Members of the Houston City Council okayed seeking a swimming pool grant Tuesday and will allow a new trailer to replace an existing one on a tract in the city.
Members approved a Land, Water and Conservation Fund application to assist with improvements at the Houston Municipal Swimming Pool. It was stated a deadline is Feb. 15. Should the city be successful and use the funds, the grant commits it to keep the pool at the same location or pay back the funds.
The Houston Park Board has been looking at improvements to the facility, and a half-cent sales tax issue— coupled with another half-cent for fire and police improvements — will appear on the April 2 ballot.
Mayor Don Tottingham said after a review of ordinances, the city will allow a new trailer be moved into a Mill Street court to replace another. City ordinance does not allow creation of any new trailer courts — just replacement, Tottingham said. The news led to a discussion of the condition of some other trailers there and whether they should be placed on the city’s target list for beautification.
In other matters, members:
•Set a public hearing for 5:30 p.m. March 4 as part of the operation of its transit system. It also authorized completion of paperwork for the project.
•Formally appointed Glenn McKinney as the city’s emergency management director. The job includes opening up the town’s storm shelter, a monthly test of sirens in coordination with the city electrical department and monitoring of potential storms.
•Approved the purchase of a furnace for the wastewater treatment plant. The bid was awarded to Whiddon’s Air and Electrical in Houston for about $8,188. Previously billed expenses are part of the total price. With that, there wasn’t much difference in price with a second bid from Robertson Heating and Air. (Alderman Jeremy St. John abstained)
•Authorized the purchase of six breathing apparatus and tanks for the Houston Fire Department. The total was $44,777. With this purchase, the department will go on a rotation program to replace a small number annually.
•Heard Administrator Tona Bowen report that assets of the city more than $5,000 will be tracked and inventoried.
•Will consider a donation to a May event in Houston to recognize veterans. Contributions are being sought in the community for the activity.
•Adjourned into a closed session to discuss a contract with grant writer Elaine Campbell and visit about plans for a new swimming facility, it was stated. In the open session, the council said it also would discuss in the closed session portion an update on a used fire truck acquired in Iowa that is inoperable. It had earlier been certified to the city before the $175,000 purchase. Bowen said the council authorized spending up to $23,000 to fix a pump. A second inoperable truck is awaiting a computer to diagnose a mechanical issue.