The City of Levelland held a town hall meeting Monday night to discuss a possible ordinance focused toward the handling, transport and storage of all agricultural commodities.
Levelland City Manger James Fisher began the meeting explaining that the potential ordinance is still a draft and communication between residents, agri-businesses and city staff were still on-going.
Fisher noted that if some of the measures in the ordinance are followed as written, it will likely damage the end product for the companies gathering the shipping the products.
It was explained that the ordinance would affect more than just the companies that handle the commodity. In that regard, it was added that the city has no interest in chasing off business.
One resident said the originally drafted ordinance was a good ordinance, Fisher explained that the original ordinance was restrictive to a point that all businesses approached said they could not to business under that ordinance and would have to relocate their business.
The goal with the extensive communication between all parties has been to find a middle-ground to appease both sides of the coin.
It was also mentioned that the passing of Proposition One or Texas Right to Farm Act by the State of Texas may impact this as well but that remains to be seen.
Another citizen stated that the proposed ordinance was not environmentally sound. He noted that the Red Flour Beetle is the number two post-harvest insect in the world. He explained that with years of pest management experience knowing the insect must be achieved to achieve control.
He says that very few cities across the county that have an ordinance such as these and therefore this is starting from the ground up.
Fisher was asked about banning the almond hulls outright. Fisher explained that the almond hulls could not be isolated as the lone issue. Additionally, legally banning certain commodities and allowing others seems to be very difficult.
One citizen shared his beliefs that the bug came in with the almond hulls. Another citizen asked where the traps are catching the most bugs. Fisher explained that the traps are designed to draw the bugs in and therefore where the traps are may not be where bugs are.
Cody Poage took the opportunity to speak stating that lessons need to be learned. Poage acknowledged that while the almonds hulls may have had something to do with the bugs, he also added that cleanups are needed to reduce the places the bugs can harbor without commodities in play. Additionally, he believes that includes cleaning up bushes, leaves, moving grass, keeping alleys clean and so forth.
Fisher added that several of these companies already have pest management plans in place in order to protect the commodity. While those are in place, they may not want to fully disclose those plans as in some cases they may be propriety to a company. Fisher also added that the companies didn’t mind the plans be reviewed by city officials but did necessarily want those into public record for competitors to see.
One citizen shared their concerns about how this will be policed and how quicky an “infestation” will be declared.
Fisher shared the city’s concerns as well with how to check commodities for pretreatment and continued treatment as commodities are stored. Fisher believes that while that is a difficult item, the traps should identify a problem before it becomes a big problem.
Fisher acknowledged that he felt like the city didn’t do their do diligence in addressing the problem in early days but are trying to find a good balanced ordinance to work for all involved.
One resident questioned the timelines of the ordinance as she shared her thoughts regarding the legal process taking to long and therefore they fear the return of the Red Flour Beetle.
Fisher repeatedly stated that he would do anything he could to avoid this coming back in the spring.
One citizen asked if a petition could be circulated to ban almond hulls outright. Fisher noted that he would investigate how that would work but also noted that state law and federal law trumps city ordinances and therefore it may not be enforceable.
A resident asked how much time is being provided to the businesses involved before the ordinance can move forward. Fisher noted he wanted it done before the end of the year, but it looks more like it could be addressed on first reading in January. He noted again that he wants to get it right not just get it done.