[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6591908,"mediaKeyId","3000911-a75df727440ccb24050c2efc577a0eae","parentId",3000911,"title","Lockhart City Council approves hotel-occupancy tax allocations after presentations from 10 applicants; mayor objects to visitor-center timing","audioSeconds",6515,"startMs",425000,"endMs",6940000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000911-a75df727440ccb24050c2efc577a0eae&start=425&end=6940","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000911-a75df727440ccb24050c2efc577a0eae/thumbnail_425000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6591908/Lockhart-City/Caldwell-County/Texas/Lockhart-City-Council-approves-hotel-occupancy-tax-allocations-after-presentations-from-10-applicants-mayor-objects-to-visitor-center-timing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6591908-d84d5d9966766a73289643d713084d3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420905&Signature=LbI8OvJUY22M1LfqiztjLghYgazJRBknzNQYw5csyCvFcYvNKot4o3XFNfAHiXnQIevG5AAc~gohd2CYwq0eq7qH1fwDnVn3jXbOUZ~~JBmqaQtHYrhX6VqafKg076ht3GvuTY42a3GJfizwAxG1niHzd6QP1IQHcGeiyDOfolMQ88xA59~BZaF94ny31t9Np8rpcqACqm2l6e06Q9gx7Tn2tNnnRe41Uh3bRUFDand-Eh9QvQk4dfD4bRguKMjcMWMr2QrtikLxLDMfH95KaERwDm66xtbvjyLSC1dUA2G2c3MgK9Pfukep4A0gWkrDGtVqNKx9eiKy8E89JiidbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lockhart","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Lockhart City Council on April 14 approved the HOT Advisory Board's recommended allocations for the 2025 funding year after hearing abbreviated presentations from 10 applicants, from museums and theaters to festivals and a new tourism initiative.

The council majority voted to honor the advisory board's funding recommendations, which the city's finance director said were developed with category limits under state law in mind. Keeley Mechna, Lockhart finance director, told the council the city collects a 7% hotel occupancy tax and that \"the projected fiscal year end available balance of HOT funds is $200,000,\" while the advisory board submitted a proposed allocation package totaling $225,000 for council review.

Why it matters: HOT funds can be used only for specific tourism-related purposes under Texas law; the council's decision distributes limited city tourism resources across multiple community organizations and events. Council members and applicants framed the proposals as efforts to attract overnight visitors and support downtown businesses.

Key presentations and applicant claims
- Robert Ortiz, chairman of the Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, asked the council to continue funding two signature cultural events, saying the chamber's Cinco de Mayo and Diez y Seis events draw about 5,000 attendees each and that \"over half of the attendees come from out of town.\" Ortiz said those events often boost hotel occupancy to 75%-90% and argued HOT support helps keep the events free to the public.

- Representatives from the Lockhart Initiative for Tourism (Tamara Carlisle and Christine Ohlendorf) requested $10,000 to build a digital tourism hub and to support event development; they described early successes with social media, partnerships with local event organizers and a website launch targeting visitor traffic.

- Courthouse Nights (Rachel Lingvai and Will Rhodes) sought $20,000 to help pay for talent, sound and insurance for five monthly, free shows April'August; Lingvai said the events draw several hundred people per show and bring out-of-town attendees.

- Other applicants represented: Caldwell County Jail Museum (requesting $15,000 for restoration/preservation), Gaslight Baker Theatre (requested $15,000), Spellerberg Projects (cultural tourism proposal), the Chisholm Trail Roundup, and the 78,644 podcast (Kate Collins requested $18,000 to expand video and marketing).

Council response and follow-up
Council members said they appreciated the advisory board's work and the presentations. Several council members urged abbreviated presentations so the meeting could cover all applicants; others preferred to hear from every applicant in person. The council accepted the advisory board's recommendation in a motion and vote; the meeting record shows a single dissenting vote from Mayor Lou White, who said two requests (the chamber's visitor center proposal and another item) needed more discussion.

Chamber visitor center and workshop plan
Meghan (Chamber executive staff) presented a proposal for a new visitor bureau/visitors center and said the chamber asked city funding to help create a \"state-of-the-art visitor center,\" noting the board had not yet finalized how much the chamber itself could invest. Council members expressed mixed views: some praised the chamber's energy and agreed the visitor center should be open on weekends; others said the request (the presentation mentioned roughly $130,000 in requested resources) needed more detail and community buy-in. The council directed staff to schedule a workshop to examine the visitor-center proposal and associated funding before releasing final HOT funds tied to that item.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Honor HOT Advisory Board recommended allocations as submitted. Outcome: approved (6 yes, 1 no). Mayor Lou White voted no; six council members voted yes.

What remains
Council members said they will work with applicant organizations on metrics and follow-up. Staff told applicants to coordinate with Finance Director Keeley Mechna about timing and disbursement of HOT funds. The council also asked for a workshop to further explore the visitor center proposal and some larger cultural-district and visitor-center questions.

