August 1, 2023

A donation to the Dr. Eugene Clark Library, SH 142 Corridor Study, FY 2023-2024 proposed budget, the sale of live animals in certain places, and the general election 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 15 – Regular Session

September 5 – Regular Session

September 19 – Regular Session

Dr. Eugene Clark Library Donation:

            The Mayor recognized Mr. Ronald Seeliger for his $100,000 donation to the Dr. Eugene Clark Library. Mr. Louis Harrison was present on behalf of Mr. Seeliger, who passed away November 2022. The restricted gift is to be used exclusively to acquire books, periodicals, recordings in either printed, analog, or digital formats.

SH 142 Corridor Study and Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement:

                Council directed Staff to explore a partnership with TxDOT for a financial cost sharing arrangement on needed short term improvements along the SH 142 Corridor, especially at the Mockingbird St. and SH 142 intersection. The Public Works Director and City Engineer presented the scope of work for a City-led SH 142 Corridor Study to assess existing facilities and forecasted conditions along the corridor and develop a need-based priorities implementation schedule.  The need for the SH 142 Corridor Study was prompted after City Staff presented growth projections along the corridor and the need for SH 142—between SH 130 and U.S. 183—to be widened at the joint Growth Planning Meetings between City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Typically, TxDOT conducts these types of studies; however, they have a five-year backlog of similar projects in our district.

Proposed FY 2023-2024 Budget:

                Council approved the Lockhart Economic Development Corporation’s (LEDC) FY 2023-2024 budget. Council also set two public hearings for the City of Lockhart’s proposed FY 2023-2024 budget for the following dates:

• August 15, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
• September 5, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

Both hearings will be held in the Council Chambers on the third floor of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library.

Sale of Live Animals Ordinance:

                Council approved an ordinance prohibiting the non-retail sale of live animals in public spaces, such as on the side of the road, public right-of-way, sidewalk, street, commercial parking lot, parkway or any other public property or any property dedicated to public use, or an outdoor special sale, swap meet, flea market, parking lot sale or similar events.

                The ordinance does not prohibit the sale, purchase, or give away of animals from a person’s private residence.

2023 General Election:  

                Council ordered a General Election to be held on November 7, 2023 for the following seats:

• Mayor
• Councilmember District 3
• Councilmember District 4

Early voting will be conducted October 23 – November 3 at the Scott Annex (1403 Blackjack St., Ste. A).  

City Manager’s Report:

• Coffee with a Cop: The Lockhart Police Department is hosting “Coffee with a Cop” on Monday, August 14, 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. at Summer Moon Coffee (1101 S. Main St., Ste. #104). This is an opportunity for residents to get to know LPD police officers and chat about what is going on in the community.
• Downtown Revitalization Project Update: The City’s consulting engineer, TRC Engineering, has delivered the 100% construction plans and bid package for the Downtown Revitalization Project’s Design Phase. These plans are being finalized by City Staff, then they will be presented to City Council at a future meeting.
• New Aquatics Subcommittee: The City’s newly formed Aquatics Subcommittee meets on Friday, August 4, at 4 p.m. The five-member subcommittee was formed to consider the design of a potential new aquatics facility.
• GBRA Update: At the June 6 Lockhart City Council work session, GBRA indicated in its most recent schedule update that CGSP water supplies could be available to Lockhart as early as the end of the year. Since then, GBRA was informed of electrical equipment (control boards/master switch boards) delays for the ARWA Water Treatment Plant (WTP), which could push the substantial completion of the ARWA WTP to February 2024. Staff and GBRA will continue to monitor the construction progress for the program and keep you up to date as schedules are revised impacting water delivery to Lockhart.
• Maple St. Splash Pad Update: Staff was notified that the delivery and installation of the Maple St. Splash Pad’s shade structures have been delayed due to supply issues. These items are now expected to arrive next week.
• Public Works Back-to-School Progress: The Public Works Department has been trimming trees and re-striping crosswalks along school bus routes and around Lockhart schools, in preparation for the upcoming school year. Staff anticipates completion by the first day of school: Wednesday, August 16.

ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the August 1, 2023, meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).