Another stretch of the Village Trail could start as early as this month, members of the Houston City Council heard on Monday.
The city hopes to have construction easements in place from nearby property owners by next week. If MoDOT and the city’s engineering firm, Scott Engineering, complete agreements on an updated design, work by city crews along U.S. 63 would begin this month.
The matter was among several discussed by the council during its meeting.
The council:
-Will continue to ban ATVs from city streets. That decision came after inquiries made in light of rising case prices.
-Will consider raising spending authorities for city supervisors and the city administrator. City attorney Brad Eidson will do research. Current limits are $200 and $2,500, respectively.
-Learned that the city received $76,173 reimbursement for 75 percent of the cost of cleanup and damage associated with a February ice storm. The city expects to receive another 10 percent following a state audit.
-Heard that local customers have not felt the full affects of a rate increase by the city’s electrical wholesaler. Sho-Me Power Corp. is phasing in the increase over a three-month period.
-Authorized raising the price of lots at Pine Lawn Cemetery from $75 to $250, which is more in line with what other communities charge.
-Heard the city is waiting on the relocation of fiber optics near a street extension project. Work cannot proceed until the job is completed at the Thomasville Road project site.
-Learned that the city hopes to participate in a fall bond auction as part of its financing for construction of a new wastewater treatment plant. Voters earlier approved the financing.
-Heard that Texas County Area Rural Information Network (TRAIN) will install wireless Internet access at city hall, a city maintenance shed and a sewer plant. DSL capabilities will be added at the Houston Storm Shelter for communication needs during periods of disaster.
-Accepted a $3,987 bid for electrical wire from Arkansas Electric, which had the low bid.
-Heard that Elaine Campbell, development director, is seeking contractors interested in participating in a housing rehabilitation program.
-Learned that no usage has resulted at the Houston Storm Shelter at Pine and First streets during periods of severe thunderstorm warnings. It will now be opened only when a tornado warning is issued.