The Levelland City Council held a regular meeting Monday evening where they addressed a robust agenda which included a second extension of the disaster declaration stemming from the May 29 storms.
Levelland City Manager James Fisher explained to council that an extension was necessary as the city staff are still in the clean-up stage of the disaster. Fisher recommended the council approve the extension of the disaster declaration to September 17. In the event that it needs to be extended once again, there will be a council meeting September 16, which would allow the council to make that decision.
Fisher updated the council regarding the steps taken following the May 29 storms. The city is currently managing debris as the Texas Commission on Environment Quality (TCEQ) has recently approved the designated burn site for green waste. The public works department is coordinating with Hockley County to get all of the waste to the burn site. The site will be at a caliche pit in precinct one.
Before the city can begin burning, TCEQ will have to travel to the burn location and ensure it is within regulations. Once the city gets the go ahead, they will begin. The Levelland Fire Department and Smyer Volunteer Fire Department will be on standby while the burning process is going. The entire process is expected to take several days due to the large amount of green waste.
The city is still working with their insurance representatives as they determine a course of action for the damaged city vehicles.
Additionally,, Love Levelland’s Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC) is still lending a helping hand.
Love Levelland is still hosting open hours for the community to apply for additional assistance and ask any questions they may have in regards to disaster relief. All assistance must be related to disaster relief from the May 29 storm.
Community members can visit the Little Dribblers Office located at 911 Houston every Tuesday until August 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Individuals must bring documents showing FEMA status, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance status and SBA loan status if applicable. If more information is needed, community members can call the LTR at 806568-5485.
Following the storm, the city implemented a policy that suspended disconnect fees, cutoff fees and late fees. Those items have been reinstated since August 1.
Fisher explained that community have had ample time to get in contact with the various resources offering aid such as FEMA, Salvation Army and Love Levelland.
“We have groups out there for people if they need help,” said Fisher. “There are places to go and we encourage those to go if they have not.”
The council had their first reading regarding Ordinance 1080 which covers updates to regulations for park operations.
Parks and Cemetery Director Dustin Reichelt explained to the group that he had been going through ordinances that associate the parks department and wanted to update the ordinances to reflect the rules set by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Reichelt explained that the ordinances and regulations dated back to the 80s and 90s which were in need of updating. He also pointed out that the ordinances and rules do not line up with the current practices of the department and specifically highlighted the fishing rules at the two lakes within the city.
Changes include: All fishing shall be from the shoreline, or in a non-motorized boat such as a kayak, paddle boat or canoe.
A daily bag limit is established by the regulations made known by the Texas Parks and Wildlife relating to Community Fishing Lakes.
Fishing must be conducted by fishing pole only with no more than two fishing poles in use by any one person at any time.
All regulations made known by the Texas Park and Wildlife relating to Community Fishing Lakes must be followed.
The following activities allowed within the parks only after receiving a written permit issued pursuant to 12.213 Regulated Activities include: horseback riding, archery, camping or motorcycle or recreational vehicle riding.
Changes regarding weapons were made. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm, rifle, shotgun, BB gun, air gun, spring gun, sling shot, bow, crossbow or other weapon in which the propelling force is gun powder, a string, a spring or air in any park or recreational area.
Fisher presented the council two action items which included Resolution No. 2024-19, updating the City of Levelland Drought Contingency Plan and Resolution No. 2024-20, updating the City of Levelland Water Conservation Plan.
Considered house keeping items, the city is required to update both plans every five years and submit the updated plans to TCEQ. Fisher added that after reviewing the plans there only minor changes and updates to the information included.
The only change was implementing a water rate structure in the water conservation plan. Fisher explained that other city’s may have more detailed tiers within their plan.
“This is to get people to realize that water is not a infinite produce and does have limits,” explained Fisher. “If you look at studies, the aquifer is dropping and is not being recharged. It takes a long time for that to happen. We are very fortunate that we have a long-term contract with the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA). They get their water partially out of lakes and wells, but the wells are not going to run forever. We have to be thinking about that now so our future kids and farmers will have this important resource.”
The adjusted structure will be discussed during future budget sessions if the structure remains.
For inside city limits: Monthly Service Availability Fee is $15.16.
From 0-3,000 gallons: $3.73 per 1,000 gallons.
From 3,001-20,000 gallons: $3.86 per 1,000 gallons.
From 20,001 gallons and up: $4 per 1,000 gallons.
For outside of city limits: Monthly Service Availability Fee is $22.40.
From 0-3,000 gallons: $5.60 per 1,000 gallons.
From 3,001-20,000 gallons: $5.79 per 1,000 gallons.
From 20,001 gallons and up: $6 per 1,000 gallons.
Both action items were separately approved unanimously.
City staff have been working to build another Type IV pit for the City of Levelland Municipal Solid Waste Landfill. A third cell has been on the immediate list of projects for the city following the massive amounts of debris brought on by the storm on May 29.
The city recently received six bits for the project ranging in cost from $459,198.75 to $807,409. Fisher reported that the low bidder withdrew their bid and the other bids were above projected cost of $492,820. In turn, the staff recommendation to the council was for all bids received for the new cell to be rejected and authorize the staff to rebid the project.
The council approved the recommendation and also approved a following recommendation to authorize city staff to solicit bids for the project once more.
Fisher explained that staff has been working with the Parkhill engineer regarding alternative options. While readvertising for the bids, city staff plans to breakdown the bids differently by pulling things out and having companies bid on certain things separately such as fencing and cell work.
Moving forward, Fisher presented the council Resolution 2024-21, appointing a City of Levelland representative to a two-year term on the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority Board of Directors.
As a member of the CRMWA, the City of Levelland appoints two Levelland citizens to represent the city. The board members serve staggered terms so that the council has a CRMWA appointment to consider each summer.
The current representatives include Richard Ellis and Ryan Hall. As Hall has concluded his recent term, he expressed his willingness to continue to serve if the council chose to appoint him. The council unanimously approved the appointment of Hall for another term.
To wrap up the meeting, council entered executive session. Action was made after with the council accepting the resignation of Municipal Court Judge Shawn Wilson.