PFLUGERVILLE -- The Pflugerville City Council meeting was a full house Tuesday as members decided which propositions will be on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Proposition One, $28 million for city street improvements, including Pflugerville Parkway, got the OK from the City Council.
Proposition Two, $25 million for parks and recreation projects, including adding a boardwalk and trails to Lake Pflugerville, also passed.
But the big topic of the night was the third proposition, $8.16 million for a new animal shelter.
The existing 22-year-old, limited kill shelter used to be the city's water treatment plant and fleet maintenance area. Staff offices are in a former mobile home and police officers built the aging facility where dogs are kept. The shelter is quickly reaching capacity.
During the City Council meeting, several people spoke in favor of a new facility.
"I'm ashamed that we have not done anything about this until now," bond supporter Karen Buchanan told the City Council.
Still, some council members have concerns.
"I'm in favor, just not this election. It's not ready," said Council Member Brad Marshall.
With one City Council member absent, the vote was split 2-2, leaving the decision to the mayor. He voted the prop down.
"It was irresponsible for us to ask the citizens to vote on something that we had absolutely no plan and no planning," said Mayor Jeff Coleman.
Coleman said the city's budget already includes $1 million for improvements at the shelter. Supporters call that "an expensive band-aid" and argue the decision should have been left to the voters.
"We don't even have the chance to say yes or no because the citizens haven't had the chance to make that decision. I just think it's unfair when you mess with that process about giving us a chance to be able to vote," said Barbara Woodworth, who volunteers at the shelter.
Coleman said he expects there will be a future bond proposition for a new shelter.
The next time that could happen is in May of 2015. The city expects to start making other improvements to the shelter in the fall.
Go here for more information on the Pflugerville bond propositions.
