Jefferson City Council’s marathon two-hour meeting partly focused on building permits and the appointment of vacancies on Tourism and JEDCO, and the announcement of the City receiving $417,000 as a part of the American Rescue Funds.
Leading off the evening was the swearing in of newly-elected Alderwoman for Ward 2 Robin Moore. Moore defeated incumbent Tyrani Braddock in a second election in late June by four votes following a tie in the May general election.
City Secretary Doris Hines issued the Oaths of Office by request of Moore. In the past, either the Mayor or County Judge have issued the oaths.
“The $417,000 is part of the federal funding through the American Rescue Funds,” said Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker. “We’re still working through what we can spend it on, but basically it’s infrastructure and some overtime. It’s not a grant, but we do not have to pay it back either. We’ll receive half of them in the summer of 2021 and the other half in the summer of 2022.”
Ward 3 Alderman Richard Turner asked if the funds had to be spent before receiving the second portion, but City Administrator Eric Kuykendall said he’s not found any requirements like that, and that he knew the funds could be used on a continuing project and paid in multiple installments.
In the first of five property related requests, Council tabled a permit from Kathy Torrans to build a carport on the side of her home at 701 N. Alley Street.
“I started building the carport without a permit, because I thought I didn’t need one,” said Torrans. “I found out I was wrong and immediately stopped and submitted a permit request. Now there seems to be a question about it being built partially on the City Right of Way. When I purchased the property, there was a picket fence along Alley and Douglas streets. I removed the picket fence and put the edge of the carport in line with the location of the fence. I’m asking for a variance if there’s a problem.”
“Without a survey we don’t know exactly where the line is,” Finstrom.
“It’s my belief that the fence is actually on city property, but without a survey we don’t know,” said Turner.
“Y’all allow a lot of variances,” said Torrans. “I’ve been here for 15 years and I’ve seen a lot of variances. It’s not a permanent structure, so it could be taken down.”
Council voted to table the request until the location of the property line could be determined either by a survey or finding the survey pins. Torrans indicated the previous owner had a survey done, but she did not receive a copy of it at closing and has made several requests to get a copy with no luck.
Paul and Hillary Sims requested and received a variance from Council to construct a building and pool on their property at 911 S. Line. The variance is to allow a pergola and pool to be constructed with the pergola being within the minimum setback on the back side of the lot as it would be in line with an existing structure.
“How is this different from Kathy’s deal?” asked Moore.
“The survey is the deal,” said Baker. “The challenge with Kathy’s is that we’re guessing at what we’re giving.”
Council approved the variance and permit 4-0.
Builder David Attaway approached council for the ability to put in a culvert down the length of the property at 520 N Walnut street so his client, James Souter, could level out the yard all the way to the street and eliminate the ditch.
“I’d like permission to put in a culvert or pipe on the Bonham side of the property,” Attaway said. “There’s a 4 inch fall already so I’d like someone to come down and discuss it with me so I can please my customer.”
“We can’t approve the whole length,” said Baker. “The water already cuts that direction off the street and then it puts more water in the street. But, get with Eric [Kuykendall] and Alan [Whatley] and see what can be done.”
‘We normally don’t get these,” said Ward 1 Alderman David Westbrook. “I thank you for it. In the future we really need to run these through engineering. I see what people do, and how it diverts water onto adjacent landowners and it needs to be addressed.”
Council voted to take no action on the request with a motion from Turner and a second from Finstrom. It was approved 4-0.
Teresa and Alan Ponder are planning on building an asphalt parking lot on the property across from the Haywood House and sought council approval to install two culverts and driveways on both Lake and Dallas streets for access. They also plan on creating a sidewalk along the Market Street side of the property.
According to the Ponders, the lot will be open parking, available for everyone, except over—night parking will not be permitted. They assured council there will not be any encroachment onto City property other than the drives and the sidewalk.
Turner made the motion to approve and it passed 4-0.
Ernest Young petitioned Council to sell him a 350 foot dead-end section of West Dixon Street.
“I maintain that street,” said Young. “I mow it. I repaved it. I trim the trees back off it. I’d like to ask council to sell it to me if you’re willing.”
Young owns most of Block 68 already, with only Lot 16 being owned by someone else.
