The Levelland City Council held a regular meeting Monday evening with the group approving the first payment request with AMERSCO for the upcoming water meter replacement project and approving the installation of a new 300-foot guyed tower.
Progress was made during the meeting regarding the approved water meter replacement project with AMERESCO. City Manager James Fisher presented a payment request for AMERSCO in the amount of $283,040.58 for the water meter project pursuant to the contract approved between the City and AMERESCO in October 2024.
Fisher added that the City received the first payment application from the company and the amount will be reimbursed to the city upon the issuance of CO’s (Certificates of Obligation) that the Council will consider in February. Once the CO’s are authorized, it will take 30 to 45 days for the city to receive the funds.
The Council approved the payment request with none opposed. Councilman Max Ledesma was absent from the meeting.
In February 2024, 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 had been discussing upgrading the water meter system for years and the cost of implementing has continued to increase as a decision has been delayed.
It was explained that the new water system would provide greater accuracy, which in turn provides better water management and conservation.
Moving forward in the agenda, the Council approved the authorization for the mayor and, or city manager to execute and sign the necessary documents for a new 300-foot guyed tower. This approval also included all related amenities which could include studies, filing fees and permits, support facilities, security fencing, antennae, cables, related equipment and removal of the old existing tower.
Before the approval of the item, Fisher explained to the Council that the radio communication tower in the city park was significantly damaged during the storm on May 29, 2024.
Provided to Council was an inspection report from South Plains Communication detailing the disrepair condition of the tower. Also included was a cost estimate to repair the tower in the amount of $99,900, though the company was not confident they could get the twist out of the tower.
Notes from the report stated the tower was out of plumb and tension. The twist within the tower begins at guy wire one and extends to the top of the tower. The guywires and all hardware at the anchors are severely corroded and need to be replaced. Tower paint is also needed to keep the tower in compliance. A handful of repairs were also made during the inspection of the tower.
Despite the tower being fully repaired, it was highlighted that the tower is a 50-year-old structure that is overloaded by ice accumulation standards with the current equipment. While the tower is overloaded, it still does not have all the necessary equipment that is needed.
It was explained that there is a FEMA project to recover the cost of the repairs, but the City would be able to use that reimbursement from FEMA and apply it towards building a new tower.
Fisher said a mitigation addendum was added to the FEMA tower repair project which would allow for enhancements to be completed in the project to make it more resilient.
Details of the plan have the tower face (width) increased from 18-inches to 43-inches and increase the wind load strength. The loading increase will allow the City to safely add antennas and increase communication capabilities for local public safety.
The City allocated $250,000 in ARPA funding for said project in Resolution 2024-40 during the December 16, 2024 meeting. It was also noted that the project through the cooperative purchasing program of the BuyBoard which means bids are not required.
Levelland-Hockley County Emergency Management Coordinator, Cole Kirkland was in attendance to address any questions the Council had or provide any additional information.
Kirkland explained that the LPD (Levelland Police Department) is currently operating off of the tower adjacent from the law enforcement center which is 120 feet.
Issues have been on-going for telecommunications as the tower height has made radio traffic “spotty” in further areas such as the Kauffman Addition. Kirkland explained that the new tower would be 319 feet which should alleviate those communications issues.
In terms of cost, the original quote was $297,000 from South Plains Communication which includes the teardown of the old tower and installation of the new tower.
The tower falls under a FEMA project due to the tower being damaged during the storm and not covered in insurance.
“Since the cost of the tower damages do not exceed half of the cost of the new one, they will only pay for damages and that’s an 80/ 20 match,” explained Kirkland.
The match amount is $99,000 which is the repair cost estimate.
“Additionally, since we are building a bigger, better and stronger tower that qualifies us for a mitigation match in the amount of $99,900 from FEMA,” added Kirkland. “Ultimately, it would be $187,000 from FEMA.”
The total cost of the project is projected at $204,180 with a timeline of 12 to 16 weeks from start to finish.
Mayor Breann Buxkemper asked if there would be any interruption in communication to which Kirkland explained that the project would be seamless.
The next item addressed was the authorization for the city manager to execute the necessary documents for the purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD work truck to replace the Emergency Management truck damaged in the May 2024 storm.
Fisher stated the vehicle was significantly damaged during the storm. TML (Texas Municipal League) IRP has totaled the vehicle and provided an insurance amount of $20,683.90.
“Our insurance said they were willing to cover the cost if the City could get it 100% repaired and signed off on,” said Fisher. “You are not going to find anybody who does hail repair who is going to sign a document guaranteeing 100% repair.”
Through the interlocal purchasing system, the vehicle was located with a purchase price of $53,620. With the insurance amount put to the total price, the vehicle amount is $32,936.10 plus approximately $6,000 for all the necessary equipment for the vehicle.
As City and Hockley County cover emergency management, Fisher presented the item to the Hockley County Commissioners’ Court during their morning meeting seeking approval from their end. The Commissioners approved the item allowing for said topic to be presented to the Council.
The cost will be shared between the County and the City as each will pay $19,468.05.
The Council approved the item with none opposed.
An update was provided regarding the charter review committee that was put together in November. The January 8 meeting was canceled due to winter weather that was forecasted. The next meeting date is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, beginning at 6 p.m. at City Hall.