What started as a meeting to convey hope and togetherness, quickly turned contentious as a crowd of area residents packed the meeting room for last nights Jefferson City Council meeting, mostly all focused on the City’s ability and priority of supplying water to the proposed Moon Lake Estates development on the east side of the city limits.
“What about existing residents who cannot flush a toilet while a shower or sprinkler system is running? And this new subdivision, outside the city limits, gets a new $1.2 million water line from our taxes?” asked Robin Moore during public comment. “Moon Lake Estates and the county will be the only ones benefiting with the new waterline.”
Moore is the JEDCO secretary and organizer of the opposition to the development project.
Kyle Mayden, the developer of Moon Lake Estates, had made a request to JEDCO to partially fund a new water line for the development. The City would receive water sales revenue and additional property tax revenue once the development was annexed.
“When these two items came up on the agenda, I’ve had a number of calls from citizens,” said Ward 1 Alderman Jim Finstrom, “and that’s the first time I’ve had that since I got on council. I’m going to move we table this until a public hearing can be held so citizens can come forward and voice their opinions. Because I think there’s a very real concern and needs which ned to be addressed at that meeting.”
“With the water line project bus of the size of the expenditure, it’s mandated we have a public hearing,” said Ward 3 Alderman Victor Perot. “Both JEDCO and the city both have to have [a hearing].”
Online insinuations have been made against both Perot and Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker on their involvement with the project.
“A lot of disinformation happens on FaceBook,” said Baker. “So before you put it out are there as yourself if there are slander or libel issues that could be prosecuted on this end. And they will be if stupid crap like that continues. I’m all about transparency. We’re all about public hearings and input. My job is to put things on the agenda. And Robin, as far as your comments at JEDCO a couple weeks ago, they were embarrassing and something that a public official or someone running for public office should ever go through.”
Developer Kyle Mayden showed a video overview of the proposed Moon Lake Estates development and said “without new developments like this you don’t get additional tax dollars to go out and supplement your already existing infrastructure. A development like this is going to push $30-35,000 alone to city coffers which would bolster existing projects. If this doesn’t succeed without community support, then it doesn’t even get off the ground.
According to material supplied by Mayden, if the City were to annex the subdivision, the City could see a potential gain of approximately $500,000 in annual property tax revenue when it’s fully developed. The County could see an additional $750,000 in property tax revenue.
Ultimately the City moved to table further discussion and decisions on providing assistance to the development until after public hearings could be held.
Wednesday morning, Mayden withdrew his request for assistance from the City and JEDCO for the water line. Mayden also withdrew the developments support for future annexation to the City.
Council also chose to end their long relationship with Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins and Mott, LLP, for property tax attorney services. Ward 1 Councilman Jim Finstrom moved to stay with Perdue, but the motion died for lack of a second. Ward 2 Councilman Tyrani Braddock then moved to terminate the agreement with Perdue and move the City over to Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP, which is used by the County and JISD for tax attorney services. The motion carried 5-1 with Finstrom voting against.
Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur also addressed Council during public comment to make them aware of the County’s need to possibly close Dallas Street to effect repairs to the elevator on the County Jail. He said they would be in contact with City officials as the need arose, and would supply all the necessary barricades, and redirection of traffic if needed.
Baker updated the Council on recent actions he’s been involved with, including the operation of non-licensed vehicles on city streets. This was proposed in January as a waiver request by Francene Rainey to help participants at her events who bring ATVs, UTVs and motorbikes into town. Currently the State and City only allow the operation of Golf Carts on city streets. Baker said they are still working on the issue, but is leaning towards not allowing the waiver.
Baker also announced that TxDOT has agreed to move the Union Pacific railroad “Stop” signal further South along the rail lines so the train will now stop behind McDonald’s and no longer block the Tx Hwy 49 and Broadway intersection. TxDOT will be paying for the required work, resurfacing and equipment changes Baker said. Council also tabled until a public hearing could be held on approving a funding request for a study to establish a Quiet Zone along the Eastern side of downtown along the KCS rail line to where it crosses Alley street. Baker indicated the moving of the “stop” signal also allows for extending the quiet zone along the UP line back to Tx Hwy 49.
Finally Baker announced the creation of a Citizens Action Committee and is seeking input from those interested in participating. He also announced he is forming a Former Mayors Committee to allow the sharing of information on various projects and activities of the City during their tenures.
“There are 7 living former mayors,” Baker said. “And 6 of them still live here. All 7 have agreed to participate.”
In the consent agenda, Council approved the calling of the election for May 1 for aldermen; appointed Pat George as election Judge, Lois Stanford as Alternate Judge and 5 clerks; approved April 19 and 27 as the two weekdays required by law to be open 12 hours during the regular early voting period, and 8 hours on April 24; approved a resolution denying SWEPCO’s proposed rate increase; and accepted a Texas Department of Agriculture grant contract to supply new water lines to the Cass and Canal streets areas.
Council approved, with changes, a contract to lease the former Police Department front office building to the Marion County Chamber of Commerce rent free for one year. The Chamber plans on building a deck and extending the roof out over the parking area to create a space for tourists to rest.
Lastly, Perot appointed Chris Skaggs, local manager at TriCo Lumber, to fill the JEDCO seat vacated by Bob Avery earlier this month.