Ending note: Applicants were advised to follow up with staff about award timing and reporting requirements; council members said they wanted clearer performance metrics from recipients in future cycles.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lockhart - Lockhart City Council - Apr 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Lockhart City Council on April 14 approved the HOT Advisory Board's recommended allocations for the 2025 funding year after hearing abbreviated presentations from 10 applicants, from museums and theaters to festivals and a new tourism initiative.","taxTitle","Lockhart City , Caldwell County , Texas","taxId",60953,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6591893,"Council pauses further action on railroad quiet-zone study after city engineer outlines potential costs and Union Pacific review fee",421,8583000,9004000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000911-a75df727440ccb24050c2efc577a0eae&start=8583&end=9004","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000911-a75df727440ccb24050c2efc577a0eae/thumbnail_8583000.jpg","/articles/6591893/Lockhart-City/Caldwell-County/Texas/Council-pauses-further-action-on-railroad-quiet-zone-study-after-city-engineer-outlines-potential-costs-and-Union-Pacific-review-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6591893-c812c05239e3527d71a5d7033d890abd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420905&Signature=hWHm0UKd1m781zoBUci5aP93xmseBPFKgAFMEp8OwJhgY-c8dNGGBLk2n8T~wGHgr7Y2Ls2CpSvAsI0NaGhN1eJQjOJy8hn9CdgY7WSy20AX490N8Fnu0PjGvWU-dhb-R0R3rQ0Kjf1Vj4VdgvMjyleY~4z86v3Am5OjH3lth2Hb9iP8ef9cXGYbrO9CoP3ynFSmBrij83jFepANNFaBHfYpIBQrcqmKoxWTB3tKlc9R7LMaMn34cLBN3rCuOugHot5lxG6bq9y3LxPAokBe0gQB9VqU4obMbxe80En3WMm-Wfl7qcqgMsDCLncbxwoepb7Jee2JMk~nQpQqRyJnPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lockhart City Council was updated on a feasibility study for a railroad quiet zone and declined to authorize a formal agreement with Union Pacific Railroad that city staff said is required before Union Pacific would review a formal quiet-zone application.

What staff presented
City engineers completed traffic counts, established quiet-zone limits for six at-grade crossings, and calculated a risk-index average method that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) confirmed was acceptable for the study. Staff recommended three crossings as the most economical locations to pursue with supplementary safety measures and developed an initial implementation estimate of about $250,000 for those three sites.

Union Pacific review fee and uncertainties
Union Pacific told city staff that it will not enter into substantive discussions or review an application until the railroad and the city sign a review agreement; staff reported that Union Pacific estimated a review-related expense of about $75,000, payable by the city to Union Pacific for costs the railroad incurs during its review. Staff emphasized the estimate is a preliminary figure and that actual costs could differ; if Union Pacific requires improvements at all six crossings or different treatments, the implementation cost could rise substantially.

Council reaction and direction
Council members raised concerns about the scale of possible costs, the open-ended nature of the railroad's review expenses and the absence of guaranteed FRA approval even after paying review fees. Several council members suggested the city wait to see how nearby Seguin's process and experience unfold before committing funds. Staff recommended, and council agreed, to hold further action on the Union Pacific agreement at this time and monitor peer-city developments before deciding whether to proceed.

Ending: Council asked staff to follow Seguin and other nearby projects and deferred any payment or agreement with Union Pacific pending further information.","City staff updated council on a feasibility study for a railroad quiet zone estimating about $250,000 to implement safety measures at three crossings and reporting that Union Pacific would require a review agreement with an estimated $75,000 cost before discussing amendments; council declined to proceed immediately.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6591898,"Developer introduces 280-acre Robin Ranch proposal; council approves professional-review escrow to start engineering and legal review",455,7983000,8438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000911-a75df727440ccb24050c2efc577a0eae&start=7983&end=8438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000911-a75df727440ccb24050c2efc577a0eae/thumbnail_7983000.jpg","/articles/6591898/Lockhart-City/Caldwell-County/Texas/Developer-introduces-280-acre-Robin-Ranch-proposal-council-approves-professional-review-escrow-to-start-engineering-and-legal-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6591898-4a4bcdde39ac11112b4d7b832abb9d9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420905&Signature=WbzonDKO80qz~wogCxG3snkdIJCGd~OQ34S0hM4EePNAHUOmWnqF~Vj9OEYIreawTbkL-JwCmqvlR8zpsJAWD8VcneHDnJ5D6t5qDi-cjYFzm63OhDawCb~0KqYg98JR97OAK-gLu3DcvAOdHbWDYI3MPOdk2p0DOkF~uw8awKhvdQEzV-3xm83W8z8tB~9ss~Nixi6PF8TJ0ilUQAVqa4sNIMJgBe0LRORHqxuR-n7NT~f3JOcypwSaq72N50tC5u-bEJobNOrRrNWEsSHoh1uhwD3r4zRnxbKgJkLLIkQyU0-xkkNePXksuURwlvU6sBNa29V8SRi7UFzxHoCLrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A developer planning a large residential project near Robin Ranch Road presented preliminary concepts to the Lockhart City Council and the council authorized an agreement to allow city consultants to begin engineering, legal and financial review using developer-provided escrow funds.

