The Houston City Council heard updates and closed out the 2018 budget during a meeting Monday.
Members:
—Heard from Angie Quinlan, director of the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce, who reported on several activities. She termed the recent Taste of Christmas event a success and said the Dec. 8 Christmas parade spanned 50 minutes and included much participation despite cold weather. She reported new chamber officers will soon be sworn in, volunteers honored and the organization is making plans for a two-day demolition derby in June.
—Received a report from Police Chief Tim Ceplina on Saturday’s “Shop with a Cop” program organized by law enforcement and the Houston Lions Club. More than 70 deserving children were able to purchase items with a cap of $100 each at Houston Walmart Supercenter. Law enforcement and the Lions Club worked to secure the monetary donations needed.
—Approved a resolution verifying November election results that will remove fluoride from the water. Tona Bowen, city administrator, said fluoride was removed the day following the election, and any leftover materials went to Cabool, which fluoridates its water.
—Okayed an ordinance that calls for sewer lines to be capped in such incidents where demolition work is done on property. City Administrator Tona Bowen said the recommendation came from the water department to prevent infiltration into the city’s wastewater system
—Authorized the city’s participation in the “Complete Streets” program that calls for creating streets that have walking, bicycle lanes to encourage healthy lifestyles. Earlene Stoops of the Healthy Schools Healthy Communities initiative earlier presented information on the program.
—Adjusted the 2018 budget as the city moves toward closing the year out and beginning the next fiscal year. In all, about $321,000 had previously been authorized by council during the year but wasn’t included in the original spending document. That included the addition of a resource officer at the school (partially paid by the district), additional funds spent on the city’s asphalt program, a used fire truck and equipment and some costs associated with a police car replacement after a crash that was partially paid by insurance. Bowen said she planned to manage the allocations through available cash flow rather than cash CDs that would trigger an early withdrawal penalty. The city is paying itself back for the $175,000 fire truck purchase at a rate of 2.5 percent annual interest over 10 years, she said.
—Authorized closing city government to coincide with the state’s Christmas Eve holiday.
—Appointed Jennifer Shelton to the Houston Parks and Recreation Board. She replaces Michael Pacheco.
—Heard from George Sholtz of Upton who spoke on his displeasure concerning a hospital Community Improvement District.
—Adjourned into a closed session to discuss personnel, legal matters and land purchases. A delegation from The Bank of Houston also met in the session. Bowen said there were no votes.