The Levelland City Council convened on July 14, 2024, to address several pressing issues, primarily focusing on public hearings regarding substandard structures within the city. The meeting commenced with the opening of a public hearing at 7:26 PM, where city officials discussed multiple properties deemed public nuisances due to their deteriorating conditions.

The first property under review was located at 1807 Avenue I. City officials reported that the structure was dilapidated and unfit for human habitation, posing a hazard to public health and safety. The owner, Elijio Bazan, has been in contact with the city and expressed intentions to demolish the structure. The council considered granting him an extension of 90 days to complete the demolition, contingent upon establishing benchmarks for progress. The council emphasized the importance of setting clear timelines to ensure compliance.

Next, the council reviewed the property at 109 Oak Street, owned by the deceased Frank and Esther Morales. The city had initiated proceedings due to a lack of response from the current owners, who had previously expressed intentions to demolish the property but failed to follow through. Notices sent to the owners had returned unclaimed, allowing the city to proceed with the hearing despite the lack of direct communication.

The discussion continued with the property at 211 Oak Street, owned by Serrano and Maricela Castillo. Similar to the previous properties, the council noted that the owners had not made any progress on necessary repairs despite being notified multiple times. The council reiterated the need for accountability and the potential for demolition if compliance was not achieved.

The council also addressed the property at 1012 Eleventh Street, which consists of three duplexes that had been boarded up due to safety concerns. The owner, Billy Smart, had expressed a desire to relinquish the property, but the city clarified that he remained legally responsible until the property was sold at auction.

Lastly, properties at 1604 Houston and 207 Avenue L were discussed, both of which had owners who appeared disinterested in maintaining the structures. The council noted that these properties had also been boarded up due to safety issues.

Throughout the meeting, council members emphasized the importance of maintaining community standards and the obligation to address nuisances that could negatively impact public safety. The council concluded the public hearing with a commitment to follow up on the discussed properties and ensure that appropriate actions were taken to remediate the issues. The next steps will involve drafting orders for the owners to comply with demolition timelines and benchmarks, reinforcing the city's dedication to improving the safety and aesthetics of Levelland.