By Wanda Hanson
At the September 14, 2020 Houston City Council meeting, Attorney Mike Murphy presented the Chapel land issue to the council. Survey work is needed to clean up the legal title for the water treatment plant and a tillable field owned by Jim Chapel. A “quiet” title would clarify the city ownership of 1.688 acres for the treatment plant. An extension of Sheridan Street would go to the property with an easement across the street for farm land access.
The Chapel family at one time had owned part of the Owl Center property. There is a small gap which the Chapels would give the deed to the city in return for a legal description of the field nearby. This would clear the way for a potential future sale of the field by the Chapels. A survey to achieve this would come at an additional $2,300 expense for the city.
The council decided to ask for a signed agreement before okaying the survey with no future additions to the agreement. The city will require the mandatory 15 feet of land from the toe of the dike. Since the city is working on some agreements with the Owl Center, both the city and Chapels will benefit from clearing the cloudy titles.
Street and utility
improvements
Matt Mohs appeared before the council to request estimate #4 at the amount of $295,479.96. The improvements are basically completed with only some signage and blacktopping left to complete.
Also approved was final payment ($66,538.43) for the water treatment plant project. City Maintenance Superintendent Randy Thesing commented with a chuckle, “Now we just need to learn to run things!”
Mr. Mohs presented a suggested tree replacement for the areas that lost trees during the street improvements. The purposeful plan considered existing trees and selected a variety of trees including swamp white oak, linden, hackberry, and honey locust. With the council’s blessing, Mohs will draft a newsletter to homeowners asking for their input and opinions as well. The council is planning on working with a local nursery to finish the project.
CARES Updates
City Administrator Michelle Quinn reported that eight businesses had applied for the CARES Business Relief Grants. The seven businesses that received approval of their applications were Barista’s Coffee House, Houston Dental, Houston American Legion, International Owl Center, Loken’s Saw Mill and Suites, River Valley Convenience Store, and Snow’s Beauty Salon. Each will receive $1,000 with $3,000 of the grant still available.
Quinn updated the council on CARES funds which have been spent, allocated, and requested. Currently two weeks worth of wages have been set aside for COVID sick pay. If any of that money is not used, the money will be allocated for the time spent training and doing additional cleaning for COVID. The council agreed with all allocations, and added an allocation of $18,119.30 for a power Lyft cot for the ambulance. The ambulance will be contributing $6,000 toward the cot from previous fundraising. Quinn will continue to keep the council updated each month. Any funds not used by December will be returned.
Community center
The public hearing on the use of tax abatement to be used to help with the cost of improving the community center was set for Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m. The council also approved final contracts with Brickl Brothers, 7 Rivers Mechanical, and Paxton Electric for the improvements.
Other action
•The council adopted a resolution establishing one-way traffic on a portion of Elm Street between Sherman and Jackson;
•Amended the schedule of fees and charges for services;
•Adopted the preliminary 2021 budget of expenses of $706,339 and the preliminary tax levy of $537,600;
•Approved the prohibition of dynamic braking in the city limits;
•Agreed to pay the training fees for people who successfully complete EMT training, as they noted the need for more people to join both the ambulance squad and fire department;
•Increased the community center fee to $300 with non-profit use to remain as it is.
The next Houston City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 13, at 6 p.m. at Houston City Hall; all citizens are welcome!
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