Councilmember Melody Ryan - Pflugerville City Council, Place 5

06/10/2026

Water Supply Update: New Membrane Could Help End Treatment-Related Water Restrictions

The biggest update from Tuesday's water supply briefing is the City's plan to secure and accelerate delivery of a replacement membrane train for the water treatment plant. The new membrane could arrive as early as late June or early July and be installed in just two days at a cost of approximately $759,000. This would allow the water treatment plant to return to its full normal operating capacity. 🎉

If the 42-inch waterline is operational as expected by the end of June and the replacement membrane is installed shortly thereafter, City Council could consider lifting the remaining Modified Stage 1 restrictions as early as July 14. That would return Pflugerville to the normal year-round conservation stage, allowing outdoor irrigation up to twice per week under the existing conservation schedule.

**Estimated Project Timeline**

• June 10 – Pumping resumes.

• End of June – 42-inch waterline expected to be fully operational.

• Late June / Early July – Replacement membrane installed, restoring full water treatment plant capacity.

• Mid-July – Major excavation and replacement work on the damaged 30-inch line expected to be completed.

• July 14 – City Council will revisit water restrictions and could consider returning to normal year-round conservation measures based on system conditions and project progress.

**Additional Updates**

• A future 1-2 day shutdown will still be needed after a header pipe failed inspection, but staff indicated it should not impact operations and may be coordinated with routine maintenance.

• The existing 24-inch bypass line will remain in service until either the 42-inch line or repaired 30-inch line is fully operational.

• Staff reported that the water treatment plant expansion remains behind schedule. Contractual completion dates have already passed, with substantial completion now estimated for October 2026 and final completion projected for December 2026. Staff indicated the reasons for the delays are still being evaluated.

Thank you to the City staff, operators, engineers, contractors, and crews who have been working around the clock for months to find solutions, maintain service, and move these critical projects forward. Their efforts are helping create a path toward restoring normal operations for our community.🙌

06/08/2026

Special Joint Meeting with the City and PFISD on Monday, June 8th, at 6pm at the Administration Building.

I'm looking forward to collaborating on how we can work together to support our joint community.

Agenda: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/Pflugerville?meeting=748913

Livestream: https://www.pfisd.net/about-us/pfisd-board-of-trustees/board-meetings-agendas-minutes (click Watch Live).

Board Meetings, Agendas & Minutes - Pflugerville Independent School District

06/08/2026

Funded First - Complete Projects Before Taking On More Debt

"Funded First" means delivering projects that have been funded and promised to residents before taking on additional debt for new projects.

Recently, the Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously recommended that the City focus on completing funded projects in the FY2027 Capital Improvement Plan before taking on additional debt.

Their recommendation includes:

• Prioritize completing project phases already funded and promised to the community.

• No new Certificates of Obligation (CO) debt. (CO debt can be approved solely by City Council without a public vote.)

• Limit any new debt to projects approved by Pflugerville voters through future bond elections.

As shown, the proposed FY2027 CIP includes 80 projects totaling $214.9 million, with 55 projects already fully funded ($179.8 million). Another 18 projects would require additional funding ($21.7 million), while 7 projects ($13.5 million) are proposed for a potential future bond election.

Looking beyond FY2027, the draft CIP identifies approximately $1.3 billion in planned project expenditures during FY2027–FY2031. An additional $361 million is identified in FY2032-FY2036, primarily representing future costs to complete projects included in the plan.

An updated draft of the Capital Improvement Plan will be presented to City Council on June 9. I encourage residents to review the proposed projects, funding plans, and long-term operating costs as the CIP moves through the budget process.

One improvement in this draft is the inclusion of estimated Operations & Maintenance (O&M) costs, as required by the City Charter. These costs help residents understand the long-term financial impact of projects beyond the initial construction cost.

