The Houston City Council received an update Monday on planned improvements to the Houston Memorial Airport.
City Administrator Larry Sutton explained the city is working through much paperwork to comply with the FAA program that is administered by the Missouri Department of Transportation. Sutton said survey work of property is planned, and a firm is expected to start work toward obtaining additional air easements north of the existing strip.
In other matters, members:
-Heard from Mark Ellickson, a principal in a firm that conducts research for municipalities. Houston city government recently authorized a survey to gain input about city residents’ thoughts. Ellickson said the response rate – 53.5 percent – was the highest ever recorded in the firm’s 20-year history. Normally, about 35 percent respond.
Ellickson’s lengthy report will be studied, and it will assist city leaders as it works to a long-range plan that highlights the next three, five and seven years.
A detailed report on the findings will appear in next week’s Herald.
-Accepted a settlement from T-Mobile has part of a statewide agreement among telephone service providers who had not been collecting sales tax. The city’s share was $402; it will remit 5 percent to the Missouri Municipal League for its assistance.
-Okayed paperwork for the city’s participation in a grant program that will allow for transportation improvements to streets and sidewalks around the Houston School District campus. Work will begin in the fall and continue until winter weather arrives.
-Learned smoke testing of sewer lines to detect leaks began Monday east of U.S. 63 and in the downtown business district.
-Heard work continues to determine sewer improvements in the city, including some sewer lift stations. Funds will come from the city’s overall wastewater program, which includes construction of a new plant.