City of Lockhart Elections

After spending more than two decades serving the constituents of District 2 and serving as Mayor-Pro for the City of Lockhart, I am announcing today that these next few months will be my last in the office as I have decided not run for re-election in the Nov. 2 general election. It’s been a great honor and learning experience for which I shall be forever grateful.
I am thankful by the outpouring of support and encouragement I have received from so many people and especially my family and while many have urged me to run for re-election, I believe this is the right time to leave after all these years of community service and I feel good about all of my accomplishments.
This is not an easy decision but one with which I am comfortable with. As the end of my term approaches and with the up-coming changes with work and my family, I will not be able to devote the time I believe necessary for me to be an effective council member and Mayor Pro-Tem. While I will miss working for the neighborhood and for the people of Lockhart as a whole, I am excited about future opportunities and remain committed to building the future of our city.

I sincerely hope that I have made a difference in someone’s life and the quality of our neighborhoods.
Thank you for your support, friendship and confidence.

Frank Estrada

check out this page for a great garage door!!!!

My farewell good bye

Thank you very much Mayor.


I have so much to be thankful for.

I want to thank all of my supporters; donors; staff, friends and most of all to my family, who is always there to support me.

I want to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for the opportunity he has given me to serve this community.

It certainly has been an honor, I feel so fortunate and blessed.

Second, I want to thank my family, especially my wife Gloria, for all of their support thru all the difficulties.

I want to thank all of my supporters in District 2. Unbelievable, it’s amazing!!

For 26 years, they supported me repeatedly, but I feel it is the right thing to do.

I want to take this time to thank the City of Lockhart staff and employees. It was like a second family to me after so many years. Thanks so much.

I also want to thank all of the individuals that serve under many of my committees. Some that have served my entire tenure. Wish them the best of luck!!!

And last, but certainly not least, I want to thank all of the councilmembers that serve with me and supported me. I met some wonderful people.

From Mayor Maxine Goodman, my first Mayor to Mayor John Allred who appointed me to beome his Mayor Pro-Tem and I served in that capacity for 15 yrs.

It has been a wonderful experience!!

I want to congratulate the new elected officials and wish them well.

I came in as a humble person and expect to leave the same way.

I am just grateful for the trust that my constituents place on me and I hope I did not disappoint them.

Adios and vayan con dios….

Mayor Pro-Tem Frank Estrada and Councilman Paul Gomez receiving a resolution recognizing March 31 to April 23, 2009, as Cesar Chavez Farmworker Appreciation Month from Mayor Bertram

Frank Estrada AHMO President

As your president, it is indeed an honor for me to forward this letter to our membership. As president of the Association of Hispanic Municipal Officials (AHMO) of Texas, I accepted the challenge and appreciate the opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of our association to advance the opportunities for Hispanic issues throughout Texas and beyond.

Hispanics made personal sacrifice to protect their heritage and pave the way for generations to follow; unfortunately, Hispanic Americans still face significant economic, educational, and civil disparities. That is why I want to invite you to join the Association of Hispanic Municipal Officials (AHMO). Our organization needs you. Please join us in our journey to promote the Hispanic leadership in Texas! Stay involved and help us grow the membership and encourage others to join. We hope we can count in the near future on your support of our activities.

The annual membership is $50.00 dollars, payable to AHMO, which will entitle you to the new quarterly membership newsletter, training sessions sponsored by AHMO, and additional resources available through the Texas Municipal League at reduced rates. Members can renew their membership online at http://www.tml.org/affil_ahmo.html. If you are not an AHMO member, you can join or download a membership application from the same link.

As you know, this year the Texas Municipal League Annual Conference is in AustinTexas. The AHMO program will include an AHMO Meet and Greet Sponsor Appreciation Reception.

Please view the AHMO program details, and we look forward to seeing you in San Antonio.


