Robert Barron

The City Council meeting included a proclamation designating the City of Bastrop as a Healthy Summer Meals for Kids Community. The Council received reports from the Mayor, Councilmembers, and the City Manager concerning community interest items and upcoming events. A monthly report from Visit Bastrop was presented, covering destination marketing services, tourism performance metrics, and financial statements. Furthermore, the Council reviewed a comprehensive monthly financial report for the period ending June 30, 2018, which provided an analysis of the General Fund, Water-Wastewater Fund, and Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund performance.

The council recognized several observances, including National Community Planning Month, National Night Out, Fire Prevention Week, and National Custodial Workers Recognition Day. The meeting featured reports from the Mayor, council members, and the City Manager. Additionally, the Visit Bastrop organization publicly presented its FY 2019 Business Plan and budget, in accordance with the Destination and Marketing Services Agreement.

The Council reviewed reports from the Mayor, Councilmembers, and City Manager, and discussed the park land dedication at Bob Bryant Park. Key agenda items included updates to the Subdivision ordinance, compliance with the Conditional Use Permit for The Villages at Hunters Crossing, the approval of the 2018 Council meeting schedule, and the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2019 budget planning calendar. Resolutions regarding economic development performance agreements and infrastructure improvements were also considered.

The meeting commenced with special recognition for students from Bastrop Intermediate, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by the students and a subsequent invocation. The council moved to an executive session to hear an appeal regarding a disciplinary employment action termination and to confer with the city attorney. Upon returning to the regular session, the council addressed presentations, including a joint proclamation with the county declaring May 3rd, 2018, as the National Day of Prayer, and a proclamation declaring May 4th as Firefighter Day, honoring local firefighters and first responders. Arbor Day was also proclaimed for April 27th. The Mayor provided an extensive report on recent civic activities, including ribbon cuttings, participation in community events, and the success of a local marketing seminar. The council discussed the proposed ethics ordinance, which received positive feedback from a concerned citizen and the city attorney, and agreed to place it on the agenda for a vote at the next meeting. A quarterly investment report for the period ending March 31, 2018, was presented, showing a portfolio book value of approximately 27 million dollars. Citizen comments were heard, emphasizing rules for respectful dialogue during public input sessions.

The primary discussion revolved around the Piney Creek rezoning request from SF-9 to Planned Development (PD). Key topics included clarifying the legal differences between zoning and subdivision regulations, particularly how PD ordinances provide flexibility compared to standard zoning. The council reviewed the potential development outcomes under current SF-9 zoning (estimated at 209 lots) versus the proposed PD (maximum 170 lots), noting the PD would provide significantly more parkland dedication. Discussions also covered the timeline for development under both scenarios, the consistency of the PD with the city's comprehensive land use plan, and the provision for connecting a planned trail along Piney Creek.