[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6583590,"mediaKeyId","3176042-d71a5986a3036bffe3469f2ca6431335","parentId",3176042,"title","Votes at a glance: Leander City Council actions May 1, 2025","audioSeconds",2018,"startMs",4261284,"endMs",6279565,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176042-d71a5986a3036bffe3469f2ca6431335&start=4261&end=6279","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176042-d71a5986a3036bffe3469f2ca6431335/thumbnail_4261284.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6583590/Leander/Williamson-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Leander-City-Council-actions-May-1-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583590-5d43d122751e2f8be1e47e53b75f5f4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1774880617&Signature=Tt7JeECqg93~0AWpTnIODUdHg4lrLFiM51UOTOkFiv0Tg7K--fyC5F8HNNBwFtOBY42Xrjv6uy3g5NaoNxxNX90rMtPsHY7ACEP76D-33ZlYUPXTbOpjf30WUJ2WNqdDpEn6QAi4okeTcV5J2H20Hq-Bpkmf-k70CuOmylhwQJzNAbAzX4x0z8cnDm3Wr7JsV8WlFT81BfUq1s6qiAdYtCdUlh5spkGCDl0BuCQdo3myidhQ82fPrLS028~O2YlpgLjfFoiN0wqG5RadMthNR2bL1uTNXAY5iUEGR68LwqAFFNpOHvajnpwrgJo4DpLIXAf3RgO-WsrgYC0XCAyNSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leander","date","2025-05-01T00:00:00Z","article","The Leander City Council on May 1 took the following formal actions during its regular meeting. Most votes were unanimous; where a named tally was not recorded in the transcript the council recorded votes as “passes unanimously.”

Votes and formal actions

- Building and Fire Code adoption (Ordinance case OR‑25‑0031): Council adopted updates to the city’s building and fire codes to the 2021 International Codes package and the 2023 National Electrical Code, with local amendments. The ordinance updates irrigation references to comply with TCEQ changes and adjusts promotional sign package timing. Vote: passed unanimously.

- Comprehensive Plan amendment (CPA‑025‑0016): Council approved text updates to the plan to label employment centers (Hero Way South Employment Center) and to allow horizontal mixed‑use as a secondary component supporting primary employment uses; staff recommended adoption and council approved. Vote: passed unanimously.

- Oakwood Hills annexation (A‑24‑0015) and associated first reading ordinance: Council approved the first reading of the annexation with staff‑recommended conditions including remaining in existing Travis County ESDs, privately maintained interior streets and parkland, a shared fund for Nameless Road improvements and pre‑plumbing for reclaimed water; council approved the first reading and directed staff to prepare an updated service agreement. Vote: first reading approved unanimously.

- Zoning for Oakwood Hills (Z‑24‑0124): Council approved first reading to rezone seven parcels to SFR‑2B (single‑family, one‑acre lots) as part of the annexation process; staff and Planning & Zoning recommended approval. Vote: first reading approved unanimously.

- Water rate surcharge for outside‑city customers (Appendix A amendment): Per a Public Utility Commission order authorizing recovery of the city’s rate‑case expenses, council adopted a surcharge of up to $5 per month (initial calculated surcharge $4.83) to be collected over 36 months from outside‑city retail water customers to recover $630,635.60 in authorized expenses; customers may pay a one‑time upfront balance or a 36‑month plan. Vote: passed unanimously.

- Consent agenda: Council approved the consent agenda (which included a number of routine items and the items listed on the consent docket). Public commenters asked that one rezoning (item 16) be pulled for discussion; the council moved and approved the consent agenda. Vote: passed unanimously.

- Branch Communications master lease (agenda item 19): Council heard a presentation and public comment and directed staff to return with additional pricing comparisons and contract examples before approving a master lease template; action was postponed for further analysis.

- City Manager annual evaluation and compensation: After an executive session, the council approved a 4% raise for the City Manager. Vote: passed unanimously.