Frank Estrada
Mayor Pro-Tem Emeritus
Lockhart, Texas
Legislative Director
AHMO President Emeritus
TML

AHMO President
Festrada1@austin.rr.com

Frank speaking @ Hillary Rally in Austin, Texas

Lockhart City Council

Where I work<---------click

Communities, neighbors celebrate safety

By Kathi BlissEditor/POST REGISTER

For the 24th year, people across America will unite on Tuesday evening, Aug. 7, to take a stand against drugs and crime in their neighborhoods and communities. Nearly 20 families, community service organizations and neighborhood watch programs across Caldwell County have joined forces with the Lockhart Police Department and the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office to make this year's National Night Out one of the best in Caldwell County History. "One of the best deterrents to crime is a close-knit community where the neighbors know each other and interact," wrote Lockhart's Mayor Pro Tem Frank Estrada in a written statement early this week. "National Night Out helps to strengthen communities by bringing neighbors together and by promoting cooperation between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. "This year, in an effort to enhance that cooperation, Sheriff Daniel Law enlisted the service of Community Liaison Deputy Bob Carroll to organize National Night Out gatherings in the rural areas of Caldwell County.At press time on Wednesday, nearly every neighborhood and community in northern Caldwell County and in Lockhart was represented by individuals or groups planning get-togethers.

Congressman Doggett and Frank

Frank attended the National Rural Assembly Meeting June 25 – 27 in Washington DC

Texas Community Development Block Grant Program - 2007/2008

The Governor's Capital Area Regional Review Committee was created as a voluntary, unincorporated association by the Governor of Texas. The committee's primary purpose is to assist the Governor, in conjunction with the Office of Rural Community Affairs, in reviewing funding applications submitted in State Planning Region 12 under the Texas Community Development Program.

The Capital Area Regional Review Committee, which Mayor Pro-Tem Frank Estrada has been a member since 1985, ranked the City of Lockhart 1st in the recent application funding out of 32 applicants.
Texas Community Development Block Grant Program - 2007/2008
The following are the results from the Governor’s Capital Area Regional Review Committee Scoring Meeting held on April 13, 2007. If you have any questions, please contact me at (512) 916-6045. They are also on our web site: http://www.capcog.org/


SCORE
1
Lockhart
318.50

Photos from Lockhart's Presentation of Municipal Excellence Awards

Lockhart City Council

Representative Patrick M. Rose and Representative Dawnna Dukes

Lockhart Planning and Zoning Commission

City Planner Dan Gibson told the council that the Planning and Zoning Commission had reviewed the request and supported the change, which would make some 2.6 acres currently zoned for residential building into comercially-zoned property. He said the developer's request is in line with the city's current land-usage projections. Gibson did note, however, that more than 44 residents in the area sent in letters of opposition. "Under state law, if more than 20 percent of the adjoining property owners are against it, it would require six of the seven votes from council to change it," Gibson said. "Still, some of the people that sent in protests do not own adjoining property, and the letters that we got only amounted to some 19 percent." A chief cause of concern for District Two Councilmember Frank Estrada, who is the district representative for the area, is the fact that there are ongoing tensions between the developer and the property owner. Estrada suggested that those tensions might be in part responsible for the residents opposition to the zoning change. "To say that the owners are concerned is putting it lightly," Estrada said. "But most of the concerns that I've heard are personal disputes not directly related to this issue."Estrada suggested that the issue be tabled in order to give the developer and the residents time to discuss and settle their disputes, thinking that some of the community opposition might be resolved.Two councilmembers, Gomez and At Large Councilmember Dick Wieland, voted against tabling the issue, instead voting to deny the zoning change. The other five members, however, opted to take the issue up at the council's April 3 meeting.
The Lockhart City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Glosserman Conference Room at Lockhart City Hall.

City lists homes to be leveled

The City of Gonzales City Council voted unanimously to continue its attempt to clean up old and dilapidated property in the town.
Council voted unanimously to take the next step toward demolition of the substandard structures at the monthly meeting Tuesday nigh at city hall.
Five properties were designated for demolition within the next 90 days including houses at the following addresses: 1320 St. Andrew; 1219 Hastings; 1417 Harwood; 1109 Robertson and 806 Linert.
However, council decided to allow property owners at 1309 Water St. and 604 Hopkins St. to continue rehabilitation projects for at least the next 90 days without fear of demolition.
City Manager Buddy Drake also informed Norma Aquayo that she would also be allowed to continue work on her properties on Morey Street.

