The Levelland City Council held a regular meeting Monday evening swearing in two council members for two-year terms in addition to approving several resolutions.
City of Levelland Mayor Barbra Pinner opened the meeting thanking former Councilwoman Mary Engledow as her two-year term representing District B had come to an end. Engledow was not in attendance for the meeting.
Moving forward, the council considered and took the necessary action regarding Resolution No. 2023-18, which canvasses the 2023 Special Election and declaring the results of the election.
An election was held on May 6, for the purpose of reauthorizing a local sales and use tax at the rate of one-fourth of one percent to provide revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.
As mentioned in a previous issue, the tax was approved with 110 individuals voting for the Maintenance Sales Tax and 13 people voting against it.
City Secretary Andrea Corley explained that by approving the resolution, the council finds the election was duly called; the notice of the election was given in accordance with law, and the election was conducted in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and the charter of the City of Levelland.
The council unanimously voted to approve the resolution.
Corely remained at the podium to address the next topic on the agenda which was swearing in the two members of council beginning their two-year terms.
In January, the council called a City Officer’s Election for the election of a council member of District B and District D, which would have been held in the May 6, election.
During the March 6 meeting, council approved Resolution 2023-04, canceling the election as there was only one eligible candidate seeking the position for District B and D.
Max Ledesma was elected to serve as a council member for District B and Michael Stueart was re-elected to serve for District D. Both individuals will be serving a two-year term ending in May, 2025.
Once the process was explained, Corley proceeded with administering the Oath of Office to Ledesma then Stueart.
With Ledesma taking his seat at the council, the group continued through the agenda with the Levelland Chamber of Commerce bringing items to the council.
City Manager Brandon Anderson offered more information as the next two agenda points pertained to the chambers Cotton and Crude Fest-Street Fair and Music Festival.
The event is scheduled for September 23, 2023, in downtown Levelland.
For all events where alcohol will be permitted, approval by the council is needed.
The council was asked to approve the event application in addition to the approval of Resolution No. 2023-19, which approves an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation regarding the closing of two blocks of state highway for the event.
The council unanimously approved the application and followed with approving the resolution of pertaining to the agreement.
The council moved forward with considering and taking action to approve Resolution No. 202320, authorizing the submission of an application to the Events Trust Fund Program for the 2023 Clovis Horse Sales Breeder’s Futurity.
Anderson explained that the program was created by the Texas Legislature in order to encourage cities to attract sporting and other major events that have significant impact.
The program estimates the amount of state revenue that will be generated as a result of the event taking place in the state and in turn, deposits the amount into a trust fund.
In order to capitalize on the opportunity to receive the state funds, the city must be willing to match one-sixth of the state amount to be contributed into the trust fund.
After the event has been successfully held, eligible expenses incurred in bringing and hosting the event can be reimbursed from the trust fund. As the city is required to match the one-sixth amount, the funds come back to the community hosting the event to offset ezpenses associated with the event.
In the past, several events have qualified such as the 2010 Babe Ruth World Series, 2011 Little Dribbler’s Tournament, 2020, 2021, 2022 Clovis Hors Sale and 2021 NJCAA Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
The council unanimously moved forward with the approval of the resolution.
MainStreet Director Tania Moody presented two agenda items as they dealt with the upcoming Sip and Swirl Event scheduled for June 9.
The fifth annual Sip and Swirl Event is set to take place in downtown Levelland as in previous years.
The event incorporates an alcohol component which requires an application approval from the council. Additionally, the event would need to have two blocks of state highway closed for the event.
Council Members Breann Buxkemper, Ledesma and Stueart were in favor of approving the event application, while Councilman Jim Myatt was opposed.
Moving forward with the resolution for the event that approved the agreement with TxDOT to close the two blocks, members Buxkemper, Ledesma and Stueart voted in favor of the resolution. Myatt voted in opposition as well against the item.
Anderson brought forth the next agenda item which was Resolution 2023-22, regarding a settlement from the Opioid Abatement Fund Council.
As part of the State of Texas Opioid settlement with pharmaceutical companies then the City of Levelland is required to pass a resolution adopting the Texas Term Sheet. If the settlement comes through as expected, the city could be able to keep or receive any portion of the estimated $118,703.17 allocated.
The council unanimously approved the resolution.