July 18, 2023

An update on Lockhart tourism and the Lockhart Visitors Center, CARTS interlocal agreement, revised LEDC target business strategy, social service agency funding, work authorization to evaluate the feasibility of a new aquatics facility, an update on city-related bills passed in the 2023 Texas Legislative session, a proposed county wide emergency services district, and golf cart ordinance were discussed at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

Pictured left to right (front row): Mayor Pro-Tem Angie Gonzales-Sanchez, Mayor Lew White, Councilmember District 3 Kara McGregor. Pictured left to right (back row): Councilmember District 1 Juan Mendoza, Councilmember At-Large Brad Westmoreland, Councilmember District 4 Jeffry Michelson, Councilmember District 2 John Castillo.

Upcoming Meetings

August 1 – Regular Session

August 15 – Regular Session

September 5 – Regular Session

Lockhart Chamber of Commerce Tourism UPDATE:

            A representative of the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce provided an update on their efforts in attracting and promoting tourism to Lockhart. The Chamber also introduced Ms. Gayle Warren as the Visitor Services Representative for the Lockhart Visitor Center, which extended its hours to include Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., on top of its regular Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

CARTS Interlocal Agreement:

                Council directed Staff to evaluate a proposed interlocal agreement with the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) to fund and continue its CARTS Now service for FY 2023-2024. CARTS Now provides curb-to-curb, on-demand transit service within Lockhart city limits Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Non-profit Funding Requests:

Council agreed to reallocate available unused funds to the following non-profit social service agencies, along with an inflation rate increase for FY 2023 – 2024:

• Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center
• Combined Community Action, Inc.
• Lockhart Senior Citizen Center
• CASA of Central Texas, Inc.
• Caldwell County Food Bank

Work Authorization for new Aquatics Facility:

                Council gave work authorization for Halff Associates to provide Aquatic Consulting and a Feasibility Study to evaluate the rehabilitation of City Park Pool or construction of a new indoor or outdoor aquatic facility.

Caldwell County Emergency Services District No. 5:

                Council approved a resolution supporting the creation of the Caldwell County Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 5 and with the inclusion of Lockhart’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).

Texas Legislative Regular Session UPDATE:

            The City Attorney provided Council an update on several city-related bills that passed during the 2023 Texas Legislative regular session and most likely to affect Lockhart.

Revised Target Business Strategy:

Council adopted the Lockhart Economic Development Corporation’s (LEDC) updated targeted business strategy, as recommended by the LEDC Board. The updated target industries are:

• All Things Mega (Ideal large-scale manufacturers)
• Industry 4.0 (Auto parts, metal, and electronic manufacturing)
• Food Processing (Food and beverage manufacturing)
• Experience Lockhart (Experiential tourism and hospitality)

Golf Cart Ordinance:

                Council directed Staff to inform the public on the existing golf cart ordinance through social media and a dedicated web page on the City’s website.

City Manager’s Report:

• Courthouse Nights Music Series: The next Courthouse Nights is Friday, July 21, at 7 p.m.
• Parks Survey: The City of Lockhart is updating its Park, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan and community input is needed. The survey is now LIVE and can be accessed through the City’s homepage. Flyers are posted and hard copies are available at Lockhart City Hall and the Dr. Eugene Clark Library.
• CAPCOG Grant Award: CAPCOG notified Staff that the City’s grant application for its $25,000 Solid Waste Grant has been approved. The grant will be used to purchase a new cardboard baler.
• SH 142 Corridor Study: The City Engineer and City Manager met with TxDOT to discuss anticipated growth along SH 142 and the potential of conducting a corridor study. TxDOT is currently backlogged, however, preliminary engineering could help move the project forward. The City Engineer and City Manager are determining the scope of work, which will be presented at a future meeting.
• Water Conservation Requirements: Lockhart has been in a mandatory water rotation all year to reduce the city’s peak water usage and delay the need for larger infrastructure required to deliver everyone’s total water need on a per-day basis. Residents are encouraged to follow odd/even watering schedule:
  • Even street addresses (2, 4, 6, 8, 0) may water Thursdays and Sundays, midnight to 10 a.m. and/or 7 p.m. to midnight.
  • Odd street addresses (1,3,5,7,9) may water Saturdays and Wednesdays, midnight to 10 a.m. and/or 7 p.m. to midnight.
  • NOTE: Irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at any time if it is by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet-filled bucket or watering can of five gallons or less, or drip irrigation system.
• New Assistant City Manager: Mr. Joseph Resendez was introduced to Council as Lockhart’s new Assistance City Manager. Previously, Mr. Resendez served as the City of Bartlett’s City Administrator and City Secretary.

ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the July 18, 2023, meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).