Lockhart City Council discusses traffic safety, downtown business incentives

By Anthony Collins

LPR Editor                            

   Lockhart’s City Council covered a packed agenda at its October 21 meeting, addressing everything from neighborhood traffic safety to animal shelter improvements and a major new business investment.

   City staff kicked things off with a presentation on pedestrian and traffic safety in residential areas. The report reviewed current sidewalk infrastructure, existing traffic-calming tools, and how the city prioritizes requests from residents. Ideas discussed included radar speed signs, directed police patrols, and potential long-term projects such as new crosswalks and sidewalks. As a next step, the city plans to update its website to make information about the request process and available tools easier to find. Staff will also develop a formal policy for Council review to create a consistent, transparent process for evaluating and implementing neighborhood safety measures.

   Council also approved agreements with Motorola Solutions, Inc. to extend warranties for the Police Department’s body-worn and in-car camera systems. The new agreements lock in pricing through 2031, ensuring continued maintenance, cloud storage, and timely equipment replacement for the department.

   Another major topic was the Animal Shelter Improvements Project. The Council voted to reject all eight bids received for the project, which ranged from $913,661 to $2.7 million, well above the available $650,000 in funding provided through the City’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation. Following a review by the City’s engineer and architect, staff recommended rebidding the project to encourage more competitive pricing. The Animal Shelter Advisory Board supported this approach, suggesting the revised scope focus on remodeling the kennel building and adding new intake and isolation areas to better match available funds.

   Economic development also took center stage with the approval of Resolution 2025-35, an incentive agreement with Sensei AG Holdings, Inc. for the redevelopment of the former Iron Ox site at 1205 Reed Drive. The company, which recently purchased the 25-acre property including a 283,000-square-foot greenhouse, plans to invest about $40 million to retrofit and expand the facility for advanced, year-round agricultural operations. Under the agreement, Sensei AG could receive up to $2 million in property tax rebates over ten years if it meets key performance benchmarks, including creating at least 15 full-time jobs with a combined annual payroll of $2 million.

   During public hearings, City Council approved a zoning change for 312 Laredo Street, rezoning 0.362 acres from Residential Medium Density to Commercial Medium Business District. The change opens the door for small-scale commercial development, such as a restaurant with drive-in service or other uses allowed under the new classification. Council also approved updates to the City’s noise ordinance, setting clear residential noise limits of 56 decibels between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and 63 decibels between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. The changes align zoning and environmental codes to ensure consistent enforcement.

   In the City Manager’s report, residents were reminded that city-wide bulk pickup begins Saturday, October 25, at 7 a.m. The free service is open to Lockhart residents only, and items must be placed curbside by that time but no earlier than five days in advance. Acceptable items include furniture, mattresses, carpet, scrap metal, and non-Freon appliances, while items such as televisions, computers, tires, brush, and construction debris will not be collected. A full list of accepted materials is available on the City’s website.

   Preparations are also underway for the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest. City staff and contractors are coordinating construction schedules and street closures to minimize disruptions during the event. Downtown lighting and landscaping will be ready to welcome visitors, and City crews are maintaining City Park in anticipation of the festivities. Texas Monthly is working with Caldwell County Emergency Management to coordinate public safety plans.

   Council also announced that the city’s splash pad season will extend through November 2, with the possibility of further extensions depending on the weather. Finally, the next City Council meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, November 6, to avoid a conflict with Election Day.