September 19, 2024

The San Jacinto Street elevated storage tank painting project, Fire Station No. 1 remodeling project, Gateway Monument and Wayfinding signage, water/wastewater rates, and ESD 5 lease agreement were discussed at the September 17 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

Upcoming Meetings

September 25 – Planning & Zoning Commission

October 3 – RESCHEDULED City Council Meeting

National GEAR UP Week

The Mayor presented a proclamation to Gerra Murray, Marie Burgos, and Norma Rojas of GEAR UP recognizing the week of September 23, 2024 as National GEAR UP Week.

Diez y Seis de Septiembre Weekend

The Mayor presented a proclamation to Rob Ortiz of the Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recognizing the weekend of Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14 as Dies y Seis Weekend.

Elevated Storage Tank Painting Project

City Council awarded a bid of $162,000 to O&A Classic Coatings. The company, based in Hurst, Texas, will paint the 250,000-gallon elevated storage tank located at San Jacinto and Lakeview St. The project will consist of shrouding and repainting the interior and exterior of the tank. The project will span 60 days and will be completed before the end of 2024.

Fire Station No. 1 Remodeling Project

The contract proposal from Studio Steinbomer to provide architectural services and to support the remodel of Fire Station No. 1, 201 W. Market, was passed. Council members also approved authorizing the contract for Construction-Manager-at-Risk (CMAR) services to D. Wilson Construction Co, for the fire station remodeling project.

Gateway Monument and Wayfinding Signage

As requested by TxDOT, adoption of the proposed designs of the Gateway Monument and Wayfinding signage as depicted in the 2022 Wayfinding Master Plan were authorized. The authorization also included the installation within the operational highway right-of-way. The City has allocated funds to begin the installation of four monument signs immediately.

Utility Rate Changes

Water: City Council voted to approve new water rates based on recommendations from Raftelis, the City's utility rate consultant. Specifically, these rate adjustments account for updates to the Carrizo Groundwater Supply Project operating and maintenance costs and debt service requirements and wholesale water costs.

Council approved the Carrizo Project in February 2018 as an agreement with the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) to provide Lockhart citizens with a long-term treated water supply (up to 3,000 acre-feet) to improve drought and operational resilience by further diversifying the City’s water portfolio and increasing the current water supply for future demand. This groundwater development project will generate a total of 15,000 acre-feet per year of groundwater which will be distributed to participating utilities like Lockhart. The City is responsible for its proportional share of the project’s debt service and operational expenses for the construction of facilities to pump, treat, and transport the groundwater from the well fields in Gonzales and Caldwell County. The facilities and transmission infrastructure are complete and operational. The project is undergoing final treatment and pressure testing and anticipated to go online in Fall 2024.

Wastewater: Councilmembers also set new wastewater rates based on recommendations from Raftelis. Specifically, a 3% inflationary adjustment for operation and maintenance costs of the City's wastewater collection infrastructure and treatment facilities. The process and calculations for winter averaging will remain in place as currently adopted.

The new water and wastewater rates will be phased-in over a two-year period and will begin in the second billing cycle in November 2024. The Utility Billing and Public Information Office will provide notice to customers of the upcoming rate changes by mailed publication and updates to the City’s website.

Residential Customer Combined Water/Wastewater Monthly Bill Impacts:

NOTE: While the water and wastewater rates will increase the bill for City customers, the rates charged to City customers remain comparable to similar communities in Central Texas.

Caldwell County ESD No. 5 Lease Agreement

The City of Lockhart has agreed to enter into an interlocal agreement with Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 5. The agreement will allow the City to lease two city-owned EMS stations to the ESD for a one-year term, with the option to renew the lease for an additional year. The newly created ESD No. 5 is on schedule to begin operations and provide EMS services in Lockhart on January 1, 2025.

City Manager’s Report

TxDOT Safety & Mobility Study Meeting

TxDOT is planning a study focusing on potential enhancements to US 183, between SH 71 and SH 130. The section between SH 71 and FM 812 is currently divided, but the rest of US 183 is not. TxDOT is proposing to widen and divide US 183 to alleviate traffic, congestion, safety, access, and mobility on this stretch of US 183. TxDOT held its first meeting on Wednesday, September 18 seeking input from the public about their priorities and concerns regarding US 183.

Comprehensive Plan Comment Period

The City is collecting comments from the public about its comprehensive plan draft, Lockhart Looking Forward. Earlier this year, residents weighed in what they’d like to see in Lockhart in the future when it comes to Land use and development, transportation and mobility, economic development, public facilities, infrastructure, and more. The Planning and Zoning Commission will review the draft plan on Wednesday, September 25. The plan will then be presented to City Council on Tuesday, October 15. The draft plan can be viewed on PlanLockhartTX.com. Residents can submit comments until Wednesday, October 9, at 12 p.m.

City-Wide Bulk Cleanup

The City’s solid waste contractor, Republic Services, will hold its city-wide bulk cleanup for the fall on Saturday, October 12, starting at 7 a.m. The service is free and is for Lockhart residents only. Bulk items should be placed on the curb before 7 a.m.

Accepted items:

• Appliances that do not contain Freon® (please provide 2 feet of side clearance)
• Carpeting (cut and rolled less than 4’ x 4’ x 40 lbs.)
• Furniture
• Scrap metal (less than 4’ long)
• Wooden fencing material/treated wood (bundled less than 4’ x 4’ x 40 lbs. and free of all nails, screws, concrete and metal)
• Mattresses

Excluded items:

• Appliances that contain Freon (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioner units)
• Televisions and computers
• Automotive products/fluids
• Hazardous chemicals
• Demolition/construction debris or metal fencing
• Tires
• Batteries, ammunition or explosives
• Concrete, rocks, dirt and sand, masonry
• Railroad tie lumber
• Pianos, hot tubs, motorcycles, vehicle parts or items larger than a normal-sized appliance
• Tree limbs and brush

More information can be found here: https://www.lockhart-tx.org/page/article/635

Fifty to Fifty Romeo Fly-in

The annual, family friendly event will take place this year on Saturday, September 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lockhart Municipal Airport, 222 Airport Rd. More than 80 aircraft will be on display during this event. Food and drinks from vendors will be available for purchase. Admission is free.

National Night Out

Neighborhoods are encouraged to register to host and participate in National Night Out. During this event, Lockhart Police, Fire, and EMS will visit different neighborhoods throughout the day and meet face-to-face with community members. National Night Out will take place on Tuesday, October 1. Neighborhoods can register to host a block party by contacting Tina Ramsey at 512-398-4401 or tramsey@lockhart-tx.org. As of this week, five neighborhoods have registered.

Next City Council Meeting

In an effort for council members and city staff to participate in National Night Out, the next city council meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, October 3. It will still begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Dr. Eugene Clark Library, 217 S. Main St.

Evening with the Authors

The fundraising event for the Dr. Eugene Clark Library will be held on Saturday, October 5, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the library. Tickets are available for purchase for $25. Admission will include meeting with six renowned authors, cocktails, and appetizers. All proceeds will benefit the library. More information can be found on EveningWithTheAuthors.com

ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the September 17, 2024, Council meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).

###