The governing body of the City of Littlefield met at 6 p.m. on November 28th, at the City Council Chambers, 525 Phelps Avenue, 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 Tempore Kenny Rucker led the invocation. Mayor Turpen led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Three citizens requested to speak on different topics during the public comment portion of the meeting.
There were no new employees present at this meeting.
Item six on the agenda was to consider and approve the minutes from the October 24th and November 14th meetings.
Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker made the motion to approve the minutes and it was seconded by Council Member Eric Saenz. The motion passed with three ayes, two absent.
The next order of business was to consider and approve Monthly Departmental Reports: Police Dept.; Fire Dept.; EMS; Code Enforcement; Animal Control; Landfill; Water/Wastewater; Streets and Parks; Municipal Court; Aquatic Center; Monthly Financial Reports; Sales Tax Collection; Property Tax Collection reports; LEDC A and B minutes, if Boards met.
Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker made the motion to approve the monthly reports and it was seconded by Council Member Saenz. The motion passed with three ayes, two absent.
Item eight on the agenda was to consider and approve October Expenses.
Council Member Eric Saenz made the motion to approve the minutes and it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker. The motion passed with three ayes, two absent.
The next item on the agenda was to consider and approve direction regarding ground storage water tank and funding.
A Presentation from Parkhill Engineering was given by Leonard Nail.
Leonard Nail with Parkhill Engineering was present to give information for costs, life expectancies, pros and cons for 3-million-gallon concrete or 2-1.5 million gallons steel ground water storage tanks. After some questions and answers, Mayor Turpen made the motion to begin the process of bonding out, getting bids and moving forward with a 3-milliongallon concrete or 2-1.5-milliongallon welded steel ground storage tanks and new wells. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker. The motion passed with four ayes, one absent.
Item 10 on the agenda was to consider and approve a resolution for automated weather observation system (AWOS).
Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker made the motion to approve the resolution for Automated Observation System at Littlefield Taylor Brown Municipal Airport and Air Park and it was seconded by Council Member Michael Rangel. The motion passed four ayes, one absent.
The next order of business was to discuss SB 2476 and consider and approve City of Littlefield EMS Ambulance Rates.
EMS Director Monica McGee explained the change in the SB 2476 to be implemented.
Mayor Eric Turpen made the motion to increase EMS rates and mirror Seminole rates as presented and it was seconded by Council Member Saenz. The motion passed with four ayes, one absent.
The next item on the agenda was to consider and approve bid for sale for trust properties in the City of Littlefield from Texas Communities Group: R17592 101 E. Greenfield Ave. bids attached Council Member Michael Rangel stated he abstained from this item. Mayor Turpen made the motion to approve the Duran’s bid for $750. The motion passed with three ayes, one abstained and one absent.
Item 13 on the agenda was to consider and approve bids and purchase of Utility Vehicles.
City Manager Mitch Grant presented the two bids received. Smith Ford had the lowest bid of $97,829.12 for two vehicles.
Council Member Rangel made the motion to approve the bid and it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker. The motion passed with four ayes, one absent.
Public Hearing: Regarding Ordinance Prohibiting Habitation of Buildings Without Utilities.
Mayor Turpen closed the regular session and open the public hearing at 7:18 p.m.
Mayor Turpen closed the public hearing and reopened the regular session at 7:19 p.m.
The next order of business was to consider and approve Ordinance Prohibiting Habitation of Buildings Without Utilities.
Mayor Turpen made the motion to approve this ordinance and it was seconded by Council Member Rangel. The motion passed with four ayes, one absent.
The next item on the agenda was to consider and approve 2024 Ramp Grant for Routine Airport Maintenance Grant.
City Manager Grant recommends option to spend up to $100,000 and receive $90,000 back from TxDOT.
Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker made the motion to approve and it was seconded by Council Member Rangel. The motion passed with four ayes, one absent.
The next order of business was Executive Session Regarding Real Property. TGC 551.072 (Deliberations about Real Property).
Mayor Turpen closed the regular session and opened the executive session at 7:24 p.m.
Mayor Turpen closed the executive session and reopened the regular session at 8:05p.m. No action taken Item 18 on the agenda was to consider and approve action regarding lease of real property at the airport.
Mayor Turpen made the motion to authorize City Manager Mitch Grant and city attorney to give notice to lease of building #7 to bring it into compliance and it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker. The motion passed with four ayes, one absent.
The next order of business was to consider and approve Letter of Interest Regarding Airport Runway Extension.
City Manager Grant explained this extension would cost approximately $4,500,000 with the city’s match to be 10%. Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker made the motion to submit the letter of interest to TxDOT and it was seconded by Council Member Rangel. The motion passed with four ayes and one absent.
With no further business to discuss, Mayor Turpen adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m.