CITY-RELATED BILLS FILED

H.B. 6 (Hilderbran) – Parks: would do the following: (1) divide cities into two groups for purposes of calculating eligibility for state grant funding for local parks—cities under 500,000 in population, and cities of 500,000 or more in population; (2) for cities under 500,000 in population, restructure the local grant funding formulas based on the sporting goods sales tax; (3) for cities of 500,000 population or more, provide restructured funding for grants from the sporting goods sales tax, but allow such grants only to satisfy a city’s match requirement for a federal grant or for other specifically defined purposes such as benefiting “underserved” populations; and (4) provide that cities of 500,000 or more in population may receive state park grants only if recommended by a regional planning commission.
H.B. 422 (Phillips) – Transportation Funding: would: (1) allocate two-thirds of the revenue generated by the $30 state traffic fine to the Texas Mobility Fund; and (2) require the state comptroller to credit traffic fines submitted by a city of less than 5,000 population (when those fines account for more than thirty percent of the city’s revenue for the preceding year) to the Texas Mobility Fund. (Companion bill is S.B. 126 by Carona.)
H.B. 438 (Hochberg) – Property Tax: would provide that the appraised value of a residential homestead may not increase by more than ten percent for the entire time period since the most recent tax appraisal, as opposed to current law, which allows up to a ten-percent increase each year. (Note: Please see H.J.R. 40 below.)
H.B. 442 (Phillips) – Tasers: would provide that the removal or attempted removal of a taser from a peace officer is a felony offense.
H.B. 447 (Callegari) – Construction Procurement: would: (1) prohibit a reverse auction procedure for a public works contract for which a performance or payment bond is required; (2) consolidate the provisions of current law relating to alternative delivery systems for construction projects (e.g., competitive sealed proposals, construction manager-agent, construction manager at-risk, design-build, job order contracting) by most governmental entities, including cities; (3)provide procedures and criteria for a governmental entity to use when selected a construction contractor using a method other than competitive bidding; (4) authorize the use of any alternative delivery method, except for design-build, for any improvement to real property; and (5) limit the use of design-build to buildings and associated structures.
H.B. 457 (Rodriguez) – Property Tax: would require the chief appraiser to deliver a notice each year to each property owner whose property is not currently receiving a homestead exemption. The notice would contain information about how to apply for a homestead exemption.
H.B. 463 (Flores) - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors: would create a statewide registration system, to be administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, for air conditioning and refrigeration technicians.
H.B. 466 (Flores) – Parks: would alter the formulas by which sporting goods sales taxes are allocated to the various parks accounts.
H.B. 476 (Vo) – Property Tax: would extend the ten-percent appraisal cap on residential homesteads to all real property. (Note: Please see H.J.R. 41 below.)
H.B. 478 (Vo) – Utility Payments: would provide that a payment for utility services is considered made on the date the envelope is postmarked if: (1) the payment is not required by law or contract to be delivered by a method other than mail; (2) the payment was mailed with sufficient postage; and (3) the envelope was properly addressed.
H.B. 486 (Driver) – Police Chief Education: would: (1) direct the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) to create a uniform 24-month training period during which all police chiefs shall receive at least forty hours of training; and (2) direct TCLEOSE to establish a rule stating that the first continuing education training period for a police chief shall begin on the first day of the first uniform continuing education training period following the date the individual completes the TCLEOSE initial training program.
H.B. 490 (Solomons) – Pawn Shops: would do the following: (1) permit, but not require, police chiefs to place holds on pawn shop goods that are suspected of being stolen; and (2) require pawn shops that generate computerized pawn tickets to electronically transmit pawn data to the police department if required by the police chief.
H.B. 491 (Burnam) – Electric Markets: would limit the amount of generation capacity that a deregulated electric utility may own or control within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
H.B. 492 (Orr) – Emergency Services Districts: would prohibit a city from removing area in its extraterritorial jurisdiction from an emergency services district.
H.B. 495 (Bonnen) - Emergency Services Personnel: would make assault on emergency services personnel a felony of the third degree.
H.B. 497 (Madden) – Construction Contracts: would provide that: (1) a dispute arising under a construction contract for non-residential construction may be referred to a “dispute board” if the contract provides for such a referral; (2) each construction contract entered into by a governmental entity that does not provide for submission of disputes arising under the contract to a dispute board must contain a provision stating that the provision was actively considered and rejected; (3) a dispute board consists of one, three, or a greater odd number of persons selected by the parties through a nomination process, and one person selected by the parties’ chosen members; (4) each member of the dispute board must meet certain qualifications related to the construction industry and meet certain training requirements; (5) a project owner (e.g., a governmental entity) shall provide a dispute board with all documents necessary to the board’s work, including conference facilities for meetings; (6) a dispute board may act in an advisory or formal decision-making capacity, as agreed by the parties; and (7) the meetings of a dispute board and its records are confidential.
H.B. 499 (Castro) - Guardrails: would require that a guardrail constructed on a bridge or overpass located on a public road or highway be at least 36 inches in height.
H.J.R. 40 (Hochberg) – Property Tax: would amend the Texas Constitution to provide that the appraised value of a residential homestead may not increase more than ten percent for the entire period since the most recent tax appraisal, as opposed to current law which allows up to a ten-percent increase each year. (Note: Please see H.B. 438 above.)
H.J.R. 41 (Vo) – Property Tax: would amend the Texas Constitution to permit the legislature to extend the ten-percent appraisal cap on residential homesteads to all real property. (Note: Please see H.B. 476 above.)
S.B. 74 (Lucio) – Open Records: would: (1) authorize a program to protect the confidentiality of a victim of stalking, sexual assault, or family violence, and allow the victim to use a post office box as an official address; and (2) require a city to accept the designated substitute post office box address in place of the individual's true residential address, with certain exceptions.
S.B. 175 (Wentworth) – Open Records: would: (1) require a requestor to make a deposit or post a bond before the tenth business day after the required date, or the request will be considered withdrawn; (2) allow the attorney general's office 45 business days to issue a decision after the date the office receives a request for a decision, with an extension period of the attorney general's action of ten business days; and (3) require a city to release information to a person with a special right of access not later than the tenth business day after the receipt of a request for information.
S.J.R. 10 (Janek) – Property Tax: would amend the Texas Constitution to permit the governing body of a political subdivision, including a city, to reduce the homestead appraisal cap from ten percent to some percentage not lower than three percent. Once lowered, the appraisal cap could be changed again by action of the governing body, but the change would take effect only after six years have expired since the first change.

