Image courtesy of the city of Jefferson
The Jefferson City Council met Tuesday night in regular session.
During open forum, three people addressed the Council. The first person was Jim Nelson and he voiced concerns about the city spending $2.54 million of forgivable loans to fix downtown buildings when the fire department has to cut a couple of inches off of the mirror arms to fit their trucks in the station, or when the city sold a lot to a developer on West Lincoln Way and part of the purchase agreement was for that individual to build a home within one year and the lot is still empty. City Administrator Scott Peterson said there were a few other lots where the same thing has happened and the recourse is if the city was interested in getting the property back, which has not been considered.
Bill Allen then spoke during open forum. He had a concern with the amount of taxes that have increased over the past eight years and he thought it is a struggle for the elderly to live in town on a limited income. Finally, Larry Joy voiced a concern during open forum about the water backing up into his basement, where the drainage flows north from the fairgrounds through his property to the railroad. Peterson stated that the drainage tile was cleaned out by city crews, but a contractor who was hired to do maintenance of clearing storm sewer lines, will be involved of handling that are as well.
The Council then approved the 30th pay estimate for the Wastewater Treatment Plant improvement project to Shank Constructors for $38,969. City Engineer Jim Leiding with Bolton and Menk said there is about $424,000 left for the balance of the project, with a majority of that amount being the retainage. A public open house and ribbon cutting is scheduled for 10am on September 12th, with public tours to follow.
Leiding also gave an update on the stakeholder meeting on the Greenewood Community Center potential project. He stated that the meeting included city staff, the Greenewood Board, Congregate Meals Board and staff, a resident of the building and some members of the public. Leiding shared that they are narrowing down to preferred option choices. He said the main floor of the community center may be refreshed and left for the congregate meals, while the basement may become the pro shop, with a bar and simulators. Other renovations would be to the current clubhouse to include outdoor seating and 12 rental housing units to the west of the golf course. He added that a financial study is underway now and will be presented in September.