By WAYLON CUNNINGHAM Are city advisory committees subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act? The short answer is no. The complete answer is more complicated, and hinges on the presence of Council members on the committee. Liberty Hill City Council Member Jon Branigan began the meeting of the Unified Development Code Advisory Committee last Thursday by saying that … [Read more...]
Council takes first steps toward speed reduction on SH 29
By WAYLON CUNNINGHAM and MADISON MCVAN The long-requested speed limit reduction on the portion of State Highway 29 running through Liberty Hill may soon become a reality. The Liberty Hill City Council approved a resolution on Monday requesting that the Austin District of the Texas Department of Transportation conduct studies on the highway associated with the … [Read more...]
UDC Advisory Committee to resubmit last year’s recommendations
By WAYLON CUNNINGHAM The same set of controversial revisions to the Unified Development Code rejected by city staff and City Council last year will be re-submitted to Council by the recently resurrected UDC Advisory Committee. In a unanimous vote at its meeting July 20 -- the third in as many weeks -- it was motioned by committee member Clyde Davis and seconded by Wes … [Read more...]
Divided vote on Council deals blow to park trail
By WAYLON CUNNINGHAM With two members absent Monday, the City Council voted against a plan to design a walking trail at City Park. The Council met their quorum with three members and the Mayor, who can only vote to break a tie. Members Liz Rundzieher and Ron Rhea were not present. Rhea has missed every meeting since January due to health issues. Members present … [Read more...]
Committee’s private meeting raises questions about compliance with Open Meetings Act
By WAYLON CUNNINGHAM One week after an advisory committee banned city staff from attending their meetings, the panel met behind closed doors -- in public just long enough to convene and adjourn. The City’s Unified Development Code (UDC) Advisory Committee met July 5, spending four minutes in public convening and adjourning the 90-minute executive session. The … [Read more...]
Council’s newest member brings developer perspective
By WAYLON CUNNINGHAM Liberty Hill’s newest Council member came as no stranger to his first Council meeting last month — and that’s not just because the seat’s last occupant was his mother. Jon Branigan had been a regular and vocal presence at the public meetings for years before he filed to run for Place 3. Last year he chaired the Unified Development Code Advisory … [Read more...]
Council hears report on salary study
By WAYLON CUNNINGHAM Burnet, Marble Falls and Jonestown are the City of Liberty Hill’s three closest competitors when it comes to employee salaries, according to a report from consulting firm Ray & Associates. The consulting firm was contracted in April to assess the payroll for the city’s 23 employees, which are classified in 18 job titles. Their recommendations will … [Read more...]
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