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City Council Recap: October 18, 2022
10/19/2022

A proclamation, tree trimming agreement, HOT application, Ascension Children’s Care-a-Van, TDEM grant application, mural regulations, downtown alcohol regulations, an interlocal agreement on an air ambulance, zoning changes, and zoning ordinance amendments were discussed in Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

 

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation: The Mayor presented a proclamation declaring October 2022 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC).

 

Tree trimming: Councilmembers approved an agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and McCoy Tree Service to continue tree trimming services in the City’s right-of-way and utility easements. Tree trimming helps prevent voltage flickers, outages, and to improve public safety. Trees and tree limbs falling onto power lines is the most common cause of outages.

 

Hill Country Cook-off Association: Council approved funding the Hill Country Cook-Off with Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Funds to be used for advertising, solicitations, and promotional programs to attract tourists. The event will be held November 18 -19 at Lockhart City Park.

 

Ascension Children’s Care-A-Van: Council approved the one-time financial contribution of $2,500 to Ascension Children’s Care-A-Van, allowing the program to continue operations in and around the Caldwell County area.

 

Texas Department of Emergency Management grant application: Council authorized Staff to apply for a Texas Department of Emergency Management grant to purchase and install backup generators for the Water Treatment Plant.

 

Mural regulations: Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting murals within the Courthouse Square Historical District and requiring submittal of an application for a Certificate for Alteration for proposed changes in paint color of a previously painted brick or stone surface, in addition to an existing restriction on painting previously unpainted surfaces.

 

Downtown alcohol regulations:  Council adopted allowing open containers and consumption of alcohol on public sidewalks, streets, and other ways within the Commercial Central Business District (CCB) during eight listed special events, or an event specifically approved by Council. Those eight events are:

  • Cinco de Mayo
  • Chisholm Trail Roundup
  • Diez y Seis
  • First Friday
  • Courthouse Nights
  • Sip-n-Stroll
  • Texas Monthly Barbecue Festival
  • CTR Running of the Bulls

 

Under the new ordinance, businesses may not rent the public sidewalk or any other public property for the purpose of selling alcohol in the CCB district. Compliance with TABC regulations is the responsibility of TABC licensees. Event sponsors are required to obtain a special activity permit from the Lockhart Police Department, unless the event is City sponsored.

 

Air ambulance interlocal agreement: City Council authorized the City to enter an interlocal agreement with Caldwell County to become members of the PHI Cares Program. Under the program, Lockhart residents will receive free coverage on the unpaid portion of PHI Air Medical services, unlimited transports, no pre-existing conditions limit, on scene calls and inter-facility transfers, no co-pays, or out-of-pocket expenses. Should Lockhart residents require air transport while in town or travelling in any adjacent county –which include Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays, Travis, Bastrop, and Fayette Counties—they will be covered by PHI Cares membership benefits. The closest PHI Air Medical air base is located in Cedar Creek.

 

Zoning changes:

  • Council approved the following:
    • Rebecca Briceno’s zoning change request from Commercial Light Business to Residential Medium Density on a 0.586 acre property at 915 Red River St.
    • Tamara K. Carlisle’s request, made on behalf of Lumberyard Lockhart, LLC, for a zoning change from Commercial Medium Business to Residential Medium Density on a 0.562 acre property at the 500 block of W. Market St.
    • Tamara K. Carlisle’s request, made on behalf of Lumberyard Lockhart, LLC, for a zoning change from Commercial Medium Business to Residential Medium Density on a 0.135 acre property at 500 W. Market St.
    • Council approved a zoning change request by Dan Ross, on behalf of Thomas Staub of Roed Prop Co, LLC, from Agricultural Open to Residential Medium Density on 89.775 acres at 2400 FM 1322.
  • Council did not approve the following:
    • The zoning change request by Chris Elizondo of Cuatro Consultants, Ltd., made on behalf of Jimbo Cotton of 2401 CR 119, LLC, from Agricultural Open to Residential Medium Density on 19.367 acres at 1400 Lovers Ln.

 

Zoning text amendment: Council approved a zoning text amendment allowing front-facing garage doors for any size garage to occupy up to 50 percent of the width of detached single-family dwellings.

 

Executive Session:

                Police officer incentives: Council considered incentives to improve police officer retention and recruitment/hiring. Following executive session, relative to seeking legal advice from the City Attorney, the City Council approved a motion authorizing an immediate one-time retention payment of $2,500 to all Lockhart Police Officers and a second one-time retention incentive payment of $2,500 to be paid no later than January 31, 2023. City Council is slated to consider the recruitment/hiring incentive rate at the next Council meeting on November 1, 2022.

 

City Manager’s Report:

  • General Election Early Voting Changes: The Caldwell County Elections Office informed the City Secretary of a petition requesting additional 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. early voting hours, in addition to early voting to be conducted on Sunday, October 30th. Early voting for the November 8 General Election begins Monday, October 24 through Friday, November 4, 2022.
  • Texas Monthly BBQ Fest: Texas Monthly’s BBQ Fest is coming up on Saturday, November 5 (BBQ World’s Fair) and Sunday, November 6 (Top 50 Picnic). Saturday’s event, BBQ World’s Fair, will be held at the Courthouse Square, 12 – 7 p.m. Sunday’s event, Top 50 Picnic, will be held at City Park, 12 – 4 p.m. For tickets, visit www.texasmonthly.com
  • Halloween Spooktacular: Children dressed as ghouls, goblins, and superheroes will take over the Courthouse Square for the Dr. Eugene Clark Library’s “Halloween Spectacular” on Monday, October 31st. The event kicks off with Spooky Storytime at 10 a.m., followed by Trick-or-Treating at the Square.
  • A Christmas to Remember in Lockhart: A “Christmas to Remember in Lockhart” will take the place of “A Dickens Christmas in Lockhart.” It will he held on the first weekend of December, kicked off by the Courthouse Christmas Tree lighting on Friday, December 2, then a Christmas parade on Saturday, December 3, at dusk.

 

 

ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the October 18, 2022, meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).

 


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