During its meeting Monday night, members of the Houston City Council discussed joining a “Complete Streets” program that encourages walking and bicycle lanes, wider streets and sidewalks in planning to spark interest in active lifestyles. Earlene Stoops of the Healthy Schools Healthy Communities initiative attended. The council will continue its study.
Also during the meeting, council members:
•Renewed a certificate of deposit at Security Bank of the Ozarks for 60 days. The timeframe aligns with a complete review of banking and investment services required by the city. The council OK’d seeking bids with any changes in place by Oct. 1.
•Hired Archer-Elgin Engineering, Surveying and Architecture in Rolla to provide services for development of concrete driveways at city-owned facilities near Highway F and Oak Hill Drive. The electrical department and city bus transportation have buildings there.
•Approved the purchase of thermal imaging equipment for the Houston Fire Department. The cost is $7,987. The budget included $10,000.
•Continued discussion on employee pay scales. City Administrator Tona Bowen presented Missouri Municipal League data from communities that are similar in size to Houston. Following a suggestion by Mayor Don Tottingham, the council also is expected to develop information for employees that describes a clear path for additional advancement that includes training and certifications. A special meeting is planned.
•Authorized seeking bids for a new city website that promotes the region, highlights tourism possibilities and increases transparency.
•Heard Bowen report that work is beginning on the 2019 city budget.
•Received information that a new self-serve fueling system is in place at the Houston Memorial Airport.
•Learned that that the rural and city fire departments, as well as police, have won federal funding for equipment that requires no local match. A regional organization earmarked these funds: Houston Police Department, $8,121, radios; Houston Rural Fire Department, $3,254, radios; Houston Fire Department, $7,000, radios; and Houston Fire Department breathing apparatus, $16,200. The allocation came due to the regular attendance of the city administrator at the group’s meetings.
•Heard that Bowen and councilwoman Kim Bittle attending a meeting of the Sustainable Ozarks Partnership, whose mission is to promote the Fort Leonard Wood region.
•Learned that the city’s personnel committee would meet following the city council meeting to review 20 applications for city economic development head.
•Heard about an insurance conference attended by Bowen and City Clerk Heather Sponsler.
•Learned a chip-seal application is planned for the end of Westwood Drive this fall.
•Heard that the Houston School District was interested in learning more about the city’s pricing of the Forbes property.
•Are still discussing ballot language for a November issue that decides whether fluoride will remain in the water.
•Adjourned into a closed session.