Two firms will begin the process to place a $3.5 million bond issue before Houston voters in June, the Houston City Council decided last week.
If approved, required improvements to the city’s wastewater sewer plant would begin.
Ray West, a principal at Hood-Rich Architects in Springfield, spoke about the project, which would result in major improvements to the 1970s-era plant. Under state and federal guidelines, Houston must upgrade the facility, city officials say.
In addition to the $3.5 million bond issue, the city also hopes to tap $500,000 from a DNR fund to help pay for the work.
The Kansas City bonding firm of McLiney and Co. and Springfield attorney Carson Elliff will prepare documentation to put the issue on the ballot. The financial particulars – such as the cost to residents – are being developed by the city to present at a public forum.
The matter took much of the council’s time at the meeting.
Members also:
-Heard an update on efforts to extend Thomasville Road to Holder Drive and north to Orscheln Farm and Home. Work is focused on securing needed right-of-way for a turn lane at East Highway 17 and Thomasville Road. Needed property for a wider radius at Holder Drive and Thomasville Drive were earlier approved by property owners First National Bank and developer Jim Friend.
-Learned that issues about work completed at the Houston Memorial Airport are being resolved. Striping was been redone and seal issues fixed, it was reported. A partial payment was made for the work, which is primarily financed by the Missouri Department of Transportation. Some new lighting also will be installed, which will result in a runway shutdown.
-Heard that repairs to a fence at the airport and the Houston Municipal Airport are underway following a January storm. High winds caused damage there, as well as Houston City Hall, where roof repairs and installation of new flooring are planned. An insurance settlement will pay the biggest portion of the costs.
-Discussed plans to “smoke test” water and sewer lines to determine inflow to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The work is planned in March, and the city will release the dates later. The work is important, the city says, as it attempts to reduce the amount of flow at its plant.
-Praised the dedication and commitment of city workers during the recent ice storm that left widespread power outages. It also offered praise of West Plains crews who aided in restoring electricity.