[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6673532,"mediaKeyId","2097740-955b905aebbcd25efae0e5e81da0c54e","parentId",2097740,"title","Votes at a glance: Cedar Park council actions on consent agenda, appointments and tabling of an economic development appointment","audioSeconds",2341,"startMs",605000,"endMs",2946000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097740-955b905aebbcd25efae0e5e81da0c54e&start=605&end=2946","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097740-955b905aebbcd25efae0e5e81da0c54e/thumbnail_605000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6673532/Cedar-Park/Williamson-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Cedar-Park-council-actions-on-consent-agenda-appointments-and-tabling-of-an-economic-development-appointment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6673532-8818cba16f5ac9f476b85273e58ef922/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170745&Signature=l2-E4r0Ul-GVQDunJkAeA2pKGs-eChkevHPD2zkQ7Pv2rHS12m2a8oeVVwsvRdlqhzqsUu-7HNQwpMD-Qb6QPOOYrqceAEC3fdsCcgU1-tWTkPiqN-AWYf66qR1AAFKDmCTFYznx35vEvXqvGSQjpHdM7~2JkmWnx~JcmjmUr3zftVhPwvjoAftwWOeJ-GSbitMm2Pif~Kdxr3I0gAosmkM9MolamJGOdxmDBUx~RVEjNp-MN8WtChlciPWazB18zLtjMS-EOGuFs4fJc5Qc~ZuJxMbAJGKzIy70IfeA6cFlQr~9q3DsMg8FUDmVC1qKVLmAFgMBCfF8PEQPqwKexw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cedar Park","date","2025-01-09T00:00:00Z","article","Cedar Park — At its Jan. 9 meeting the City Council approved several routine and administrative items, confirmed representatives to regional governance and tabled one board appointment for a follow-up meeting.

Consent agenda: A motion to approve consent items (D, E and F) passed unanimously.

Type A/CapCOG appointments: Council approved the city’s appointments to the Capital Area Council of Governments (CapCOG) general assembly, naming Council member Hutchison, Council member Jeffs and Council member Harris as the city’s representatives. The motion passed unanimously.

Appointment to Economic Development Sales Tax Corporation (Type A) — item H-1: Council considered appointment of Christian Von Wuppertfeld to the Economic Development Sales Tax Corporation (Type A). The nominee was remote and unable to participate in person; council members noted his biography and expressed support but agreed to allow the applicant to appear in person at the next meeting. Council member Eric moved to table the appointment to the next meeting; the motion was seconded by Council member Harris and passed 7–0.

Why it matters: Appointments and consent approvals set the city’s representation on regional bodies and ensure routine city business continues. Tabling the Type A appointment gives council and the nominee an opportunity for an in-person introduction before confirmation.

Next steps: The Economic Development Sales Tax Corporation appointment (H-1) will be placed on the council’s next agenda for confirmation when the nominee can attend.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cedar Park - City Council - Jan 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved the consent agenda, appointed three representatives to the Capital Area Council of Governments general assembly and tabled an appointment to the Economic Development Sales Tax Corporation until the next meeting.","taxTitle","Cedar Park, Williamson County, Texas","taxId",2824,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":46,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6673537,"Cedar Park approves $300,000 performance grant for Element USA accelerator to establish R&D lab",233,3179000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097740-955b905aebbcd25efae0e5e81da0c54e&start=2946&end=3179","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097740-955b905aebbcd25efae0e5e81da0c54e/thumbnail_2946000.jpg","/articles/6673537/Cedar-Park/Williamson-County/Texas/Cedar-Park-approves-300000-performance-grant-for-Element-USA-accelerator-to-establish-RD-lab","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6673537-ed2671d4059d5312d3fb1570e6e83072/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170745&Signature=beWdBqGdif9agZErXRmlHgANTNINT7cZ2x4uboku5Sz7X5-dxSRww1ir6Yd1HnP0fdixcSXFKpeU~v74MvHq1FDDGh6NSRF3Vb9RpkMwNzDjW6BuyGbepAzk9hlNJEVS5nlWqL1TkhWfvshWIaa6oLMSzB41RhXe-Qoxd7xw5~KWVxUWXlViIac7GSF~sQ7ADMhNwDkZiKoITKsWqBH1LOFDeLoxrrH5lXMoAIUG0MF2IuPfU4wBsIkJYEbQS-r-p-sQ-Eb2JxqwDjlTcUCzNen9W6Zsl9M-Hk~VxYLvw131g53wsX4AMtp--cehQycTUSUEIz6YAKxNznBohpwZTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cedar Park — The City Council on Jan. 9 approved a $300,000 performance-based grant to Element USA Accelerator to support a research-and-development accelerator that will focus on mineral extraction and recycling of rare earth elements.

