The Seawillow Ranch project expanding the City’s ETJ, site selection for an aquatic center, a zoning change for future housing and Downtown Revitalization Project updates were all discussed at the July 16 City Council meeting.
Back row (L-R): Councilmember at-large Brad Westmoreland, District 1 Councilmember Juan Mendoza, District 4 Councilmember Jeffry Michelson, District 2 Councilmember John Castillo
Front row (L-R): Mayor Pro-Tem Angie Gonzales-Sanchez, Mayor Lew White, Councilmember District 3 John Lairsen
July 23 – Budget Workshop: Capital Improvement Projects
July 24 – Budget Workshop: ESD No. 5 Transition
CARTS Interlocal Agreement:
Council received a presentation from the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) to continue transportation services in Lockhart and increase funding for FY 2024-2025. CARTS Now provides curb-to-curb, on-demand transit service within Lockhart city limits Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Comprehensive Plan UPDATE:
Freese and Nichols, the City’s Comprehensive Plan Consultant, presented an update to Council on the draft Economics, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Implementation chapters. The presentation of a final draft of the complete Comprehensive Plan to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council is anticipated in the Fall of 2024. For more information on the Comprehensive Plan, visit www.PlanLockharttx.com.
Budget for Caldwell County Appraisal District:
Council approved the FY 2025 proposed budget for the Caldwell County Appraisal District (CCAD).
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) Expansion:
Council approved a petition to expand the City's current extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) by approximately 30 acres to add the remainder of the portion of the property that is the site of Seawillow Ranch development that had not previously been in the City’s ETJ. The new area added to the ETJ is located west of Seawillow Road approximately 6,000 feet east of FM 1322.
Council awarded a bid to S-Co Incorporated of Jewett, Texas to furnish and install residential water meters throughout Lockhart. The project is funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Council previously awarded the bid to Hydropro Solution, however the company requested to withdraw that bid. S-Co Incorporated was the second lowest bidder.
Downtown Revitalization Project UPDATE:
Council voted to award the bid to DeNucci Construction LLC for the Downtown Revitalization Project. The approximately $10.2 million project focuses on the nine-block area centered around the Caldwell County Courthouse and will include improvements to water/wastewater/drainage infrastructure and resurface the downtown streets. The revised project scope also includes lighting and electric improvements, reconstruction of North and South Main Street, sidewalk improvements, all-way stop signs, pedestrian safety improvements, and landscaping irrigation and design.
Previously, City Council was presented a refined estimate of probable cost for the Downtown Revitalization Project in the amount of $9,586,616. After receiving bids for the project, the lowest price received was $10,829,910. The City Engineer was tasked with identifying potential savings to bring the overall costs closer to the estimated budget. Reductions to the project scope while maintaining the project's intended outcome included:
• Reducing utility replacements in alleyways.
• Modifying various landscaping elements and associated irrigation.
• Reduction in pedestrian lighting.
• Focusing on paving and curb bulb-out within the nine-block project perimeter.
• Removing pavers at crosswalks.
Council approved Change Order #1 to reduce the total contract amount by $651,735 bringing the total contract amount for the project to $10,178,175.
Aquatics Facility UPDATE:
Council approved a recommendation from the Lockhart Parks Advisory Board to select the site located at San Jacinto Boulevard and Center Street for a future municipal aquatics facility. The Parks Advisory Board recommended the property because of its street access, its placement among residential zones and its proximity to two elementary schools and Lockhart High School, which are all potential users. Council also authorized city staff to pursue a Texas Parks & Wildlife Grant for $750,000, the maximum grant award possible, that could provide partial funding for the construction of the project.
Council approved a zoning change from Agricultural Open Space to Residential Medium Density (RMD) on an 8.6-acre tract at 351 City Line Road. The applicant, Cerulean Dog Investments, initially requested RHD Residential High Density zoning for the property, however, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended RMD as it was more consistent with the property’s designation on the Future Land Use Map, with City Council affirming the recommendation. The applicant intended to develop an apartment community on the site, but with RMD zoning, only lower-density housing types such as single-family, duplex, townhouse, combined family, and lower-density condominiums are possible.
County Capital Improvement Plan: The county previously held two open houses on its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) in addition to an ongoing online open house. More than 2,000 online surveys have been completed. Several potential projects are located in and near Lockhart, with one serving the new elementary school. Early estimates anticipate a total bond issue ranging between $60 million-100 million to provide funding for all approved countywide projects. The county will hold a special commissioner’s court meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 18 to discuss which projects in the CIP it wants to advance. Commissioners have until Aug. 19 to order the bond issue for the November 2024 ballot.
RISE Broadband Update: RISE Broadband began installation of its citywide fiber internet conduit, starting in an area bordered by North Media Street to the west, North Main Street to the East, the railroad tracks to the north, and West San Antonio Street to the south. Contractors have been placing door hangers on residences 72-hours in advance before working on adjacent rights-of-way. Subscription to RISE’s services is voluntary. City staff is working on a comprehensive FAQ to provide on the city’s website and will include information regarding work in the city rights-of-way, turf restoration, irrigation systems and existing underground conduits.
Courthouse Nights Concert Series: The next installment of the free Courthouse Nights concert series is from 7-10 p.m. Friday night on the Caldwell County Courthouse lawn. The headliner is Rattlesnake Milk, who will take the stage at 8:30 p.m.
Update regarding the US 183 Overpass Landscaping Project: A Keep Lockhart Beautiful project that involves grant funding to make landscaping improvements below the US 183 Overpass near Kreuz Market is underway. Improvements will include seating, native planting, irrigation, lighting improvements, electrical outlets and sidewalk connections to the City’s park system, creating an aesthetic gateway into City Park. Encino Park LLC will complete the project, which is expected to take approximately 102 working days. Traffic control measures have been placed at the park's entrance. No disruptions to traffic and park use are expected as the work will take place entirely in the parking area under the overpass.
New Public Information Officer: Ms. Tatiana Salazar will join the Lockhart staff as its new Public Information Officer on July 24. Ms. Salazar has more than 10 years of experience in the field as a television news producer. She most recently served as City of San Marcos bilingual communications specialist, where she assisted the San Marcos Police Department and the city’s community services departments.
Budget Workshops: The Lockhart City Council will hold two budget workshops next week. A workshop to discuss capital improvement projects is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 23 in council chambers on the third floor of the Dr. Eugene Clark Public Library. A workshop to discuss the Emergency Services District No. 5 Transition will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 24.
ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the July 16, 2024, Council meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).