UPDATE: Online services for City facilities, including Lockhart City Hall, have been restored. Thank you for your patience, Lockhart!
***THE INFORMATION BELOW IS NOW OUTDATED***
Online services at Lockhart City Hall and several City facilities--including the
Dr. Eugene Clark Library-- are not available today. This temporary outage affects City Hall's phone service, internet, and the in-house electronic utility payment system. However, the City’s main line (512)398-3461 remains in service, along with 9-1-1.
If you’re planning on stopping by to pay your utility bill at City Hall today, we cannot accept credit or
debit card payments until we’re back online. Cash or check utility payments will be accepted.
We will let you know once we are back online. Repairs are currently ongoing to restore online services as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your patience.
April 16, 2024
Railroad quiet zones, ESD No. 5 leases, drought contingency and water conservation plans, hotel occupancy tax board reappointments, fire safety system tracker, and the Second Quarter FY 2024 Investment Report 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 7 – Regular Session
May 21 -- Regular Session
June 4 -- Regular Session
Railroad Quiet Zones:
Council directed Staff to prepare a scope of work for a feasibility report on the establishment of railroad quiet zones within Lockhart city limits. Railroad quiet zones are sections on a rail line at least half a mile long where locomotive horns are not required to routinely sound through at-grade crossings that have implemented Federal Railroad Administration-approved alternate or supplemental safety improvements.
ESD No. 5 Leases:
The City Manager updated Council on a proposed interlocal agreement for short-term ground leases for City of Lockhart EMS Stations Nos. 1 and 2 with Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 5. The ESD’s Board indicated its desire to assume operational management of the County EMS system by January 1, 2025.
Drought Contingency Plan:
Council adopted the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP), Water Conservation Plan (WCP) and Utility Profile Compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Both agencies require updates on these plans every five years.
The City has been abiding by voluntary Stage 1 water restrictions since 2008 and had not reached conditions necessary to achieve Stage 2 Water Restrictions since.
Hotel Occupancy Tax Advisory Board:
Council reappointed the following individuals to serve on the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Advisory Board to a two-year term that ends on April 15, 2026:
- Sally Daniel
- Archana Gandhi
- Steve Lewis
- Alfredo Munoz
- Ray Sanders
Lockhart Fire Safety System Tracker:
Council entered into an agreement with Brycer, LLC, also known as The Compliance Engine, to provide a cloud-based tool to assist the Lockhart Fire Department in collecting, organizing, and tracking fire and life safety systems compliance.
Second Quarter FY 2024 Investment Report:
Council accepted the Second Quarter FY 2024 Investment Report.
City Manager’s Report
- Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Funding Application Process: City Staff has begun accepting Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funding applications for 2024. The deadline for submission is Friday, April 19th.The HOT Advisory Board is tentatively scheduled to review these funding applications soon. Applicants are encouraged to attend the City Council Meeting and make formal presentations.
- Soccer Mini-Pitch Update: Next week, the U.S. Soccer Foundation will begin converting one of the basketball courts at LaFleur Soccer Complex into a mini soccer pitch. A mini soccer pitch is the smaller version of a regulation-sized field designed for recreational or amateur play. This is a joint project between the City and Lockhart ISD, with grant funding from U.S. Soccer Foundation, St. David’s Foundation, and 4ATX Foundation.
- LCRA Steps Forward: LCRA volunteers spent the day at North Pecos Park on Friday, April 12, performing community service for their annual Steps Forward Day program. Volunteers painted pavilions, restrooms, and picnic tables at the park.
- Civil Service Entrance Exams:
- Police Officer Exam: Friday, April 19
- Firefighter Exam: Saturday, May 4
- Real Cold Storage Update: Last week, contractors started installing off-site water and wastewater utility extensions for the Real Cold Storage Project, located on FM 2001 near Cesar Chavez Blvd. This utility project consists of extending approximately 4,000 LF of 16” water main and 6,550 LF of 12” wastewater main. The water main extension could take approximately four weeks to complete, which will then be followed by the wastewater utility extension’s completion.
- Courthouse Nights: The first Courthouse Nights Music Series is Friday, April 19, 7 p.m. at the Courthouse south lawn. Courthouse Nights live music performances will be held every third Friday until August.
- Kiwanis 5K Stampede: The Lockhart Kiwanis 5K Stampede has been scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 8 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Kiwanis Scholarship Program.
- Cinco De Mayo 5K/10K:The Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Cinco de Mayo 5K/10K on Saturday, May 4, 7:30 a.m. All proceeds will benefit a scholarship fund for local high school graduates.
ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the April 16, 2024, Council meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).
TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: April 18, 20-21
The oversized loads mentioned in the post below was delayed at port and will now pass through Lockhart later this week. The first oversized cargo will be passing through tomorrow, Thursday, April 18, while the second will pass through sometime over the weekend, beginning on Saturday, April 20. Both will be passing through U.S. 183/Colorado St., SH 130, and SH 142 West.
The timing of the convoy may be impacted by many factors, including potential traffic and weather conditions, so it's important to plan in advance.
Please seek alternative routes and plan accordingly. We'll keep you posted on any updates. Thank you for your patience and cooperation, Lockhart!
***THE INFORMATION BELOW IS NOW OUTDATED***
This weekend, April 13-14, two oversized loads will be passing through U.S. 183/Colorado St., SH 130, and SH 142 West in Lockhart leading to traffic delays along these roads. The timing of the convoy may be impacted by many factors, including potential traffic and weather conditions, so it's important to plan in advance.
Please seek alternative routes if these roads are part of your commute this weekend. We'll keep you posted on any updates. Thank you for your cooperation, Lockhart!
Tomorrow, April 5, starting at 8 a.m., electric services at the 700 block of N. Medina St. will be temporarily turned off to allow the Electric Department to repair power meters. Power will be restored as soon as repairs are completed.
Affected customers have been notified. Please plan accordingly and stay tuned for updates.
Water services along FM 2001/Silent Valley Rd. will be turned off temporarily tomorrow, April 5, 1 – 4 p.m. to allow the Water Department to make improvements to the water main in a nearby construction site. Our crews will work as diligently and safely as they can to restore water services as soon as the issue has been resolved. Affected residents have been notified in advance of this outage.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Please stay tuned for updates and plan accordingly. For any questions or concerns, please contact the Water Superintendent at (512)398-3615 or (512)398-6452.
April 2, 2024
A proclamation recognizing child abuse and sexual assault prevention awareness month, Community Action, Inc. lease renewal, Maple Park Manor, Mid-year Financial Report FYE 2024 and the Preliminary Budget and Tax Calendar FY 2024-2025 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
April 16 – Regular Session
May 7 – Regular Session
May 21 -- Regular Session
Proclamation presentation:
The Mayor presented a proclamation to representatives of CASA Central Texas and Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center declaring April 2024 as Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Prevention Awareness Month.
Community Action, Inc. lease renewal:
Council renewed Community Action, Inc. of Central Texas’ five-year lease and WIC of Texas’ sublease at 901 Bois D’Arc St. extending the term to May 31, 2029.
Maple Park Manor:
Council approved a resolution expressing support for the Maple Park Manor senior housing project to obtain funding from the Affordable Housing Program of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. The proposed project would be a two-story senior housing development located northwest of the intersection of Clearfork St. and City Line Rd., immediately north of the existing one-story senior housing facility within the Lincoln Park Development District.
Mid-Year Financial Report FYE 2024:
Council accepted the Mid-Year Financial Report for FYE 2024.
Preliminary Budget and Tax Calendar FY 2024-2025:
Council accepted the Preliminary Budget and Tax Calendar for FY 2024-2025.
City Manager’s Report
- Solar Eclipse Countdown: The Dr. Eugene Clark Library hosted a Solar Eclipse Countdown event Tuesday afternoon in preparation for the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. Attendees learned more about the phenomenon, observed the sun through a solar telescope, created solar art and a solar clock, and took home a pair of glasses to view next week’s eclipse. These free eclipse glasses remain available to the public, while supplies last. These spectacles are limited to three per person.
- City-wide Bulk Cleanup UPDATE: Last weekend’s City-wide Bulk Pickup Event was a success:
- In total, 107.1 tons of bulk items were picked up.
- Drivers logged in 6.5 hours.
- Nineteen trucks were utilized.
- Kid Fish 2024 UPDATE: Last weekend’s Kid Fish Tournament had 110 children register on-site, 41 fish were caught, measured, and released, 45 children received prizes and nine of those children received trophies for largest fish caught in their age group.
- Aquatics Facility Project Grant: On Monday, April 1, Staff attended a pre-grant meeting for the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Recreation grant, which provides up to $750,000 matching funds. The Parks Director presented the Aquatics Facility Project to TPWD, along with the updated Parks Master Plan, for consideration of the grant. Grant application deadline is August 1st.
- Splash Pads Open: Splash pads at City Park and Maple St. Park opened for the season on Saturday, March 30, 2024. They are open all seven days of the week 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the April 2, 2024, Council meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).