The City of Houston will begin an effort to bury more of its electric lines underground. The Houston City Council approved a bid Monday night at a meeting to purchase 2,500 feet of electrical wire and conduit for underground installations.
City Administrator Bill Bates said the recent ice storm – which included a designation for Texas County – may bring the availability of State Emergency Management Agency dollars for such projects. The bid accepted totaled $5,925. The council also included the cost of a trenching machine in this year’s operating budget.
In other matters, Houston School District safety issues – related to traffic – would get a big boost under a grant proposal submitted recently by the city to the Missouri Department of Transportation. Prepared by the Elaine Campbell, director of development for the city, the detailed application included surveys of parents, students, videotape of traffic patterns and input from the school district. If successful, much street and sidewalk work would result. The city is unsure when winners will be announced.
Another project is nearing complete: The demolition of apartments along Brushy Creek. A lighted basketball court is planned on a remaining concrete pad. The city will work with the parks and recreation board to develop a plan to integrate Emmett Kelly Park into the new space. Additionally, the city is holding talks concerning the purchase or lease of the former Morton Garage, which is situated in the same area.
In other matters, members:
-Heard an update on a project to extend the range of storm sirens in the community. A larger unit – similar to one in place downtown – will be purchased and some in other areas will be relocated to give better coverage. One area for target is the industrial park. The effort will be completed before the start of the storm season.
-Discussed a draft of an ordinance that would allow Southern Missouri Natural Gas Co. to extend service to the community. The provision would include detailing the use of rights-of-way for the project. A similar procedure was put in place at Lebanon, which also will receive natural gas from the company.
-Finalized a non-exclusive 10-year agreement with Houston Cable Inc. It also includes a 10-year option and an escalation in pole rental fees paid by the firm.
-Will continue to try to secure property at Airport Road and Hawthorn Avenue, commonly known as the Jim Tweed property. The city was awaiting final grant clearance for more than a year for the purchase of a historic Civil-War era home and about four acres. Upon an okay, the city learned that the tract was under contract. Bates said the city is still working on a solution to
acquire the property.
-Heard that an interior renovation to one of two recently acquired buildings on Oak Hill Drive is complete. The structures were acquired as part of the city’s bus system.
-Have put in place a fleet fuel card system that will allow city fuel usage to be tracked online by vehicle.
-Installation of equipment is complete for on-site sales of water. The cost is about quarter for each 71 gallons. One item – installation of a hose – still needs to be completed.