Jeanne Tippery attended the October 10 Houston City Council meeting to update the council on the progress of the refurbishing of the city restrooms. Sharing before and after photos, Tippery shared that the project was completed using $3,500 of local donations. New soap dispensers like the ones at the nature center have been installed.
Tippery asked for city help to paint the fence, some posts and some edging on the top of the building. She came prepared with prices for the paint and brushes totalling $113.94. Tippery said she had people lined up to do the painting and would like to see it done this fall.
Public Works Director Randy Thesing commented that he felt the red color being considered was perhaps a bit too bright and informed the council that new picnic tables were being built which will be stained brown. The council directed Thesing and Tippery to get together to choose a suitable color and approved paying for the supplies.
Mayor Scott Wallace commended Tippery and her group for their “outstanding work.”
Photo by Wanda Hanson
LRIP Grant Discussion
While John Graupman of Bolton & Menk was unable to attend the meeting, City Administrator Michelle Quinn asked the council to discuss the possibility of applying for a LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) grant. Westgate Drive was the only street in the city that meets the criteria for the program. This street ties together state and county roads and would have a tie to economic growth for the city. Currently, the street is graveled; businesses using it have requested improving the road.
In addition to the city’s completed application, they would need letters of support from the county and local businesses. The city would need to spend approximately $250,000 on the project in addition to the slightly over $800,000 to be requested from the grant.
Mayor Wallace expressed his concern that the project might get too expensive. He directed Quinn to research the cost of having Bolton & Menk to update the grant application. The city may need to have a special meeting once Quinn has some answers since the application is due December 8.
Police Salary
After checking with surrounding cities, Houston found that their police starting pay was on the low end. For several years, there has been a line item in the budget for a part-time police officer which has not been filled. The council decided to reallocate that funding to increase the starting pay for police officers. Chief Brett Hurley pointed out that there are a lot more thorough background checks for new officers now and that losing an officer and having to train a new officer costs the city money. Hurley assured the city that officer DeBoer really likes it in Houston and isn’t looking to leave.
Earned Safe and Sick Time
Quinn informed the council that recent state legislative action required the city to offer earned safe and sick time to part-time employees. At this time, according to Quinn, the law is quite vague and fluid and will probably result in clarification when the legislature reconvenes.
Currently, any part-time employees who work over 80 hours must earn safe and sick time. Quinn provided a spreadsheet of possible ways to provide the time. Ultimately, the council opted for an accrual approach where employees earn an hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked; they would be able to carry over up to 80 hours into the next year. The benefit would be capped at 80 hours.
Ambulance Hardship Waivers
Dylan Schultz and Josh Norlien are willing to take an ambulance training course which costs $1,600. Ambulance Director Chris Cox asked the city to provide a waiver of $1,100 for each of the men; Schultz and Norlien would be responsible for $500 of the cost which would be rebated if they remain on the ambulance crew for a year.
Quinn noted that such a waiver has been very beneficial in getting new ambulance crew members on board. The council quickly approved the waivers.
Other Business
In other business, the council:
• Approved the 2024 city calendar;
• Agreed to advertising unneeded library shelving on the library’s Facebook for sealed bids;
• Approved soliciting bids for newspaper publishing quotes.
The next regular meeting of the Houston City Council will be November 13 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at city hall. The public is welcome to attend.
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