The Levelland City Council held a regular meeting Monday evening and approved an agreement with Ameresco concerning water meters.
In February, the city entered into a Project Development Agreement with Ameresco to conduct an Investment Grade Audit of the city’s water system.
Ameresco presented its findings and recommendations to the Council at the September 9 special meeting.
Since that time, the city has been discussing upgrading the water meter system for years and the cost of implementing has continued to increase as a decision has been delayed.
Fisher explained that the new water system would provide greater accuracy, which in turn provides better water management and conservation.
During the discussion, Councilman Stueart questioned about financing securement if the project were to move forward and costs needed to be adjusted.
City Manager James Fisher stated he felt confident in the projected city’s savings in the first couple of years when payments begin. Additionally, he suggested having discussion during the next budget session regarding the current water improvement fee that is in place. Currently, that fee is set at $1 and may need to be increased a dollar or two to comfortably accommodate the expenses in the future.
Mayor Breann Buxkemper and Fisher spoke about the importance in conserving and managing the city’s water as other areas are struggling to accommodate their citizens in the West Texas area.
The recommendation made to Council was to authorize the mayor and/or city manager to execute the necessary documents including the Performance Contract, Notice to Proceed and any other related documents for an agreement with Ameresco to install a Master Meter Harmony Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system to all for remote reading of the water meters’ date. The item was unanimously approved by the Council.
An agenda item regarding the airport was brought to the council for consideration. The City of Levelland sent a letter to TxDOT Aviation in July requesting funding for an Airport Layout Plan with narrative.
The general description of the requested project included an evaluation of the airports existing condition, aviation activity forecasts, demand or capacity and facility improvements, alternatives for development, recommended development concept, capital improvement plan, updated airport layout plan and an obstruction survey at the Levelland Municipal - Hockley County Airport.
It was added that the total project costs are estimated to be $400,000 that includes $250,000 for the Airport Layout Plan with narrative and $150,000 for the Obstruction Survey and the City of Levelland and Hockley County will be responsible for 10% of the total project costs currently estimated. Additionally, both the city and county would contribute $20,000 a piece.
The council would approve Resolution 2024-25 authorizing matching funds for an Airport Layout Plan with narrative and Obstruction Survey and authorize the city manager to execute the necessary documents.
Following discussion between the City, city attorney and TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool, the City of Levelland issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 42 hail-damaged vehicles that were a result of the storm on May 29.
Fisher informed the Council they received two bids from the services needed. One bid was from Princely Dent with a bid amount of $99,000 and the second was from Rats to Rods with a bid amount of $182,839.
The bid from Princely Dent was approved by the group with an expected delivery date of three months. Coordination will be discussed at a later date where the vehicles will be repaired.
The group approved an agreement with Levelland ISD for School Resource Officers (SRO’s). Both entities proposed an agreement for SRO’s to provide and assist with school and campus security.
It was explained by Fisher that the agreement has been modified to reflect to current number of officers within the school at this current point in time. Additionally, the agreement reflects the cost-of-living adjustment the Council passed for the FY 2024-2025 Annual Budget.
The agreement was recently approved by the LISD School Board during their regular meeting earlier this month.
The council approved the annual services agreement with the Levelland Chamber of Commerce for FY 2024-2025. Each year the city executes an agreement with the chamber for services which they provide for the city. Those services in the prior agreement include the assistance with reviewing applications and administering the Hotel Occupancy Fund, event marketing and coordination, general services administration and operation of the Keep Levelland Beautiful Program.
Moving forward, the board considered and ultimately approved Resolution No. 2024-34 approving an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (DPS) regarding the closing of two blocks of state highway for the Levelland Festival of Lights and Christmas on the Square event.
Levelland Main Street partners with several entities including South Plains College and the Marigolds to put together the event. The event is scheduled for Dec. 5.
For the event to happen, the City and TxDOT will have to temporarily close several streets. Events that are usually held downtown result in Houston Street on the north side of the square and Avenue H on the west side of the square are closed. Those two streets are state highways which means the state requires the city approve an agreement for the temporary closure.
It was also added during the meeting that the Special Event Review Committee met prior to the meeting and approved the event contingent on the Council and TxDOT approving the appropriate road closures.
The Levelland Housing Standards Commission recently met and considered action on a structure that had been deemed substandard by the Building Permit and Inspections Department. The structure is located at 1802 9th Street.
The property owners and persons of interest have been notified with the appropriate notices and was filed in the Hockley County Real Property Records. The Commission voted to recommend to Council to order the demolition of the substandard structure on the mentioned property.
A brief overview of the property along with photos and violations presented to the council. It was added that the property was recently shown to council however the item was tabled due to an individual interested purchasing the property from the owner.
The reason for the property being brought back to the council is the interested party who wishes to purchase the property could not get in contact with the owner of the property.
As a result, the council moved to abate and demolish the structure.
In January 2022, the city entered into an agreement with Joe Bob Wells for the lease of 19 acres of a 60.45 acre tract of land adjacent to the Oxy Sports Complex. The lease is set to expire at the end of 2024.
A provision for an extension is within the agreement, however, both parties failed to provide the required notice. Fisher explained that Wells has indicated he was wanting to extend the lease for another term.
It was recommended to Council to authorize another oneyear lease which would expire December 31, 2025, with an option to extend for another year upon mutual agreement no later than 90 days to expiration.
The item was approved unanimously.
A housekeeping item to cap off the meeting was the consideration to approve a fiveyear service agreement with Blue Layer IT Solutions for operations and maintenance of the security system at City Hall.
Fisher explained to Council that the security cameras are beyond the end of the functional life. The City has been working with their current IT partner on a new system that will provide them with greater visual management of the coming and goings in and around city hall.
The proposed project has a five-year license agreement and city staff would utilize funding from the ARPA account for the project. The group approved the agreement with minimal discussion.