Lockhart City Council approves additional funding for airport runway project

The Lockhart City Council meeting on March 4, 2025, focused on significant infrastructure developments and community concerns, particularly regarding the Lockhart Municipal Airport and local zoning issues.

A key discussion centered on an amendment to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Airport project participation agreement. The council reviewed a request for an additional $60,295 to cover cost overruns for a paving project at the airport, which includes chip seal overlay and marking of the parallel runway and taxiway. The project, initially agreed upon in December 2022, faced delays and increased costs due to inflation and a lack of competitive bids. The council expressed urgency in moving forward with the project, aiming for completion this summer.

In addition to infrastructure updates, the meeting included public comments, highlighting a pressing issue raised by local resident Manuel Oliva. He reported ongoing problems with a sewer line that runs through his property, which has resulted in raw sewage spilling into his backyard for over a week. Oliva detailed his attempts to resolve the issue with city officials, emphasizing the lack of response and urgency from the sanitation department. The council acknowledged his concerns and directed staff to investigate the matter promptly.

The meeting also featured a public hearing regarding a zoning change application for a development project on City Line Road. This discussion, led by Planning Director David Fowler, is part of ongoing efforts to manage land use and development in the area.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to addressing both infrastructure needs and community concerns, with plans to act swiftly on the sewer issue and advance airport improvements.