are confronted by a general economic slowdown while our population continues to grow. Because we have successfully diversified our economy over the past 15 years, the City can continue to provide the core operating services our citizens rely upon.

The City of Round Rock’s budget planning is affected to a large extent by Dell, since the company’s presence here has such a significant impact on our finances. Because Dell’s corporate headquarters and sales staff are located here, the City collects sales taxes on most of Dell’s Texas sales. For the past two years, though, Dell’s sales tax revenue to the city is down.

The City has managed its reliance on Dell in a couple of ways. First, through a policy that limits a specific portion of Dell revenue for day to day operations while providing the remaining funding for large projects and debt reduction. Second, through an economic development strategy that focuses on bringing dollars to Round Rock from sources outside our community.

The twenty-four month general decline in Dell’s sales tax revenue appears to reflect a long-term shift, not a temporary downturn as we have seen in the past. So, the City Council is now considering a gradual shifting from sales tax to the property tax in a manageable and affordable way to maintain quality levels of service.

So what does that mean to you? At the tax rate the City Council is considering, the owner of the average value home would see their tax bill increase by about $33 next year. That $33 will help us maintain current service levels while adding staffing to police and parks and recreation.

The tax rate currently being considered by the City Council is 36.5 cents, the same as last year, which translates into a City tax bill of $676.84 for an average value home. Note: The 36.5 cent tax rate is slightly higher than the rate shown in the proposed budget documents we link to above. The original proposed budget included no new employees and was balanced at the effective tax rate of 35.1 cents (The effective tax rate is the rate that would provide the same amount of revenue collected last year from properties on the tax roll last year -- it does not take into account new properties added to the tax roll this year).

The City Council at an Aug. 20 meeting voted to consider the slightly higher rate after much discussion about the impact of Dell's declining sales tax revenue. We'll continue to closely monitor sales tax collections as the City Council makes its deliberations on the final tax rate.

The first public hearing on the tax rate will be 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 221 E. Main St. A second public hearing, and first reading vote on the budget and tax rate, is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 11, during the regular City Council meeting. A final public hearing and second and final reading votes are scheduled for the Thursday, Sept. 25, regular meeting.

That's a long post, I know, but budgets and tax rates are not simple issues to explain. You can watch a video about the budget on our access channel, Time Warner cable 10, at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., or online: Launch Video Player

You Can Now Become a Facebook Fan of the City of Round Rock

Kristi Morgan — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:32:00 GMT

That's right your hometown is cool enough to be on facebook! We have created a page that you can become a fan of and have all the fun of Facebook while tapping into information and happenings going on around you. It is also a good way to talk other people from Round Rock and learn about new places, events or things to do that you would have never known!

I am excited that we have decided to join Facebook and create this page. I think it's going to be a great way for everyone to stay in touch. ALSO it features all of my blogs (YAY)!! Plus, City Focus Episodes, discussion forums, and a list of upcoming events can be found on our page. So come check us out. There is tons of awesome new stuff to get hooked on, as if Facebook is not addicting enough!

To find us you can type City of Round Rock in your search tool and our fan page should show up. Click on the link and you can check out our page and become a fan!

Round Rock Parks and Recreation is Hiring

Kristi Morgan — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:45:00 GMT

The Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department is hiring for the fall. If you are a student and looking for a part-time job, the Kids Clubhouse after-school program is looking for counselors. We are also looking for program instructors, referees, Toddler Treehouse supervisors, and much more. There are many different opportunities for you join the Parks and Recreation team as a full or part-time employee.

You can view the job postings at www.roundrocktexas.gov/jobs.

Register Online for the Outlaw Trail 100 Cycling Tour

Kristi Morgan — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:40:00 GMT

Online registration has begun for the Outlaw Trail 100 Cycling Tour. The tour takes place Saturday, October 18. You can choose between a 10 mi, 25 mi, 50 mi, 100K or 100 mile tour and you receive a bunch of free stuff for participating (shirt, water bottle, keychain, Clif bars).

This is a great opportunity to get out and ride your bike on an established path. It might just be me, but I feel like I have seen more cyclists this summer than ever before. If you are a new cyclists and just getting into the sport that sign up for the 10 mile race!! It's going to be a lot of fun and it's a good way to meet other cyclists and get more involved in riding.

I just recently got a bicycle, and I was so excited to be able to ride my bike places instead of driving to save on gas. I did that maybe twice before realizing that it takes me three as long and I get four times as sweaty. So I have not really used my bike that much this summer, but I am thinking about entering us up in the 10 mile race. You can look for me on a 1980's black and white speckled Huffy!!

visit www.outlawtrail100.com to register and receive more information!

