Apparently newer versions of Elixir no longer come with the :http_util module. This is solved by adding :inets into the extra_applications as shown below:

# Configuration for the OTP application.
  #
  # Type `mix help compile.app` for more information.
  def application do
    [
      mod: {Meow.Application, []},
      extra_applications: [:logger, :runtime_tools, :inets]
    ]
  end

This should be done with the mix.exs in the zipped up starter app as well.