Adult basic education classes would move to a building in the southwest corner of Emmett Kelly Park under a proposal approved by the Houston City Council on Monday.
The classes allow residents to brush up on skills and earn the equivalent of a high school diploma. University Extension is moving to a new location, and that frees up the upper level of the building, the council heard.
In other matters, members:
-Heard that gardeners and homeowners may be interested in using chips for mulch at a Hawthorn Street site that used to be home to a city dog pound. The chips represent debris from last month’s ice storm.
-Visited with a delegation from the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce concerning the upcoming Emmett Kelly Clown Festival. Following input from the city, the group is expected to outline several requests to the city, including which streets to close during the May 2-3 event.
-Heard from Shelby Jones, who conducted an inventory of trees on City of Houston property. The project was funded under a grant obtained by the city. He praised the city’s efforts on trees and offered some suggestions for replacement of some, such as Pine Lawn Cemetery, where he said some pine trees need to be removed because they were planted too close to each other.
-Heard from a life insurance representative of a statewide program that allows city employees to participate. Department chiefs will survey workers as to the interest.
-Approved a $500 contribution to Oakwood Golf Course for signage.
-Learned that Intercounty Electric Cooperative has extended an offer to work with the city on energy audits of businesses and to do cooperative advertising, offer incentives and develop ways to conserve energy. The cooperative’s Leisa Stilley and Dewayne Cartwright will work with the city.
-Learned that the next target for a trash rate increase is $4.178 per gallon on diesel. The city’s hauler has a clause that allows it to raise rates when diesel prices rise. Most recently, the price increased 5 percent.