National GearUp Week Proclamation, LISD Bond presentation, aerial fire apparatus, street improvements, the Ziegenfelder Company, a new Municipal Court Judge, downtown alcohol regulations, zoning changes, and zoning ordinance amendments were discussed in Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

National GearUP Week Proclamation: The Mayor presented a proclamation recognizing the week of September 26 – 30 as National GearUP Week.

LISD Board Recognition: The Lockhart ISD School Board were recognized by City Council for being selected as the Region 13 Board of the Year by the Texas Association of School Administrators.

LISD Bond/VATRE Election Presentation: Lockhart ISD’s Superintendent made a presentation updating City Council on its upcoming bond election. The school bond will be up for voter approval November 8, 2022.

Aerial Fire Apparatus: Councilmembers approved the purchase of a custom 75-foot rear-mount aerial fire apparatus, also known as a ladder truck, for the Lockhart Fire Department. This vehicle will be the City’s first aerial apparatus.

2022 Street Improvements Project: Council awarded Fuquay, Inc. of New Braunfels the contract for the 2022 Street Resurfacing Project. In Fiscal Year 2022, the following six streets were included for resurfacing and limited reconstruction specific to each street:

• N. Medina St. from Bois D’Arc St. to Peach St.
• W. Live Oak St. from Cibilo St. to Guadalupe St.
• Center St. from Guadalupe St. to Blanco St.
• Red River St. from Willow St. to Ash St.
• Willow St. from Pecos St. to Blanco St.
• Persimmon St. from Neches St. to Sabine St.

The Ziegenfelder Company: Council approved a resolution on the Ziegenfelder Company’s performance agreement with the LEDC. The agreement will reimburse up to $50,000 to the company for an electric transformer. The Ziegenfelder Company, a family-owned frozen novelty manufacturer that produces Twin Pops, Monster Pops and other seasonal popsicles, plans to expand its operations in a 96,000 square-foot facility at the SH 130 Industrial Park.

New Municipal Court Judge: City Council appointed Atty. Robert A. Haedge as Municipal Court Presiding Judge. He will succeed Atty. Darlon Sojak, who is relocating out of the area.

Downtown Alcohol Regulations: A draft ordinance was presented to allow open containers and consumption of alcohol on public sidewalks, streets, and other ways in the Commercial Central Business District (CCBD) during selected special community events. The City Attorney was provided direction and the amended ordinance will be considered at a future meeting.

Zoning Changes:

• Council approved a request by HMT Engineering &Surveying, made on behalf of Greenwood Boutique Townhomes, LLC for a zoning change from Residential Medium to Residential High Density on 1.746 acres at 202 and 204 State Park Road (FM 20).
• Council approved a request by Lendi Capital Group, LLC, made on behalf of Sharon Truett, for a zoning change from Agricultural Open and Residential Low Density to Residential High Density on 8.798 acres at 1711 and 1715 W. San Antonio St. (SH 142).

Text Amendment: Councilmembers approved an ordinance amending the base Zoning Ordinance with the following:

• Modify the definition of Patio home in Article I “General”, Section 64-2 “Definitions;” and amend related requirements.
• Increase the allowed building height in the Industrial Light (IL) District from 40 feet to 50 feet.

City Manager’s Report:

• National Night Out: The Lockhart Police and Fire Departments will be participating in National Night Out on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.
• No October 4 City Council Meeting: There is no City Council Meeting on October 4 for National Night Out and TML Conference. The next Council Meeting will be held October 18, 6:30 p.m.
• City-wide Bulk Cleanup: Lockhart’s next City-wide Bulk Cleanup event is on Saturday, October 15, 7 a.m. The event is FREE and open to Lockhart residents ONLY. The City-wide Bulk Cleanup event does not include apartment complexes and commercial businesses.
  • Accepted items: non-freon appliances, carpeting (cut and rolled less than 4’x4’x 40 lbs), furniture, scrap metal, wooden fencing material/treated wood, and mattresses.
• November 8 General Election UPDATE: Four City Council seats will be on the ballot for the November 8 General Election: District 1, District 2, and two At-Large City Council positions. Early voting will be held October 24 – November 4 at the Scott Annex (1403 Blackjack St.), This polling location will be closed Sunday, October 30.Election Day is Tuesday, November 8.

ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the September 20, 2022, meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).