A bid to demolish a Pine Street building and a renewal of its current health insurance plan were among matters discussed Tuesday by the Houston City Council.
A $4,750 bid from Smith Hauling & Excavating was approved for the demolition of 304 Pine St. A tax lien will be placed on the property for the cost. Four bids were received for the job, which is situated west of a Houston School District parking lot
The council also approved its current health insurance plan through Five Star Insurance (Burch Insurance) for the rest of the calendar year, with a 28.96% cost increase to the city. The council intends to reconsider the plan at the start of the year to bring down its costs and get on a calendar-year schedule.
Meeting items
- A potential donation for a pavilion to be added to picnic tables at Bridges Park on West Route 17 near Lilly Avenue will be about $4,000. The city is seeking costs to determine its next steps.
- About 3,600 people were downtown for Emmett Kelly Day April 25 and 2,500 at a derby event that night, according to Travis Witzemann, economic developer.
- Inclement weather delayed interviews for a parks and pool director.
- The purchase of iWorQ software program for building permits and nuisances was approved. The cost includes a $1,300 one-time fee and a $2,600 annual subscription. The purchase was passed with a 3-2 vote, with Fred Stottlemyre and Don Romines voting no. Lloyd Wells, city administrator, stated that the city will save $4,000 on a module that will no longer be needed for the police department. Stottlemyre and Romines were skeptical of the cost savings.
The over one-hour meeting adjourned into closed session at 6:40 p.m.
