Members of the Houston City Council approved a lease Monday with a community organization and authorized a temporary RV on property struck by fire.
The Houston Area Chamber of Commerce has agreed to employ its director for 30 hours a week in exchange for free rent on its lease at the Houston Visitors Center. Previously, Executive Director Brenda Jarrett was paid for just a few hours each week.
In other matters, members:
—Heard from Richard Wood, owner of Pizza Express, about a proposed city restaurant ordinance that would require a trash receptacle near drive-thru windows. The council continues to study the matter.
—On a 3-2 vote, the council approved moving up utility disconnections from the 15th of the month from the 25th. Bills must be paid by the 10th. The council is studying issues related to utility payments and other ordinances are expected to be amended.
—Approved a request from Christy Hall of Remington Circle to place an RV on the property until repairs can be made to a home there that sustained fire damage Friday night.
—Reported no progress on completing a contract with Ozarks Small Business Incubator in West Plains to oversee a low-interest loan fund for small business owners in Houston. The City of Houston earlier proposed funding the program, but needs to find an organization that meets its criteria to administer it, said Larry Sutton, city administrator.
—Heard that the city will begin updating and replacing some of its electric meter readers.Â