City to amend fiber ordinance, discusses Emmett Kelly Festival

Amending the city’s fiber ordinance to include a “commercial” tier and reflecting on the Emmett Kelly Festival were key topics at the Houston City Council meeting Monday.

Randon Brown, technology director, discussed introducing a commercial tier to the fiber internet pricing model to distinguish larger corporations from small businesses. Brown suggested an increase of $40 per month on each bandwidth package and an increase from $100 to $500 on installation fees. It cost the city approximately $410 to install commercial services.

In most cases, commercial customers will be considered those that have dedicated IT departments. The council was unsure how current “commercial” customers will be handled in terms of pricing updates. The council approved Sean Smith, attorney, to amend the ordinance to include the new tier.

Brown also discussed the cost of buying additional IP addresses. Each “block” of 254 addresses costs approximately $15,000. Each enterprise uses approximately eight addresses. The city currently has around seven commercial customers, so planning for future needs was discussed.

Brown discussed looking into higher charges for companies using city poles and securing a new trenching contractor. The city plans to pursue both.

KELLY FESTIVAL

Brenda Senter gave council members a report on the Emmett Kelly Festival held in late April. Senter reported that several city employees and council members helped make the event possible and that local sponsorships – despite being down from previous years – were key to the event’s success. She believes that the car show and auctions went well and helped raise money for the school’s welding program and two fine arts scholarships respectively. For next year, she suggested not using a timer company for the 5k since the number of entries make it unnecessary.

Senter stated that a statewide Emmett Kelly Day didn’t make it through the legislature due to a deadlock, despite unanimous support in committee. She expects it to pass next session. She also reported ways she believes the event could be better next year – including more events in the Melba Performing Arts Center on Grand Avenue – and ways to promote Emmett Kelly Sr. to bring people to Houston.

In closing, Senter reported an approximate $1,000 profit from the event, and requested that a group be put together to plan it. The council voiced appreciation for Senter.

OTHER DISCUSSIONS

In other matters:

• Discussion was had if the $1,320 monthly payment for four Townscreens – two at city hall, one at the pool and one at the golf course – is worth it. Members agreed to reconsider the contract when it expires.
• Marci Wiseman and Karen Durant were approved to the Houston Housing Authority board.
• Members approved a school resource officer agreement between the city and school district. The agreement is for two years and requires the school to pay 75%.
• The council did a first reading of a mutual aid agreement with the Missouri Public Utility Alliance, the community’s wholesale power source. The agreement expires Aug. 1.
• Closing West Main Street from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 13 for Mean Muggin Coffee Bar’s celebration was approved. The council also stated it has no issue with Cindy Westlund running the downtown Halloween event this year if she gets the proper approvals.
• Council members received financial reports for the six months ending June 30. Members and Lloyd Wells, administrator, expressed general satisfaction with the city’s position. One concern was the amount of money spent on splicing crews that are helping connect residents to the city’s fiber internet program.
• Wells told the council that the city will need to determine damages for the four days of airport closure during a recent project. The council approved an amendment to receive approximately $8,000 of airport funds back and liquidated damages based on loss of fuel sales.
• Kevin Buck, economic developer, received approval to begin contracting work for promotional, tourism videos.
• Council members thanked everyone who worked during various Independence Day events Saturday, June 29 and stated their belief in the success of the fireworks show at the airport.
• Mayor Viki Narancich discussed possible uses for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds at Emmett Kelly Park. Suggestions included updated equipment and bathroom repairs.
• Fred Stottlemyre, Ward I alderman, discussed using a city billboard on U.S. 63 near the Visitor’s Center for promotional purposes. Buck will look into the cost.
• Wells stated that the city received $8,100 for a dump truck and $1,900 for an oiler during a recent consignment auction. The city will now look to get street equipment.
• Smith updated the council on his work on junk car, tire and nuisance property ordinances. The council discussed also needing a dangerous buildings ordinance.

The meeting adjourned into closed session at 7:54 p.m. A closed personnel committee meeting took place at 5:45 p.m.

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