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Houston City Council approves safety and utility purchases, adopts incentive and housing resolutions
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting the Houston City Council approved equipment purchases for fire, police, water and sewer departments, adopted business-development and affordable-housing resolutions with one-year sunsets, readopted two ordinances for an outdoor recreation complex and cemetery columbarium rules, and set a July 4 fireworks date.
Houston — The Houston City Council on Jan. 20 approved a package of routine purchases and several policy resolutions while moving into executive session to discuss legal, personnel and contract matters.
Mayor Samuel L. Kelley presided over the meeting at City Hall. Council members unanimously approved payroll and invoice payments, finalized the Rawdon Tarn Subdivision plat and authorized multiple equipment purchases intended for emergency services and utilities.
Purchases approved included four SCBA cylinders and valves for the Fire Department from Scott 3M ($7,080.04 plus shipping) and a Polaris Ranger Crew XP 1000 UTV for the Fire Department from Polaris Direct Government & Defense Program ($61,322.83 plus $2,600 installation and freight). The council also approved 151 M25 bronze water meters and registers from Midwest Meter ($24,046.75) and a water communication module from Nexgrid ($22,881.32). For the Police Department the council approved acquisition of 10 handguns ($7,768.30) and one rifle ($1,701.93) from Kiesler Police Supply and two 2026 Dodge Durango vehicles from Corwin Dodge ($81,180.00).
The council created a Golf Course Committee chaired by Alderwoman Ann Tottingham, with Alderwoman Sheila Walker and Alderman Fred Stottlemyre as members; the committee will meet Jan. 28 to discuss turf top-dress spreaders.
Economic Developer and Assistant Administrator Travis Witzemann updated the council on the Child Care Project and the council authorized Mayor Kelley to sign three resolutions by title: Resolution 2026-100R, adopting a Business Development Incentive Plan (one-year sunset); Resolution 2026-101R, adopting an Affordable Housing Development Program (one-year sunset); and Resolution 2026-102R, authorizing submission of a USDA Rural Business Development Grant application to fund the Idea Lab small business incubator project.
The council placed Bill No. 100 on first and second readings by title only to become Ordinance 2026-100, adopting the 2018 International Building Code for the design and construction of the Houston Outdoor Recreation Complex. It likewise placed Bill No. 101 on first and second readings by title only to become Ordinance 2026-101, amending Chapter 6 (Cemeteries) to add rules, regulations and fees for internment of cremains in columbarium niches at Pine Lawn Cemetery.
Council approved placement of a 7" x 10" plaque honoring the Potts family at the north entrance rock of Emmett Kelly Park at Peggy Potts' request, and set July 4, 2026 as the date for the airport fireworks show.
Council also approved purchase of a 2026 Polaris Ranger 1000 for the sewer department ($20,899 from Stahlman Powersports) and 2,500 feet of cable-in-duct for the electric department from Fletcher-Reinhardt Company ($13,000).
The meeting concluded with the council rescheduling the regular Feb. 16 meeting to Feb. 23, 2026, and moving into executive session pursuant to RSMo §610.021 subsections (1), (3) and (12) to discuss legal matters, hiring/firing/discipline/promotions, and contracts. The executive-session portion of the meeting adjourned later that evening.
Votes at a glance: the minutes record motions carried for all items above; specific vote tallies are recorded in the official minutes for each motion.
