MLK Jr. Day organizers thanked despite cancelation

By Kyle Mooty

LPR Editor

Due to inclement weather conditions on Monday, Jan. 15, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day March scheduled for Lockhart was canceled. Nevertheless, Mayor Lew White thanked organizers of the event from District 1 Pride for their support.

White read a proclamation to District 1 Pride representatives Clay Roland, Lydia Adams, and A.J. Lewis for their work on MLK Jr. Day.

The meeting was held on Thursday after similar cold temperatures and slippery road conditions forced a postponement from Tuesday.

In other business:

A request for alteration and tax abatement was approved by the City Council for Ronda Reagan of 7G Texan, LLC for interior improvements to the building at 112 N. Main St (next to The PEARL). The building will be connected to The PEARL and will include a 208-square foot stage and accompanying lighting. The first five years of the city taxes will be waived 100 percent, with 50 percent waived the following five years. The taxes are estimated to be as little as one-sixth of the total investment to the building.

Lockhart 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. 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 this summer.

Jake McCollough and Dan Colbert were appointed by the City Council to serve on the Lockhart-Caldwell County Joint Airport Zoning Board.

Also approved was moving Frank Gomillion’s appointment from the Electric Board to the Historical Preservation Commission with the term set to expire in November 2026. Marcia Proctor was also moved from the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals to the Historical Preservation Commission effective Feb. 6. That term is also set to expire in November 2026.

Other board appointments included:

*Benny Hilburn to the Airport Board

*Mike Annas to the Board of Adjustment

*Raymond DeLeon to the Construction Board

*Alan Fielder to the Development Board

*Stephanie Riggin to the Library Board

*Karla Tate to the parks and Recreation Board

*Ron Peterson to the Planning & Zoning Board

*Larry Metzler to the Impact Fee Advisory Committee

*Joe Coley to the Electric Board

A zoning change request by Paul Ginsberg was approved, changing about .04 acres at 1107 and 1109 N. Commerce St. from Residential Low Density to Residential Medium Density.

City Council also unanimously approved a voluntary annexation request of 53 acres on the south and west sides of FM 2001, about 1,060 feet north of SH 130. The property will be the site of a proposed Real Cold storage facility, with groundbreaking set for Wednesday, Jan. 24.

The Animal Shelter Advisory Board is accepting applications for the newly created board.

Visit the city’s website for more information regarding the city’s tree trimming program.

Several councilmembers thanked City staff workers during extreme cold snap.

Mayor White said a second meeting had been held regarding homeless issues. He noted that another Town Hall meeting could be in the works for plans to discuss plans to address some issues.