The Littlefield City Council held a special meeting on August 11th at the City of Littlefield City Council Chambers located at 525 Phelps Ave. for the purpose of considering all matters and related incidents to the City of Littlefield.
Mayor Eric Turpen called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and Mayor Pro Tem Kenny Rucker led the invocation. Mayor Turpen led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Turpen explained the public comment process and asked those wishing to speak on the zoning matters to address the Council during the applicable public hearing. No public comments were presented on other agenda items.
Item five on the agenda was a Public Hearing: Request for Zoning Change from C-1 Light Retail to SF-2 Single-Family Residential, District 2, A2000 A Taylor, League 664, Tract Out of Labors 12-13, Inside City (R-12024) & (R-12025), 708 W. Delano Street.
Mayor Turpen opened the Public Hearing.
City Manager Ray Resendez advised that there had been no significant change to the request since the previous discussion, other than conversations regarding possible additional conditions.
No members of the public spoke in opposition or support of the zoning request. Mayor Turpen closed the Public Hearing.
The next order of business was to consider and take necessary action on Zoning Change Request From C-1 Light Retail to SF-2 Single Family Residential, District 2, A2000 A Taylor, League 664, Tract Out of Labors 12-13, Inside City (R12024) & (R-12025), 708 W. Delano Street, Draft Ordinance 2026-0811-1. The council discussed the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation and the condition of the deteriorated structure located on the property. The discussion focused on requiring the property owner to repair, improve, or remove the structure as a condition of the zoning change.
The council discussed a 90-day period for the property owner to show substantial progress toward improvement of the structure. Code Enforcement Officer Maribel Fisher advised that the owner’s plans included the possibility of converting the structure into a garage/storage area associated with the residential property.
Mayor Turpen made the motion to approve the zoning change request from C-1 Light Retail to SF-2 Single-Family Residential, with the zoning change conditioned upon the property owner addressing the deteriorated structure within 90 days by repairing/removing the structure or demonstrating substantial progress toward improvement. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rucker. The motion carried.
Item seven on the agenda was a Public Hearing: Regarding Request for Special Use Permit-Allowing Community Center Private/Public in C-1 Light Retail, District 4, Crescent Park Addition, Block 19, Lot 6 and E/2 Lot 7 (R-18322) & (R18323) 118 E. Marshall Howard Blvd.
Mayor Eric Turpen opened the Public Hearing.
Mayor Turpen explained that the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended denial of the Special Use Permit and that Council would consider the recommendation and possible conditions.
Citizens spoke in opposition to the request and expressed concerns regarding: N oise and late-night activity due to the close proximity of the property to residences; Traffic in the alley and vehicle lights affecting neighboring homes; Potential impacts on residential property values and the quiet enjoyment of surrounding properties; Parking, sanitation, alcohol-related activity, public safety, and enforcement; The appropriateness of an event/ community center within a C-1 Light Retail area adjacent to residential property; Greg Henley, 111 E. 25th Street, requested that the Council uphold the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation and deny the request.
Other neighboring residents also spoke in opposition and described concerns regarding noise, traffic, late hours, and the effect of the proposed use on the residential neighborhood.
Chad Wright, applicant, addressed the Council and stated that changes had been made in an effort to reduce impacts on neighboring properties. Mr. Wright stated that DJs, loud music, and graduation parties would no longer be allowed; that sound levels were being monitored; and that he was willing to install a solid fence along the rear of the property to reduce traffic, light, and noise impacts. He stated that the intended use was primarily for smaller events such as birthday parties, family gatherings, arts and crafts events, dinners, anniversaries, and similar activities.
Legal counsel advised that Council could place conditions on a Special Use Permit and that violation of those conditions could result in revocation of the permit and enforcement under the City’s zoning ordinance. Mayor Turpen closed the Public Hearing.
The next item on the agenda was to consider and take necessary action on Request for Special Use Permit-Allowing Community Center Private/Public in C-1 Light Retail, District 4, Crescent Park Addition, Block 19, Lot 6 and E/2 Lot 7 (R-18322) & (R-18323) 118 E. Marshall Howard Blvd, Draft Ordinance 2026-0811-2.
The council discussed the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation to deny the Special Use Permit. L e g a l counsel explained that the underlying zoning would remain C-1 Light Retail and that operation as an event/ community center would require the Special Use Permit.
