Members of the Houston City Council approved the creation of a community improvement district last Monday that will allow for the completion of a surgery wing at Texas County Memorial Hospital.
The 3-2 vote, along with one abstention, allows the hospital to generate about $675,000 through a temporary quarter-cent sales tax at businesses that didn’t oppose their property being included in the district in the hospital’s neighborhood.
Council members Donnie Wilson, Kevin Stilley and Kim Bittle approved the petition that had been discussed at previous meetings as well as a Nov. 5 public hearing and approved in a first reading of the ordinance earlier in the month. Opposing it were members Jeremy St. John and Vicki Narancich. Abstaining was Alderman Chalky Wells, who is a hospital employee and said earlier he strongly supports the project but would not be voting.
The council’s vote had earlier in the day been the subject of a lawsuit filed by George Sholtz of Upton to block it. No action was taken by the court. Sholtz spoke before the vote of what he said was an erosion of rights in the country, the advancement of socialism and the lack of accountability. Sholtz also alleged the hospital doesn’t own the grounds it sits on. The lawsuit was filed in Texas County Circuit Court.
Others speaking during two-minute allotments against the issue were nearby property owners Richard and Linda Wood, along with Jennifer Manier. Richard Wood said he wasn’t against the hospital and allowing the district to be created without a vote was violating the principals that veterans have fought for. He said he invited several veterans to the meeting. His wife addressed point by point what she said were inconsistencies in the petition. Manier also had concerns.
Without discussion, the council authorized the district under a procedure outlined in state statute. There are more than 400 in the state. It is expected to exist for five or six years and includes collection of the tax at Houston Walmart Supercenter, Houston Do-It Center, Dollar General and Orscheln Farm and Home.
TCMH, in previous presentations, said the funding was the last piece to allow completion of the surgery wing, and was an important piece in improving the finances of its operation. It recently hired a second surgeon, allowing it to expand availability of services, and employed two doctors from Mercy after it announced closure of its Houston clinic.
In other matters, council members:
• Accepted an $8,800 bid for work included in a flood assessment after damage at the Houston Visitors Center.
• Approved the delay of a final report outlining issues with sewer lines after smoke testing conducted by Trekk Design Group LLC in Springfield. The report had been due by the end of the year, but now will arrive no later than April 30, 2019.
• Heard Administrator Tona Bowen present a report and timetable on flushing out water lines in the city.
• Learned that the park board plans to study the condition of the Houston Municipal Swimming Pool and seek engineering guidance on whether upgrades or a new facility is desirable. The kiddie pool was closed during the last season due to its condition.
• OK’d the first reading of an ordinance to lower the percentage of lead allowed in pipes.
• Heard that progress was being made on a new website for the city.
• Learned that FEMA had visited the previous week in Houston concerning the April 2017 flooding disaster. An extension will be sought for some projects that will occur in the community due to federal aid.
• Reviewed bad utility debt. Only three names were on the list.
• Adjourned into closed sessions before and after the meeting. Bowen said afterward that no actions were taken during either session.