Houston subdivision plans approved; fireworks show set for July 4

Houston city council members approved several items during an over two-hour meeting on Tuesday.

INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS

Council members approved the city’s annual Independence Day celebration to take place Saturday, July 4 at the Houston Memorial Airport. A summer fest event will also take place that day. Lloyd Wells, administrator, stated that Licking and Cabool are not hosting their celebrations that day.

RAWDON TARN SUBDIVISION

Oliver Amick, developer, presented a final plat to the city council for a subdivision on Oak Hill Drive, which was approved to be signed by Mayor Sam Kelley. Once completed, the two streets, with access on Oak Hill Drive, will become the responsibility of the city. A pond on the property will be equally owned by lot owners on a portion of the property. The subdivision will feature 18 lots plus a lot for the pond. An 1,800 square foot model house is currently being built on the south end of the property. 

POLICE DEPARTMENT PURCHASES

The council approved the purchase of 10 handguns and a rifle for the police department. According to Brad Evans, police chief, the current handguns were purchased around 2018. The $9,470 total will be partially offset by the trade-in of the department’s current handguns and some firearms held in evidence that have been authorized for sale.

The purchase of two Dodge Durangos from Corwin Ford in Republic for a total of $81,180 was also approved. Ward II Alderwoman Sheila Walker opposed the purchase, citing a desire to keep purchases local when possible. Piney River Ford of Houston submitted a bid, but concerns about turnaround time were mentioned. Don Romines, Ward III alderman, left the room for the conversation, due to a conflict as a previous owner of the local dealership and his son’s employment there. 

MEETING ITEMS

• A business development incentive plan and an affordable housing development program were both approved as resolutions with a one-year sunset. Both will be spearheaded by Travis Witzemann, economic developer. The council also approved Witzemann and Kelley to sign a grant seeking funding for a small business incubator project.
• Witzemann reported that about 16 people attended a recent child care meeting to explore options to expand availability. Over 40 have already expressed interest in February focus groups, he said.
• An ordinance to adopt the 2018 international building codes for the construction of the city’s outdoor recreation complex on Spruce Street and one to amend the city’s cemetery codes for columbarium rules were approved.
• The purchase of a $20,899 utility vehicle was approved for the wastewater department.
• The annual renewal of a mass text messaging agreement with Houston Herald was approved for $4,000. 
• A seven-inch by 10-inch plaque on a rock at the north entrance of Emmett Kelly Park was approved. It is in honor of a family that had a homestead in the area.
• A $13,000 purchase of 2,500 feet of underground electric cable and duct from Fletcher-Reinhardt of Bridgeton was approved. 
• Romines expressed interest in gifting pink dogwood trees to residents in celebration of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary. 
• A golf course committee will meet Jan. 28 to put together a plan for projects at the course.
• Four self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders were purchased for the fire department totaling $7,080.04 plus shipping. A utility vehicle to be used for off-road wildfire suppression, prescribed burns, traffic control, fire hydrant maintenance and transportation was also approved at a purchase price of $61,322.83. The city has a sales tax which contributes funds for fire department needs. 
• The purchase of 150 water meters and radios was approved for a total of $46,928.07. It was also mentioned that the city’s new meter install price to customers does not sufficiently cover expenses. 
• A public hearing for a nuisance building on Pine Street will be held at 5 p.m. Feb. 23. Several letters have been sent to various owners of nuisance buildings around town, according to Wells.
• Chelsye Scantlin, Ward I alderwoman and chamber secretary, stated that she is proud of the improvement of the city and chamber’s relationship over the past two years.

The meeting adjourned into closed session at 7:44 p.m.