The Houston City Council dealt with many issues in its last meeting of the year, but one in particular took center focus. After beginning the meeting at 6 p.m., the council moved into a public hearing on the 2017 City Budget. City Administrator Chris Peterson laid out the budget changes, including a 4% tax levy increase to cover projected expenses for city vehicles. This is the first levy increase since 2014 and equates to roughly $20,000 of extra city funds. Administrator Peterson ran through various city projects in the 2016 year, including sealcoating, flood levee recertification, and finishing a project on Ellsworth St. The budget was approved by a 4-1 vote of the council, and the city’s Delinquent Utility Bills were approved to move onto the tax rolls by a unanimous vote. The city also heard from Maintenance staff regarding the replacement of the city’s 72-inch mower, which has 3,300 hours total logged on it. After listening to the maintenance staff, the council agreed to trade in the mower now rather than risk another year and possible breakdown.
The council room was filled to capacity for the evening’s meeting for the next agenda item, as the council weighed a possible change to a snowmobile trail to benefit street maintenance. The original trail route had been recently sealcoated, and there was worry from Maintenance that the “groomer,” a tractor-like device that prepares the trail, would cause damage to the new sealcoating as opposed to moving the trail to an asphalt street, which would better stand up to the weight and treads of the groomer. City Maintenance worried that the alley, newly sealcoated after the construction of apartments, would be torn up by spring due to the groomer’s heavy treads. Several options were weighed and heavily discussed. Residents of Plum Street, including one with an autistic child, worried that snowmobiles would cause a safety concern if the trail was rerouted. Members of the snowmobile club mentioned that they have been a fixture of the community for years, and bring money and tourism to the city in the winter. The club voiced frustration that this issue was only being raised now as opposed to earlier in the year before the first significant snowfall. The council and mayor weighed both sides of the issue and discussed many possible options for re-routing the trail in a way that would be safe for both residents and newly-paved streets. Options were brought up including both the current alleyway trail and Plum Street, but also Highway 76. The snowmobile club replied that the groomer is very difficult to maneuver and needs enough space to properly groom the trail. Tensions rose and fell between the three parties, but the overall mood remained civil and committed to finding a solution that worked, if not perfectly, for everyone.
The city was finally able to hammer out a compromise between residents, snowmobilers, and city maintenance staff. The agreement reached by the council keeps the trail where it is for this year, and city maintenance will have a chance to review any possible damage to the sealcoating after spring thaw. Plum Street residents will give up one or two parking spaces on the Sherman-Sheridan block during the week to facilitate the groomer making all of its turns without hitting any cars. The snowmobile club was asked to increase education to all snowmobilers and keep them to the official trails and at a reasonable speed. The compromise was met well enough by all sides of the debate, and a good portion of the audience left the meeting following the final word on the compromise, apparently satisfied.
The city council moved on to table a discussion on IT contracting for system upgrades, and unanimously approved the city’s Opt-Out provision of the state Health Care Dwelling Ordinance. Botcher Brothers was chosen again as the city’s contractor for snow removal, and their paperwork had already been sent to and approved by MNDOT. The council then approved a Rural Water Interim Loan to pay for the engineering necessary until the state loan is approved, and then moved on to two court orders regarding city nuisance properties. The council moved to try and find grant money options to renovate the property on 206 Lincoln before going ahead with a full demolition, and also moved to collect quotes on the removal of an upper portion of a deck deemed unsafe at the property on 114 Spruce St. The council then passed a contribution of $1,250 for victim services operated through the county attorney’s office. The council then agreed to hire a new custodian: after interviewing three candidates, Amanda Langheinrich was suggested and approved by the council as the new custodian. Next, the council’s previous minutes, bills, and financial reports were all passed by the city council without major objection. Reports were given from maintenance, the library and nature center, which has several events planned for the winter months. The library spoke about grants allowing for the construction of Little Free Libraries around town, book bikes, and author tours.
Finally, the city closed the meeting by thanking two of its public servants for their years of contribution. Outgoing Mayor Connie Edwards served 14 years for the city of Houston: two on the council and 12 as mayor, and outgoing Councilmember Tony Schultz had given eight years to the city council. There was a small reception with coffee, bars, and other snacks to honor the two for their service to the city following the meeting. The Houston City Council will meet next on January 3, 2017 at 6 p.m., and will welcome new elected officials.
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