For items listed above, the council recorded motions and seconds on the record and then voted; the transcript indicates unanimous passage for the listed adopted ordinances and first readings. Specific vote tallies were not enumerated in the meeting transcript beyond unanimous passage.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Leander - City Council Regular Meeting - May 01, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council unanimously approved several ordinances and first‑reading items, adopted a water‑rate surcharge for outside the city customers and approved a 4% raise for the city manager; staff deferred a master telecom lease pending further pricing analysis.","taxTitle","Leander, Williamson County, Texas","taxId",2825,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583595,"Assistant to city manager briefs council on major Texas bills affecting Leander",1042,2824835,3867200,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176042-d71a5986a3036bffe3469f2ca6431335&start=2824&end=3867","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176042-d71a5986a3036bffe3469f2ca6431335/thumbnail_2824835.jpg","/articles/6583595/Leander/Williamson-County/Texas/Assistant-to-city-manager-briefs-council-on-major-Texas-bills-affecting-Leander","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583595-574ec5b2b68449d7bb2c18a1a7b58f37/orig.mp4?Expires=1774880617&Signature=gUrKKcj-6dN-vY38ntYvnTgdSldIVarN0PNQTetv0O6dfUgn4wDXGdxQgijSu4sfQX~k-lQ6lewzneSnJW7kD1v3fOJ5KVOAWnysF~O5l~TPjRd6u2f7c299tTLyEjhdmWoBMnSeGUjBHUMJnQQHnXPnDolqptVHBkHQUOzSUITVL6D2D14Ld4bNuLYSlQ5s3FLdu92VLthroQ4NfAIRK0FYHXSDfJSIkyjQELWwpDVXOMOI0ta-SKLlyyoHQhzKcVxL6GocicsYgbpTkzrn7PzCaCUUYenMMO6qe9jZTn7avte7WpHxZqUpAC6uzUxxuW~rK~3iz1j4tNrsUJKhAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Surya Sock, Assistant to the City Manager, gave a detailed May 1 update on state legislation that city staff are tracking and that could affect Leander’s governance, finance and land‑use authority.

Sock reviewed session timing and deadlines, then summarized bills of interest under the city’s legislative priorities: allowing cities to publish notices in digital newspapers (SB 1062), measures limiting political‑subdivision lobbying spending (SB 19), annexation and utility compensation rules (HB 1318), restrictions on property tax abatements (SB 878), proposals to move municipal elections to November (SB 533 and SB 1209), higher competitive bidding thresholds (SB 1173), impact fee limits (SB 1883), and a large set of land‑use and housing bills addressing lot‑size caps, accessory dwelling units by right, manufactured-home regulations and mixed‑use allowances. Sock also highlighted pending bills concerning sales tax exemption for Internet access and franchise‑fee changes that would affect municipal revenues.

Sock said many measures had passed one chamber and were under consideration in the other, and cautioned that the House had a large backlog that could prevent many bills from reaching final votes. She urged council members to coordinate with staff and to use the City’s adopted legislative priorities when speaking with legislators. Council members asked about opportunities for a post‑session “Leander Day at the Capitol” and emphasized coordinating visits so council members speak only for positions the council has adopted.

The presentation was informational; no council action was taken. Staff said they will continue monitoring bills, plan to attend hearings of interest and report back to council as the session progresses.","Staff outlined a range of state bills under consideration — from digital publication of notices and franchise tax proposals to accessory dwelling units and impact‑fee changes — and flagged near‑term deadlines and likely areas for follow-up.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583601,"Council hears Branch Communications proposal for master telecom lease; public asks staff to research comparable deals",650,3141710,3792695,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176042-d71a5986a3036bffe3469f2ca6431335&start=3141&end=3792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176042-d71a5986a3036bffe3469f2ca6431335/thumbnail_3141710.jpg","/articles/6583601/Leander/Williamson-County/Texas/Council-hears-Branch-Communications-proposal-for-master-telecom-lease-public-asks-staff-to-research-comparable-deals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583601-0ff8295ae63c856689104aafc79a2b2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1774880617&Signature=aUOWYjQzEd~9GvQ~uIlLZteYXIpryK2pQuShkeTg7gojjEFUZYE5ExqixDuPFFe537Q5VziVu2FXxYUBXi8U9knXLtYK064N5Irw8uqZ4azCIk-oyDP9-IIBbZHdGrDKam87j6bAXTX0h1J81YFJwGEU8S-T2ZbT8zmd4eLPsFbNsSjlFo8R0p4vj~veqJoWsZ00NaPVlQN-Z8nrHgOE65gcsnpEU~zoITue3zKcnWb6YvnkOBuHs5zXk~E5kLA9QNUlZVXztYrXtEBR9zYmdLprQ1Uikjl3yX8fAWV-2UW7qP3ch9WGFYDcPLE68vdGVRhn5VgBWNnoS3VoluaZbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council received a presentation May 1 from Branch Communications on a proposed master telecommunications lease that would pre‑negotiate general terms for multiple site leases on city‑owned property and speed deployment of new monopole towers, but several council members and a public commenter asked staff for more market comparisons before approving terms.

