Social service agency allocations, Pride Week proclamation, GBRA, the Caldwell County Appraisal District, new fire and life safety codes, the Downtown Revitalization Project, a zoning change request, and the City’s Strategic Priorities for 2022-2023 were discussed in Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

Pride Week Proclamation: The Mayor issued a proclamation concerning local events honoring Pride Week.

Caldwell County Appraisal District: Council approved the Caldwell County Appraisal District’s proposed budgets for collections and appraisals.

GBRA Annual Budget: Councilmembers approved the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority’s proposed budget on maintenance and operations costs associated with the Lockhart water and wastewater treatment plants, along with the City of Luling’s water treatment plant.

Annual Social Service Agency Allocations: Council approved funding requests from seven Lockhart area social service organizations in FY 2022-2023. Each group will receive the following:

• CARTS: $6,000
• Hays-Caldwell County Women’s Center (HCWC): $5,255
• Cenikor Foundation: $2,000
• Combined Community Action – Senior Nutrition: $8,221
• Lockhart Area Senior Citizens Center: $4,462
• CASA of Central Texas, Inc.: $4,517
• Caldwell County Christian Ministries (Caldwell County Food Bank): $6,587

Downtown Revitalization Project UPDATE: Councilmembers approved the Professional Service Agreement and Engineering Scope of Work Proposal with TRC Engineers, Inc. to proceed with the Downtown Revitalization Project’s design phase. This segment of the project runs from June 2022-June 2023.

Fire Prevention and Protection Code: Council adopted the 2018 International Fire Code and 2018 Life Safety Code with local amendments. The new codes will be effective in 30 days.

Strategic Priorities: Councilmembers adopted the City of Lockhart’s Strategic Priorities for 2022-2023.

Zoning Change: Councilmembers approved a request by James Acuna, made on behalf of Lockhart ISD, for a zoning change from Public and Institutional District to Residential High Density on 2.253 acres at 507 Pecos St. The school district plans on building teacher/staff housing on that site.

 City Manager’s Report:

• Water Conservation UPDATE: The City of Lockhart has been in mandatory water rotation all year to reduce the city’s peak water usage and delay the need for larger infrastructure required to deliver everyone’s total water need on a per-day basis.
  • Residents are encouraged to alternate their watering schedule based on their street address (odd/even watering) to reduce the peak effect of everyone wanting to water at the same time.
  • Lockhart’s current drought classification, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), is D1-Moderate Drought. This generally means conditions could cause damage to crops, fire risk is high, and further water conservation requirements could occur.
• Fireworks Extravaganza: The Fireworks Extravaganza is currently scheduled to be held on Sunday, July 3^rd, 5 p.m. at Lockhart City Park. It’s free to the public and there will be limited parking. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at dusk. The impact of the drought is being monitored.
• City Park UPDATE: The Splash Pad’s new waterproof, non-slip surface has been installed.
• Library UPDATES:
  • Lockhart ISD’s FREE Summer Meals Program is offered at the library Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Summer Reading Club sessions are held Monday-Thursday.
  • Adult Craft Night will be held Thursday, June 30, 6 - 7 p.m. in the Clark Building.

ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the June 21, 2022, meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).

On Friday, June 17th, the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) started converting the disinfectant used in the Luling Water Treatment Plant—which supplies Lockhart—from chloramine to free chlorine. The annual temporary disinfectant conversion, which is required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), takes 30 days. Then, the disinfectant will be switched back to chloramine. The GBRA says the process burns off excess ammonia build-up and oxidizes bio-film build-up that might be forming in distribution systems.

(Image courtesy of the Water Quality and Health Council)

 During the conversion, you may notice a change in taste or appearance of your tap water. The water is constantly tested and remains SAFE TO DRINK.

 For questions, call the Water/Wastewater Department at (512)398-3615.

Monday, June 20, Lockhart Police and Fire Departments responded to a two-vehicle crash on State Park Rd./ FM 20 and San Jacinto St. involving a fire truck. Preliminary reports show, at around 1:45 p.m., a woman driving southbound on San Jacinto St. was struck by a Maxwell Community Volunteer Fire Department brush truck as she turned into State Park Rd. The brush truck rolled over, killing two firefighters. The woman in the other vehicle sustained minor injuries.

