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Round Rock-area residents have a new option for eye care in the city's downtown with the opening of Serene EyeCare. 

About the owner: The clinic is owned by Dr. Gulshan Karamchandani, who has spent most of her career working in the VA healthcare system, as well as private practices. Originally from North Carolina, she moved to Round Rock in 2021 before opening her own clinic downtown. 

In their own words: "My goal isn't to sell glasses," Karamchandani said. "I definitely don't have that here. It's just to provide really good quality care with a whole-body perspective."

Round Rock officials are weighing the repeal of a city ordinance allowing citizens to request agenda items. 

In a nutshell: The Round Rock City Council will consider a measure to repeal a section of a city ordinance allowing residents to request agenda items June 11. City staff said the proposed change would not impact citizens' ability to address council if approved. 

What they're saying: Former City Attorney Steve Sheets said he is unfamiliar with any other city governments in the state that allow citizens to unilaterally request an item on the agenda.

"During my 45 years as city attorney, that provision that allows a citizen to place an item on the council agenda was never utilized," Sheets said. "Also, I'm aware of no other city in Texas that allows the public to place items on the council's agenda. In my opinion, this provision should be repealed."

A new apartment complex in Bee Cave, an EMS station in Bastrop and improvements to the Graham Middle School athletic field are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Twin Oaks Ridge ($29.5 million): Twin Oaks Ridge is a privately funded, $29.5 million mixed-use and leasing development spanning 175,000 square feet.

2. Leah Ave Industrial Building ($18.5 million): This project involves the construction of an 87,306 square-foot ground-up industrial building.

3. New EMS Station for Bastrop County ESD ($2.5 million): The project will consist of an approximately 6,000 square-foot single-story metal building consisting of apparatus bays, day room, kitchen, fitness room, living quarters, restrooms, and associated site amenities.

4. 24 Indoor ($2.3 million): This project is a 20,898 square-foot Interior renovation to create an indoor recreational facility geared towards children.

5. Grisham MS Athletic Field and Field House ($1.98 million): This project involves the conversion of an existing practice field to artificial turf.

In 2023, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 2127, a sweeping regulatory measure designed to prevent cities and counties from adopting local ordinances that conflict with various sections of state law. Three years later, there is confusion about what local governments can and cannot do under the law.

The background: At the time, some legislators and other proponents of the bill said it would ensure consistency among Texas cities, citing ordinances passed by “liberal blue cities” that they said made it hard to run a business. Opponents of HB 2127, including some local leaders, said the law would prevent cities from addressing residents’ needs while undermining local worker safety provisions and nondiscrimination ordinances.

What's happening: During a June 4 hearing, the law’s critics said it has had a “chilling effect” on some local actions, while those who support the law expressed concerns that cities have not removed ordinances that are preempted by the state.

Ahead of the 2027 state legislative session, lawmakers are considering whether changes are needed to clarify or better enforce the law.