Over the next five years, the draft identifies approximately:

• $6.5 million in General Fund facility O&M costs

• $2.0 million in Utility facility O&M costs

• $764,000 in Transportation O&M costs

The new General Fund O&M costs begin at approximately $914,000 in FY2027, roughly equivalent to $29 per year for the average Pflugerville homeowner if funded entirely through property taxes and not offset by other revenues.

By FY2031, annual General Fund O&M costs could exceed $2.3 million, roughly equivalent to 2 cents on the property tax rate, or approximately $76 per year for the average Pflugerville homeowner.

O&M costs are the "cost to own" a project after construction is complete. While public discussion often focuses on the cost to build a facility, park, or road, taxpayers ultimately bear both the upfront construction costs and the ongoing costs to operate and maintain those assets for years to come.

As Council reviews the CIP and budget this summer, an important question is not just "Can we build it?" but also "Can we afford to operate and maintain it long-term?"

**Should the City focus on completing funded projects before taking on additional debt?**

06/04/2026

Family pottery day in Downtown Pflugerville! 🎨🏺

My mom, husband, daughters, and I spent some time getting creative at CNM Pottery and had a great afternoon together. It's always fun to step away from the busy schedules and try something new as a family.

Now for the important question...

Looking at our creations, can you guess which one my husband made? Bonus points if you can explain why! 😂

Have you ever tried pottery painting or taken a pottery class in Pflugerville?

https://www.cnmpottery.com/

06/03/2026

How Should Cities Use AI?

One proposed Charter amendment from the citizen-led Charter Review Commission would require City Council to adopt protections governing the collection, use, retention, and oversight of data, facial recognition, surveillance technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI).

The proposal would also require:
• transparent approval processes for these technologies,
• a responsible AI framework,
• and standards intended to ensure these technologies are used locally for a legitimate basis established by law.

As technology continues to evolve, cities are increasingly using tools involving cameras, data collection, automation, and AI for areas such as traffic management, public safety, utilities, infrastructure management, and other government operations.

Several Council Members had already expressed support for policies addressing AI and data governance before the Charter Review Commission brought forward this amendment. The amendment would place a Charter requirement on City Council to adopt and maintain policies addressing these topics, which have not yet been formally adopted.

What protections or transparency requirements do you believe should exist for government use of AI?

05/29/2026

**What Will Today’s Decisions Cost Tomorrow?**

One proposed Charter amendment from the citizen-led Charter Review Commission would expand the information required in the City’s annual budget to help provide greater long-term financial transparency.

The proposal includes:
• comparative budget and actual financial information for the prior year (prior year budget info not currently required)

• greater detail in revenue categories to clearly identify the nature of each source

• additional information on special funds such as park escrow fees, roadway impact fees, and TIRZ funds to provide more visibility into non-tax funding sources

• and a five-year financial forecast showing projected revenues, expenditures, debt obligations, capital spending, and anticipated impacts on property tax and utility rates.

Some of these reporting practices were recently added through staff and Council efforts, while other items would add new requirements.

The discussion around this proposal has included whether reporting standards like these should remain in the Charter itself or only be established through Council policy or staff practices. Currently, these reporting practices are not required by Charter or Council policy.

The proposal would place minimum financial reporting standards into the Charter so future councils and residents continue to have consistent access to the information needed to evaluate spending, debt, taxes, utility rates, and major projects over time — regardless of future policy changes or administrative priorities.

At the recent joint meeting, some Council Members asked the Charter Review Commission to revisit this amendment before finalizing recommendations at its June 4 meeting. Residents interested in sharing feedback are encouraged to participate in the process.

**What financial information do you believe should be included in the City budget?**

05/28/2026

Modified Stage 1 Could Continue Until October

Some important updates from Tuesday’s City Council meeting regarding the water treatment plant, water line projects, and lake levels:

Water Treatment Plant Update:
• Staff indicated the plan is to remain under Modified Stage 1 restrictions until the expanded water treatment plant is substantially complete, currently projected for October.

