Members of the Houston City Council on Monday authorized a nearly $30,000 airport fuel system that accepts credit cards.
Three bids were sought. Two were received. The bid went to Mid-South Steel Products Inc., a Cape Girardeau firm. Some electrical work may be required in-house and internet service needed. Issues with the current tank and system at the Houston Memorial Airport sparked the purchase, which was within the 2018 budget. It is hoped that not as much fuel will need to be purchased upfront and stored, too.
In other matters, members:
—Approved tabling a discussion on an updated employee handbook that is under discussion.
—Okayed to buy a mower for the park and recreation department, among several bids. The cost is $7,391 from Rod’s Auto Sales in Houston. The equipment is better quality, has a four-year warrant and service can be done locally, it was stated.
—Heard outgoing councilman Joe Honeycutt question a payment made to alderman Jeremy St. John for work performed on a police car. City Administrator Tona Bowen said she had consulted with legal counsel and determined that St. John was the best qualified and only person to do the work locally with cost savings to the city. She said he had trained under the former contractor, Richard Wood, who no longer does the work. The city had earlier received a bid from Wood.
St. John asked the procedure when vehicles had been purchased by principals of Romines Motor Co. and Honeycutt Chevrolet that were council members at the time. Honeycutt said he exited the chambers and didn’t participate in the discussions.
City attorney Brad Edison said several statutes pertain and he had passed it along to St. John. “It would be Jeremy’s issue rather than the city’s issue if there is a problem. The city doesn’t have a problem with it, Jeremy might. And he has to decide that for himself.”
St. John abstained when the council paid its bills.
—Received an update on industrial prospects. Discussions continue with the Industrial Development Authority of Houston. It owns a building at the Houston Industrial Park off West Highway 17 and is examining a possible structure at the North Industrial Park off North U.S. 63.
—Heard Bowen report on a recent chamber tour at the Durham Co.
—Learned that the city has had discussions related to projects included in a disaster declaration from flooding at the end of April 2017. An engineering firm is expected to have better cost estimates soon.
—Heard plans to apply for possible grant funding for trauma kits, breathing apparatuses for the fire department and an automated external defibrillator for city hall. Additionally Bowen said she would be working with the county emergency manager to get a better grasp of protocols to follow in a disaster. She also reported obtaining a scholarship to attend a financial officer training.
—Discussed exploring bids for bank services, which would probably include savings and checking accounts belonging to the city.