Pampa commission adopts updated water plans, advances film and events rules and seeks up to $21M for water projects

The Pampa City Commission on June 30 adopted an ordinance updating the city's water conservation and drought contingency plans, advanced changes to special-events permitting intended to support filming, and authorized a grant application to the Texas Water Development Board for up to $21 million in potential water-project funding.

The commission voted to adopt Ordinance No. 1836 on second and final reading, repealing and replacing Article 13.05 (Water Conservation Plan) and Article 13.06 (Drought Contingency Plan) in the city code. Gary Turley, who briefed the commission, said the ordinance will be submitted for filing with the Texas Water Development Board and the Permian Regional Planning Commission. "They're just waiting for the second reading," Turley said as staff prepared the required filings.

Commissioners also approved on first reading Ordinance No. 1838, which revises city rules for special events, block parties and parades and adds an appeal process for permitting decisions. Troy, who reviewed the ordinance, said the change reflects both a broader permit process and an effort to make the city more film-friendly, shifting final permitting authority to Shane with a three-person committee available for appeals. "The authority is... it goes all to Shane," Troy said during the discussion.

In a related vote the commission approved Ordinance No. 1839 on first reading, adding a new article establishing film production guidelines and permitting. The ordinance sets permitting standards for filming on public property, includes a penalty of up to $500 per day for failing to obtain a required permit, and provides injunctive relief options. Barbara said the chamber and the Texas Film Commission helped craft guidelines and emphasized the financial and visibility benefits of attracting film crews to Pampa.

The commission also adopted Resolution R26-00007, authorizing the city to file a grant application with the Texas Water Development Board for up to $21 million. Staff outlined projects they plan to include in the application: a new 15-million-gallon terminal water storage reservoir, a new water well, a reuse project, an additional ground-storage tank near the prison unit, SCADA system upgrades, completion of the smart-meter project, leak-detection equipment, and rehabilitation of water towers. Luke Craraver and other staff said the city will target projects that may score well with the state, noting leak detection and meter accuracy are priorities. Staff stated the application deadline was set for July 30 and that awards may be announced in November, with a project-completion window of about five years.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 1836 (Water conservation & drought contingency): Adopted (second/final reading). - Ordinance 1838 (Special events revisions): Approved on first reading; includes new appeal path and permit authority changes. - Ordinance 1839 (Film production guidelines): Approved on first reading; creates film permitting article and penalties. - Resolution R26-00007 (TWDB grant application): Adopted; authorizes filing for up to $21 million. - Pampa ISD replat (Baker subdivision): Approved. - Consent agenda (Items A'G): Approved.

All motions carried on voice votes with the commission indicating assent by saying "I." The meeting record showed no recorded dissents on these items.

What comes next

Staff will file Ordinance 1836 with the state water board and the regional planning commission as required. Film and event permit rules will return for subsequent readings and implementation details. The city intends to finalize and submit its TWDB grant application by the July 30 deadline and said it will pursue outside review to strengthen the submission before filing.