Utility rate increase, library construction and noise regulations: 5 takeaways from Jan. 25 Round Rock City Council meeting

Here are five takeaways from the Round Rock City Council's regular meeting Thursday, Jan. 25:

1. Council considers increase to residential fees for trash and recycling collection services

Council unanimously approved the first of two readings for a request to increase the collection of trash and recycling residential fees by $1.35. Utilities Director Michael Thane said the fee is determined by several factors including landfill costs, fuel costs and the cost of trucks and labor. The city has an existing contract with Round Rock Refuse for the collection of trash and recycling. Currently, the city charges $14.51 for the collection of residential waste. The request will increase that fee to $15.86. Council will consider the increase again at its next meeting, scheduled for Feb. 8. If approved, the rate increase will take effect immediately.

2. Noise regulations revised in anticipation of Nutty Brown Amphitheater relocation

City Council unanimously approved the revision of a noise ordinance specifically for the Nutty Brown Amphitheater, which is being relocated from Dripping Springs to Round Rock along I-35, south of the University Oaks Shopping Center. The amendment will not impact any other existing venues but will allow for an outdoor stage within 1,000 feet of I-35 that is at least 2,500 feet away from any residential area or hotels. Existing noise ordinance exemptions already apply to sports stadiums such as Dell Diamond and high school football stadiums. A noise ordinance revision for downtown Round Rock is still under review. Construction on the Nutty Brown Amphitheater is expected to begin by summer this year.

3. Economic incentive agreement approved for Veridia Diagnostics

Council unanimously approved a Chapter 380 program for Singulex Inc. as part of the development of Veridia Diagnostics, a bioscience company that is being built at 106 E. Old Settlers Drive. The agreement mandates that Veridia must create 100 jobs in the next five years and equipment expenses of at least $250,000, which the company has already surpassed. In turn, the city will provide a $125,000 cash grant to the company in 2019 and 2020. Veridia is a bioscience company that develops technology to allow doctors to detect a risk for heart disease in non-symptomatic patients. The company has already created 50 jobs. Of those 50, only six moved with the company from California, so the remaining 44 were hired locally.

4. Architect selected for development of new library

An agreement was approved with PGAL Inc. for architectural services for the library project at 500 N. Mays St. The project is currently projected to cost $2,738,000 and will take 18 months to design. The design will include plans for a 60,000-square-foot library and a 300-stall parking garage that could be built above or below ground. The firm recently designed the public library in Seguin as well as parking garages for the city of Austin, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and The University of Texas. After the design is completed, the construction is expected to take another 12 to 18 months, according to Director of General Services Chad McDowell.

5. Council approves agreement to purchase and install driving range lights at Forest Creek Golf Course

Council unanimously approved a $177,000 agreement with Musco Lighting LLC for the purchase and installation of driving range lights as part of the renovations at Forest Creek Golf Course. The LED lights will allow for golfers to practice on the driving range after dark. Three 60-foot poles will be placed at the end of the driving range and will be far away from any homes. There will also be lights installed in the ground downrange that will aim upward and allow golfers to track the ball through the air. Brian Stillman, Sports Facility and Operations Manager for the city, said the lights will not stay on past 10 p.m. but will allow for the course to stay open hours later than in the past.