People and Parks Fund

Kristi Morgan — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:12:00 GMT

The People and Parks Fund is a giving circle that citizens are able to join. By making a donation to the fund, you automatically become a member of the foundation and are given the opportunity to vote on what park projects you would like enacted. All projects will be submitted by the Parks and Recreation Department and from there, members will vote on which projects they want to see take place. This is a great way to ensure that your money goes right into the parks of Round Rock.

If you want to become a member you must donate before September 30, 2008 to be able to vote on this years' projects.

Donations:
$10 per child
$15 per individual
$30 per family (Donations are being accepted through September 30, 2008)

I am excited for the great things the People and Parks Fund will bring to the City of Round Rock parks and I hope that this interests many readers. If this is something you want to get involved with, visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/peopleandparks.

Adopt-A-Unit Evening at Rock' N River is Canceled

Kristi Morgan — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:46:00 GMT

As much as we love to get rain in Texas, it has caused us to have to cancel our special evening for the Fort Hood families from our adopted unit. We are unsure at this time if rescheduling the event is an option, but I will keep you updated as I receive more information!

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Check Out the 5K For Clay Event Pictures and Fun

Kristi Morgan — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:50:00 GMT

Great job to everyone who ran the 5K For Clay race this past weekend. We had a great turn out with 282 participants. The event staff created a new route for this years' race that allowed runners to run along scenic trails instead of sticking to the roads. It seemed like many runners enjoyed the morning run with a nice, scenic route.

Pictures from the race have been uploaded to the City's flickr page. Feel free to check them out and see if you were captured during all the fun!

I would love to hear your comments about the pictures, your experience at the race, or the new route below!!

Rock' N River Closes Early August 18 to Welcome Fort Hood Families

Kristi Morgan — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:12:00 GMT

As you know, we are helping to support a unit from Fort Hood and we want to be able to help the families as well as the fighting soldiers. The City of Round Rock has invited Fort Hood families and adopt-a-unit friends to come and have a fun evening in Round Rock. The City has decided to close the Rock' N River early Monday, August 18, at 4 pm to give the families a private experience at our great family aquatics center.

We want the families to feel comforted and supported as well, and being able to provide a great evening of fun and play is a nice way to show we care!

Rock' N River will re-open Tuesday, August 19, for regular business hours.

Pool Closures

Kristi Morgan — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:24:00 GMT

The Round Rock summer season is coming to an end and pools will be closing within the next couple of weeks. It's sad, I know!

Lake Creek Pool will be the first to close on Sunday, August 17, Micki Krebsbach will close the following Sunday, August 24 and Rock' N River Family Aquatics Center will be the final pool to close on Monday, August 25.

Before you get too sad, Rock' N River will re-open one last time for the Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30- Sept. 1. Bring the kids and the family out to enjoy a refreshing and relaxing weekend!

So make sure to visit the pools before they close. Finalize those nearly perfect tans, cool off a couple more times and relax at your favorite pools.

I hope you have enjoyed your summer season, and the good news behind all this is that we are moving closer to cooler weather (slowly)!!

If you have any questions or would like to share any experiences you have had at the Round Rock pools, feel free to comment below. We really do love to hear from all of you!!

Summer Concert Pictures PLUS Online Registration for Non-residents begins Today!

Kristi Morgan — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:44:00 GMT

Pictures from Sunday's concert with Pride and Joy will be loaded on the City's flickr page today. Check out the fun and see if you were captured in any pictures. The next concert is September 14 featuring the Los Texas Wranglers. This is the last summer concert for the season, so if you have not been able to make it out yet, we would love to see there!

Also, non-residents are able to start registering for fall programs today!! Visit roundrockrecreation.com to view fall 2008 programs and register online.

Get Signed Up for the 5K For Clay

Kristi Morgan — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:30:00 GMT

The annual 5K For Clay takes place August 16, 2008. Register now before late registration fees set in! Late registration fees will begin August 13 so make sure you have signed up before then. To register for the 5K, visit www.5kforclay.com or stop by the Parks and Recreation Department (301 W. Bagdad) or the Clay Madsen Recreation Center (1600 Gattis School Rd).

The 5K For Clay is fun run/ walk. All the proceeds will help benefit the Clay Madsen Recreation Center. That means that your registration fees will go right back into the community by providing funding for classes, camps, equipment, ect.