State Park Rd./FM 20, from S. Medina St. and Patton Rd., was shut down to traffic in the duration of the investigation. Lockhart Police, with the help of the Texas Department of Public Safety, are thoroughly examining what led to the crash. LPD filed a summons for failing to yield right-of-way for the woman. A summons is similar to a citation.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Maxwell Community Volunteer Fire Department for the loss of two of their own.

It may only be June, but temperatures in Lockhart, along with the rest of Central Texas, continue to rise.  When the mercury goes up, so does water usage. The City of Lockhart has been in mandatory water rotation all year to reduce the city’s peak water usage and delay the need for larger infrastructure required to deliver everyone’s total water need on a per-day basis.

  According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, Lockhart’s current drought classification is D1-Moderate Drought. This category generally means conditions could cause damage to crops, fire risk is high, some water shortages are developing or imminent, and voluntary water use restrictions are requested. As Central Texas continues to experience higher-than-average temperatures this year with lower to no precipitation, drought conditions are expected to progress.  Additional water conservation measures may be utilized when drought patterns continue to intensify.    

While Lockhart has sufficient water sources, conservation remains essential to ensure the community continues to have these resources through the summer and beyond. Here are a few water conservation tips from the Texas Water Development Board to help you get started:

• Only water your lawn when necessary and follow the City’s odd/even watering schedule based on the last number of your street address:
  • Even street addresses (2, 4, 6, 8, 0) may water on Sundays and Thursdays from midnight to 10 a.m., and/or 7 p.m. to midnight.
  • Odd street addresses (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) may water on Saturdays and Wednesdays from midnight to 10 a.m., and/or 7 p.m. to midnight.
  • NOTE: Irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at anytime if it is by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet-filled bucket or watering can of five gallons or less, or drip irrigation system.

  This alternating watering schedule significantly reduces the peak effect of everyone wanting to water at the same time and is a proactive strategy for helping your water utility meet current and future water needs.

• Take short showers, instead of baths.
• Repair leaky faucets, indoors and out.
• Repair leaky toilets.
• Only run the dishwasher when it’s full.
• Run full loads of laundry.
• When washing a car, wet it quickly, then use a bucket of water to wash the car. Turn on the hose to final rinse.

To improve traffic safety along Maple Street, its surrounding neighborhoods, and area schools, an all-way stop will be established at the intersection of Maple and San Jacinto Streets. Stop signs have been placed on the intersection and will be in effect starting Wednesday, June 15^th.

The Traffic Engineering Study found the current two-way stop on the Maple St. and San Jacinto St. intersection will not be able to support expected traffic from the Maple St. extension due to inadequate sight distance. Intersections need sufficient visibility to allow motorists to easily travel and enter or exit safely, as well, to protect pedestrians and bicyclists. The eastbound approach line of sight is obstructed by the property on the northwest corner of San Jacinto St. and Maple St. To resolve the issue, the report recommended converting the intersection into an all-way stop leading up to the Maple St. extension’s completion this summer. 

Please be aware of new road signs and exercise caution while driving in this area. Adjusting to new traffic patterns take time, patience, and cooperation with other drivers. For questions, call the City of Lockhart’s Public Works Department at (512) 398-6452.

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Non-profit contributions, tax notes, zoning change requests, sidewalks, police body-worn cameras and the N. Blanco St. bridge were discussed in Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

Annual Non-profit Contributions: City Council heard presentations for financial assistance requests from social service agencies. The item will be taken up again in the next Council meeting, June 21^st.

Tax Notes: Councilmembers approved an ordinance authorizing the issuance of the City’s tax notes to Irving-based TIB The Independent Bankersbank, as recommended by the City’s Financial Advisor. The City received ten bids from financial institutions for the short-term tax note to finance approximately $4 million of needed equipment and capital projects; which include:

• The purchase of a Fire Department ladder truck
• The replacement of the Electric Department’s high ranger aerial bucket truck
• Civil engineering and design for future road improvements to Clearfork St. and City Line Rd.
• Sidewalk construction and rehabilitation
• A sewer line extension along FM 1322.

