Proposed zoning change on a 15.2-acre property on Blackjack St., presentations on the Downtown Revitalization Project and Water/Wastewater Rate Study, a contractor selected for city street improvements, new EMS equipment, public hearing dates for the proposed City budget, and partial credit for COVID-19 Relief Loan recipients were considered in last night’s City Council meeting.
Water and Wastewater Rate Study: City Council directed Raftelis Financial Consultants to provide more information on water usage tiers and water meter size, in relation to its Water and Wastewater Rate Study and forecast through 2026.
Proposed Budget: City Council set the dates for the FY 2021-2022 Budget public hearings. The first public hearing will be held August 17, 6:30 p.m. The second hearing will be September 7, also at 6:30 p.m.
Blackjack St. Zoning Change: Council approved the proposed zoning change for 1501 and 1503 Blackjack St. from Agricultural Open to Commercial Heavy Business District. The 15.171-acre property will be the location of a large civil construction company with an office and equipment yard. The applicants noted 40 new jobs would be created with this business relocation from Austin.
Street Improvements Project: Council awarded Lone Star Paving of Austin the contract to resurface the following streets this year, along with repaving the Municipal Court’s parking lot:
- Pendergrass St. from San Jacinto St. to Bluestem Dr.
- Lakeview Drive from San Jacinto St. to Bluestem Dr.
- Bluestem Dr. from Pendergrass St. to Lakeview Dr.
- Nueces St. from W. San Antonio St. to Bois D’Arc St.
- Sunset Dr. from S. Colorado St. to end.
- La Feliciana Dr. from Clearfork St. to end.
- Aransas St. from White Oak St. to south end.
- Laredo St. from N. Commerce St. to N. Colorado St.
- 2nd St. from Neches St. to Chihuahua St.
- 3rd St. from Neches St. to Chihuahua St.
- 4th St. from Neches St. to Chihuahua St.
- Monterrey St. from Neches St. to Chihuahua St.
Downtown Revitalization Project: Council gave TRC Engineers, Inc. the green light to move forward with conceptual design alternatives focusing on the nine-block area around the Caldwell County Courthouse. Proposed upgrades involve utility, drainage, street, hardscape, pedestrian access, and landscaping in the downtown area. TRC will host two public forums to gather feedback from the community and property owners. This evaluation will also study traffic alternatives on North Main St. between San Antonio St. and Walnut St.
Lockhart COVID-19 Economic Recovery Fund Status: Council members granted partial relief for 18 COVID-19 loan recipients. Each will receive $2,500 credit towards their loan. The remaining balance of the City’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Fund will be placed on reserve.
EMS Fleet Replacement: Council approved the Lockhart Fire Chief’s request to replace a cab and chassis in the ambulance fleet. Both the City and Caldwell County are chipping in for the upgrades, each paying for half of the bill. Upon Council approval, the equipment will be delivered in approximately six months.
COVID-19 Update: The Mayor talked about how there no current updates regarding city authority on changing local COVID-19 protocols, but that people are strongly urged to get vaccinated. He also mentioned checking with the Caldwell County Office of Emergency Management on where people can get inoculated and tested for COVID in Lockhart. These locations are listed on the Caldwell County Office of Emergency Management’s website.