New members on the Houston City Council were sworn in Monday during a meeting following elections of April 4.
Three of the six-member body are new. City Clerk Tonya Foster administered oaths to Donnie Wilson, Ward I; Jeremy St. John, Ward II; Kim Bittle, Ward III; and Don Tottingham, mayor.
Incumbent members of the Houston City Council — Charles “Chalky” Wells, David Arthur and Mary Barnes — were recognized for their service by Tottingham. Wells and Arthur were councilmen for six years. Barnes was originally appointed and represented Ward I for 4 ½ years.
In other matters, members heard from:
—Len Miles, who described a recently launched regional based program — Operation Life — aimed at helping those with drug addiction issues or families who have lost loved ones to it. Six counties are targeted, said Miles of the First Assembly of God of Rolla. Miles has been visiting with law enforcement and communities raising awareness about the program.
—Jim McNiell highlighted progress in a Community Betterment Y.O.U.T.H. program to place street address numbers on houses and businesses in Houston. Recently a team completed a survey of 90-92 streets that covered 1,200 residences and businesses.
About one out of five did not have visible numbers that could be spotted by emergency personnel, as required by city ordinance. On May 6, volunteers will return to ask property owners whether they’d like to have their property marked. There is no obligation or cost, but a small donation will be accepted to defray costs.
—An attendee, George Sholtz, office manager at Houston’s radio station, asked the council to study implementing one-way traffic in downtown Houston to open new parking, questioned why the city had individual wards – rather serving at-large and asked about the status of hangar lease arrangements at Houston Memorial Airport.
—Tottingham, who reported that a defunct dairy manufacturer at the Houston Industrial Park is moving equipment this week. A prospect for the building has been identified, he said.