Round Rock Honored For Public Works Project

ROUND ROCK, TX — The City of Round Rock recently was recognized for its public works initiatives awarded to municipalities of its size.

During the 2019 Texas Municipal League Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio this week, the city received a 2019 Municipal Excellence Award in public works for cities over 25,000 in population. In particularly, the award recognized the city for its Culvert Liner Project.

The honor was bestowed for the city's Utilities and Environmental Services Department's use of an innovative approach to rehabilitate corrugated metal pipe culverts. Instead of the traditional method of excavating the roadway and removing the pipes to replace them, crews sprayed concrete onto the existing metal pipes, according to an advisory. Round Rock also pioneered a strategic way of applying the concrete to prevent bottom deterioration, officials added.

Not only were these techniques effective, officials reported, but the projects were completed with minimal design time, reduced installation expenses, no road closures and lower maintenance costs. The effort was led by City Engineer Danny Halden.

“The best innovations are those that make our processes more efficient and effective,” Utilities Director Michael Thane said in a prepared statement. “I am excited to see our staff’s work recognized among the best in our state, and I’m proud of employees like Danny who exhibit excellence on a daily basis.”

TML’s Municipal Excellence Awards recognize and encourage the achievements of Texas cities in meeting the challenge of municipal governance. Innovative problem-solving, excellence in management, increasing citizen participation, and reaching toward higher service levels are all daily occurrences in Texas cities, and they deserve recognition. This awards program seeks out the best of these programs to honor. Awards are given in two population categories (under 25,000 and over 25,000) and five areas (management innovations, communication programs, city spirit, public safety, and public works).

The 2019 TML Annual Conference and Exhibition was held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio on October 9-11 and attracted more than 3,000 city officials, who learned ways to govern more effectively, discussed critical issues, and shared best practices and solutions.
TML is a voluntary association of 1,161 Texas cities that provides support and services to city governments.

>>> Top photo (left to right): Council members Rene Flores and Tammy Young, Utilities Director Michael Thane and General Services Director Chad McDowell received the TML award on behalf of the city.