City rezones property, works on ordinances

Rezoning a residential property and updating nuisance ordinances were among matters discussed Monday by the Houston City Council.

OAK HILL PROPERTY REZONED

A public hearing took place July 11 for the rezoning of a parcel on Oak Hill Drive north of the city’s electric and bus shed from single unit (R1) to allowing for multiunit (R2) zoning. Mixed opinions were heard at the hearing, and the city’s planning and zoning committee recommended the rezoning to R2.

Angie Gettys, Ward III alderwoman, stated that she would rather see it as single-unit housing. Tim Ceplina, Ward II alderman, said that the site lends itself better to R2 housing as it is in an undesirable long-term location and fits in with surrounding housing. He also stated that the city needs more affordable housing and that the council should get out of the way of builders. Don Romines, Ward III alderman, said that the city rarely goes against the recommendation of the planning and zoning committee, and he thinks they should listen to them. The council approved the rezoning in a 3-2-1 vote. Gettys and Fred Stottlemyre, Ward I alderman, voted no. Ceplina abstained.

NUISANCE ORDINANCES

Sean Smith, attorney, presented the council with several bills to consider for ordinances. The first dealt with stray and feral animals. Currently, cats and dogs are held for five days before being euthanized if an owner doesn’t claim them. The city picks up approximately five to six per month, according to the police department.

Board members expressed disliking the wording of the new ordinance, including wording pertaining to feeding stray animals.

“Am I going to be breaking the law because I feel sorry for a dog that looks hungry?” Romines questioned.

The council agreed to look into rehoming programs and revisit the ordinance at a later date.

The council did a first reading of ordinances outlining nuisance properties, including vehicles and parts remaining unmoved outside of properties for long periods of time. A second and final reading will take place at the first August meeting. Residents are invited to appear before the council and express their opinions.

OTHER MATTERS

• Romines questioned an electric cost increase of approximately $35,000 compared to the previous year. He does not believe that usage has been significantly greater than the previous year. Romines is concerned with the narrow margins due to the city not increasing electric rates for residents. Lloyd Wells, city administrator, will investigate.
• Morgan Patterson and Chelsye Scantlin, Houston Area Chamber of Commerce board members, requested a meeting between the city and chamber. The two parties agreed to meet at a later date.
• The council did a second and final reading of a mutual aid agreement with the Missouri Public Utility Alliance, the community’s wholesale power source. The agreement expires Aug. 1.
• Wells introduced a representative from BBC Electric, the company in charge of utility pole replacements. Wells stated that the work will require some electrical downtime in areas, and that residents and businesses will be notified. The work is expected to take three to four months.
• Wells discussed increasing the “take home” car policy for police officers to attract and retain qualified individuals. The city — at five miles — is currently the lowest in the county. Wells believes that a 15-20 mile policy would benefit the city and stated that the Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (MIRMA), an insurance provider for the city, is fine with the action. A policy to be voted on will be presented at the first August meeting.
• Gettys questioned damage at the golf course. Wells stated five individuals created ruts on the course and rolled a cart. Robbie Mortensen, parks and recreation director, is working on a cost estimate for MIRMA, and a police report has been started. Stottlemyre stated the importance of moving the pro shop back upstairs, where the course is viewable, to reduce such issues.
• Romines questioned fiber progress and stated the need to have someone to trench. Wells said a bid has been put out. Romines said that 57 out of the 84 customers on the waiting list cannot currently be hooked up due to limitations. Romines stated that a proposed third employee in the fiber department did not make sense due to not being able to afford the two that are there now. Stottlemyre stated that a third person could mostly be afforded by decreasing overtime costs in the department.
• Romines stated that the city needs to revert to paying local businesses with checks rather than credit cards due to high processing fees costing local businesses.

The meeting adjourned into closed session at 7:17 p.m.

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