Arthur Jackson, the city’s chief economic development officer, described the project — identified as Project Mineral Transfer and operating under the Element USA name — as an R&D accelerator to research mineral extraction from tailings, waste materials and low-grade ores. Jackson said the company plans to sublease roughly 25,000 square feet at 1200 BMC Drive in Cedar Park and commit to hiring 48 full-time employees, mostly skilled engineers and scientists, and to complete about $7.2 million in buildout.

Jackson said the facility would partner with the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas for research collaboration and workforce pipelines. Council members asked whether the facility would perform full mineral-extraction processing on site and whether there were safety concerns for residents. Jackson replied that the Cedar Park site would be for R&D only; any downstream processing would occur elsewhere, chemicals would be used in trace amounts, process water would be contained and trucked off-site for disposal, and the fire marshal and development services staff had raised no concerns in prior meetings.

A motion to approve the resolution authorizing the performance-based economic development agreement passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The project aims to advance research on recycling and domestic supply of rare earth minerals, which Jackson called important to national-security and advanced-technology supply chains. The company’s lease, hiring commitments and buildout were conditions of the performance-based grant.

Next steps: Element USA will proceed with its sublease and buildout and must meet the performance conditions tied to the grant for disbursement.","Council approved a $300,000 performance-based economic development agreement to support Element USA Accelerator's 25,000-square-foot R&D lab in Cedar Park, with commitments to hire 48 full-time employees and complete a $7.2 million buildout.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6673542,"Cedar Park council approves special-use permit for gasoline station at Whitestone and Toro Grande with conditions",1409,1130000,2539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097740-955b905aebbcd25efae0e5e81da0c54e&start=1130&end=2539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097740-955b905aebbcd25efae0e5e81da0c54e/thumbnail_1130000.jpg","/articles/6673542/Cedar-Park/Williamson-County/Texas/Cedar-Park-council-approves-special-use-permit-for-gasoline-station-at-Whitestone-and-Toro-Grande-with-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6673542-c7d691930bc34a15c60870e3d22cb151/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170745&Signature=B8XvX6JlQL6~K9nAD9AgBQv48lEthdJAhHUlsefZxeW~Y5h7kEwdnnzyHsGOEgKsZ0u3DZlKxQAmJN0AGEOK5XpZbcTYEXLJO1Ro3lbikXFNTrJL9dpUMmjsR9cLdi4ssDnZ1Z0Tw8A4G9r-pgeQhnE4Ug8Vs7jtUwU9FtwXxURk7H7kl76HSJk~J3MpSnyi6Pq1Rib-mDDx96Ys0qqimisJH2IcSUOowPvhFtBzOekjTvwalvkJouWoIV5zDl4bHmSVq8qRuPQ7BvLBjYwpeyvoxFknJtlx0Rod64Cnuqf8VdWSm52InV2I6aEaz3qARH6bJY4bTVAxP5WlaooL2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cedar Park — The City Council on Jan. 9 approved on second reading a special-use permit to allow a gasoline service station on about 1.56 acres at the northwest corner of East Whitestone Boulevard and Toro Grande Boulevard.

Andrea Davila of Development Services summarized the second-reading application and said the applicant revised the concept plan since the first reading. The updated plan reduced the number of multi-fuel dispensers from six to five, added enhanced landscaping and screening, added open space with seating and public art, and identified four vehicle charging stations east of the building. Staff concluded the revised concept conforms with the code and the comprehensive plan and found the site can be adequately served by public facilities as it proceeds through the subdivision and site-development process.

Representatives for the project — including Ben Horn (project representative) and Sean Cummings (representing the owners) — said the property owner will dedicate the right of way for the second half of Toro Grande North and expects construction of the road extension and the commercial development to run in tandem. Cummings said the operator expects most traffic to be “drive in/drive out” from Whitestone and estimated that a minority of trips would involve internal circulation that would push traffic through the new internal drives.

Council members raised multiple concerns during an extended discussion. Questions focused on pedestrian safety where sidewalks are currently located near the curb, the timing of planned TxDOT or city improvements (including additional left-turn lanes and a median break), the ability to maintain intensive landscaping over time, and congestion during peak periods when nearby sports and recreation facilities generate traffic. City staff and the applicant explained that the Whitestone sidewalk will be relocated back from the curb as part of project work and that Toro Grande sidewalks will be constructed as part of the city road project; they also said they will coordinate final engineering with city staff and TxDOT.