Zoning Change Requests:

• Council approved an ordinance granting Jim Meredith’s request, made on behalf of Masonwood Development Corporation, for a zoning change from Planned Development District to Planned Development District—with a Revised PDD Development Plan—for Kelley Villas Planned Development on 16.31 acres at 1712 W. San Antonio St./SH 142.
• Council also approved an ordinance granting Daniel Loe’s request, owner of 203 N. Commerce St., along with his request, made on behalf of Mireya Vera, Edgar Llamas, Jiovana Llamas, Robert and Maria Reyna, owners of 115, 117, and 119 E. Walnut St. for a zoning change from Commercial Medium Business to Commercial Central Business on 0.246 acres of their respective properties.
• Council postponed the following requests:
• James Travis Krause’s zoning change request, made on behalf of Patton 3, LLC, from Residential Low Density to Planned Development District—which include a PDD Development Plan—for Lockhart Place Townhomes Planned Development on 19.798 acres on 903 State Park Road (FM 20). The request will be taken up on the July 5^th City Council meeting.
• Jim Meredith’s request, made on behalf of Robert A. Schmidt, for a zoning change from Commercial Heavy Business District to Residential High Density District on 14.57 acres at 101 East China St. The request will be considered on the July 19^th City Council meeting.
• Curtis Thigpen of Paravel Capital’s zoning change request from Residential Medium Density to Residential High Density on 19.906 acres at 1900 N. Cesar Chavez Parkway Northbound (SH 130). The request will be considered on the July 19^th City Council meeting.
• Chris Bancroft’s request, made on behalf of Ernest Ewald Jr., for a zoning change from 23.064 acres of Agricultural Open Space to 18.535 acres Residential High Density and 4.529 acres Commercial Medium Business at 1650 N. Colorado St./U.S. 183.
• Chris Bancroft’s second request, made on behalf of Ernest Ewald Jr., for a zoning change from 15.906 acres Agricultural Open to 12.262 acres Residential High Density and 3.644 acres Commercial Medium.

Lockhart Police Body Cameras: City Council approved the purchase of body-worn cameras for the Lockhart Police Department using the Texas Governor’s grant funds and 25% grant match from the City.

Sidewalks: Councilmembers took no action on the ordinance establishing public sidewalk maintenance responsibilities and cost-sharing programs for sidewalk reconstruction or repairs. Further discussion on this item will be at the Council’s budget workshop next week.

N. Blanco St. Bridge: Councilmembers approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Local Transportation Project Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) with TxDOT for replacement or rehabilitation of the N. Blanco St. bridge over Town Branch Creek. This agreement requires the City to match 0.5% of the total estimated cost and the remaining 99.5% to be federally funded using the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (HBRRP). With this approval, TxDOT will schedule the bridge design and replacement for FY 2026.

City Manager’s Report:

• Central Texas Refuse’s solid waste service schedule goes into effect on Monday, June 13^th. Affected residents have been notified.
• The first Movies in the Park is on Saturday, June 18^th, featuring Disney’s Encanto. Admission is free and the movie starts at 8:30 p.m. Attendees may bring their own blankets, chairs, and snacks.
• City Park, including City Pool and Splash Pad is closed this week for Chisholm Trail Roundup events. Both aquatic facilities will reopen on Tuesday, the 14^th.
• The next Free Swim Day is Saturday, June 18, in celebration of Juneteenth. Pool admission is free.
• The CDC has upgraded Caldwell County’s COVID-19 Community Risk Level to Medium for the first time since late-February.
• The Lockhart Summer Teen Center opens for its second year this week. The program is free to 13-18-year-olds. It will be held Mondays-Fridays from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. from June 6 - July 1 and July 11 - 29. Free lunch is served from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the June 7, 2022, meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).

In preparation for the Chisholm Trail Roundup, portions of City Park, which include the Splash Pad and City Pool, will be closed to the public next week, June 6-13. Upon closure, the Splash Pad will be going through its planned upgrades, where its surface will be painted with a blue, non-slip, waterproof coating that will take several days to cure. The park, along with both aquatic facilities will be reopened June 14^th.