§ 7a. Ownership, etc. of public utilities.  


Latest version.
  • The City of Houston may by purchase, lease, condemnation, construction or otherwise, establish, own, equip, maintain, conduct and operate, in whole or in part, libraries, reading rooms, art galleries, museums, assembly or convention halls, parks, playgrounds, gymnasiums, baths, public toilets and comfort stations, abattoirs, municipal lodging houses, and tenement houses, dispensaries, infirmaries, free employment bureaus, almshouses, work farms, detention homes, cemeteries, crematories, morgues, works or plants for the preparation, manufacture, handling or transportation of materials required in the construction, completion, maintenance or repair of streets, bridges, sidewalks, sewers and any public work, improvement, building or utility, whether specifically mentioned herein or not, and shall have power to purchase and contract for any and all materials used in connection with the operation of said works or plants, or the maintenance or repair of streets, bridges, etc., hereinabove mentioned, and shall further have power to bid on any public work or improvement proposed or instituted by or in the City of Houston and to contract for the same in like manner and upon the same terms and conditions as other contractors, with the power to purchase any and all materials which may be necessary to carry out and perform such contract whether same are of the kind repaired, manufactured or handled in the plants or works owned by the City of Houston or not. The City of Houston may also, by purchase, condemnation, construction or otherwise establish, own, equip, maintain, conduct and operate in whole or in part steam laundries, ice factories, bakeries, belt and terminal railways and union depots within or without the City of Houston; also, any and all buildings, establishments, institutions and places, whether situated inside or outside the city limits which are necessary or convenient for the transaction of public business or for promoting the health, morals, education or welfare of the inhabitants of the city, or for their amusement, recreation, entertainment or benefit. (Added by amendment October 15, 1913; amended August 14, 1982)