Proclamations recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Chiropractic Health Month, the parklets program, Lockhart Animal Services proposals, two zoning requests for apartments, and a global opioid settlement were some of the items discussed in last night’s City Council Meeting.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation: The Mayor presented a proclamation recognizing the month of October as Domestic Violence Month to representatives of the Lockhart Police Department’s Victims’ Services and Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC).

Chiropractic Health Month Proclamation: Another proclamation, this time, recognizing Chiropractic Health Month, was issued to the Texas Chiropractic Association.

Parklets Program: City Council directed City Staff to revise the proposed parklet ordinance to allow for a long-term parklet program. A public meeting on the parklet program will be held on Tuesday, December 14. Keep Lockhart Beautiful, the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Lockhart Downtown Business Association will be invited to attend and provide feedback. In the meantime, a temporary parklet extension was put in place until a more permanent parklet plan is in effect.

Lockhart Animal Services Division: The Public Works Director provided an update on the City’s Animal Services Division, in reference to the Animal Control & Care Academy’s (ACCA) evaluation report from last August. Some of the proposed changes are:

• Reassignment of the Animal Services Division from the Public Works Department to the Lockhart Police Department.A new position, a Lockhart Police Sergeant, will also be created. The Sergeant’s duties would be split between Animal Services and Criminal Investigation Division (CID).
• New hours for the Lockhart Animal Shelter, starting in November: Tuesdays-Fridays (11 a.m. – 6 p.m.), Saturdays (12 p.m. – 4 p.m.), and CLOSED Sundays and Mondays.
• New impound times:
  • Three business days for stray animals and five business days for “owned” animals. Current hold times for animals is three business days.
  • Proposes Caldwell County animals impounded at the facility should mirror the City’s adopted hold period.
• Pet limitation requirements in order to curb pet overpopulation (through breeding restrictions, and limiting the amount of animals allowed in one household), nuisance complaints, and so-called animal hoarders. Permitted caretakers of feral cat colonies/animal rescue organizations could be exempt.

These proposed changes will considered at the next City Council Meeting, November 2.

Zoning Change Requests:

Austin Pacific One, LLC: City Council approved Austin Pacific One, LLC’s zoning change request for a 9.902-acre property on 1824 Borchert Dr. from a Residential Medium Density to a Residential Heavy Density. The company wants to build a multi-family residential complex on the property.

Lockhart Boulevard Project, LLC: City Council also approved the Lockhart Boulevard Project, LLC’s rezoning request on 2201 W. San Antonio St.  The applicant wants to rezone the 20.55-acre property from an Agricultural—Open Space District to a Residential High-Density District and Commercial Medium Business District to allow for future multifamily and commercial developments.

Both of these requests received favorable recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Opioid Settlement: City Council adopted a resolution approving the City of Lockhart’s participation in the global opioid settlement by adopting the Texas Term Sheet. Several states, including Texas, have reached a settlement with opioid manufacturers that have contributed to the nationwide opioid crisis. Depending on the number of municipalities involved, Lockhart could receive up to, approximately, $59,000 from the settlement and, subsequently, can apply for future grants for opioid abatement.