A special recognition, Plum Creek Wetlands Preserve Master Plan update, Civil Service Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment appointments, bridge replacement, sick leave pool program, parks and recreation projects, and a zoning change were discussed in Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

Recognizing Ms. Beverly Haug: The Mayor presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Ms. Beverly Haug for serving as the Director of the Lockhart Housing Authority for almost 42 years.

Plum Creek Wetlands Preserve: The Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust (GBRT) updated Council on the Plum Creek Wetlands Preserve Master Plan, which include trail improvements, construction of an office building, restrooms, picnic area, playground, boardwalks, outdoor classroom, bird blinds, and the development of educational programming. The 265-acre site’s master plan, which will be unveiled in the Plum Creek Re-Leaf restoration event in December, will launch the long-term capital campaign that will fund the project. The Plum Creek Wetlands Preserve is located just northwest of Lockhart along SH 130.

Civil Service Commission: City Council confirmed Mr. Raymond Sanders’ reappointment to the Civil Service Commission for a three-year term as nominated by the City Manager.

Bridge Replacement: Councilmembers authorized the City Manager to enter into an updated Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) with TxDOT for bridge replacement or rehabilitation of the North Blanco Street Bridge over Town Branch Creek. TxDOT increased the City’s match portion from $5,500 to $6,160 due to adjusted material quantities and cost. Overall, the estimated total of the project is $1.2 million. The development of the bridge replacement’s design is slated to begin FY 2026 with construction to follow.

Sick Leave Pool Program Policy: Council approved an ordinance allowing City employees to voluntarily donate or share their earned, but unused sick leave time with other City employees who are experiencing a catastrophic illness or injury.

Parks and Recreation Capital and Operational Projects: Council accepted the next steps for Parks and Recreation’s Capital and Operation Projects as presented by the Parks Director. Those next steps include:

• The creation of a citizen/stakeholder subcommittee to develop aquatic facility plans. The subcommittee would report back to the Parks Board and Council.
• Acting on short-term facility goals (1-2 years), which include sending out a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for general services contract for park renovations, creating a committee to develop aquatic facility plans, building a splash pad at Maple Park, resurfacing courts at Nueces and Pecos Parks, and developing plans to improve soccer and little league fields.
• Developing plans for long-term facility goals (3+ years), which include City Park upgrades to event spaces and amphitheater, developing plans for indoor recreation center, and developing plans for trails and bike paths.
• Acting on short-term recreation program goals (this year), which include swimming lessons, ramping up the Lockhart Summer Recreation Program, pickleball league, adult softball league, and the creation of a Recreation Coordinator Position to grow and implement new recreation programs.
• Developing plans for long-term recreation program goals (1-2 years), which include seasonal adult leagues (basketball, flag football, softball), summer youth camps, summer youth sports programs, and road races (5K, 10K, etc.).
• Developing budgets and securing funding, which involves creating budgets and securing funding for each City Park renovation, aquatics facility construction and operation, and recreation programs.

City Hall Assessment: City Council authorized the City Manager to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a space study at City Hall. The study would help determine the following:

1. The most beneficial and efficient use of space for remaining departments (Utility Billing, Finance, Planning and Zoning, and Building Permits and Inspections)
2. Review and analyze current workspace and flow
3. Workspace and backroom space optimization, and
4. Layout alternatives for storage and additional future employees.

Zoning Board of Adjustment: Councilmembers appointed Ms. Lucy Knight and Ms. Marcia Proctor to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Zoning Change: Councilmembers approved an ordinance rezoning 17.5 acres at 1503 W. San Antonio St. (SH 142) from Agricultural Open and Residential Low Density to Residential Low Density as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

City Manager’s Report:

• Special Council Meeting: A Special City Council Meeting will be held on Monday, November 21, at 6:30 p.m. At the meeting, the City of Lockhart’s General Election results will be canvassed, and newly elected officials will be sworn in. A reception will follow.
• Thanksgiving: City offices—including the Lockhart Recycling Center—are closed for Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24, and the Day after Thanksgiving, November 25. Trash pickup for Thursday customers will be moved to Friday.

• A Christmas to Remember: 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, at 7:30 p.m. then a Christmas parade on Saturday, December 3, at 7 p.m.

ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the November 15, 2022, meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).