Democratic Steering and Policy Committee

December 15, 2006

Mr. Frank Estrada
Lockhart, Texas 78644

Dear Frank:
Knowing of your interest in the opportunity in the new Congress to advance our priorities, I am writing to let you know that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed me to serve on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. This group decides the committee assignments of all Democratic Members of Congress. The Committee is also responsible for developing policy for the Democratic Caucus, and advising the leadership on a broad array of issues. An article that recently ran in the Austin American- Statesman is attached below.
When Congress returns in January, we plan to be prepared to work full time on long-neglected priorities. As I am called on to help set the agenda for the new Congress, it is helpful to hear from you, and I trust you will continue to keep me advised of your priorities in the New Year.
Doggett named to House panel
Austin Democrat to help make committee
assignments.
AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
WASHINGTON - Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, was one of a dozen legislators asked by incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve on the Democratic Steering Committee, a group of members who make the party's committee assignments.
Doggett will be in Washington most of this week reviewing the pitches various members have made for assignments. Members compete for seats on some of the top committees, including Appropriations, Ways and Means, Commerce, and Rules.
After the assignments are made, the panel will continue to work with Pelosi to be "a good sounding board on what we should be working on," Doggett said.
"I asked Congressman Doggett to serve . . . because I value his judgment and considerable intellect," Pelosi said in a statement.
"Congressman Doggett enjoys working hard at work worth doing."
Sincerely,
Lloyd
---------------
U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett
201 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-4865, (512) 916-5921
http://www.house.gov/doggett

