[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6109516,"mediaKeyId","2760952-134eb09a63b385d7cc384759051798f5","parentId",2760952,"title","Votes at a glance: Lampasas council authorizes HVAC repair, adopts waste and golf fee measures, approves grants and awards bids","audioSeconds",599,"startMs",7535000,"endMs",8134000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760952-134eb09a63b385d7cc384759051798f5&start=7535&end=8134","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760952-134eb09a63b385d7cc384759051798f5/thumbnail_7535000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6109516/Lampasas/Lampasas-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Lampasas-council-authorizes-HVAC-repair-adopts-waste-and-golf-fee-measures-approves-grants-and-awards-bids","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109516-d5fe23b2811938edb00077e0cefaed1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172562&Signature=KJIiFFbvFqe2bKAjKIFbXXK~5R2VuN1gn9YKFZ6fFNiyJwRXtQkBIK~fpcg8ejvjjxHYrz6SX~Cq6gcyR9Hfc4NAOGKQHQeT6kZEsSfSNiZdprbtGsUGmjY~XSf2lPQPJtpm6-RxJb~bspLk5ZH29xqMVqi-UOsL28Qu8X5B89wRhHljBWnPR~INfMdmeEalqab~o9imi8J8e6uGSiT3H8XWWFZj00ZwEyhi~TMsYT~OwRDYH2nGBV4VfCk1R~iPHv6M~3dV~r-h1SKCOKuSnJcQKAoP-VCLQWwZwDSy6pmaoxIbPwz3ZDNMuGahDJ9t77MUiSMWl3UGiCCgMlwCIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lampasas TX","date","2025-03-25T12:29:23.727Z","article","The Lampasas City Council took several formal actions during Monday’s meeting including authorizing HVAC work at the Calvert Municipal Building, adopting a new solid‑waste rate ordinance, approving a first reading of golf course fee changes, approving library funding, approving an economic development workforce grant, authorizing a contribution to county EMS, awarding an airport AWOS replacement contract and awarding a Hostess House structural review contract.

Key outcomes (motions and votes recorded in the meeting minutes):

- Calvert Municipal Building HVAC: Council moved, seconded and passed a motion to engage BRF to diagnose and repair the HVAC unit at the Jack Calvert Municipal Building in an amount not to exceed $25,000. Council asked staff to seek extended labor/software warranty and report back if not secured.

- Solid‑waste contract and rates: Council held a public hearing and voted to adopt an ordinance implementing the new rate schedule associated with the Frontier Waste Solutions contract; the ordinance becomes effective May 1.

- Golf fees (Hancock Park Golf Course): Council held a public hearing and approved the first reading of an ordinance amending golf course fees and membership rates; the item will return for a second reading as required.

- Library and community programs: Council approved use of hotel occupancy / gas refund funds (approx. $31,800 total) to purchase LEGO kits, tablets and Wi‑Fi hotspots for the library and to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library through a transfer to the Lampasas Library Foundation.

- Lampasas Economic Development Corporation (LADC) workforce grant: Council approved the first reading of a resolution to release a $20,000 LADC workforce development training grant for the Lampasas County Higher Education Center; one council member abstained because of a board affiliation.

- EMS contribution: Council approved the budgeted city contribution to Lampasas County for EMS services under the Hamilton Emergency Medical contract (amount previously included in the adopted budget).

- Airport AWOS replacement: Council awarded the lowest responsive bid for replacement and upgrade of the airport AWOS and authorized the city manager to execute related documents with DBT Transportation Services LLC (Texas) in an amount not to exceed $126,145.

- Hostess House structural review: Council awarded a structural review contract to LLC Consultants Structural Division in the amount of $5,950 and directed staff to proceed with inspections prior to resumption of further renovation work.

- Consent agenda and other routine matters: Council approved the consent agenda including minutes and several second‑reading ordinances; one item (3.2) was separated for individual consideration and approved.

