The Jefferson City Council met in regular session on Tuesday night.

After a presentation on the update of the Westwood sidewalk project, the Council voted 3-2 to proceed with Bolton and Menk to do planning and design of the $1.1 million project that included the original proposal, along with adding 3.5 blocks on the south side of Westwood. The two Council members that voted no were Chad Sloan and Luke Winkleman. 

The Council also approved a resolution to hire Jacob Schleisman as a park and cemetery worker for a $22.57 per hour wage, a resolution to continue with PeopleService to operate and do compliance of the water plant for five years with a $7,909 monthly fee for 2026. It was mentioned that if the city hires a Water Superintendent, then the contract would not have to continue. 

During the organizational portion of the meeting, the Council approved all committee assignments and designated a local newspaper as its official paper. 

Before the Council approved by a 4-1 vote to re-confirm the appointments of city engineer, city clerk, building inspector and city attorney, a few residents voiced concerns about the Building Inspector, Chad Stevens. The complaints were accusing Stevens of favoritism with some homeowners that wanted to have additions done and others that weren’t allowed to make some smaller additions. Council member Sloan was the lone no vote on the re-confinements and asked Stevens for building permits for the last two years and explained one situation where he thought Stevens took longer than he should’ve to approve a permit for concrete to be added to a driveway.

Following the public hearing about granting easements to Red Lion Renewables to install solar equipment onto city-owned property, City Administrator Scott Peterson said to table the rest of the items until all new proposals could be reviewed and run through a committee.