Jeffrey King, a Branch representative, said the company manages about 1,100 structures nationally and works directly with major carriers including AT&T, T‑Mobile and Verizon. King described the master agreement as a template that would allow Branch to present specific site proposals to the city; if the city approves a location, the parties would execute an individual site lease containing tower height, compound dimensions and other site‑specific terms. King said typical build timetables after a signed lease run from about four to 10 months and that Branch can accept either an upfront lump sum or a monthly rent schedule.

Resident Anita Chmenevich, who testified during the consent/public comment portion, asked the council not to “undersell” city land after reviewing public records from other Texas cities. She said Branch’s draft figures — $2,000 upfront and $12.50 per month plus $300 per additional carrier in the draft agreement — appear modest compared with some nearby deals and cited examples in Round Rock and elsewhere where cities had higher upfront payments or lump‑sum arrangements. Chmenevich asked the city to seek a better long‑term share of the asset value and to include protections should a tower be sold.

Assistant to the City Manager Surya Sock and Branch acknowledged staff has received carrier interest in specific city sites and said staff shared comparator contracts with Branch. Council members asked that staff return at the next meeting with additional pricing comparisons and analysis of lump‑sum versus monthly rent structures; the council did not approve the master agreement at the May 1 meeting and directed staff to bring further analysis to the next meeting. No site leases were executed.

Mayor Christine DeLisle and others urged caution and noted the need for city staff to compare the proposed terms to local benchmarks before committing to long‑term lease structures. The item was postponed for additional research and returned for council consideration at a future meeting.","A Branch Communications master lease template for city properties drew support from carriers but public commenters urged Leander to seek higher upfront or monthly payments; council asked staff to return with additional pricing comparisons before action.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583606,"Leander outlines Baghdad Terminus pump station, 1.5M-gallon tank and 24-inch waterline construction schedule",213,2558990,2772795,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176042-d71a5986a3036bffe3469f2ca6431335&start=2558&end=2772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176042-d71a5986a3036bffe3469f2ca6431335/thumbnail_2558990.jpg","/articles/6583606/Leander/Williamson-County/Texas/Leander-outlines-Baghdad-Terminus-pump-station-15M-gallon-tank-and-24-inch-waterline-construction-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583606-f44683925d44586082376cd9655a1155/orig.mp4?Expires=1774880617&Signature=aQd4TxI9aJzk1~2v1jZKh6iDjfDR3C65RCn1H-SCH1RuKPiJ3ZCuKXBHvX9x9wJL-qAbTPbVW2jHnlVVFfhLiWp8jvHY17wBCCloelyIJJ0D75MOVsnvFVS9cxmTy~hwF8PaewsyRS4SkjACcsp83TS4xH3GSX4mFlZVxk8lnuFHqIqDMWz0Ud3AY2PuVWDiC0psS46B2Ab63hr6jd8MsrDdM08iqenWb6FLkWMnXgXOdqKQXlP6-Oe-G-NKOCXluKzgwjm4u7T~uhIV-a6A5AW-y8WDY3pEq8wxqhWh2TJdiUawubyK05oQuF~It86dWHj9bgVK~17IsMhvZtngoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Leander on May 1 presented a multi-stage construction plan to replace an aging pump station, add a 1.5 million‑gallon concrete storage tank and install new 24‑ and 16‑inch waterlines along Baghdad Road, a project staff said is needed to move water to higher pressure zones as the city grows.

Tony Bettis, CIP program manager, said the existing steel tank at the Baghdad terminus (a roughly 0.75 million gallon tank and a small pump station built in 1996) is inadequate for current needs. The project will demolish the steel tank and construct a larger pump station with three pumps, add a 1,500,000‑gallon concrete tank and install a new 24‑inch waterline on the high‑pressure plane and a 16‑inch waterline for the low‑pressure plane. Bettis said the work will primarily follow Baghdad Road north from the high school toward Crystal Falls.

Bettis presented a phased schedule that aims to minimize school‑time disruption. Work in front of the high school is planned to begin after school ends May 26 and to be completed in that segment by Aug. 13; a second phase would run Aug. 13–Sept. 15, followed by later phases up to Crystal Falls. The project includes repaving the center three lanes and restriping in winter 2025–26 and a total construction completion date (including tanks and pump station) of May 28, 2026.

