Members of the Houston City Council heard Monday that plans are progressing to transfer ownership of a city storm shelter to the Texas County Library. The organization plans to build a new branch atop of the building in downtown Houston.
The Texas County Library Foundation is working to raise funds for the project. The library’s governing board is expected to also contribute to the effort, which was designed several years ago.
The city said it is awaiting any final requirements by FEMA before the transfer occurs. The use of the existing structure will not change, and it will remain a storm shelter.
In other matters, council members:
•Heard Mayor Don Tottingham seek information on an increase in funding support for the Houston Rural Fire Department search and rescue squad. The distribution was outlined in city invoices paid at the meeting. The total had been $3,500, but had increased to $5,000, he said. City Administrator Tona Bowen said the increase was allocated during the budget process. She is to gather budget paperwork to reconstruct the talks late last year and report back to the council.
•Approved plans to close a section of the downtown for an Independence Day parade Saturday morning. Chamber executive director Angie Quinlan outlined plans for the event. She said businessman Gary Parish developed the concept and donated 300 American flags for the effort.
•Okayed a special use permit from Shurene Walizer to operate a daycare on Sommerfield Drive. She previously operated one from 2006-’11.
•Heard the sole bidder for improvements at the Houston Visitors Center has returned to his union construction job. The city will seek new bids for an opening next month.
•Learned that a new fueling system at the Houston Memorial Airport will soon be in place. It operates on a wireless system that allows pilots to swipe a card and purchase gas. A piece of computer equipment will be transferred from city hall to the airport, and a new one purchased.
•Heard that an industry prospect that involves a water bottler located east of the fairgrounds on North U.S. 63 has developed a stumbling block. A federal grant had been obtained for a building. The issue is uncertainty related to U.S. trade tariffs and increased equipment costs, it was reported. The prospect also has looked at an empty building at the Houston Industrial Park off Highway 17. Bowen said she hopes talks can resume when the uncertainty is lifted. Â
•Received a request from Tottingham that job descriptions and pay scales for all city employees be finalized by the end of July.
•Adjourned into a closed session after meeting for about 30 minutes. Adoption of the payroll was delayed until completion of the closed meeting. No votes were taken during closed session, and another gathering is expected July 2.