The Jefferson City Council met Tuesday night in regular session.

During open forum, a concerned citizen asked the Council to establish an ordinance to not allow gravel or rock in the city streets. The complaint was about too much rock and gravel going into the City’s storm drain on Cedar Street and plugging up the drain. The Council took no action following the complaint.

Then Greene County Environmental Health Administrator Chuck Wenthold addressed the Council. He gave an update on the North Raccoon River Watershed Management. He told the Council that the City might be contacted once the action plan is written because the Raccoon River flows through Jefferson. He also presented a preliminary urban development plan showing designated roads and areas of the wind turbines and where the career academy is going to be placed. Wenthold informed the Council that he will be back in one month for the Council to approve an agreement allowing the County to designate part of the project to be in the city limits.

Then the Council approved waiving a $2,892 building permit fee for East State Street Properties for Pillar Technology. It is to remodel 204-206 East State Street as part of applying for historic tax credits. Jefferson Building Official Nick Sorensen informed the Council that Pillar Technology was not required to apply for a building permit fee, but chose to and the Council voted 4 to 1 in favor of it. Council member Dave Sloan was the one “no” vote.

The Council then heard an update from Thomas Jefferson Gardens. This past year, Thomas Jefferson Gardens hosted a reception during Bell Tower Festival, had three kid camps, held a special concert for The Bushmen and hosted the Jefferson Matters: Main Street Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Future plans include developing a website, installing a touchscreen kiosk and building a living waters feature.

Finally, City Administrator Mike Palmer announced that they received a $10,000 grant from Union Pacific Railroad for the East Entryway project on Lincoln Way.