Council asked whether traffic lanes would be closed; Bettis said crews will close the center three lanes and maintain one lane of traffic with occasional Michigan‑left detours for turning movements. Council members thanked staff for timing work to school breaks and for planning Michigan‑left traffic control to maintain access.

No formal vote was required; the presentation was informational and staff said they will follow up with more detailed traffic and construction notifications to the public as phases progress.","City engineers briefed council on plans to replace a 1996 pump station, add a 1.5 million gallon concrete tank and install new 24- and 16-inch waterlines; work will close center lanes along Baghdad Road during phased construction timed to school breaks and is expected to finish in 2026.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583611,"Leander staff outline microtrenching permit details and limits as option for fiber expansion",221,33080,254675,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176042-d71a5986a3036bffe3469f2ca6431335&start=33&end=254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176042-d71a5986a3036bffe3469f2ca6431335/thumbnail_33080.jpg","/articles/6583611/Leander/Williamson-County/Texas/Leander-staff-outline-microtrenching-permit-details-and-limits-as-option-for-fiber-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583611-496f1e35d07685822bbdc8ce874abe81/orig.mp4?Expires=1774880617&Signature=Jp~wf1M-QGZinrFFk7uJGzyFBVtvUtKIz75IpTNtHszk~AqBwN7rEsztwiqlW7-Tq6KNljnotR3B6npfzlbMxRQtHhHZbL~dLdr0lwBujcGXMtj0DY46cxKo6U1O30lfgNheQEsz1rwMNa~~pdF-Dnyqk2T3wG5ikQ74uwlCobHVPc8tcOzBhbOBGl839UC5yhVvsb2I2QcxQaFloQ2MOkqBzsukDj5PM3PZXgDjb7bR1iAze9QAVR9eTIhlCXljZhRmMmIw8kcDfxTOWRxGuVmjWl2e-axfXtcoSdW-gRluy1Ucui8XzDNzdbn-MbtSPtI5rB2~Afmi3ug9ipjhjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leander public works staff on May 1 briefed the City Council on proposed permitting and technical specifications the city would use to allow microtrenching — a narrow trenching technique for installing fiber-optic lines — and the schedule for adopting related ordinance and subdivision-code updates.

Robin Lisonbee, Executive Director of Public Works, described microtrenching as a method that places “the small trench along the gutter line, lay the fibre in it, put some flowable fill, and then, yeah, move on,” and said typical trenches would be about 2½ inches wide and 10–18 inches deep depending on road class. Lisonbee said the engineering team has prepared standard details showing curb and behind-curb installations, vault locations and splice points for service to individual homes, and is considering a curb “marker” to indicate buried fiber.

The update said staff would present the draft ordinance to the Planning and Zoning Commission and hold two council hearings in June. Proposed technical limits include a maximum trench width of about 2.5 inches, 1,000–1,200 psi flowable fill, a two‑year warranty obligation on streets where microtrenching is allowed, a required top crack-seal and a prohibition on perpendicular trenches. New subdivisions, streets still under a two‑year warranty period, streets without curb and concrete streets would be ineligible; staff said many new subdivisions already have fiber installed and the practical target for microtrenching is older neighborhoods.

Council members asked how permit priority and timing would work if multiple companies wanted to serve the same neighborhood. Lisonbee said permits would be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and that carriers must extend an existing system into a subdivision rather than place isolated runs. Council also asked whether permits expire; staff confirmed permits have time limits so one company cannot reserve sites indefinitely. Lisonbee said staff will check spacing practices used by Austin for curb markers and return with the final ordinance and details.

Council did not take action at the briefing workshop; staff will return the draft ordinance and standard details for formal hearings in the coming weeks.","City public works staff updated council on proposed microtrenching standards for fiber installation, describing typical trench size, materials and limits and a draft schedule for ordinance hearings and engineering details.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Leander City Council actions May 1, 2025

Assistant to city manager briefs council on major Texas bills affecting Leander

Council hears Branch Communications proposal for master telecom lease; public asks staff to research comparable deals

Leander outlines Baghdad Terminus pump station, 1.5M-gallon tank and 24-inch waterline construction schedule

Leander staff outline microtrenching permit details and limits as option for fiber expansion