City Council met Monday, April 7, 2025, following a Board of Adjustments meeting. The meeting opened with Police Chief John Bauer recognizing Officer Steve Patin for service above and beyond. Patin responded to a fire at 502 E Main St on March 2. After ensuring all inhabitants were secured, Patin sealed the building to reduce the oxygen feeding the fire. Fire Chief David Gilliland stated that had Patin not acted so quickly and had not had the requisite training, the outcome of this would have been devastating.
Council retired to executive session to discuss legal matters regarding a land donation of a lot .482 acres on Sheffield Ave. After meeting with the city attorney, the council voted to accept the land donation. No details were available about the property or background of the donation.
Special Use Permits for properties located at 305 W College (addition of an accessory building) and 709 Flag Creek (Short Term Rental designation) were approved. Council also approved a Permit and specifically called out appreciation to the the representatives from Llano River Market who spoke about the plans for the property at 202 W Grayson (behind Dollar General on the North Side) to develop a monthly Trade Days Market consisting of artisan and vintage vendors, mobile food vendors, entertainment, and even a biergarten. This is the same land the City negotiated unsuccessfully to buy several months ago as private investors had already indicated an interest and successfully acquired the property. The land is now being developed by these same investors for the benefit of the community, without use of any public funds.
The next topic was Alphabet Alley Learning Center’s application for exemption from city property tax as the City’s only 4 Star Texas Rising Star Daycare facility. Texas voters passed Proposition 2 in the November 7, 2023, elections which went into effect January 1, 2024, as Senate Bill 1145. This bill authorizes Texas Cities and Counties to provide tax relief to qualifying child care facilities through a reduction of property taxes between 50 and 100%. The State believes this will increase access to and affordability of child-care. For their part, the City recognizes “access to high quality child-care is essential to the well-being of families in the City and the economic vitality of the City.” Council approved a tax exemption for the minimum authorized amount of 50% of the appraised value of the property.
Next was an item initiated by city staff to increase the safety of travel along several streets on the Southeast side of the City: East College, East Sandstone, East Main, and Chestnut streets by replacing ‘Yield’ signs with ‘Stop’ signs. City Staff and the Police Chief both cited history and experience for making these recommendations. However, Council rejected the recommendations with no one offering a motion to approve. After some discussion amongst themselves and with staff, Council asked staff to reduce the number of impacted intersections and then come back for approval. Aldermen Les McDaniel summarized council's sentiment by indicating he felt that stop signs clearly make it safer but this seems too much too soon.
Shortly thereafter, City Staff also recommended increasing the speed limit on Oatman St. and other streets in the vicinity of Llano Elementary School from 15 mph to 20 mph in order to conform to State guidelines. This was approved unanimously.
Following several procedural votes, Council discussed hiring an attorney to represent the city through the process of negotiating and acquiring additional water rights on the Llano River as the City looks to increase water retention. Although council members seemed to agree to hiring an attorney, the initial amount to approve was debated. The item was passed by a vote of 3-2 with Aldermen Almond, Sawyer, and Tudyk voting to hire the attorney at an amount not to exceed $50,000.
