The Levelland City Council approved the second reading of Ordinance No. 1092, instituting a zoning change from industrial to B-2 Business District for 18 locations in their April 7 regular meeting.
City of Levelland Chief Building Inspector, Joe Shedd presented the item during the Council’s March 17 regular meeting.
He explained what prompted the discussion between City Staff was a business looking into the area (which was being presented for council’s approval) and being hesitant to purchase the land due to the zoning being industrial.
Talking with a handful of the property owners in the area of discussion, Shedd received questions from the owners as to why the zoning change had not already been done in the past.
He stated the reason for the zoning change is to entice more commercial business to the particular area.
He added that the industrial zone is for oil field service yards, commercial welding or other manufacturing shops, factories, cotton gins and warehouses, game rooms and any other nonresidential use for which no restrictions or conditions exist.
Shedd added that general commercial businesses may not want to buy or build on industrial zoned properties. By rezoning the properties to B-2, City staff believes the change will be better suited for commercial use and entice more business to utilize the area.
Additionally, everyone within 200 feet of the properties received letters informing them of the situation. No objections were received and other property owners showed their support for the move.
The area would span from Grimes Scene Car Wash heading east to N. Alamo Road.
During the meeting, a public hearing was held for locations: 513 E. Hwy 114, HOOD CSL, LGE 28, LAB 2, TR 1, AB149, ACRES1.112
513 E. Hwy 114, HOOD CSL, LGE 28, LAB 2, TR 1, AB149, ACRES1.8480 515 E. Hwy 114, HOOD CSL, LGE 28, LAB 2, TR 1A, AB149, ACRES0.433 No address assigned, HOOD, CSL, LGE 28, LAB 2, TR 1, AB149, ACRES.90 601 E. Hwy 114, RAWLS (LEV), BLOCK 1, LOT 1, ACRES 5.6 601 E. Hwy 114, HOOD CSL, LGE 28, LAB 1, TR 6, AB149, ACRES2.540 701 E. Hwy 114, BOEDEKER (LEV),LOT1 No address assigned, BOEDEKER(LEV),LOT6 703 E Hwy 114, BOEDEKER (LEV),LOT2 No address assigned, BOEDEKER(LEV),W/2OFLOTS 4&5 No address assigned, BOEDEKER(LEV),LOT3 707 E. Hwy 114, BOEDEKER (LEV), E/2 OF LOTS 4 & 5 No address assigned, HOOD CSL, LGE 28, LAB 1, TR 2A, ACRES 3.250 (LEVELLAND OFFICEBUILDING) No address assigned, HOOD CSL, LGE 28, LAB 1, TR 2, AB149, ACRES28.566 1303E.Hwy114,HOODCSL, LGE 28, LAB 1 O/O TR2, AB149, ACRES5.000 1305E.Hwy114,HOODCSL, LGE 28, LAB 1, TR 4, ACRES 1.000 1307E.Hwy114,HOODCSL, LGE 28, LAB 1, TR 1, AB149, ACRES5.000,NOLABEL No address assigned, HOOD CSL, LGE 28, O/O LAB 1, TR 2, AB149, ACRES 4.700.
Moving forward, the Council considered action to award a bid for a 6-inch portable pump for the Water Department.
City Manager James Fisher presented the item to the group stated the 2024-2025 Budget adopted by the Council includes a six-inch pump in the Water Department in the amount of $85,000.
The proposed portable pump is one of the key pieces of equipment that aids the department in pumping or drawing down the water during a water leak to expose the line. This makes the repair of the line easier by exposing the water line then cutting the old line out and installing the new one.
Also, the pump is also utilized in extreme weather and may be used in all hours of the day.
City staff requested quotes from all the known vendors who supply six-inch portable pumps similar in specs to the equipment currently in operation by the department. The City of Levelland received three different quotes for the pump.
The bids are as follows: Allied Oilfield Services submitted a quote for $39,985; Xylem Dewatering submitted a quote for $56,202.25; and Odessa Pumps and Equipment submitted a quote for $78,541.57.
It was noted that the quotes from Xylem Dewatering and Odessa Pumps and Equipment were procurred through a purchasing coop buyboard while the Allied Oilfield Services quote was obtained individually as it was under the $50,000 threshold.
Choosing between the two lowest quotes, the noted difference was the specifications of the pump.
It was explained that the Allied Oilfield pump is a wetprime pump which requires pouring water into the pup casing to get the pump primed for it to start the pumping process.
The Xylem Dewatering pump is specific to municipal operations in water and is a dri-prime or selfpriming pump and the need to pour water in the pump casing is not necessary.
Staff recommendation leaned toward the Xylem Dewatering pump for a total of $56,202.25 and is within the budgeted amount.
The Council approved the item unanimously following the presentation.