City Council Workshop or Special Called Meeting

CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY - MAY 22, 2024 - 5:00 PM Notice of AGENDA City Council Chamber/Municipal Courtroom 2801 Ranch Road 1869 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 Jacquetta Thayer Diane Williams Crystal Mancilla Wade Ashley Amanda L Young Michael Helbing LIVE VIDEO ACCESS AND RECORDINGS The live video link will be on the City's Facebook page. Following the meeting, the link for the live meeting will be removed. The recording of the meeting will be placed on the City's webpage: www.libertyhilltx.gov PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES 1) CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH QUORUM 2) REGULAR AGENDA a) Presentation regarding Downtown Master Plan. (Y. Capriccioso-Halff Associates) The presentation City_Council_Report_05_17_2024 DMP.pdf 3) ADJOURNMENT 1 The City Council, Boards, and Commissions reserve the right to reconvene, recess, realign, change the order of business, or adjourn into Execu ve Session at any me during the course of the mee ng, prior to adjournment, to discuss any item listed above, as authorized by Texas Government Code Sec on §551.071 (Consulta on with A orney), §551.072 (Delibera ons about Real Property), §551.073 (Delibera ons about Gi s and Dona ons), §551.074 (Personnel Ma ers), §551.076 (Delibera ons about Security Devices), and §551.087 (Development). In compliance with the Americans with Disabili es Act, the City of Liberty Hill will provide reasonable accommoda on for persons a ending mee ngs. To be er serve you, requests need to be received 48 hours prior to the meeting. Contact the City Secretary at 512-778-5449 – Extension 125. POSTING CERTIFICATION: I, ELAINE SIMPSON – CITY SECRETARY – CITY OF LIBERTY HILL certify that the attached notice of meeting was duly posted on the bulletin board at City Hall located at 926 Loop 332, Liberty Hill, Texas 78642 and on the City website (www.libertyhilltx.gov) on the ______ day of ____________________, 202_ at ______. Elaine Simpson – City Secretary. REMOVAL CERTIFICATION: I ELAINE SIMPSON – CITY SECRETARY – CITY OF LIBERTY HILL certify that the attached notice of meeting was removed from the bulletin board at City Hall located at 926 Loop 332, Liberty Hill, Texas 78642 on the ______ day of __________________, 202_ at _______. INITIALS _______ 2  CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY - MAY 22, 2024 2801 Ranch Road 1869 - Liberty Hill AGENDA ITEM 2.a Presentation regarding Downtown Master Plan. (Y. Capriccioso-Halff Associates) 3  Liberty Hill Downtown Master Plan Update to City Council May 17, 2024 What is the Downtown Master Plan? Liberty Hill’s Downtown Master Plan aims to enhance livability, vibrancy, and attractiveness in the downtown area and address its challenges and opportunities. Background: The City contracted with Halff Associates to initiate this effort, spanning a nine-month period aimed at developing a Downtown master plan. As part of this comprehensive approach, Halff Associates collaborated with Johnson Planning to prepare a historical assessment, integral to understanding the heritage and significance of downtown Liberty Hill. The overarching goal remained shaping the future of the area through strategic private and public investments, with objectives focused on enhancing downtown livability, vibrancy, and attractiveness. The ultimate aim was to create an implementation matrix detailing prioritized actions, policies, and investments. The community engagement process included direct interviews with staff and stakeholders, an online survey, a Downtown Day Stakeholder Workshop, a Community Open House, and presentations to City Committees. Stakeholder meetings and walking tours provided crucial insights, with discussions covering downtown features, challenges, and opportunities. Key takeaways included feedback on streetscape features, walkability preferences, and desired downtown amenities, including insights gathered from the online survey. The Downtown Master Plan: The plan is broken down into seven sections as shown below. 1. Introduction 2. Community Context 3. Public Engagement 4. Historic Assessment 5. Vision & Framework 6. Implementation 7. Appendices 1: Introduction This chapter is a standard component explaining the purpose of the Downtown Master Plan and the importance of Downtown Liberty Hill. 2: Community Context This chapter provides an overview of the existing conditions of downtown assets, encompassing elements such as parking, parks, roads, and sidewalks. Additionally, it explores the significance of Liberty Hill to the community, its growth, and its regional importance. 3: Public Engagement This chapter serves as a summary of the main forms of community and public engagement. The community engagement process for the City of Liberty Hill's Downtown Master Plan was multifaceted; involving direct interviews with staff and stakeholders, an online survey, a Downtown Day workshop and open house, as well as presentations to various City Committees. 1 4 4: Historic Assessment This chapter focuses on the historical assessment component of the Downtown Master Plan. The report includes the overarching themes and key findings gathered from residents. The assessment not only identifies opportunities for preservation initiatives but also the historical district process required for designation. This section also provides a description of the steps needed to pursue Texas Main Street Program affiliation. 5: Vision & Framework This chapter contains the foundation of the Downtown Master Plan. It shares the vision and the preferred framework developed for Downtown Liberty Hill. A key component of the plan is providing a new way to organize and develop downtown, identifying methods to focus development and implement code improvements that promote the type of growth residents desire, while preserving the charm of Liberty Hill. The core principles and vision serve as the foundation for the Downtown master plan, informing the identified Character Areas and Special Features. This section defines four unique Downtown character areas—Core, Village, Flex, and Residential. Each area is presented with a corresponding vision for development and future character, supported by various new features and elements. 6: Implementation This section outlines the implementation approach for the recommended actions in the Downtown Master Plan, emphasizing the necessity of cohesive collaboration between public and private entities for success. There are nine overarching recommendations that align with the downtown framework, 54 specific actions, and a list of 14 potential downtown improvement projects. Economic development and revitalization of downtown require patience, investment, and commitment from public officials, citizens, partners, and various city departments. Specific catalyst projects and programs include: • Development of a Downtown Streetscape Master Plan, prioritizing enhancement of the Downtown Core along Main Street and Myrtle Lane. • Enhancement of downtown walkability through sidewalk and pathway expansions. • Preservation and promotion of Liberty Hill’s history. • Updates to development codes to align with the Downtown Framework. • Coordination of wayfinding for key gateways to Liberty Hill, particularly vehicular signage along Highway 29, FM 1869, CR 279, and areas affected by the bypass. • Development of the 102 W. Myrtle Lane property and other vacant city-owned properties. The section presents an implementation matrix, which provides detailed strategies and actions for executing Liberty Hill’s Downtown Master Plan. This matrix delineates each action, required steps, responsible organization(s), and implementation timeframe, whether upon plan adoption or as ongoing initiatives. Additionally, the section outlines funding opportunities to be explored as the City pursues the plan's implementation. 7: Appendices This chapter contains appendices that supplement the Downtown Master Plan by providing greater detail for certain sections, including a full report of all the public engagement and compilation of the historical assessment and histories gathered by Johnson Planning. Next Steps: Any final review from staff and the City with approval schedule for the next City Council meeting in June. 2 5