If you have never run a 5K before, then you need to come out and experience one. I ran my first 5K last year as a requirement for my soccer team. When I started the race, I have to admit, I was not very happy about running on my day off, but I turned on my ipod and started jamming to my new playlist and before you know it I was enjoying a nice cruise run. When I finished I so excited!! I felt good, healthy, and accomplished. I think that everyone should experience that sense of accomplishment you get from finishing a race. If you have ran a race before than you know what I am talking about, and you should come out for the 5K For Clay!!

In addition to the great feeling of accomplishment, the City of Round Rock wants to reward its runners. Each female and male runner (according to different age groups) will be rewarded with a medal for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. ALSO, the first female and male runners to cross the finish line will recieve a $100 gift card to REI.

So visit www.5kforclay.com or stop by our offices to make sure you get signed up. You do not want to miss this! I hope to see you bright and early next Saturday morning the 16th. Feel free to leave me a comment, I love to hear from you!! Are you planning to attend?

Round Rock Summer Concert Series Presents Pride and Joy

Kristi Morgan — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:48:00 GMT

Round Rock Summer Concert Series presents Pride and Joy, Sunday, August 10 at 7 pm. Pride and Joy will perform at the Round Rock Amphitheatre, 301 W. Bagdad, as part of the Summer Concert Series.

If you enjoy live music and new talent, you should come check these guys out! Pride and Joy sing the "electrified blues." Their latino, rock sound will be sure to move you all night long!! So bring your friends, family, and your dogs out to the concert Sunday night. See you there!

If you have any question or want to post any comments about the Summer Concert Series, feel free to make a comment below. We love to get your feedback!!

June Round Rock Baseball League meeting minutes

Terri Waggoner — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:12:00 GMT

The Round Rock Baseball League (RRBL) met on July 31. The group is working to secure a webhost and then get their webpage up and running soon. Just as soon as the page is up, we will let everyone know the link.

Other discussion items included the rules of governing the RRBL, League software to help with registration and scheduling, concessions and officer elections.

The board is still looking for volunteers for a variety of league tasks. Please contact the Rusty Charlton if interested. July minutes will be posted after approval at the Aug meeting.

Board Minutes

Rock' N River Closed Today

Kristi Morgan — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:27:00 GMT

City of Round Rock's Rock'N River Family Aquatic Center (3300 E Palm Valley Blvd) is closed today, August 6 for maintenance. The pool will resume normal operating hours on Thursday, August 7 at 10 am.

Guests can still jump in one of our other city of Round Rock pools to stay cool. Lake Creek Pool (800 Deerfoot Drive) is open from 1 pm - 5 pm or Micki Krebsbach pool (301 Deepwood Drive) which is open from 1 pm - 8 pm. For more information on pool schedules visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/pools or call Round Rock Parks and Recreation at 512-218-5540.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to post them!

Round Rock Toddlers Create a Quilt For Our Adopt-A-Unit Soldiers

Kristi Morgan — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:11:00 GMT

As you know, Round Rock has adopted a unit from Fort Hood to support while they are away from their homes and families. We have had great success collecting items for them with the Frontier Days Celebration donation drive and the donation boxes that are placed throughout the city. The City of Round Rock has been able to send many different shipments of the supplies the soldiers have asked for and more.

In addition to all the great items we have already collected and sent, our Toddler Treehouse Preschool Program decided to make something sentimental to send to our soldiers. While focusing on the letter "Q", this group of toddlers ranging from three to five years of age, decided to make our soldiers a beautiful quilt. Each square was uniquely designed and placed on the quilt by the by a different child.

It will be nice to send something that shows the soldiers that they are in our hearts while they are away, and what a perfect way to show them we care! A special thanks to Emmet, Ryan, Alora, Meghan, Aeden, Sierra, Zamari, Evan and Austin for all the hard work they put into creating this quilt.

Tried the Old Settlers Disc Golf course?

Terri Waggoner — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:40:00 GMT

Round Rock has a an 18 hole, professionally designed disc golf course at Old Settlers Park. Recently on Disc Golf Course Review website, disc golfers have ranked the park 4 out of 5. Their review website is cool because it has feedback from disc golfers on the course and pictures of the course holes. From what I hear the most challenging spot is hole 16. Some of the holes are pretty far so get your arm ready! On any given weekend, I've seen people out there playing on the course. Its a challenge that you'll want to play again. Have you ever tried out the course? What do you think?

Huge trees at Old Settlers Park

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:20:00 GMT

Round Rock Forestry began a massive planting at Old Settlers Park in conjunction with the Sports Complex Improvement Project last week. When the construction at Old Settlers baseball and softball complex is complete, there will be 500 trees in Old Settlers Park and the shade will make a world of difference. City Forester Emsud Horozovic said these are the largest trees the city has ever planted in Old Settlers Park. They are 4 inch Calipers and are 15-20 feet tall. To put the size in perspective, our crews and contractors have to use a backhoe to lift the large trees into place to plant them!

