Council will require background checks for outside presenters; one business now won't build in Leander over vote; questions remain on whether vote will actually stop future protests

AJ’s Bar & Grill and Patchouli Joe’s Books & Indulgences aim to open their doors in the Old Town district within a month

The Cedar Park City Council held a public hearing Thursday on a proposal to modify the city's outdoor amusement ordinance, which could make it easier for businesses to pursue opening smaller amusements like batting cages and golf driving ranges.

With the Leander’s first hotel set to open this fall, the City of Leander will finally be able to utilize its new, specialized Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT Tax) to promote tourism to the city.

The Leander City Council voted Thursday to approve an agreement between the city and the Leander Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center to coordinate the usage of up to 75 percent of the HOT Tax funds that will be collected in the future.

The Leander City Council could finally be adopting an official Council Rules of Order and Procedure in the near future after voting Thursday to authorize drafting rules outlining how council meetings should be conducted and rules of conduct for council members.

Leander is among hundreds of Texas cities throughout the state grappling with losing their ability to regulate building materials for most building exteriors and facing a “shot clock” style speed up of when plat applications must be approved following the recent passage of two bills by the Texas Legislature. 

Recent July campaign finance reports by candidates and PACs, covering April 25 to June 30, help show the flurry activity in the final month of the recent city council elections as well as show how much money washed into those races.

The Leander City Council will consider several important agenda items Thursday, Aug. 1, during its briefing session and council meeting. The briefing session starts at 6 p.m. and is open to the public but won’t be lived streamed nor voice recorded. The regular council meeting will start 7 p.m. and it will be live streamed.