Council member Kirkland moved to approve item H-2 “as presented”; Council member Harris seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Details: The permit allows a gasoline service station in the existing General Business zoning with the special-use overlay. The applicant committed to five multi-fuel dispensers, four electric-vehicle charging stations, enhanced landscape buffers and public-art installations at the southeast corner seating area. The owner committed to dedicate right of way for Toro Grande North; timing for road construction is under separate city review and tied to the larger commercial project.

Why it matters: The location is part of a larger commercial development and the permit sets design and operational expectations for landscaping, EV infrastructure and pedestrian accommodations intended to reduce the visual and traffic impacts of a fuel facility at a key city gateway.

Next steps: The site will proceed through subdivision and site-development reviews, engineering and permitting. Additional engineering-level details (driveway geometrics, TIA elements and turn-lane construction) will be reviewed during those phases.","After extended discussion about traffic, pedestrian safety and landscaping, council approved a special-use permit for a gas station on 1.56 acres with reduced fueling dispensers, EV charging stations and public-art commitments.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6673547,"Cedar Park holds first reading on ordinance to deny Atmos Energy rate increase; council to revisit",477,639000,1116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097740-955b905aebbcd25efae0e5e81da0c54e&start=639&end=1116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097740-955b905aebbcd25efae0e5e81da0c54e/thumbnail_639000.jpg","/articles/6673547/Cedar-Park/Williamson-County/Texas/Cedar-Park-holds-first-reading-on-ordinance-to-deny-Atmos-Energy-rate-increase-council-to-revisit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6673547-ec962067d4ea1a8f7f531d0312c8869f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170745&Signature=bO~QdiK33flhu6MOJCji9OIZnqSl9Im4y-u8eO20AkICz4PWr7~YmG80XHzAG9WNzihMffkCyK9JM96~Q~jTdMuif-XjiWKqBBXzrfxbnAFpv8ENY7R8gwKSpcfgqcg6rOHijtzrHvyi7h5FsU64pbXOc2h3Ta0O-2k-GZW8T9kqG-BxaFhMA2TLRAwOPKsdGQy1A~Aq8FMLSES0JaFQkm0QO59iu0CAgSQscHeDUpWz6zQGn3N0y4kRIpSJ50UbTs0gANFcMhZaeimY0kiurz9VhrwN7u1sdVqO0OmYNm3FT2KwN82MyY0NM9yOU4~YR8~mFhsMWgjw1L7AwMdIgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cedar Park — The City Council on Jan. 9 held the first reading and public hearing on an ordinance that would deny a proposed rate increase from Atmos Energy affecting customers in the Midtex region.

Jacob Ward, assistant to the city manager, told council that Atmos filed a statement of intent to change its gas rates on Dec. 16, 2024. Ward said the filing would increase company revenues in the Midtex area by roughly $16 million — about a 7% increase including the cost of gas and about 11% excluding gas costs — and would raise the average residential bill by approximately $7.91 per month if allowed to take effect. He said that if the council took no further action on the second reading, the new rates would go into effect on Jan. 20, 2025.

The ordinance before council would deny Atmos’s requested increase and authorize Atmos Texas Municipalities’ (ATM) special counsel to represent Cedar Park’s interests before the Railroad Commission of Texas in the case. Ward said the ATM special counsel recommends that member cities deny the rate change as filed.

Council members discussed historical growth in non-gas charges and expressed concerns about the compound growth rate over recent years and the effect on households. Several members noted limits on the city’s authority and the role of the Railroad Commission and the ATM coalition in challenging rate filings. No members of the public signed up to speak during the public hearing.

Mayor and council did not adopt a final ordinance on Jan. 9; the council closed the public hearing and said it would take the item up at a subsequent meeting for further consideration.

Why it matters: If the council ultimately denies the filing and pursues representation through the ATM special counsel, the city aims to limit increases passed on to residential customers; if council takes no final action the company’s proposed rates would take effect on Jan. 20, 2025.

What’s next: The council will consider the ordinance again at a future meeting and may direct ATM special counsel to intervene at the Railroad Commission.","City staff presented background on Atmos Energy's rate filing and a draft ordinance to deny the proposed increase; council held a public hearing, heard no public speakers and will take the item up at a later meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Cedar Park council actions on consent agenda, appointments and tabling of an economic development appointment

Cedar Park approves $300,000 performance grant for Element USA accelerator to establish R&D lab

Cedar Park council approves special-use permit for gasoline station at Whitestone and Toro Grande with conditions

Cedar Park holds first reading on ordinance to deny Atmos Energy rate increase; council to revisit