The overview
On Feb. 3, an ordinance was passed banning heavy trucks on certain roads in Lakeway, with vehicles exceeding 15,000 pounds now subject to fines up to $500.
Also at that meeting, improvements to U-turns on RM 620 were discussed. Although no decision was made, council member Kent O’Brien, who brought the idea forward, was directed to continue work on the project.
On Feb. 18, a City Council meeting was held to address a range of issues including hotel occupancy tax policies, city staff AI policies, city subcommittee structure and usage of FEMA funds received by the city.
No decision was made on usage of FEMA funds, which were received by the city Feb. 3, and total $1.4 million. The funds cover 75% of $1.8 million spent by the city in order to recover from Hurricane Maria in 2023, according to city documents. Further discussion on the issue will take place at the city’s March regular meeting.
The city’s planned unit development—or PUD—subcommittee, which acts as an audit committee for certain housing developments in the city, also discussed concerns regarding whether or not council should be given greater access to that subcommittee’s meetings. Ultimately, a motion was passed to keep the current structure and attendance of that committee’s meetings in place.
What else?
A presentation was also shared at the Feb. 18 meeting by Communications Director Jarrod Wise highlighting a draft of the city’s new AI policy. This draft was put together by the city’s AI committee, formed in mid-2024. The committee has met once a month since August to formulate a policy and test various AI products for government use, Wise said.
The policy, which was approved unanimously, requires disclaimers for AI usage in city communications. Additionally, it requires that no confidential information be shared with AI systems. Human oversight is also required for all uses.
In terms of hotel tax policy, no decisions were made at the Feb. 18 meeting. Council discussed a potential incentive reimbursement program that would allow hotel occupancy tax funds collected by the city to be given back to local hotels. The item was ultimately moved to the council’s March meeting for further discussion.
Other items passed at the meeting include construction of new Smith and Hamilton Greenbelt bridges, submission of an application for a criminal justice grant program, and appointment of members to a wildlife advisory committee.
On Feb. 21, a special meeting was held to approve an ordinance cancelling the general election for City Council in May.
All candidates who filed to run for City Council in this year’s election, including Chris Forton, Louis Mastrangelo and Kent O’Brien, were uncontested, and therefore elected to their respective seats, according to the ordinance.
A special election will still be held in May for authorization of the city’s road tax and proposed charter amendments. These amendments primarily address changes to city processes, job positions, and boards and commissions.
A full list of amendments can be found on the city’s website.
What’s next?
The special election will be held May 3, with early voting beginning April 22. The last day residents can register to vote is April 3.
The city’s next regular meeting will be held March 17. Meeting agendas are made available on the city’s website prior to each meeting.
