Staff Reports
Striving to easy community fears and show support for Immaculate Conception Church’s proposed 16,000 sq ft Activity Center, various members spoke up at Tuesday’s Special City Council meeting.
“When I heard the people’s objections to the Catholic church’s planned activity center, I was not only puzzled but deeply offended that there was clearly an organized effort to delay or abandon our building project,” said Susan Wise. “We have no alterative motive. It will not be an eyesore like for instance the Transportation Building or City Hall. It will not house illegals or defrocked priests or any other absurd rumors we’ve heard. However, it will house much needed classrooms for our church; an indoor walking trail that will be open to the community; a commercial kitchen to serve our famous chili and to feed the hungry via the St. Vincent de Paul Society. It will give our parish an enlarged gathering space we so desperately need.”
Pam Watts, Marguerite Hawthorne, and Kathy Warner all spoke in support of the structure.
Local resident, Jeff Smith took a different approach on the building by stating he just wanted more information on the project.
“I’ve not heard one person say anything bad about the church. Not one. I’ve heard people ask about the church. I’ve heard ‘would you please tell us about [the project].’ Just explain it to the City of Jefferson and the Community really what the plan is and what it’s gonna look like. I just want to know about it.” said Smith.
ICC Church Secretary Warner said Thursday, May 5th “there is a meeting with the architect and the contractor to show you all the plans and talk about it. Feel free to come.”
This is a reversal of what Ward 3 Alderman Robin Moore indicated at a previous council meeting that the public would not be invited to a meeting to discuss the proposal.
Smith also raised concerns to council about a Quiet Zone, and ATVs being allowed on city streets. “We just need to use some common sense for the community of Jefferson,” he said.
Council took up one action item during the meeting after it was moved from the consent agenda.
Ward 1 Alderman David Westbrook proposed the city purchase a Strata Bounce playground equipment for each of the City Parks. The equipment is geared at 2-5 year olds. The cost was estimated to be $8,242 per the one bid the city received from Heartland Park and Recreation LLC in Whitehouse.
Ward 3/1 Alderman Richard Turner said he had issues with Heartland, and asked for additional bids on the cost and installation of the equipment.
Council denied the request 2-4 to purchase the equipment at this time.
The remainder of the meeting, Council used to review City Ordinance Chapter 18 Buildings and Building Regulations and Ordinances.
Council originally intended the first Tuesday of the month special meeting to focus on ordinances and the employee handbook.
A number of items were identified to review and update and Mayor Rob Baker said he would look into them and present Council with a “red lined” draft for their review.
Council also asked Turner to review the 2009 version of the employee handbook and offer suggestions as to whether it would be easier to revise it rather than the current version.
Council meets again at 5:30p on May 17.