• The City continues operating under treatment limitations due to aging membrane equipment, with one of the five membrane trains currently down and undergoing repairs.

• The expanded water treatment plant is anticipated to reach substantial completion in October, with final completion projected for late December.

Water Line Update:
• Staff indicated the City is currently not on schedule to have either the permanent repair to the existing 30-inch line completed or the new 42-inch line fully online before the planned June 10 pump restart date.

• To help avoid a second full pump shutdown, the current plan is to partially complete the connection work, restart pumping between phases, and then finish the remaining work afterward.

• The current estimate is for the new 42-inch line to be operational by the end of June, assuming the pump station header pipe work stays on schedule.

• During the planned two-week pump shutdown through June 10, Lake Pflugerville could drop about one foot if treatment remains around 4 million gallons per day. This is not expected to impact lake activities.

Interesting fact:
Peak water demand during normal conservation stages actually occurs between approximately 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Reminder:
Under Modified Stage 1, irrigation system inspections and repairs are allowed uses.

I appreciate staff continuing to provide updates as these projects move forward. Reliable water infrastructure is critical for our community, and I know residents are eager for progress and long-term stability in the system.

05/27/2026

Honoring History & Investing in the Future

City Council approved the Historic Colored Addition Beautification Plan on Tuesday, marking another step in recognizing and preserving an important part of Pflugerville’s history and identity.

The plan includes future storytelling, public art, neighborhood signage, and beautification elements developed through community input and collaboration with the Equity Advisory Board, residents, churches, and founding families.

Council also recognized the Youth Advisory Council and heard reflections from students about their experiences this year. It was encouraging to hear how the program helped students better understand local government, leadership, and civic involvement while also giving them an opportunity to share ideas and perspectives with the city.

Whether preserving community history or investing in leadership opportunities for students, both efforts reflect the importance of investing in people and strengthening the connections that make Pflugerville special.

05/22/2026

Should Residents Be Able to Track Major City Projects Online?

One proposed Charter amendment from the citizen-led Charter Review Commission would require the City to maintain a publicly accessible online reporting system for major capital projects and retain final close-out reports for at least five years after project completion.

Pflugerville’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) currently includes close to $2 billion in planned projects, including roads, parks, utilities, drainage, and public facilities.

An online capital project reporting system was added in fall 2025 after requests for greater transparency into project costs, funding, and status updates. However, this reporting is not currently required by Charter or Council policy. This proposal would make public capital project reporting a long-term Charter requirement so residents and future councils can continue tracking current and completed projects over time — regardless of future policy changes or administrative priorities.

The discussion around this proposal has included whether requirements like this belong in the Charter itself or should remain within Council policy. The proposed language does not require a specific software platform or reporting format, allowing reporting systems and technology to continue evolving over time.

At the recent joint meeting, some Council Members asked the Charter Review Commission to revisit this amendment before finalizing recommendations at its June 4 meeting. Residents interested in sharing feedback are encouraged to participate in the process.

What capital project information do you believe should be easily publicly available?

05/20/2026

Council Pay? Yay or Nay?

One proposed Charter amendment would authorize monthly compensation for the Mayor and City Council Members:
• Mayor: $750/month ($9,000/year)
• Council Members: $500/month ($6,000/year)

Pflugerville City Council has historically served as an unpaid volunteer body.

A similar proposal was placed before voters in 2023. That proposal would have provided annual compensation of:
• $12,000/year for the Mayor
• $9,000/year for Council Members

Voters did not approve the measure.

The current Charter Review Commission proposal would authorize lower compensation amounts than the 2023 proposal.

During discussion, it was mentioned that compensation could help offset expenses associated with serving, such as childcare and other costs that may create barriers for some residents interested in public service. Others believe Council service should remain volunteer-based.

The final Charter Review Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 4. Residents interested in sharing feedback on proposed Charter amendments are encouraged to participate in the process.

What do you think about the proposal?