The Levelland City Council held a regular meeting Monday evening where the group heard a Red Flour Beetle Update and approved various items.
City Manager James Fisher began the meeting by updating the council regarding the Red Flour Beetle infestation in the Kauffman Addition.
Fisher stated that the Texas Department of Agricultural (TDA) has reported no substantial number of Red Flour Beetles within the traps placed around the area during the last check. The council was also informed that six traps have been placed within the Kauffman Addition instead of solely encompassing the perimeter of the area.
Fisher explained that TDA believes the looming colder weather has played a role in the bug not being as active as the beetle is a warm weather insect. Additionally, the wind may be another cause of the limited sighting of the beetle.
Fisher added that city staff is still working on getting a day or two scheduled for cleaning the dumpsters and the areas around the Kauffman Addition.
Moving forward in the meeting, the council analyzed bids on another city works vehicle. Smith Auto Family submitted the lowest bid at $59,408.14. With the trade in, the city will be below budget on the purchase of the vehicle. Smith Auto Family came in over $17,000 below other bidders but delivery will take 90 to 120 days. The council approved the bid.
The council was presented additional bids to outfit a new animal control unit for the Levelland Police Department. With the vehicle procured, the necessary equipment is needed to complete the unit and put it into service.
The bid was submitted by Dana Safety Supply Inc., of Greensboro, South Carolina. The box bed is set at $40,515.55, the box lights at $5,254.12 and the unit lights at $6,979.75. The price also includes installation. Total sticker price is $52,749.42 and it is expected that it will take about a year to get it installed and into service.
There will be other minor decal worked needed after everything is installed. The council approved the bid.
Lastly, the Levelland Main Street Program is continuing to look at revitalization efforts in Levelland and presented the council resolution 2024-06. The resolution allows the submission of a Texas Community Development Block Grant.
If the granting body approves the application, the Main Street Program and the City of Levelland can submit the project itself.
The grant could be up to $500,000 and would need $50,000 from the city to complete the “match funds” for the grant. It is scheduled to be used to work on sidewalks and ADA accessibility in downtown Levelland.
Until all the paperwork is completed and the grant is submitted, the total of grant will not be known but the more the city contributes the better the chance of grant approval will be. The council approved that application.
The council also declared certain sections of the downtown area as “Slum and Blighted.” This resolution is designed to designate an area to be worked on with grant money. The area includes sidewalks sections of 5th Street from Avenue H to Avenue F. It will also include intersections at Austin Avenue and Avenue G.