Several votes were recorded by voice; where the transcript did not include roll‑call tallies, minutes record mayor and council voice votes. The council’s approvals were taken after public hearings, staff presentations and debate; where required under state law, items subject to two readings (ordinances) will return for second readings or further formal adoption steps.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Workshop & City Council Meeting - March 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lampasas City Council on Monday approved a package of measures including a $25,000 HVAC repair authorization, a new solid‑waste rate ordinance tied to a Frontier contract and multiple grants, bids and first‑reading fee changes.","taxTitle","Lampasas, Lampasas County, Texas","taxId",69546,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":46,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6109521,"Council accepts lower‑cost structural review for Hostess House despite calls for independent analysis",1068,7066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760952-134eb09a63b385d7cc384759051798f5&start=7066&end=8134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760952-134eb09a63b385d7cc384759051798f5/thumbnail_7066000.jpg","/articles/6109521/Lampasas/Lampasas-County/Texas/Council-accepts-lowercost-structural-review-for-Hostess-House-despite-calls-for-independent-analysis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109521-89486bed72ecece3c279c22ba4355fc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172562&Signature=hpCJJfkOuAt3qyPQTaMjYSfJvlcWCBPdlfnaOQDOWZ4RkrHJisDhcTUqqcDmU6GZrHrlyotb9~C3bg0-eehp1BVeDVlm5G~vU6iLsY8GOX4uo0DmzMlnwd7i3MaThcIpPlT06k~cFMW~StYppQRfVJsXelrRJ-JrCwqJJ0H4eWYvSY3RpIq7H02jIAY0f0ndpqc5LTfVNahCzwO48tqjBRYmmdVuNgYyOcYru-zZMeFkbIey~WG8jdVW1J1AFlh451a~im1y9Fsj1KbQDWXfVVyj6Ep1PamNGc5MJaEm53eKvEhiDq9LTniRTcmbhS66incNqZj7rlFFffpCcY4t7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lampasas City Council voted to award a structural review of the Hostess House renovation to LLC Consultants’ structural division for $5,950 after a lengthy exchange about due diligence and public safety.

The city had paused work on the Hostess House and solicited proposals for a more thorough structural review. Staff reported receiving proposals from the project’s current engineer (an add‑on for approximately $6,000), LLC Consultants (the engineer of record) for $5,950, and WJE (Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates), a national firm that provided a proposal around $25,000. Council members and several citizens urged an independent third‑party review and expressed concern that earlier project scope changes removed structural verification.

Supporters of the lower‑cost LLC proposal noted the firm’s familiarity with the project and argued the bid would allow the contractor and engineer to move forward more quickly. Opponents, including contractors and at least one council member, said the Hostess House is a public gathering place and that safety and a complete assessment—including selective openings to inspect foundations, floor systems, walls and ties—could justify a higher cost and a more exhaustive review.

Contractors and community members who inspected the building reported concern about foundation details and lateral wall ties; a local contractor who reviewed the building said in public comment that the building “doesn’t look sound” based on visible conditions and called for careful, in‑depth inspection.

After debate the motion to award LLC Consultants’ structural review passed on a voice vote. Staff noted that either proposal requires some openings or selective demolition to inspect concealed conditions and that the city would be responsible for any repairs revealed by the inspection. The council directed staff to proceed with the awarded review and return with findings before further renovation work continues.

","Council awarded an existing‑engineer proposal to LLC Consultants for a $5,950 structural review of the Hostess House renovation after debate over whether to hire a larger historic‑building specialist; some councilmembers and residents said a more extensive third‑party review was warranted to confirm safety.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6109525,"Council discusses downtown revitalization, incentives and Main Street program without new hire",564,2779000,3343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760952-134eb09a63b385d7cc384759051798f5&start=2779&end=3343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760952-134eb09a63b385d7cc384759051798f5/thumbnail_2779000.jpg","/articles/6109525/Lampasas/Lampasas-County/Texas/Council-discusses-downtown-revitalization-incentives-and-Main-Street-program-without-new-hire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109525-77ff1b81c3c51ff18b96313934deb8f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172562&Signature=iQ~fJ5fkIoAJ2yHX~~Jet0WcgUCbN69zDNHLfP7xKq15w51Cwhi3WNY05cvq2VjknQ1IjPj5YyRHOY1M803W1l8M5LYwFYKkgcOmys9NIwVgs10mDnOVVOWzmvL7viB2R1JhKnHeWigsrwOpXajBv8FDbRtJrxeA7ND6GdHn68WJeBS38XEr4mi3MVCmu18zNLHju4Ea3FQOmKJ8Ov07I7HoBz7OCSgoKujqfELtojsjLeFZGhUPd6heA0uIwLzzf3rn1gryKR~qiAtE4KKsg5uZyDEOYVrGbu9fYVRh4EjNpCQgj3RjbwpNPRF8AW203FILq7-z8F1odAD6b~2KXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lampasas city staff and the Economic Development Corporation presented options for downtown revitalization during Monday’s meeting, including façade and interior renovation matching grants, rent‑assistance steps for new businesses and the possibility of rejoining the Texas Main Street program.

