Potential utility rate increases, a quadplex and a neighborhood dispute were among matters discussed by the Houston City Council during a meeting Monday, Nov. 18.
UTILITY RATE INCREASES, 2025 BUDGET
Members of the council and city administration discussed the potential need for utility rate increases for next year. Don Romines, Ward III alderman, stated that he believes when the city voted not to raise rates for this year, it broke its own ordinance, which he believes required the city to raise it. He also stated that the budget has become difficult to balance without the increases.
Mayor Viki Narancich disagreed with Romines, citing the city’s investments in certificates of deposit (CDs).
“We are putting investments in for the city, that aren’t investing into the city,” said Narancich.
She also stated that necessary projects such as utility pole changes, tree clearing and fiber internet led to the approximate $200,000 deficit. Ward I Alderman Fred Stottlemyre agreed with Narancich, as did Ward II Alderman Tim Ceplina. Ceplina did state that his opinion on the increase would change if it was required by ordinance.
Ward III Alderwoman Angie Gettys stated that a lack of information on the budget makes her indecisive on the utility rate increases. Romines stated that the budget would be discussed in closed session. Narancich questioned why it would be in closed session, no answer was provided. The council voted to postpone rate increase discussion to the Dec. 2 meeting. Romines voted no, citing a desire to make a decision immediately. The council will hold a budget meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25 at city hall. The budget committee has met twice, with the draft budget sitting approximately $440,000 in deficit even if the city increases rates, according to Romines. The committee consists of Sam Kelley, Ward I alderman, who was absent from the meeting; Ceplina and Romines.
TOPOGRAPHY SURVEY FOR QUADPLEX, POTENTIAL PROJECT MANAGER
An $8,900 bid for a topography survey from Archer-Elgin Engineering of Rolla was presented to the council. Romines and Ceplina said the work will help the city better understand what it can do with property earmarked for a quadplex on Thomasville Road. Narancich questioned if a request for qualifications had been published or if a direct contact was made with the company. Romines and Lloyd Wells, administrator, stated that a direct contact was made because the company was recommended by Mid-State Pipeline of Belle, the city’s only reply to a request for qualifications for project management. Uncertainty loomed on whether the city would need to make a public request before accepting any bids. No action was taken.
Robbie Mortensen, parks and recreation director, stated that Mid-State Pipeline has done good work on a new quadplex and recreation center facility in Belle, and he feels confident they could do the same here. The company is also working on a sewer plant in Licking, according to Mortensen. The company will be invited to speak at the Dec. 2 meeting, as the council makes decisions on the topography survey and the next step of the quadplex project.
The council came to a consensus that approximately $170,000 in remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds should be allocated for use toward the quadplex. No action was taken.
NEIGHBORHOOD DISPUTE ON RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL BARRIER
Brad Rees responded to Doug Gaston’s comments from the last meeting concerning a neighborhood dispute regarding a barrier between his residential property and Gaston’s new commercial gym off Indian Creek Trail in the southern portion of town.
Rees stated that the “daily harassing calls to the police” that Gaston mentioned were in response to the “daily harassing music” that he said at one point was vibrating the windows of his house. He also said that he is not abusing any connections with council members any more than Gaston is his connections.
Rees said that if he wanted to be a “good neighbor,” as he said in the previous meeting, he would have reached out to the neighbors before clearing all of the land. He was upset that Gaston cleared over four acres to utilize less than an acre, he said.
He did state that Gaston had begun planting trees, but believed them to be too small, and not a true barrier. He believes Gaston should have left mature cedar trees on the property rather than clearing them to plant smaller ones.
Rees also stated displeasure with landscaping and erosion control. He believes the council and city administrator bear the burden of fixing the situation.
Gaston filled out a public comment card before the meeting to reserve time in case he felt it necessary to respond. Ceplina asked if trees had been planted. Gaston said that he has begun planting trees additional to a 15-foot strip he left between his and Rees’ property. He also stated that he believes he and Dr. William Wright, who brought grievances to the council at a previous meeting, are on good terms.
Gaston asserted that he is not required to plant the trees but is doing so to be a good neighbor. Rees asked why he believes it is not required. Narancich stated that the two would not be going “back and forth” during the meeting.
OTHER MATTERS
- Janice Weddle, University of Missouri Extension engagement specialist, presented the city with a plaque for being named one of the state’s most neighborly cities during “Missouri Good Neighbor Week.” To read more about the honor, click here.
- Kelly Beets, Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (MIRMA), announced that the city will receive three reimbursements from the insurance carrier: one for a police car camera, $1,500; emergency flood lights, $750; and a gas detector, $962.
- Jeff Gettys, Community Improvement District (CID) board that benefits Texas County Memorial Hospital, presented three cost certifications to the city. One for general counsel fees, $2,000; another for insurance, $1,883; and for surgery center HVAC improvements in 2023, $170,620. According to Gettys, 619 surgeries were performed from April 1 to Sept. 30, 85 more than the same period the previous year. The council mentioned that the city has failed to take a 1.5% administrative fee out of the tax in previous years and plans to begin doing so. The CID sales tax was put in place Nov. 19, 2018, and began collecting money Jan. 1, 2020.
- Two ordinances related to nuisances were discussed. A first reading was done on both. A second reading is set at the Dec. 2 meeting.
- Two appointments to the city’s parks board were approved – Jake Brookshire and PJ Murray. Jennifer Shelton stepped down from the board.
- Mortensen reported that dirt work for sidewalks is occurring at Bridges Park – at Lilly Avenue and West Highway 17. The sidewalks will be five feet wide and the concrete will be poured by the city. He also stated that there is a delay on a part for the golf course water pump. Funds come from a sales tax earmarked for parks and recreational needs.
- Romines mentioned that brush on the southeast side of the intersection of Augusta Street and Highway 17 needs to be cut back. The council believes the state is responsible.
- Sheila Walker, Ward II alderwoman, mentioned that a street sign had gone missing at Ozark Street and Airport Road. It is reported to be back now. Narancich stated stop signs have gone missing as well.
The meeting adjourned into closed session concerning legal matters, hiring and contracts at 7:41 p.m.
