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Council orders KLLM to pay $12,500 remaining container fee; warns of fines if stacks remain
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Summary
The town council voted to require KLLM to pay the remaining $12,500 in annual container fees immediately and signaled possible enforcement or fines if more than 200 containers or stacks taller than two remain after Jan. 1, 2026.
The Town Council voted on Sept. 10 to require KLLM to pay a $12,500 remaining balance on its 2025 annual container fee, due upon receipt, after hearing staff reports that the company still has substantially more than the 200 containers allowed under its variance.
Council members said the payment is the remaining quarter of the year’s fee for 200 containers; staff told the council the company paid three quarters earlier in the year. Council member Jack moved to impose the balance and the motion passed by voice/roll call.
Why it matters: Council members said they have been monitoring KLLM after a variance allowed the company to store shipping containers on its property. The town holds the right under its code to collect annual fees and to pursue fines or other enforcement if the variance conditions are not met.
Staff reported multiple follow-ups with KLLM and its attorney, and submitted an August 29 letter from the company’s counsel saying KLLM planned to reduce stacks to two high by Dec. 31, 2025. Staff and council noted KLLM had previously reported several-hundred containers on site; an aerial count described in the record showed 461 containers on site as of Aug. 15.
Council discussion and direction: Members asked staff how long to allow the company to comply before pursuing fines or other enforcement. Staff said the town could begin assessing fees again on Jan. 1, 2026 (the annual fee for 200 containers would be $50,000 at $2.50 per container) and could pursue fines or a BZA review if the property remains out of compliance. Council indicated the immediate administrative step is collection of the $12,500 balance, and staff will follow up with the company’s attorney and monitor progress toward the Dec. 31 reduction plan.
What was decided: The council approved the motion that KLLM pay the $12,500 balance due now. Council members instructed staff to continue monitoring and to advise the governing body in December about next steps should the company still exceed the approved container or stacking limits.
Next steps and context: Staff said fines or additional fees (including the full annual fee for any containers above 200) could be assessed after Jan. 1, 2026. The variance that allowed KLLM to stack containers was granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA); council members asked staff to clarify whether future enforcement or fines would originate with the council or the BZA if the variance terms are violated.
