The Houston City Council on Tuesday approved creation of a low-interest low program for businesses, decided to review its lease for hangar space at the Houston Memorial Airport and received an update on planned work to U.S. 63.
Members approved an ordinance that authorizes a low-interest loan program with the Ozarks Small Business Incubator at West Plains. Small businesses in Houston can tap into the fund to aid in the growth of their operations.
The City of Houston will fund the initial amount. Payments on the loans go back into the fund for other loans.
In other matters, members:
—Approved Faith Fellowship using its fire department ladder truck for an upcoming event.
—Entered into a resolution as part of a National Hazard Mitigation plan that allows communities to tap into FEMA funding when disasters occur.
—Will review its current leases for hangars at the airport.
—Agreed to write off a small amount of personal property taxes not collected from 2012.
—Learned only one property owner has expressed interest in a demolish plan that would financially aid them in removing property deemed unsafe by the city. Officials will attempt to make contact with those on the list.
—Reviewed new information from MoDOT on a highway improvement program on U.S. 63. No start date is available. It is estimated the timetable is 75 working days — which translates into 150 calendar days. MoDOT will consider removing a rock cropping north of the former Hocker gas station. The city has examined the issue of having three lanes from Sonic to Miller’s Grill rather than the proposed two. The cost is estimated at $375,000.
—Took no action on a public relations position for the city.
—Referred property owner Willy Walker to the city attorney related to issues concerning Old Highway 17 near his residence.Â