Tiger in San Antonio

Frank took these pictures of Tiger Woods during Tiger's rookie year in San Antonio, Texas

Housing Reconstruction Program

The City of Lockhart is sponsoring a Housing Reconstruction Program to assist Owner Occupied households in the City Limits. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs – HOME Investment Partnership Program is sponsoring this program.

The City of Lockhart will be making housing reconstruction assistance in the form of “Five-Year Zero-Percent Interest Deferred Forgivable Loans” to Owner Occupied households at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Family Income (AMFI) within the City Limits of Lockhart.

The selection process for funding eligible recipients will be conducted on a “first-come, first served, most qualified basis”. The most financially distressed (low/moderate income) households, along with single head of households, elderly (over the age of 62), and handicapped will be receiving first priority for the “Five-Year Zero-Interest Deferred Forgivable Loans”.

All eligible applicants who want to participate, and who meet the minimum program requirements, will be required to fill out a Financial Application packet to verify credit information and proof of occupancy. Applicants must provide a copy of the warranty deed (or recent quit claim) to their property along with a copy of their most recent Federal Income Tax Return (or other approved documents that verify their gross household income).

There will be one Public Hearing held to give the citizens of Lockhart an opportunity to ask questions and to pick up Financial Application packets. The Public Hearing will be held as follows:

Meeting to be held on December 14, 2006 at 6:30 P.M.
Location: City Hall
Address: 308 West San Antonio, Lockhart, Texas 78644.

Financial Application packets may also be picked-up from Lockhart City Hall at 308 West San Antonio, Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Financial Applications must be correct and complete. Failure to complete the Financial
Application in full, may be grounds for disqualification from further consideration for assistance.
For more Information on this Housing Reconstruction Program, call City Hall at (512) 398-3461. The City of Lockhart will offer basic technical assistance to those households unable to come to City Hall or those households who need assistance in filling-out the application packet. Deadline for returning the Financial Application packet to City Hall is:
5:00 P.M. on January 12, 2007.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

Saturday, January 27, 2007
For Current Residents of the City of Lockhart ONLY
Make your home safe – Bring us your toxic chemicals no longer needed

When? Saturday, January 27, 2007
Time? 9:00 a.m. to Noon (Rain or Shine, event will be held.)

Where? Lockhart City Hall
West parking lot off Market Street at Guadalupe St.

What we will take? Cleaning products: drain cleaners, concentrates, degreasers, oven cleaners, solvents, polishers, pool chemicals, household batteries, etc…

Paint Products: Latex & oil-based paints, spray paints, thinners, strippers, preservatives, brush cleaners, etc…
Gardening Products: Pesticides, sprays/dusts, weed killers, rat poisons, insecticides, etc…
Automotive Products: Batteries, brake fluids, transmissions fluids, etc…
Automotive oils, filters and antifreeze are accepted at the Recycling Center on Brazos at Walnut Street

We will NOT take: Wastes generated by businesses & commercial farming, tires, chemical containers larger than 5 gallons, medical wastes & sharps, empty containers, compressed gas cylinders, ammunition, gun powder, metal, wire and PCB’s.

Disposal cost to you? None

Did you know it is against the law to put items like these in your regular household garbage? Many can also cause serious injury to employees who pickup your garbage. Whenever possible avoid purchasing such items because of the disposal liabilities and costs. If you must purchase, buy in quantities for immediate use. Please explore alternative products that are environmentally friendly/safer.

Must be a Lockhart City Resident
Bring Utility Bill or other proof of residence
Sponsors: City of Lockhart, Capital Area Council of Governments, TCEQ
Questions? Call Public at 398-6452.