The Houston City Council handled several matters during a 43-minute meeting Monday.
CITY TO PAY FOR ENGINEERING ADJUSTMENT
Travis Witzemann, economic developer, told the council that there was an issue with an expired engineering stamp for service line drawings at Rawdon Tarn subdivision on Oak Hill Drive.
“At some point there should have been some oversight on our side to steer him [Oliver Amick] in the right direction,” said Witzemann. “I don’t know that fault is the right word. We can take this as a lesson learned.”
The council approved a motion to pay for the water main extension to be engineered, with a cost not to exceed $6,000. The funds will be taken out of a housing development incentive line item added to the city’s budget for the first time this year.
Members expressed the importance of adding housing in Houston, and that it is the city’s responsibility to correct the mistake.
MEETING ITEMS
- Ward III Alderman Don Romines said that over 100 people have called city hall to reserve a dogwood tree. The council announced at its last meeting that it would distribute 350 of the trees to city residents to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. Persons can call Justin Jones at city utilities at 417-967-3348 and give their name, address, telephone number and email address. Trees are expected to be delivered to the city by a nursery on March 10. Those enrolling will be notified when the trees are ready for pickup.
- Lloyd Wells, city administrator, said that the city plans to amend an ordinance to clarify that downtown parking is limited to two hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. New signs will be placed downtown. The city also plans to convert a couple of parking spaces near the senior center to handicapped.
- Two certificates of deposit, one at West Plains Bank and one at The Bank of Houston, will both be renewed at West Plains Bank for 12 month, 3.7% interest terms. The two CDs total about $225,000.
- Wells mentioned that two public grounds mowers will need to be replaced soon. He also stated that the public grounds department moved picnic tables and trash cans to Bridges Park on West Route 17 recently.
- The council approved a $6,095 bid from Kinder’s Auto Sales of Licking for an 18-foot trailer to haul the electric department’s mini excavator.
- A resolution was approved to allow the city to apply for grants with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to improve its sewer lift stations.