An assortment of Cedar Elm, Bur Oaks, Shumard, and Chinquapin Oak trees are part of the planting.

The trees are purchased with money from tree mitigation funds through the City of Round Rock tree ordinance. The city tree ordinance helps preserve existing protected-sized trees and provides funding to replace any trees that are removed from development projects. If trees can not be all replaced on site then tree mitigation can be paid to plant trees in city park and on other public land.
These trees will not only look nice, but they'll also provide shade at the complex. Its exciting to see these big trees become part of Old Settlers Park!

Check out the pictures on our city's flickr page!

Watch 'em dance

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:15:00 GMT

On Saturday, the Ballet Folklorico has their cultural summer fest at the Round Rock Amphitheater with the dancers performing dances from a variety of different regions in Mexico. The Ballet Folklorico performed at the city's July 4 Celebration this year and had the entire pavilion filled with spectators.

This Cultural Summer Fest they're doing gives us a chance to really see the dancers perform on a stage. I hope the rain will keep the weather cool and help make the perfect night to sit outside and watch the free show at the amphitheater. Its nice to have free cultural events that we can go watch!

The fest is a monthly series. Did any of you make it to the June show? What did you think?

Entire park isn't closed, just the baseball and softball complex

Terri Waggoner — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:09:00 GMT

Come out to Old Settlers! Only the baseball and softball complex are closed during construction and renovations for the Sports Capital Improvement Project. We have been getting calls from concerned residents. The entire park is not closed, only the baseball and softball complex. Residents and guests can still enjoy the Rock'N River family aquatic center, park trails, the lake, volleyball courts, disc golf course, picnic areas, playgrounds, tennis courts, soccer fields, football fields and pavilions. If you have any questions, call 512-218-5540!

Round Rock Lifeguards Compete in the South Texas Lifeguard Competition

Kristi Morgan — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:54:00 GMT

Congratulations to the Round Rock lifeguards for thier success in the 2008 South Texas Lifeguard Competition!

This was the second year that Round Rock has entered the competition. Round Rock entered the Rock’N River Donuts, Lake Creek Ligers, and Kresbach Rescuers. In order to prove their lifeguard skills, the Round Rock teams were put to the test with various events. Some of these events include: First Aid scenarios, Spinal Management, Water Resuscitation Rescue, Passive Victim Recover Relay and CPR for the Professional Rescuer Scenarios. Scenarios ranged from drowning and hypothermia victims, to head gashes and chemical burns. Using strict reviewing criteria, the teams were reviewed, ranked and placed.

Rock'N River medaled 5th in the Rescue Scenario!

The City is very proud their lifeguard's accomplishments and we look forward to their future success in next years' competition.

To view the pictures from the competition visit the City's flickr page.

Ole! Ole!

Kristi Morgan — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:28:00 GMT

I do not know how many soccer fans are reading this, but if you enjoy watching soccer you should know that Round Rock is hosting the game between rivals America and Toluca. These are two highly ranked teams from Mexico coming to battle each other TONIGHT at the Round Rock Indepedent Schood District Sports Complex beginning at 8 pm.

It is great that the game is being played in Round Rock. It is a good opportunity to take the kids out to see a great soccer match. I know there are a lot of soccer camps and training sessions going on throughout the summer and this could be a good learning tool to let them watch and experience a live professional game!

This should be a great game, and even if you do not know much about soccer, the excitement and intensity of this game should be a crowd pleaser. I was personally ecstatic when I saw the news. There is nothing better than good, live soccer! I hope you can make it to the game tonight!

Read more about the upcoming soccer game and the teams playing tonight!

Ball Field Closure

Kristi Morgan — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:13:00 GMT

Just to remind you, Old Settlers Park baseball and softball complex is officially closing July 21, 2008 for renovations. To make sure that we can finish the complex in a timely manner and keep the community safe, it was decided that closing the fields completely is the best way to make everything happen.

Field closure will allow for this two-year project to be a one-year project. The City is producing rapid results and we look forward to having a great complex. The park will reopen in phases. The new girls softball complex is under construction and set to open in November 2008. The baseball complex is expected to be complete in February for Spring ball 2009.

I cannot wait, there will be shading structures, bleachers, playgrounds, lights, and upgraded concession and restroom facilities. Not to mention great ball fields. The new complex is really going to build upon the Sports Capital of Texas image we are creating in Round Rock.

Let me know what you think, post your comments!!