September 5, 2023

Tree trimming, 2023 Street Improvement Project bid award, Civil Service pay, a zoning change, FY 2023-2024 Property Tax Rate, the City’s and LEDC’s proposed FY 2023 – 2024 budgets 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

September 19 – Regular Session

October 17 – Regular Session

November 21 – Regular Session

Tree Pruning:

                The Assistant City Manager and Electric Superintendent presented a report to Council regarding the City of Lockhart’s tree trimming operations, which summarized regulatory requirements, industry standards, and commonly asked questions related to tree-utility conflicts. The report was a result of Council directive to review the current tree trimming program after several residents expressed concern over the potential impact on the health of the trimmed trees. A list of frequently asked questions and additional information can be found on the city website at City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).

2023 Street Improvement Project:

                Council awarded RDC Paving, LLC of Hutto, Texas the contract for the 2023 Street Improvement Project. Construction is anticipated to begin October 2023. The project involves resurfacing and treatment methods specific to each street and surface, which include:

• E. City Park Rd. (east of pond)
• Lockhart Fire Station No. 2 parking lot
• Hickory St. from Colorado St. to Brazos St.
• Hickory St. from S. Commerce St. to S. Main St.
• Olive St. from N. Commerce St. to Kate St.
• Kate St. from Apple St. to Olive St.
• Red Bud St. from Stueve Ln. to Woodlawn St.
• Atascosa St. from Prairie Lea St. to Maple St.
• S. Medina St. from Live Oak St. to Clearfork St.

Proposed City of Lockhart and LEDC FY 2023-2024 Budget:

                Council adopted the City of Lockhart’s operating budget for FY 2023-2024 and the Lockhart Economic Development Corporation’s (LEDC) FY 2023-2024 budget.

Property Tax Rate:

           Council adopted a reduction in the city property tax rate from $0.6006 per $100 property valuation to $0.5348 per $100 valuation, a $0.0658 (12.3%) decrease, for the 2023 tax year.

Civil Service Pay:

                Council approved an ordinance adopting a step pay plan for classified police and fire personnel in 2023-24.

Zoning Change:

                Council tabled Monte Guidry’s zoning change request from Commercial Heavy Business to Residential Medium Density on 0.216-acre property at 1013 N. Colorado St./U.S. 183. The request will be reconsidered at a future meeting.

City Manager’s Report:

• Texas Monthly UPDATE: Texas Monthly updated Staff last week that the 2023 BBQ World’s Fair, scheduled for Saturday, November 4, will include a drone show sponsored by Coca-Cola.
• Summerside Subdivision UPDATE: Last week, City Staff held a preconstruction meeting with Lennar Homes, the builder for Summerside Subdivision Sections 5 and 6. The upcoming sections will have a total of 147 lots.
  • Section 5 will have 25 residential lots and four commercial lots north of the main entrance, located at Summerside Ave.
  • Section 6, which will be east of Section 5, will have 118 residential lots.

Public improvements (water, sewer, roads, and storm drainage) for both sections are estimated to be completed by June 2024.

• ESD No. 5 UPDATE: In a special meeting last month, Caldwell County Commissioners approved the petition to create the new Emergency Services District No. 5 and ordered an election to authorize its creation and accompanying source of funding. The election will be held Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Early voting will be October 23 – November 3.
• Water Conservation: Lockhart remains in Stage 1 water restrictions. Water usage in August 2023 increased by 27% in comparison to August 2022.
  • August 2023: 68.079 million gallons
  • August 2022: 53.52 million gallons

Voluntary water conservation measures are encouraged of City of Lockhart water customers as usage continues to approach Stage 2 restrictions.

• Lockhart Industrial Park III UPDATE: Two and a half years since the 75-acre Lockhart Industrial Park III (130 I-Park) was purchased, last week, the LEDC closed on its final two properties at the park. The demand for the industrial park exceeded all expectations and the LEDC is working hard on next steps to ensure momentum continues.
• SH 142 and SH 130 Traffic Signals: The new traffic signals on SH 142 and SH 130 were activated on August 3rd.  In early 2023, SH 130 South performed a signal warrant analysis.  The intersection met two of the criteria for activating the traffic signals: 
  • Traffic count for the intersection, and
  • Crash history (number of crashes over a period of time).

SH 130 South will continue to monitor the intersection over the next few months and adjust the timing of the traffic signals as needed.  Currently, the timing of traffic lights is within their acceptable limits. There have been no crashes at the intersection since the traffic signals were activated.

• Vehicle Burglaries: There was a recent uptick in motor vehicle burglary in the past two months. 
  • Majority (87%) of the vehicles broken into were left unlocked. 
  • Forced entry occurred in 13% of the vehicles. 

These vehicle burglaries have occurred throughout the city and not in one specific area.

• Tips:
  • Lock your vehicle and close the windows. 
  • Remove valuables from your vehicle. 
  • Don’t leave items in plain sight. 
  • Park in well-lit areas. 
  • Report suspicious activity.

ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the September 5, 2023, meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).