Staff said the city reestablished membership in the Texas Downtown Association and explored the Main Street pathway, which requires an initial program year and a designated manager for at least two years. Staff proposed an incentive suite for business and building owners that would include a typical $10,000 matching grant tier for façade or interior work (that amount triggers EDC oversight and council review of the program budget), smaller sign grants and a rent‑assistance stair step to help start‑up businesses with a declining subsidy schedule.

Economic Development staff emphasized the difference between the incentive program (a locally administered matching grant pool) and the Main Street designation, which requires training, a dedicated local manager and additional program commitments. Staff said the incentive grants could be administered by the EDC under council‑set annual budgets; the Main Street program would involve additional training and a part‑time or shared full‑time coordinator.

Council asked for examples of measurable outcomes and grant results from other communities and for cost estimates for the manager position. City economic development staff said they believe current staff can absorb management of incentive programs for the near term and recommended delaying recruitment of a separate economic development director until workload or actual deals require a new hire. Councilmembers agreed to revisit staffing if the workload increases.

Members of the public and EDC attendees expressed support for downtown focus and for public‑private partnerships to finance improvements. Staff said grant funding levels and program details would return to council for a formal program authorization and budget allocation once the EDC and staff finalize recommended amounts.

","Council and Economic Development staff discussed incentives for façade, interior and rent assistance and rejoining Texas Main Street; staff proposed EDC‑administered matching grants and to defer hiring a dedicated economic development director for now.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6109531,"Lampasas council approves up to $25,000 to diagnose and repair Calvert Municipal Building HVAC",4309,1851000,6160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760952-134eb09a63b385d7cc384759051798f5&start=1851&end=6160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760952-134eb09a63b385d7cc384759051798f5/thumbnail_1851000.jpg","/articles/6109531/Lampasas/Lampasas-County/Texas/Lampasas-council-approves-up-to-25000-to-diagnose-and-repair-Calvert-Municipal-Building-HVAC","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109531-f756b6e60ea3c1d68fd6019e09c0b533/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172562&Signature=QTQp-QZUjnphKyFdR~cl7jvlQx-RF5aH8hcSV~1Kr2bJzkLIGun1cEFnjwy1~kY2T6Co~Iv6ihFBv9MgcnN0~ckFYs6Ro2hstd1U~7SopzMBpZwJVOLOfCOUpBxIYkSboXuviXayoP~ROy5Ve9zcqrRVMnMwFEcgwldTnI8O-lYOz-Ak5CdfkDfXppythKyKEZf3Hjg5M4k67kMUq8AltTl6NiT-imGVUPEw10zMeBC2cdfJ3C0z8krCv4tjW5Dy21j~E5zO83WPgFZIb8JhrajnxKtzt3mTv5ymx9v4s4brWUyG9jzKFeBCiFp-UipiHqWR7an-HzrLM3JTWkuydg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lampasas City Council authorized up to $25,000 to diagnose and repair the HVAC system at the Jack Calvert Municipal Building, citing concern about summer temperatures and controls that have left part of the building without cooling.

At a workshop earlier in the meeting city staff described complex problems: the building’s rooftop and ceiling cassette units are networked together rather than independently zoned; the system uses an older two‑part R‑410A refrigerant that will be phased out and is expensive to replace; and a failure in the building controls (the intelligent manager software) has rendered multiple zones inoperable. Staff said a vendor quoted roughly $9,400 to locate and repair a refrigerant leak and another estimate of similar magnitude for control‑software work; a full replacement of top‑and‑bottom systems could approach the six‑figure mark.

Contractor and local HVAC specialists advised the council that, because the controls are networked, technicians must pull and weigh out the entire refrigerant charge to find and fix leaks, and that converting to current refrigerants will likely require new equipment for some components. Staff and a consulting installer said the building is seven years old and that careful repair now could yield another 10–15 years of service, while replacement would cost substantially more.

During the regular session council member moved to engage BRF (a local service contractor) to diagnose and repair the leak and related control issues at the Calvert building in an amount not to exceed $25,000. Council discussed seeking a multi‑year warranty for labor and software; staff said they would attempt to negotiate extended warranty coverage and report back if that is not achievable. The motion passed with council voice vote.

Council members said the priority was restoring cooling for staff and public meetings before the summer heat, while trying to avoid a full system replacement before October when newer refrigerants and compatible equipment are more widely available.