The council discussed possible conditions, including: L imits on weekday and weekend hours of operation; Restrictions on outdoor activities and late- night events; Noise controls and enforcement; Installation of an approximately eight-foot solid fence along the rear property line; Restrictions intended to reduce traffic through the alley and light impacts on neighboring residences; Compliance with applicable state occupancy, fire safety, accessibility, and other commercial- use requirements; Issuance of a time-limited Special Use Permit or trial period.
Mayor Pro Tem Rucker made a motion to accept the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation and deny the Special Use Permit. The motion was seconded, but following the vote and clarification of the voting requirements, the motion failed.
The council continued discussion regarding possible operating restrictions and conditions. A subsequent motion to accept the Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommendation and deny the Special Use Permit was made and seconded, but the motion failed.
The council discussed whether the matter could be returned to the Planning & Zoning Commission for additional review. Legal counsel discussed the procedural considerations, and the Council continued deliberation regarding the Commission’s recommendation and the required vote to overturn the recommendation.
Council Member Buddy Holmes made the motion to send the Special Use Permit request back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review and to allow the applicant to be present and present his case again. The motion was seconded by Council Member Jason Ayala. The motion carried.
The Special Use Permit request was returned to the Planning & Zoning Commission for additional review.
Following the completion of the zoning matters, the Council conducted a Budget Work Session.
City Manager Resendez and Andrew Eisenwine presented the proposed budget and discussed the tax rate, revenues, departmental expenditures, capital items, and grant projects. a. Consider and Take Necessary Action on Proposed Tax Rate.
Lamb County Appraisal District, Chief Appraiser, Lesa Kloiber reviewed the tax rates with the council. The Council reviewed the No-New-Revenue Rate of 0.6185 and the Voter-Approval Rate of 0.6616. The discussion included the effect of the new business personal property exemption on the City tax base and the difference between the two calculated rates.
Mayor Turpen made a motion to propose a tax rate of 0.6616 and the motion was seconded by Council Member Holmes. All voted in favor and the motion carried. b. Set Tax Rate Hearing for August 25, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting.
The Council set the Tax Rate Hearing for August 25, 2026, at the Regular City Council Meeting. c. Budget Presentation by the City Manager.
City Manager Resendez and Treasurer Eisenwine presented the preliminary budget.
Eisenwine advised that, with the planned inclusions under discussion, and projected revenues were presented.
The Council reviewed revenue adjustments, including property tax revenue, ambulance fees, municipal court fines, sanitation collections, and increased water revenue associated with the previously approved water rate increase and related bond debt.” The Council reviewed departmental budgets and major proposed expenditures. Discussion included administration and implementation of Laserfiche for records management; Police Department vehicles, equipment replacement planning, radios, radars, vests, computers, and ticket printers; Fire Department overhead door motors and sensors and replacement SCBA equipment; landfill staffing, a new Type I pit, and replacement of the compactor cover; separating Streets and Parks budgets; street sweeper and grader rentals; street maintenance, signs, seal coating and unpaved-road repairs; and replacement commercial mowers.” The Council also reviewed shared costs, Animal Control, Code Enforcement, utilities, water and wastewater needs, and other departmental expenses. Discussion included the Sand Hills TCEQ-related item, council approved the purchase of an approximately $80,000 booster pump, and other capital needs.
Staff was directed to continue researching costs and possible savings, including the landfill pit and the salvage value or phased replacement of Fire Department SCBA equipment.” The proposed budget included major items such as one patrol vehicle, the Axon annual cost, Fire Department compressor and tanks, fire station door motors and sensors, the landfill pit, street sweeper rentals, a Parks truck, commercial mowers, EMS staffing changes, and refuse-related equipment. Staff noted that some items remained under review and would be updated before the next budget presentation.” The Council reviewed current and proposed grant projects. Staff reported submission of an HB 500 water project request and a Texas Parks and Wildlife Small Community Park grant application, and discussed a future Texas Parks and Wildlife Trails grant, airport RAMP projects, the EDA milk plant loop line project, CDBG funding, and possible USDA grant opportunities.” Mayor Turpen requested consideration of modest summertime community events and asked for an update on the fire hydrant replacement program. Staff advised that hydrant replacements and additional hydrant purchases were underway. Council members were asked to provide any additional budget recommendations to the City Manager as staff continued refining the proposed budget. 10. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 10:02 p.m.