“We can’t sell a street and cut off access for another person,” said Turner.
“You can take the alley from Walker street,” said Young. “All the drains are stopped up. The City never cleans them, so it’s rough, but you can get to it.”
“Part of the problem [with the city maintaining] is you put up a gate and lock,” said Baker.
“The gate is not stopping the city,” said Young. “The street is still open.”
Turner made a motion to deny the sale at this time and Finstrom seconded. The motion passed 4-0.
Baker recommended council go look at the property, along with Whatley and Kuykendall, so the City could see what needs to be done about drainage. And that Young was welcome to come back to Council to close and sell the street if all the adjacent property owners agreed, per ordinance.
The City’s membership with the Marion County Chamber of Commerce remained controversial following a request from MCCC Board President Paul Moore for the city to renew their membership but as a “Sustaining Membership” level instead of at the “Business Platinum” level which was donated to the City after council rejected it last year.
The Sustaining Membership level is $2,500, while the Business Platnium is $1,200.
Last year, council chose not to renew their business membership wth the chamber and Jefferson resident Mark McKay donated $600 towards a city membership to the Chamber. During last night’s meeting, Baker donated the remaining $600 owed.
Paul Moore outlined the benfits the city would receive as a Sustaining Member. They include a table for 8 at the annual banquet; 4 co-sponsored events with a generic banner; the title sponsor in a chamber event; the City logo on the website an chamber calendar connetion newsletter; and individual memberships for the Mayor, Council members, and police department officers.
“We’re now taking a large number of daily visitor contacts for the city, “ said Paul Moore. “We’re doing that for the City on Monday through Wednesday when the City isn’t open.”
Ward 3 Alderman Ted Dickson asked if the membership was a budgeted item. Baker indicated it was.
According to reports presented to Council during the meeting, the General Fund Expenditures Report showed a $1,000 budged for Memberships Dues and Subscriptions. The City has already spent $2,276.10 on that budget line item.
Council was split on the motion to approve a $1,200 membership with Finstrom and Westbrook voting for the membership and Turner and Robin Moore voting against. Baker broke the tie by voting for the $1,200 level membership.
Council filled vacancies on JEDCO with the following appointments:
• Finstrom appointed David Ozee
• Turner appointed Lynn Daughrity
• Moore appointed Bubba Haggard.
The Tourism Board vacancies were filled with the following appointments:
• Finstrom appointed Pam Thomas for another term
• Turner appointed Sharon Goolsby
• Moore appointed Paul Morehead for another term.
The position of Mayor Pro Tem had two council members interested in the position. Aldermen Dickson and Finstrom were both put forward. Dickson has been serving as the interim Pro Tem since the May elections. The final selection was held off until the Ward 2 seat was elected.
Westbrook nominated Finstrom and Moore seconded.
Finstrom was approved with Westbrook and Moore supporting the nomination. Turner voted against.
Council voted to immediately fill the vacancy created with the resignation of Gary Amburn last month. See the Apointment story in this week’s Jimplecute.
In other business, Council:
• Approved the monthly and quarterly financial reports
• Approved the re-stablishment of the Historical Marker and Medallion for the George Washington Brown House (Pride House) and the placement of the marker near the corner of Main and Broadway so it would not be in the way of any future development of the property.
• Appointed Karen Jones to calculate the City’s 2021 Tax Rate.
Baker also provided his monthly update on other items occurring in town. Those included:
• 2021 Street Campaign where the contractor has been doing preparatory work before repaving begins so any adjustments for drainage, etc., can be done before paving. Baker indicated the paving process should begin in the next few weeks.
• 2022 City Budget is in progress and Council will be holding workshops and public hearings over the next few weeks. Citizen input is also requested at those meetings.
• Town Hall Topics. Baker campaigned on wanting to hold regular Town Hall meetings but was interrupted by COVID. Baker said he intends to begin calling those meetings in August to seek input on Non Golf Cart vehicles on City Streets; the interest in a Quiet Zone Study; and the launch of a Citizen Action Committee.
Council closed out the main portion of their meeting with a discussion on the March approval of a building permit for a modular home on Clay Street. Please see the Jimplecute story elsewhere in this edition.
Council closed the meeting with an executive session to update Moore on things going on with the City but no action was taken as a result of the session.