The Levelland City Council met for their regular meeting and public hearing on Oct. 3.
The purpose of the public hearing was to allow citizens an opportunity to provide input on the proposed Levelland Community Development Corporation (LCDC) project which totals $636,000.
Expenditures for the proposed project include playground resurfacing at Brashear Lake ($30,000); water fountains at Lobo Lake and Brashear Lake ($30,000); trail extension and overlook swing at Lobo Lake ($25,000); Phase 2 of the Pickleball Complex, shade structure, benches, trash cans and surface painting ($25,000); and picnic tables and shade structures at the Oxy Sports Complex ($15,000).
Additionally, expenditures would include a new entry sign at the Oxy Sports Complex ($15,000); improvements of City Park Field F, lighting, fencing, irrigation and field materials ($320,000); renovation of the Church League field at City Park, infield expansion and installation of movable pitching mound ($25,000); and City Park Barty Johnson field, fence, irrigation, field materials and demolition of building ($150,000).
The LCDC is funded by a 1/4 cent of the sales and use tax within the city. The estimated reserves for the LCDC as of Sept. 20 is $1,260,000.
City manager James Fisher presented the Diane K. Johnston Award from the Alliance for Community Solutions to Cole Kirkland, coordinator for Levelland & Hockley County Emergency Management. The award is for the personal commitment, creativity and actions to advocate and achieve success toward the goals of ACS.
The award was sponsored by David Corder, former Levelland & Hockley County EMC, Caroline Chong, ACE National Product Manager, John Kiehl, ACS co-founder and national board member, Barbi Bennett, Crane City and County EMS, and Joe Abrams, ACS co-founder, event director and national board chair.
During the regular meeting, the council heard information from Eli Colunga, from the city code enforcement department, on requested updates for codes involving building, residential, plumbing, fuel gas, mechanical, energy conservation, property maintenance, fire protection, and electrical.
In other business, the council approved a request for payment from AMERESXCO for $279,024 for the water meter project, as well a request for payment from Missouri Petroleum Products Company LLC for $397,246 for the 2025 Group Seal Coat program.
In other action, the council approved casting votes for the board of directors of the Hockley County Appraisal District.
The board is made up up five directors and the city may cast its 361 votes for any or all the nominees. The ballot is due by Dec. 15. Nominees on the ballot include Matthew Buxkemper, Larry Carter, Ty Gregory, Buddy Moore, Mike Stafford and Pete Stracener.