By Will Pafford, Staff Writer

A steering committee to begin the process of forming a comprehensive plan for Rollingwood was outlined by the City Council Feb. 18.

The eight-member committee will include two members of the City Council, two members from the Planning and Zoning Commission     and one member from every other city board and commission. 

No specific people were appointed to the committee yet, and the motion passed with a 4-0 vote. Alderwoman Shanthi Jayakumar abstained from voting. 

The original recommendation from Planning and Zoning Commission Chairwoman Amie Rodnick was for a 15-member committee, with eight people from city boards and seven members who are residents and not serving on boards or commissions. 

Alderman Brian Nalle said 15 members are too many people for just a guiding committee. 

Rodnick said the committee might also want to hire a facilitator or consultant for assistance, which could cost about $40,000. 

Jayakumar said she would like to see a volunteer from the community assist in order to save city funds. 

Alderman John Barton said an outside consultant would help on divisive issues and the cost would be justified considering the property values in Rollingwood. 

“It’s worth it,” he said. 

Jayakumar said she is not opposed to forming a comprehensive plan, but she is concerned about spending in the current economic climate. 

Rodnick said she would prefer a professional to help the focus of the committee. 

The Council also discussed the general purpose of the committee. 

Barton said he was not clear what goals the committee would accomplish.

“I don’t know what we’re going to accomplish that we don’t already know,” he said. 

Nalle mentioned economic development, sewer mitigation and Bee Cave Road as possible issues the plan could address. 

City Administrator Vicky Rudy said part of the planning process is helping the city and Council realize issues together. 

Alderwoman Sara Hutson said even though it seems like Rollingwood is developed, much of the redevelopment in Rollingwood is unrestricted, and the city is changing. 

“So without some kind of comprehensive planning, we’re going to have no way to direct that,” Hutson said. 

In other City Council news, the Council amended the city budget to transfer $157,000, which was previously intended for the water capital improvements fund, from the reserve fund to pay for the parking lot on Gentry Drive. City Administrator Vicky Rudy said the water fund has enough to cover improvements to the system scheduled for this fiscal year.