Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker opened Jefferson’s regular City Council meeting with a moment of silence for Jefferson resident Jessie Mae Walker who passed away this week. Walker was a “very distinguished, very well respected member of our community,” said Baker. “She had a voice and she used it, kind of the EF Hutton of Frogtown. Everyone went to her for an opinion and she was willing to give one.”
Baker then swore in Jefferson’s new City Secretary, Melissa Boyd during the opening of the Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday. Boyd was hired last month after the resignation of Doris Hines, and assumed the duties of secretary on Monday.
Event organizers and the community have until the December Council meeting to get their thoughts together on what and how to change the current City Event Agreement.
Baker asked Council how they wanted to handle a variety of topics which he’d like to get public input on before rewriting or updating City Ordinances and policies.
Event wise, the Excelsior Foundation Board, which owns the Excelsior Hotel, has had a representative speak at recent Council meetings about their displeasure in street closures in front of the hotel for events. Alderman Robin Moore has also expressed concern about the insurance information and general and alcohol liability insurance policies provided to the City by events. Moore claimed over half of the events in 2021 did not provide adequate insurance information.
A Jimplecute review of the 2021 event requests on Wednesday showed 14 2021 event applications having been approved by council to date. Of those, 10 had insurance policies issued and emailed to City Hall by Brownrigg Insurance; two were issued by other insurance agencies; one has a deadline of November 23 to provide proof of insurance; and one event was cancelled, thus no insurance was needed.
Currently, Brownrigg Insurance, which supplies the majority of the event policies, emails a copy of the Certificate of Insurance to the City when it is issued. The City verifies the policy, but does not print out a copy and attach it to the approved event application.
Council chose to hold a Town Hall meeting before the next several Council meetings to hear from the public. Topics up for Town Hall discussion over the next several months are, in order of meeting: Non-Golf Car ordinance (November); Event process, forms, permits, insurance needs (December); Railroad Quiet Zone Study (January); and Non-running Autos (February). Members of the public, event organizers, and those with an interest in the topics are encouraged to attend.
Sunday, October 31, is officially Dr. Winston McGowan Day in Jefferson, according to a proclamation made by Baker. Dr. McGowan is the pastor of St. Paul Methodist Church which is celebrating over 140 years of services in Jefferson.
City Administrator Eric Kuykendahl updated Council on the status of a variety of subjects as part of the Administrator’s Comment portion of the agenda. Kuykendall discussed the street resurfacing and drainage projects, both of which are working steadily towards completion. He also indicated he is waiting on documentation from Duke DeWare on the fire sprinkler system installation which was not reconnected when the city replaced the water line in Bateman’s Alley as the City did not have knowledge of it being there. The reconnection has a bid cost of $6,400 from Lawler Construction and no other interest has been given by other contractors.
The widening of the sidewalk on Vale Street next to the Jefferson Hotel has had further investigation and Kuykendall indicated it could be made ADA compliant, but the hotel would need to move two air conditioner units before that could be done. Joe McDonald spoke briefly and indicated he could do it for approximately $3,500.
A mobile home was moved onto a lot on Highway 49 without a building permit, Kuykendall said. He also said it does not meet the setback requirements and council would need to authorize variances if the permit is requested.
Kuykendall asked Jefferson Police Chief Tino Perez to update council on the status of the removal of non-functioning vehicles.
“I’ve divided the City into quadrants and am working it quadrant by quadrant,” said Perez. “I’m using the existing procedure outlined in the ordinance. I’ve found that 90% of the vehicles are at unattended houses. Then I must coordinate with the appraisal and tax offices to obtain where to send notices. I’ve been pretty successful with those notifications.
“However it’s been some years since some ordinances have been enforced, so I’m allowing more time than the ordinance requires to help people,” said Perez.
The City Tourism Board and JEDCO both gave presentations to Council on their activities for the last year. Both boards are required to provide a quarterly update to council, but that requirement had been waived due to COVID.
Several building permits were requested this month and all were approved except for one:
• Approved East Elizabeth Street expansion of existing home
• Approved new home construction at Rusk and Camp streets
• Approved adding and redoing an awning on a commercial building at Henderson and Walnut
Vicky Williams requested the installation of a mobile home at Mulberry and St. John Streets, and council ultimately tabled the decision until Council could be provided with an updated map showing the allowed area for mobile homes.
Council had a lengthy discussion on whether or not the area in question allowed mobile homes. Ward 3 Alderman Richard Turner initially moved to deny the request holding that a mobile home could not be placed there. Council reviewed the description of Ordinance 18-2 which defines the allowed areas in the city for mobile homes, and compared it to city maps. Ultimately Turner changed his motion to table the request until an updated map could be produced.
The City will begin a process to have a building inspector as Kuykendall was tasked with putting together a job description and what state certified electrical, plumbing, and building inspectors were available and willing to work for the city on a part time basis.
Baker brought up the need to replace an iron culvert at Walnut and Hwy 49 due to it’s age and current condition. Council approved Kuykendall talking with TxDOT and SPI engineering firm to get a preliminary estimate on costs.
Cindy Pinkerton’s request for the City to pay for repairs to her sprinkler system at Taylor and Bridge streets got no action, and no vote of “Take No Action” from Council. Pinkerton, who was not present, had submitted a request for the City to pay for repairs to her sprinkler system, which was installed in the Bridge Street right-of-way, and damaged when street contractors graded the ditches for drainage before beginning resurfacing Bridge Street. The ditch work was considered a necessary part of the project.
Ward 1 Alderman David Westbrook moved to pay for the repairs, but the motion died for lack of a second. Baker then moved the meeting onto the next action item.
Council retired into Executive Session to discuss Economic Development, Personnel issues, Consult with their Attorney, and Municipal Security, but took no action afterwards.