May 7, 2024
Motorcycle safety awareness month proclamation, GBRA update, HOT allocations, Lockhart Animal Shelter update, City Council district boundary update, railroad quiet zone feasibility study, and Juneteenth as a City holiday were discussed in Tuesday night’s meeting.
Back row (L-R): Councilmember at-large Brad Westmoreland, District 1 Councilmember Juan Mendoza, District 4 Councilmember Jeffry Michelson, District 2 Councilmember John Castillo
Front row (L-R): Mayor Pro-Tem Angie Gonzales-Sanchez, Mayor Lew White, Councilmember District 3 John Lairsen
Upcoming Meetings
May 21 -- Regular Session
June 4 -- Regular Session
June 18 -- Regular Session
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month:
The Mayor issued a proclamation to Ms. Lilly’s Motorcycle Club and Skip’s Cycle Shop recognizing May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
GBRA Carrizo Groundwater Supply Project Update:
Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) officials presented an update on the Carrizo Groundwater Supply Project (CGSP). Updates include the projected timelines for the completion of the pipeline, progress reports on pumps and motors installations, the well status at the Caldwell County well field, along with electrical and infrastructure work at the CGSP Water Treatment Plant and Booster Pump Station. Council was also informed of the CGSP TX-130 Expansion and long-term WaterSECURE Initiative.
Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Allocations:
Council approved the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Advisory Board’s proposed funding allocation of $222,500 for FYE 2024 to provide funding for community applicants to include:
- Caldwell County Jail Museum and Visitors Center
- Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce—Cinco de Mayo Festival
- Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce—Diez y Seis Festival
- Lockhart Chamber of Commerce – Chisholm Trail Roundup, Rodeo and Festival
- Lockhart Chamber of Commerce – Visitors Bureau and Information Center
- Rach and Rhodes Presents – Courthouse Nights
- Troubadour+ Sound—78644 Podcast
- Gaslight-Baker Theatre
Lockhart Animal Shelter Architectural Services:
Council awarded Austin-based Connolly Architects & Consulting the Professional Services Agreement to provide architectural services for the Lockhart Animal Shelter. Upgrades could include:
- Updating outdoor kennels with the addition of concrete flooring and drainage for the kennels.
- Removing the chain link divider walls in the main indoor animal kennel and replacing them with cinderblock divider walls.
- Updating the animal intake area by improving functionality and keeping existing drainage operable.
- Updating the isolation area by adding new concrete flooring and kennels.
City Council District Boundaries Update:
Council approved an ordinance assigning a recently annexed area, a 53-acre property located at 1925 FM 2001, to Council District 2 revising the official City Council voting district map boundaries. The property is the site of an industrial planned development district; therefore no voters are expected to reside there leaving the population balance of Council districts unchanged.
Railroad Quiet Zone Feasibility Study
Council approved a professional services agreement with TRC, Inc. to conduct a feasibility study to investigate the existing condition of six railroad crossing in Lockhart and determine safety measures for the crossings that may be necessary to establish a railroad quiet zone.
Juneteenth:
Council approved an ordinance adding Juneteenth as a holiday for City employees starting in 2024.
City Manager’s Report
- Upcoming broadband presentation: Rise Broadband (risebroadband.com) approached the City regarding construction of a new fiber system to improve fiber connectivity to residential and non-residential customers in Lockhart. The project would entail installing 1.25 inch underground fiber conduit in the urbanized and suburban areas throughout the city. Services would include voice/data/internet features. The company has been invited to make a presentation in the May 21st Council meeting.
- Soccer mini-pitch update: The stands for the soccer mini pitch at LaFleur Park have been erected. The field’s surface is currently being painted. The facility is expected to open to the public with a grand opening celebration on Saturday, May 25, at 10 a.m.
- San Jacinto elevated water tank update: The engineering design for the repainting of the San Jacinto Elevated Storage Tank (EST) has commenced. This project consists of repainting the interior/exterior of the tank, painting two City logos on the bowl, and lighting improvements at the tank site. For a partial duration of the project, the water tower will be temporarily taken out of service, however the distribution system will continuously be monitored to maintain system pressure with the Water Treatment Plant’s high service pumps and the three additional elevated storage tanks. The 250,000-gallon EST was last painted in 2005 and is scheduled to be completed prior to the end of this calendar year.
- Caldwell County Capital Improvement Project (CIP) update: Last week, City Staff met with American Structurepoint, Inc., acting as consulting engineers on the behalf of Caldwell County, in the preparation of a Caldwell County Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Structurepoint is preparing a prioritized list of needed county-wide infrastructure projects based on a 20-year horizon. In addition to the CIP, the firm is preparing a list of projects for potential inclusion in the November 2024 bond election. The engineering firm aims to develop a balanced list of short- and long-term projects. It is expected that the County will conduct two public meetings (one of which will be held in Lockhart) tentatively scheduled for late May or early June. To be placed on the November 2024 ballot, the County Commissioners are required to order the bond election by mid-August.
- Downtown Revitalization Project update: The date to accept sealed bids has been extended to Wednesday, May 15, from previously scheduled Thursday, May 9, to allow the City Engineer to respond to contractor questions.
ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the May 7, 2024, Council meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).
***From ERCOT***
ERCOT has issued a Weather Watch for Wednesday, May 8, due to unseasonably high temperatures, high levels of expected maintenance outages during the spring shoulder months, and the potential for lower reserves. Grid conditions are expected to be normal during a Weather Watch and can be monitored on ercot.com. Sign up for #TXANS notifications: bit.ly/4bKEYhl