The Levelland City Council held a brief regular meeting Monday evening that focused on the Code Enforcement Department presenting two substandard structures.
Beginning the meeting, City Manager James Fisher reported that the Texas Department of Agricultural has reported no captures in the Red Flour Beetle traps. However, Fisher added that city staff is still working to provide a dumpster cleaning service and will be watching for opportunities to spray if needed.
Moving through action items listed on the agenda, council members Jim Myatt and Max Ledesma were absent from the meeting.
The next item addressed was the owners of the 200 block of Poplar Street asked for a closure or abandonment of an unpaved street on the property. It was explained that there is a utility easement in that street however the council voted to close the 200 block of Poplar to allow for development of the property.
The owners of the property will take possession of the property while the city will continue a easement of the property for utility purposes. As property on both sides of the street are undeveloped, the street is unused. The city did note that if the property owners build over the utilities, the owner would be responsible for expense of repair work going forward.
Eli Colunga from the code enforcement office brought to the council properties at 116 Walnut Street and 114 Pecan Street.
Code Enforcement explained their concerns with the timeliness of the efforts for the structure located at 116 Walnust Street. The council was informed that the 90 days originally allowed for work is going to be exceeded. The city appeared satisfied that the owners have a plan that they are working on. The council voted to take no action on the property and sent it back to the Levelland Housing Authority for further planning and review.
Owners of 114 Pecan reported that they were going to demolish the structure on the property but the department has yet to receive a plan from the owners on demolition. Colunga reported that the property has been secured but no work has begun. The council moved to demolish the property giving the current owner 30 days to demolish before taking the property and demolition over.
Moving forward, Fisher gave his report and noted that a citizen complimented the Parks Department on the cleanliness of the park restrooms. He also reported the city has hired a Human Resources Manager and that hiring will be taking a desk in city hall soon.
Mayor Barbra Pinner noted that herself and Fisher got to travel to Galveston to see the Levelland Police Department receive their accreditation from the Texas Police Chief’s Association. She noted how proud she is of the Chief Albert Garcia and the LPD.