Concerns and complaints regarding the flight path of medical air transport helicopters operated by HCA Houston Healthcare AIRLife at 1307 N. Houston over the past year resulted in the City of Livingston putting the item on the agenda for the Oct. 14 meeting of the Livingston City Council to receive public comment.
Scott Simpson, Jennifer Andjelic and Krystina Evans addressed Council with their concerns, primarily related to noise, safety and the location.
Simpson said the noise is intrusive and affects quality of life. He expressed concern about safety, alleging the helicopters fly low over homes, schools, churches and parks. Stating he is not opposed to health and medical services, he said he would like to see the operation relocated elsewhere.
Andjelic also expressed concern about the location, stating the disruptions are day and night.
Evans said the helicopters cause her windows to rattle and that there is a lingering fuel odor once the helicopters have flown over. She said she wants the city to act as an advocate and be forward-thinking and consider an ordinance for air traffic, to find a way to coexist.
James W. “Jim” Wright addressed Council, commenting that he was on the city staff when the helipad first came and he visited with HCA. Stating that a very wise man said, ‘Every time you see one of those birds, someone’s life is in danger,’ he said that changed the way he thinks about it.
Numerous representatives of HCA attended the meeting. Brian Gallier, director of outreach for HCA, said they are committed to human life. With 13 facilities in the region, he said it was discovered that the one located in HCA Conroe had a delay in patient care and that this location was found to be better. He said every decision made – both in the air and on the ground – is for patient care. Gallier said the flight paths are determined by the FAA and that the pilots follow IFR (Instrument Flight Rules).
Gallier said HCA started operations here in 2022 and has invested over $500,000 into its location. He said when this area was evaluated, the need was there. He added that all locations are analyzed for ease of transport and safety of patients and that when you hear the helicopter overhead, know that someone’s life is being saved.
Eric Barron, assistant chief pilot for HCA, said the helicopter is an amazing benefit for the community because they are able to get the ambulance back out on the streets. He said they train every six months and are put through simulations. He said that high winds can affect flight patterns and that it is easier for them to come from the west or the northwest because the wind usually comes from the south. He added that the FAA deemed this the safest path without obstacles.
As the item was on the agenda for the sole purpose of receiving public comment, no action was taken.
Council approved Change Order No. 1 – in the amount of $63,616 – on the South Washington water line improvement project. City Engineer Dalton Brown explained that some overages occurred when the crew ran into a lot of really stiff clay that was not safe to lay pipe and much of the overage resulted from having to haul in sand. However, the project is now complete.
The reappointment of Clarke Evans to the Board of Directors of the Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency for the 2025-2027 term was approved. Each of the agency’s three sister cities – Livingston, Liberty and Jasper – have two directors on the board and Evans is presently the longest-tenured person on the board.
Holiday compensation for 2025 was approved. For Thanksgiving, each fulltime employee will receive a turkey. For Christmas, every employee that’s been with the city over a year will receive a week’s pay and those who have been with the city less than a year will receive $100.
Council took action on several items related to the 2024 Texas General Land Office Community Development Block Grant Disaster Funding Local Communities Program, including approving authorization for submission on an application, as well as approval to issue requests for proposal for grant administration professional services and approval to issue requests for qualifications for engineering, architectural, survey services. Also approved was the appointment of a rating committee to rate the proposals received. Those appointed to the committee include City Manager Billy S. Wiggins, City Secretary/Assistant City Manager Ellie Monteaux and Finance Director Linnette Barber.
Although Council entered into an executive session to consult with the city attorney, no action was taken upon return to open session.
City Manager Billy S. Wiggins introduced Scott Rayburn, the city’s new community development coordinator. Rayburn lives in the Corrigan/Chester area and has worked in a similar position with skills that include land use planning, annexation, subdivision development, mapping, design and zoning issues. He was also involved with FEMA flood plain administration for the City of Lufkin.
Wiggins reported that the October sales tax report from the state comptroller for the month of August reflected $432,351.77, a 26.58% increase from August 2024.
Other business included approval of accounts over $2,500 and minutes of the Sept. 9 and Sept. 16 meetings.
