The Levelland City Council one last regular meeting before the Christmas holiday December 18 at City Hall.
Following the approval of the minutes of the December 4th meeting, the council jumped ahead in the agenda to look at the second reading of re-zoning 1702 Avenue C from SF2, Single Family Two, to B2 or Business Two.
Ordinance 1078 was approved with little discussion as it has already been through public hearings for the change. The zoning change was approved unanimously by the council.
City Manager James Fisher reported that the Red Flour Beetles in the Kauffman Addition have seen little change in the last two weeks. Fisher noted that the community is seeing a few more beetles in the area but noted they are not changing much in the trapping system.
Fisher noted that if weather permits and the Texas Department of Agricultural advises such, the city may make another pass with the sprayers.
Discussions have been ongoing in regard to the highly anticipated ordinance dealing with storage of agricultural commodities.
Fisher is expecting to see the questions or concerns about the verbiage from the agri-businesses side of things during the remainder of the week.
One question that has come up is truly defining “infestation.” Councilman Jim Myatt asked if there was not a “industry standard” to what an infestation really is. Fisher explained that the verbiage for that doesn’t exist and while Fisher noted that the bug is native to the area, Myatt shared he had not seen one in 78 years.
Councilwoman Buxkemper noted that she has had several conversations with experts saying that the bug is native to the area, however, they have not swarmed to this level.
Fisher is hoping to get more public comment between Christmas and New Year’s. A first reading could happen as soon as the January 8th council meeting.
Moving forward, the city considered action on a new lighting project at the Levelland Airport. The project, which is estimated at 2.1 million would be funded by about 10% by the City of Levelland.
Fisher explained that Hockley County would also have to address this as they are also involved in the update and maintenance of the airport.
Councilwoman Buxkemper and Mayor Pinner both spoke to the importance of the airport and the council agreed to fund the project accordingly.
Also on the agenda was the Levelland Fire Department regarding a grant from the Texas Forrest Service. The grant would be used to bring in a new brush truck. The main concern is that the original grant issued in 2014 will fall short of the actual cost of the truck.
Fisher suggested that the city go out for bids on the truck and get hard numbers before figuring out the difference in the two numbers. He felt that the grant will cover about half the cost of the new truck.
Levelland Fire Chief Jay McKay added that the truck could cost around $300,000 to replace but the truck that is being replaced is 18-years-old.
Councilwoman Buxkemper asked if there might be other grants out there to help offset the cost. McKay stated that they could look at those options, but also added that the department is also looking for funding for an ariel truck soon.
The rough estimate is the city will need to gather $100,000 to complete the purchase. Councilman Myatt suggested that the city reach out to Hockley County to help pay for the purchase.
The council moved to accept the grant and seek a report from city staff on how much money and where that money would come to complete the purchase. The council agreed to the motion unanimously.
The council then heard a motion to sell four pieces of property, moving them from the city’s accounts to a private owner.
Those properties include SE 12th and Avenue L, 529 West Jefferson, 405 1st Street and 1717 Houston Street. The council approved the sale of the properties unanimously.