","Council voted to engage a contractor to diagnose and repair the leaking HVAC control system at the Jack Calvert Municipal Building, with staff to seek extended warranty coverage for controls and software.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6109536,"Residents urge Lampasas leaders to oppose proposed Texas Materials rail line",3137,39000,3176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760952-134eb09a63b385d7cc384759051798f5&start=39&end=3176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760952-134eb09a63b385d7cc384759051798f5/thumbnail_39000.jpg","/articles/6109536/Lampasas/Lampasas-County/Texas/Residents-urge-Lampasas-leaders-to-oppose-proposed-Texas-Materials-rail-line","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109536-885fa45111c423e4813842d89433e893/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172562&Signature=an0gyXqSvSXOh0J~fm5sG7aQ4miQDWKhFeKCHvX5YSNx-nCPigsaReQWOO9rI3glD-KlA8-wJvZ6~aG0kjf3gKP~Cb2GGh63RyI4Oi5sI66FGVccWKNyV6lVg9fxaEKb-fhFev2TaEA6TlEiGwQjHuUvAfEp8coq0Tae-qabj3ZyA6ZZ5OyeD~wpZhFcNl189zpLbPmOuFIlp2PewjJZ9-XR79axaHt378xZEKp2BIoR9mhrLkfsPvy9MubGSOdg5vdcKKdqJtENHU9kbFi7AHv-eZKIiWt07HWWCPGovk3S159GoCkd4TCf~yzuBGqbCdovyWC0j1QWxTJpfa9JNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of landowners and residents urged the Lampasas City Council on Monday to oppose a proposed Texas Materials rail line they say would bisect ranchland and affect traffic, safety and property near Lampasas.

The comments came during a workshop session the council moved to the start of its meeting so citizens could speak about the project. Many speakers said the railroad corridor, which would cross major roads including U.S. 183 and Highway 190, will create repeated train crossings, block emergency response routes and depress nearby property values.

The council heard from landowners who said the project already has lowered the marketability of property once the corridor was made public. “Once it’s presented, once it’s in the front, it always affects property values,” said a wildlife biologist and consultant who said he does eminent-domain work across Texas. Bill Hinkley, who said he represents Bar H Bar Ranch, said the proposal “ties your hands on growth” and predicted the railroad would limit where a town could place future schools or fire stations.

Several residents described multi‑generation family ownership of affected land and warned about harm to springs, creeks and archaeological sites along the corridor. David Sandifer said parts of the corridor would come close to an archaeological dig on family property. Stephanie R., who organized a petition and a Facebook group opposing the line, argued that Lampasas would “undeniably bear the consequences” even if the route remains outside city limits.

Two speakers who identified themselves as professionals said they were not working on the project but had concerns. Richard Hijas said his firm, RITD Engineering and Survey, had no involvement in the rail proposal but offered to be a local resource. Another speaker described contacts with national property‑rights groups and noted statutory options for cross‑jurisdictional planning that could coordinate responses.

Council members and Commissioner Rainwater told speakers they are coordinating with Burnet County officials. Rainwater said he had spoken with the Surface Transportation Board staff and that the federal agency described the project as in preliminary stages and performing a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental review. Rainwater said STB staff told him the process typically takes one to two years for an environmental impact statement but can be shorter if reclassified to an environmental assessment; he said STB had scheduled site visits in April and was accepting public comments.

Council did not take a formal vote opposing the project. City leaders said they would stay in contact with county counterparts and with STB staff and relay community concerns as the federal review proceeds. “We’re going to work with Burnet County very closely,” Rainwater told the meeting.

The council urged residents to continue organizing and to provide information STB staff may request, including details about school bus crossings and emergency services that could be affected. Several speakers said they had organized petitions, social media outreach and a new local group to coordinate resistance and to seek legal advice about eminent‑domain risks.

The city did not announce any ordinance or formal resolution at the meeting; Rainwater encouraged citizens to submit comments to STB’s environmental review process and said staff would report back as new information arrives.

","Dozens of landowners and residents told Lampasas City Council the proposed Lampasas–Burnet County rail line would damage property values, wildlife habitat and emergency access; council said it will monitor Surface Transportation Board review and coordinate with Burnet County.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Lampasas council authorizes HVAC repair, adopts waste and golf fee measures, approves grants and awards bids

Council accepts lower‑cost structural review for Hostess House despite calls for independent analysis

Council discusses downtown revitalization, incentives and Main Street program without new hire

Lampasas council approves up to $25,000 to diagnose and repair Calvert Municipal Building HVAC

Residents urge Lampasas leaders to oppose proposed Texas Materials rail line