Developer presentation
Scott Rempe of PacSettler Partners said his company plans a master-utility-district (MUD)-style residential development spanning about 280 acres, with roughly 1,173 single-family lots, neighborhood commercial space and a school site indicated on concept maps. Rempe said about 50 acres lie outside the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) and the remainder sit inside the ETJ and the city's water CCN boundary; he told council the project would require coordination on utility service and potential annexation for water/wastewater CCN service.

Why it matters: The project will require extensive off-site infrastructure work (about a mile of roadway improvements on Robin Ranch Road were highlighted) and developer-funded utility extensions; city staff said the escrow agreement will pay for consultant review required before a formal subdivision or development agreement is considered.

Council action and conditions
Council approved the professional-services/escrow agreement to allow staff and outside consultants to begin review; the city reported it had received a $20,000 deposit into an account to cover pre-application review expenses. Council approval passed 6-1. Staff noted that if the developer moves forward, additional steps will be required: updating the thoroughfare plan alignment as needed, a traffic impact analysis and potential CCN/annexation coordination for water/wastewater service.

Next steps
The developer will return with more detailed maps and a formal application; staff will start consultant review paid from the developer's escrow and report back to council as milestones are reached.

Ending: Council authorized city staff to expend the escrow funds on legal, engineering and financial review to inform future decisions on the proposed Robin Ranch project.","A developer described plans for roughly 1,173 single-family homes plus amenities on about 280 acres near Robin Ranch Road; council authorized a professional-services/escrow agreement to cover pre-application engineering, legal and financial review and accepted a $20,000 deposit to start city consultant work, voting 6-1 to proceed.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6591903,"Council approves Sea Willow development amendment to relocate junior-high site and shift water-tower and road alignments",349,7172000,7521000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000911-a75df727440ccb24050c2efc577a0eae&start=7172&end=7521","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000911-a75df727440ccb24050c2efc577a0eae/thumbnail_7172000.jpg","/articles/6591903/Lockhart-City/Caldwell-County/Texas/Council-approves-Sea-Willow-development-amendment-to-relocate-junior-high-site-and-shift-water-tower-and-road-alignments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6591903-c3ec9325c785ffff3ae22eb071fbc57f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420905&Signature=jBJXHClYX7GKW135-2Q6wWlNSE7MHNfwBAjrFtnXNrLx6Sjj46~B0bFuGNrmFdTfES5in3msiyVpnFBee5AOJVnWYu8hfh-YAzsk2wBeuZ-jr9U0GCpsep8aQKLIzruYY3vbqEl2jaGx-Vfy4KvXhPLs~JAggZ76sygP9els0VYlptklZCDEbOMEWnQ6gW-flETNx6WY2qfgd81vAYiYhWc7Yh0QHWoYunxM1pFLNsIiSBJEGt1aDwy8U5x-TiZE6TuK4oHwak7-UwDLtiKZNYhQFaY45U9uiRcBzNO7s8Pmf13VXEGUytWiyeceXWjZyAYPEsJU~s29pWWGvQc2Dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lockhart City Council approved an amendment to the Sea Willow development agreement that relocates the proposed junior-high school to the edge of the neighborhood, adjusts a North-South arterial intersection with Seawillo Road (creating a T intersection) and relocates the planned water tower near the new junior-high site.

Why it matters: City staff and the developer said moving the junior high to the neighborhood edge improves access for the larger Lockhart ISD attendance zone while keeping the elementary school site more internal and walkable for neighborhood children. The amendment does not change the approved unit counts, commercial square footage or utility commitments in the previously approved development agreement.

Details and rationale
The amendment adds an east'west collector street just south of the new junior-high site and revises some off-site road improvements to better align with traffic-engineering guidance. David (city planning staff) told council the amendment realigns the main intersection to be closer to a 90-degree geometry for safer operation and that engineering staff recommended approval after reviewing the proposed changes.

School-district coordination
City staff said Lockhart ISD had been part of earlier discussions with the developer and applicant representatives. Council members noted the junior high will serve roughly half the district, so placing it on the arterial is preferable to siting it deep inside a subdivision. City engineering staff said the developer will update the Traffic Impact Analysis to reflect the modified roadway geometry.

Vote and next steps
Council approved the amendment unanimously. Staff will continue engineering review and update the development agreement exhibits to reflect the amended school parcel, collector street and utility siting. The developer and city will coordinate on required off-site improvements and roadway phasing.

Ending: The council's approval clears the way for the developer to proceed with detailed engineering consistent with the amended alignment and school-site plan.","The council approved Amendment 1 to the Sea Willow development agreement, moving the junior-high school site to the neighborhood edge, adding a collector street south of the school site and relocating a planned water tower; staff said utilities and land-use totals remain unchanged.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lockhart City Council approves hotel-occupancy tax allocations after presentations from 10 applicants; mayor objects to visitor-center timing

Council pauses further action on railroad quiet-zone study after city engineer outlines potential costs and Union Pacific review fee

Developer introduces 280-acre Robin Ranch proposal; council approves professional-review escrow to start engineering and legal review

Council approves Sea Willow development amendment to relocate junior-high site and shift water-tower and road alignments