Mayor Lew White issued two proclamations and the Lockhart City Council discussed the Courthouse Nights concert series, the city’s EMS agreement with Ascension Seton, a new committee on housing and development issues and Lockhart’s newest industrial park at Tuesday night’s regular meeting.

Proclamations: Mayor Lew White led off the work session by issuing proclamations declaring February to be Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and Career and Technical Education Month.

Courthouse Nights: The Courthouse Nights concert series is headed back to Lockhart in April. This year, the series of free outdoor concerts will run through August. With the city’s current temporary portable restroom site becoming unavailable, event presenters asked council for help making portable toilets available during the concert series’ five-month run. After a discussion, council ultimately voted to make a $2,000 donation to the event in addition to its regular in-kind contributions to ensure portable restroom access, noting the event’s longevity and various music genres and styles.

Committee on Housing and Development: Council approved the creation of a committee on housing and development to address the issues discussed at the joint workshops of City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission held in December 2022 and January 2023. The mission of the committee will be to reflect upon the discussions at the joint workshops and decide which policy priorities city staff and the planning and zoning commission should work on to address the city's development-related issues, and set the order and timing of the work items that could be assigned following the Committee's discussions. 

Industrial Park III: TRC Engineering will provide design and construction services for approximately 2.5 miles of wastewater lines between the Larremore Wastewater Treatment Plant and the new Lockhart Industrial Park III after council approved entering a contract with the company. The City of Lockhart was awarded a $2.1 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grant to install the infrastructure. Completion of this project will also see the decommission and demolition of the Windridge Lift Station. 

EMS Agreement: Council approved an amendment to the Lockhart EMS Staffing and Management Services Agreement with Ascension Seton Hospital.  Seton notified the City of its intent to terminate the EMS service agreement in March 2023, due in part to budgetary shortfalls. The City and Seton have subsequently negotiated an amendment to the current operating agreement whereby Seton will continue providing EMS services through October 1, 2023, in order for the City to secure or provide alternative EMS services. During this extension, the city will pay Seton’s monthly shortfall of up to $23,000 in addition to the current operating expenses.

City Manager’s Report

• Nueces and Pecos Parks Improvements: Striping and resurfacing on the courts has been completed and new fencing has been delivered. A shade canopy measuring 20 feet by 20 feet will be installed at the northwest corner of Nueces Park along with new basketball goals. 
  
  
• Aquatics Facility Committee: A newly formed committee is looking at the future of the city park pool. The committee is discussing the city’s park and open space plan and a new aquatic facility for Lockhart. Right now they’re taking up organizational issues and looking at preliminary options.
  
  
• Parks and Recreation General Service Contract Consultant: The RFQ process wrapped up with six submittals. Three firms have been interviewed and the city is in the process of selecting one. The contract will be brought before the council for approval. The consultant will help steer the updating of the parks and open space plan, which is almost five years old. Applicants for grant funding are required to have up-to-date park master plans.
  
  
• 2022 City Annual Report: The year-end report for 2022 has been published. It can be viewed on the city website.
  
  
• Winter Storm Mara: The impact felt by last week’s ice storm was relatively light in Lockhart compared to communities located north and northwest of it. The city’s electric department responded to 13 calls but only two were power interruptions that lasted 30 minutes apiece. Solid waste collection was modified during the storm but is back on schedule. Tree trimming that had begun shortly before the storm has resumed.
  
  
• Meet the Police Chief Finalists: A community meet and greet with the police chief finalists is set for 9 a.m.-noon Saturday in council chambers at the Dr. Eugene Clark Library. It will afford the community an opportunity to meet and visit with the finalists.