October 17, 2023

Domestic Violence Awareness proclamation, economic development incentives for F3 Lockhart Owner LLC, LCRA new public safety communication radio system, 4^th Quarter FY 2023 Investment Report, Messer Fort law firm, interlocal agreement with Caldwell County for emergency ambulance services, ambulance chassis purchase, ETJ release, and zoning ordinance amendments 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

October 23 – Special Session/Workshop regarding Aquatics

November 21 – Regular Session

December 5 -- Regular Session

Domestic Violence Awareness Month:

               Mayor White presented a proclamation to Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC) representatives recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

F3 Lockhart Owner LLC (RealCold):

                Council approved an economic development performance agreement with a major refrigerated warehouse and cold chain operator, F3 Lockhart Owner LLC, also known as RealCold, to authorize the Lockhart Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) to provide a rebate of up to $1 million for a partial reimbursement of water and wastewater lines to serve the project. Council also approved the Chapter 380 agreement that provides a five-year rebate of real estate and personal City property taxes. Terms of the newly approved City incentives include RealCold hiring over 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) Lockhart-based employees by year four and investing at least $65 million in its Lockhart facility.

LCRA Radio System:

            The LCRA’s Mr. Khalil Coltrain made a presentation before Council on the creation of a new emergency communication voice radio system for Caldwell County. Currently, the City of Lockhart and Caldwell County’s public safety agencies are on the Greater Austin-Travis Regional Radio System (GATRRS), which is operated by the City of Austin. Due to the GATRRS system reliability, radio coverage, and system maintenance, Caldwell County contracted with LCRA to create a new voice radio communication system for public safety agencies in Caldwell County using two existing towers, one new tower, and all new infrastructure. Current Lockhart public safety radios will work on the new system with a reprogram. The new LCRA voice radio communication system is estimated to be completed by Spring/Summer 2024.

                Council will be asked to consider an interlocal agreement with the LCRA to be a part of its new radio system at a future meeting.  

Air Quality Monitoring:

                Council approved a resolution extending the Capital Area Council of Government’s (CAPCOG’s) lease of the site for Air Quality Monitoring, located at 214 Bufkin Ln., to December 31, 2026, in order to continue collecting ambient air quality data at the site.

Fourth Quarter FY 2023 Investment Report:

            Council accepted the 4^th Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Investment Report.

Messer Fort:

                Council approved an amended engagement letter with the Messer Fort law firm to continue providing legal services to the City. Mr. Brad Bullock will have the primary responsibility for providing legal representation for the City.

EMS Services:

Council approved an Interlocal Agreement with Caldwell County to provide EMS services within the northern portion of the County.

Ambulance Chassis:

            Council approved the purchase of a 2023 Ford F-450 diesel ambulance chassis to power a new Frazer custom ambulance to be built for Lockhart EMS.  

ETJ Release:

            Council tabled the petition request and release of 389.2 acres from the City’s extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ), located south of SH 142 and east of Borchert Loop, until a future Council meeting.

Text Amendment:

Council approved Text Amendments to Chapter 64 “Zoning” of the Lockhart Code of Ordinances  creating additional standards, which create design options for new houses in both new subdivisions as well as houses built on infill lots. These amendments also include new design standard options for multifamily developments.

City Manager’s Report:

• 2023 Street Improvement Project UPDATE: RDC Paving, LLC, the contractor for the 2023 Street Improvement Project informed Staff on its plans to begin paving in November, which could be completed by Thanksgiving. Areas to be resurfaced include:
  • Hickory Street, from Colorado Street to Brazos Street
  • Hickory Street, from S. Commerce Street to S. Main Street
  • Olive Street, from N. Commerce Street to Kate Street
  • Kate Street, from Apple Street to Olive Street
  • Red Bud Street, from Stueve Lane to Woodlawn Street
  • Atascosa Street, from Prairie Lea Street to Maple Street
  • S. Medina Street, from Live Oak Street to Clearfork Street
  • City Park Road, east of the pond
  • Fire Station #2 Parking Lot
• Carver High School UPDATE: On September 30, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Texas and Jurisdiction held a Public Acknowledgement of the $3 million award from the Texas Historical Commission to restore the Lockhart Rosenwald-Carver School Building, more widely known as Carver High School. The group talked about the building’s intended use, which includes a museum, community center, and job training facility. The group is in the process of soliciting RFQ’s for grant consultants to assist in administrating the grant.
• Texas Monthly BBQ Fest: The Texas Monthly BBQ Fest is back in Lockhart for seconds!
  • BBQ World’s Fair in Downtown Lockhart: Saturday, November 4, 12 – 7 p.m.; free admission.
  • Top 50 Picnic at City Park: Sunday, November 5, 12 – 4 p.m.
    • Tickets can be purchased at 2023 Texas Monthly BBQ Fest Benefiting Feeding Texas Returns to Lockhart
• A Christmas to Remember (December 1-2, 2023): Applications to participate in the Lighted Parade scheduled for Saturday, December 2, are available.
• ESD No. 5 Informational Town Hall: There will be an informational town hall event about the proposed Emergency Services District (ESD No. 5) on Thursday, October 19, 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the City Council Chambers. The event is both in-person, televised on Spectrum Ch. 10, and livestreamed on City website (www.Lockhart-tx.org).
  • ESD No. 5 is up for voter consideration in the November 7 election. Early voting begins October 23.
• Aquatics UPDATE: A Special City Council workshop will be held on Monday, October 23, at 6:30 p.m. The City’s aquatics consultants, Water Technology, Inc., Ballard-King Associates, and Halff Associates will be presenting the Phase 2 outcomes of the Aquatics Facility Design Project. Members of the Aquatics Committee and Parks Board have been invited to attend.

ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the October 17, 2023, meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).