Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on the City of Liberty Hill being designated an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International.

The City of Liberty Hill has been designated by DarkSky International as the first "Dark Sky City" in Williamson, and one of only 22 other Dark Sky Places in Texas, many of which are large parks, including Big Bend National Park.  This is a significant milestone for the fast-growing Hill Country city, reflecting a strong community commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the night sky amid ongoing development.  The City of Liberty Hill has been able to balance its rapid growth with efforts to preserve its historic charm.  The effort to become a Dark Sky Community began in 2020, when concerned citizens formed the Liberty Hill Save Our Stars volunteer group. The group partnered with the City's Planning and Zoning Commission to draft an Outdoor Lighting Ordinance, which was adopted in 2022. The City has initiated lighting retrofits across City Hall, the Stubblefield Building, and public parks and is committed to completing all city retrofits, including streetlights maintained by Pedernales Electric Coop by August 2027.  The City launched the "Night Sky Friendly Business" program and is offering support to existing businesses during the transition. Cindy Luongo Cassidy, the Board President of DarkSky Texas, commented that "Liberty Hill's commitment to preserving the night sky is a shining example of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose and passion." 

The International Dark Sky Places Program was founded in 2001 and is a non-regulatory and voluntary program encouraging communities, parks, and protected areas to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, and public education.