The Houston City Council authorized the purchase of body cameras for police officers and received updates on several planned projects during a lengthy meeting Tuesday at Houston City Hall.
The council approved the purchase of three body cameras for use by the Houston Police Department following a presentation by Police Chief Jim McNiell. Each camera — along with a two-year warranty — will cost about $1,000, said City Administrator Larry Sutton. (A detailed story will be published soon).
In other matters, council members:
—Authorized the vacation of a Fourth Street easement north of Walnut Street.
—Delayed finalizing grant paperwork as part of a financial package for a new well at the Houston Industrial Park. The council will give final approval at its Feb. 2 meeting after additional data is received.
—Learned that an eighth-cent sales tax used for debt repayment on a city fire truck — approved by voters nine years ago — will expire June 30, 2016, the Missouri Department of Revenue has notified the city. No plans for renewal have been finalized, and the discussion is expected to be included in a long-range plan being developed by the city. The tax generates about $80,000 annually. Proceeds are used to repay a city reserve fund that was tapped for the vehicle purchase.
—Heard that the city will be included in a MoDOT pre-bid conference in the spring for an expansion of lanes on U.S. 63. The city hopes to include its own asphalt projects into the process — resulting in a better price for its annual asphalt overlay. The city — which also hopes that lower oil prices will result in a lower per ton price — plans to spend about $90,000 to asphalt a road extension to C.W. Harry Drive and another $150,000 for streets around the community.
—Learned a new light head has been ordered for a pole damaged in an accident on North U.S. 63. An extra one also will be added to inventory.
—Heard that bid specifications have been developed for cleaning and painting the interior of water tank on Forrest Drive.