January 18, 2024
LCRA Radio System, tax abatement, 1st Quarter FY 2024 Investment Report, hazard mitigation Texas GLO grants, Lockhart-Caldwell County Joint Airport Zoning Board appointments, Historical Preservation Commission Appointments, a zoning change, voluntary annexation, City boards/commissions/committee procedure clarification and reappointments were discussed in Thursday night’s City Council meeting.
Upcoming Meetings
February 6 – Regular Session
February 20 – Regular Session
March 5 – Regular Session
LCRA Radio System:
Council entered into an Interlocal Agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) to become a participating member of a new emergency communication voice radio system and co-located dispatch center being built in Caldwell County. Current Lockhart public safety radios are on the Greater Austin-Travis Regional Radio System (GATRRS), which is operated by the City of Austin. The new Caldwell Countywide LCRA voice radio communication system—which consists of two existing towers, one new tower, and 911 dispatch center at the Caldwell County Justice Center—is estimated to be completed Summer 2024.
Tax Abatement:
Council approved Ronda Reagan of 7G Texan, LLC’s request for a Certificate of Alteration and City tax abatement application for various interior improvements to a building in the Historic District located at 112 N. Main St.
First Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Investment Report:
Council accepted the First Quarter Investment Report of Fiscal Year 2024.
Hazard Mitigation Project GLO Grants:
As directed by Council in the January 2 Meeting, Staff presented a preliminary list of water, street improvements, and public buildings to be considered for $1.89 million of grant funding appropriated to the City from the Texas General Land Office for hazard mitigation projects. As of this time, the following projects appear to best meet the GLO’s grant criteria:
- Bois D’Arc St. Waterline Replacement: Starting from Elm St. to N. Blanco St. ($665,000—Design and Construction—1,300 linear feet); and
- N. Blanco St. Waterline Replacement: Starting from W. Olive St. to Willow St. ($595,000—Design and Construction – 830 linear feet); and
- Connect the above waterline projects with additional ~1,050 linear feet of waterline replacement with potential considerations for fire hydrants, isolation valves, and upsized lines to improve service delivery.
Final project approval will be considered by Council at a future meeting.
Lockhart-Caldwell County Joint Airport Zoning Board:
Council appointed Mr. Jake McCullough and Mr. Dan Colbert to serve on the Lockhart-Caldwell County Joint Airport Zoning Board.
City Boards, Commissions, and Committees Procedures:
Council approved a resolution to clarify a two-step meeting process for the appointment of members to City Boards and Committees. The first meeting would involve an “announcement of nomination” to provide Councilmembers adequate time to consider the nomination, followed by a subsequent meeting listed as “discussion and/or action to consider nomination.” The two-step process does not apply to renomination or a reappointment of a candidate to the same committee. However, it applies to nominees transferring to a different board/committee, or an alternate being elevated to a regular position on the same board/committee.
Historical Preservation Commission Appointments:
Council moved Mr. Frank Gomillion’s appointment from the Electric Board to the Historical Preservation Commission with a term to expire November 2026. Council also moved Ms. Marcia Proctor’s appointment from the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals to the Historical Preservation Commission effective February 6 and a term to expire November 2026.
Board, Commissions, and Committees Reappointments:
Council reappointed Mayor White’s nominations to their respective City Board, Commission, and Committee:
- Airport Board: Benny Hilburn
- Board of Adjustment: Mike Annas
- Construction Board: Raymond DeLeon
- Lockhart Economic Development Corporation: Alan Fielder
- Historical Preservation: Frank Gomillion
- Library Board: Stephanie Riggin
- Parks and Recreation: Karla Tate
- Planning & Zoning: Ron Peterson
- Impact Fee Advisory Committee: Larry Metzler
- Electric Board: Joe Colley
Zoning Change:
Council approved Paul Ginsberg’s zoning change request from Residential Low Density to Residential Medium Density on .0371-acre at 1107 and 1109 N. Commerce St.
Annexation:
Council approved a voluntary annexation request for 53 acres located on the south and west sides of FM 2001, approximately 1,060 feet north of SH 130. The property will be the site of the proposed Real Cold storage facility.
City Manager’s Report
- ESD No. 5 UPDATE: Caldwell County, and the Cities of Lockhart and Luling are in discussions to discuss options to assist the new ESD No. 5 Board becoming operational.
- Animal Shelter Advisory Board UPDATE: City Staff is accepting applications for the newly created Animal Shelter Advisory Board. The newly adopted resolution, clarifying the administrative procedure for the nomination of members of City Boards, Commissions, and Committees will apply in the appointment of the inaugural Advisory Board members.
- Tree Trimming UPDATE: The City’s contractors, McCoy Tree Surgery, began trimming tree limbs along San Jacinto St. in the right of way and utility easements for the City’s electric distribution system this week. Additional information on the City’s tree trimming program can be found on the City’s website.
- Electric System Rehabilitation Project UPDATE: Techline Construction, LLC, the City’s contractor, began work on Project #5A this week. Project #5A is a “System Rehabilitation” project replacing approximately 950 ft. of single strand copper conductors on circuit LK30 along Willow St., from Pecos and Blanco Sts. This project is part of the City of Lockhart's five-year System Study and Capital Plan as prepared by LCRA.
ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the January 18, 2024, Council meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).