The regular City Council meeting scheduled on Dec. 20 was moved to this past Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Here are some of the highlights from that City Council meeting:
COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD:
Representatives with We Are Blood attended the meeting Monday evening to receive the 2021 Community Partner Award for their ongoing partnership with the City of Lakeway. Organizers continued to safely put together blood donation events every two months at the Lakeway Activity Center through the pandemic. The events had enhanced health and safety protocols in place to keep residents safe during the donation process. Congratulations, We Are Blood!
FINANCIALS:
City Manager Julie Oakley gave an update on the state of the city's financials for the first two months of the fiscal year (October & November 2021) showing revenue is ahead of budgeted expectations by $169,104 and expenditures are running below budgeted expectations by $67,438.
WASTE CONTRACT EXTENSION:
City Council unanimously approved extending the contract for solid waste collection, recycling and disposal services for an additional two years per a request made by Waste Connections. The current five year agreement with Waste Connections was approved in 2017 with two, one year optional extensions if requested. Under the extension to continue services under the contract until 2024, Waste Connections agreed to waive their right to petition for any rate adjustment within that additional two-year period.
FIREWORKS ORDINANCE UPDATE:
City Council unanimously approved an update to the current Fireworks ordinance, which was initially adopted in 1976. Residential fireworks remain prohibited. This update relates to non-residential fireworks. The updated ordinance includes definitions, along with a process for applying for a permit, which includes items such as the entity getting the appropriate fire department approval, notification being made no later than 10 days prior to the scheduled event, and a process for proper notification to the City and Lakeway Police Department. Additionally, the penalty for violation of the fireworks ordinance changed from $100 to $500.
NEW ZONING DISTRICT:
City Council approved 6-1 (with Councilmember Trecker against) for the establishment of a new zoning district titled R-9 (High Density Multifamily Residential), and amending language for the already established R-8 multifamily zoning to be medium density. This approved update to the zoning code adds a district category with about 67% more allowable density, increasing from the current R-8 maximum of 12 units per acre to a new R-9 district maximum of 20 units per acre. The City's Zoning & Planning Commission previously unanimously approved making the recommendation to City Council for formal approval.
CLICK HERE to see the video and review the agenda from Monday night's meeting.