Council hears fire truck repair needed; discusses new truck option

A 1994 city fire truck needs immediate repairs as the city studies whether a new unit should be purchased, the Houston City Council heard Monday.

Jon Cook, a Houston fireman, outlined problems with the fire truck, which have become more acute recently, he said.  It is believed the issue is related to electronics in the transmission. The department needs to find an adapter that would provide a bridge between the old model and newer diagnostic equipment to identify the issue. The truck was manufactured at Camdenton.

The department was encouraged to find a specialist who could diagnosis the problem as the city considers whether a new truck is needed. A mechanic was on site on Tuesday. Members of the council’s fire committee met earlier. 

City Administrator Tona Bowen said there have been discussions with local banks about obtaining a favorable interest rate on a lease-purchase arrangement. It is estimated a new truck — with specifications desired by the city — could cost about $720,000. It also must be outfitted; some fire hose is already available. The city’s most recent fire truck purchase came from electric reserves that were repaid by an eighth-cent sales tax approved by voters.

According to National Fire Protection Association guidelines cited at the meeting, trucks are recommended for a 15-year life before they are taken out of first-line duty and used for reserve.

Cook described a service in Texas that takes desired specifications for fire trucks and identifies the best options for communities. Ultimately, savings could result. Once ordered, the truck could take a minimum of 11 months to produce.

In other matters, members:

—Received an update on a newly installed fueling system for airplanes at the Houston Memorial Airport.

—Heard JoAnn Aud give a presentation of gastroparesis, a condition that affects the stomach muscles and prevents proper stomach emptying. Aud, who described her own condition, asked the council for a declaration to increase awareness about the disease.

—Discussed rezoning to highway business district the second lot east of Thomasville Road and East Highway 17.

—Approved the tax levy that will appear on tax bills late this fall. It is unchanged from last year at 32.02 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

—Reviewed the need to file financial disclosure documentation every two years.

—Rescinded earlier language for the November ballot related to continuing fluoridation of the city’s water supply. The latest version asks voters whether the city should continue adding the chemical that creates fluoride in the municipal water supply. The city follows recommended guidelines and samples are sent to the state monthly.

—Decided to send City Clerk Heather Sponsler and a city employee representative to a Missouri Lagers annual meeting in October. The program provides the retirement plan for employees.

—Learned that an inspector with the city’s general liability insurance carrier had conducted a recent on-site visit.

—Construction of three units in a hangar and related work at the Houston Municipal Airport is slated to start next month. The bulk of the costs — 90 percent — comes from FAA dollars administered by MoDOT. Cary Stewart Construction of West Plains is the contractor.

—Seemed to side on delaying any remote electric meter reading project until the city’s own electrical infrastructure is improved first. Most recently, the city has lost two transformers in its system. Funds for new meters were included in the 2018 budget. The city had recently met with a firm that provides the equipment.

—Will work with the Houston chamber on clarifying its contract for services for the upcoming year.

—Decided to meet Sept. 4 due to the Labor Day holiday. An airport committee meeting and council work session on city pay scale and descriptions are planned 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27.

—Adjourned into a closed session, which also included interviews with two candidates for economic development director.