The field has narrowed to four in the process to hire a new administrator for the City of Houston. The decision came Monday during a meeting of the Houston City Council.
Interviews with the finalists will be coordinated with on-site visits planned soon. The field includes residents from Springfield, Wichita, Kan., Ohio and Florida. Houston City Administrator Bill Bates announced earlier this year that he would retire Nov. 1. Depending on the status of the search process, Bates may continue to stay on in a part-time capacity.
The city administrator’s job involves overseeing day-to-day operation of Houston’s government, supervision of employees, overseeing the city’s budget and capital expenditure projects. Additionally, the city has several projects under way because of its success in securing grants.
In other matters, members:
-Authorized extending its waste refuse contract by one year with Will Co Disposal Inc. of Mountain Grove. Representative Norman Rust met with the council to exercise a one-year option included in the firm’s current contract.
-Okayed paperwork to the Missouri Department of Transportation that would trigger payment of about 50 percent of the cost of operating the city’s bus system.
-Entered into a contract with Cary Stewart Construction of West Plains for improvements totaling about $294,000 at the Houston Memorial Airport. The original contractor, Hogan Construction of Rolla, defaulted on its performance. A bonding company will pay about $13,000 of the cost of the effort. That’s the difference between the Hogan and Stewart bids.
-Approved a request to send high school students to a state community betterment conference. The appropriation totals $1,500.
-Heard that the city closed on a 4.6-acre tract at Hawthorn Avenue and Airport Road, which is commonly known as the Tweed property. The sellers were Kevin and Alison Reed. A grant paid about 95 percent of the cost.
-Will seek proposals for the lease or purchase of a city-owned hangar at the Houston Memorial Airport. The structure is situated north of the pilot’s lounge.
-Heard that changes are required to fuel pumps at the airport following a state inspection.
-Will consider a request from the Houston Fire Department for purchase of a new fill apparatus for oxygen tanks as part of its 2008 budget process.
-Okayed replacing the turf at Chamber Field and Carter Field. The cost is about $2,500 to spray herbicide on the existing grass, till, reseed and fertilize. One is set for completion in the fall; the other in the spring.
-Will seek an extension of a contract that allows low-risk state prisoners to work on city projects. The current paperwork expired Sept. 30.
-Decided to explore accepting porta-potty waste at its wastewater treatment plant for a fee. The matter will likely be discussed further at an Oct. 15 meeting.