Two sewer improvement projects are progressing and others are under consideration, the Houston City Council heard on Monday.
As its new wastewater treatment project winds down, the city is focusing its attention on other sewer system improvements. Two are already approved: A new west lift station off West Hawthorn and making necessary improvements to another on Indian Creek Trails. Under study are a Hamrick lift station and installing a sewer line from the city’s Northeast Industrial Park south to Highway B and Brushy Creek Road. The move would allow the city to eliminate a lift station on Plainview Drive, said City Administrator Larry Sutton, who noted the city is awaiting cost estimates before making a decision. The Rogersville firm involved in the treatment plant is doing the work and preparing estimates for the other jobs. The city earlier was successful in obtaining low-interest loans and grants for the work totaling about $4 million.
Other projects will be done in-house by city workers to halt infiltration of water into lines, including a sewer line from near Houston Wal-Mart Supercenter to the city’s west lift station. Some improvements are needed near Emmett Kelly Park, he said.
In other matters before the council:
-Tabled a decision on whether to hire employees younger than 16 for its recreation efforts. Jim Root, parks director, spoke.
-Heard from Police Chief Jim McNiell concerning his department’s activities in 2010.
-Learned that the city’s economic development committee – comprised of council members – will meet with that department’s head, Ron Reed, today (Thursday).
-Heard that the city’s has purchased two dump trucks from MoDOT.
-Learned that insulated panels have been installed at the Houston Storm Shelter to improve the sound at the First Street building.
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