What to watch: The Midland City Council meets Tuesday, June 9, to consider creating a citywide property maintenance code that would establish new minimum maintenance standards for every property in the city regardless of whether the property received a complaint, is vacant, or poses a health or safety hazard.

Council will also consider a $20.7 million contract for the next phase of the Beal Park sports complex, several water infrastructure projects aimed at supporting future growth and expanding water supply, final action on two contested rezoning requests first heard in May, and a long-term lease agreement with the Boys & Girls Club at Taylor Park.

Key points:

  • Property maintenance code: Council will consider creating a citywide property maintenance code that expands the city’s authority to regulate the condition of private property throughout Midland. City officials say the goal is to address deteriorating properties before they become so severe that they require demolition or major intervention.

However, the proposed code would apply to every property in Midland, not just neglected properties, and would give the city broader discretion to determine when issues warrant enforcement.

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The code spans 18 pages with over 75 different potential standards including removing interior or exterior peeling paint, trimming tree limbs to required heights, installing insect screens on windows, and ensuring kitchen counter corners aren’t difficult to clean. Violations would be classified as misdemeanors and could carry fines of up to $500 per day, per violation, potentially resulting in tens of thousands of dollars per day.

Council will also consider changes to the city’s substandard-building ordinance. Today, the city generally reserves that process for serious issues such as structural failure, collapse risks, fire hazards, or dangerous vacant buildings. Under the proposed changes, violations of the new maintenance code could also trigger the substandard-building process if the city determines the condition creates a health, safety, or welfare concern.

  • Beal Park Phase 2: Council will consider a $20.7 million construction contract for the second phase of the Beal Park renovation. The project would add 12 soccer fields, a splash park, a playground, a disc golf course, an amphitheater, restrooms, and 245 parking spaces.

Phase 1, completed last year, added 40 sports fields and 645 parking spaces. Future plans call for a third phase that would add 10 larger soccer fields, a concession area, RV parking, and 1,1000 additional parking spaces.

  • Northeast Midland water: Council will consider a $1.3 million contract to begin extending water infrastructure into northeast Midland. The project will take advantage of TxDOT’s ongoing Loop 250 construction by installing water lines beneath the roadway before TxDoOT adds an overpass at Todd Drive.

City officials have said the work could make it easier and more affordable for existing homes to connect to city water while also opening roughly 400 acres for future development. The Midland Development Corporation is contributing $1.7 million toward the overall project.

  • Mockingbird Lane: Council will consider a $1.2 million contract to begin extending Mockingbird Lane between Fairgrounds Road and Purtis Creek Drive. Remaining funds from the 2017 Road Bond would pay for the project.
  • Municipal court collections: Council will consider hiring a third-party collection company to pursue unpaid municipal court fines and fees. The collection company adds its fee to the amount owed by defendants rather than the city paying it. The city says an outside collection service would improve recovery rates and reduce the amount of unpaid court debt.
  • State water grant: Council will consider applying for a $21 million state grant to help fund the construction of 19 new wells at the Paul Davis Wellfield. If awarded, the grant could help expand Midland’s long-term water supply infrastructure.
  • Water presentation: Council will receive a staff update on the city’s water system and ongoing infrastructure projects.
  • Boys & Girls Club lease: Council will consider approving a new lease agreement for approximately two acres at Taylor Park occupied by the Boys & Girls Club of the Permian Basin. The action follows a state-required public hearing held in May and would formalize the club’s continued use of property it has occupied since 1995.