CITY & COUNTY
News from West University Place & Houston
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE Construction could start in January on an east side drainage project in the city of West University Place. The project is bring split up into two separate packages. The first package involves paving and drainage upgrades along University Boulevard between Buffalo Speedway and Kirby Drive. The second package involves paving and drainage upgrades along portions of Wakeforest Avenue, Rice Avenue and Duke Street. Bellaire City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Sept. 12 at 7008 S. Rice Ave., Bellaire. Meetings are streamed at www.bellairetx.gov. West University Place City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at 3800 University Blvd., Houston. Meetings are available via teleconference. Find details at www.westutx.gov. Houston City Council will meet for a consolidated meeting for public comment and regular business at 9 a.m. Sept. 7 at 901 Bagby St., Houston. Meetings are streamed at www.houstontx.gov/htv. MEETINGS WE COVER
West U takes steps to issue $61.1M in bonds
Bond elections placed on ballot
Project priorities
Wastewater treatment plant improvements: The city of West University Place will pay for a number of projects through certificates of obligation.
BY SOFIA GONZALEZ
HOUSTON In a 16-1 vote, Houston City Council approved an ordinance during its Aug. 17 meeting that orders an election to be held Nov. 8 for Houstonians to vote on $478 million in public improvement bonds. Voters will be asked to weigh in on seven separate propositions, including a $270 million public safety bond, a $60 million parks bond, a $47 million bond for animal care services, a $33 million bond for public health, a $29 million bond for general improve- ments, a $26 million library bond and a $6 million bond for the solid waste department. The 2023-27 capital improve- ment plans identified the projects as “future bond elections.” Funds would also pay for $194 million in already-planned projects that have no funding.
$17.34M
BY GEORGE WIEBE
Street drainage improvements:
WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE The city of West University Place during its July 25 council meeting directed city staff to publish a notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation, a required step by the city prior to the issuance of new debt. The $61.12 million in new debt is to be paid down over the next 25 years, and portions of it will be used to fund projects in the city’s fiscal year 2022-23 budget. Certificates of obligation—also called COs—are a form of bonds issued to pay for large nonroutine expenses. Unlike general obliga- tion bonds, COs do not require voter approval, providing more flexible spending to cities. A notice for COs must be given
$15.8M
Public works maintenance facility:
$12.4M
Wastewater reuse:
$8.18M
Water line replacement:
$3.7M
Buffalo Speedway rehab:
$2.3M
Wakeforest painting:
$1.11M
Law Street water line:
at least 45 days prior to issuance. While no vote is required to issue COs, if 5% of eligible voters sign a city petition, the bonds become subject to an election. $290,000 SOURCE: CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION • SEPTEMBER 2022
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