V. Hugh Lewis
Jefferson Jimplecute
New buildings will be going up in downtown and the historic district after the Jefferson City Council approved permits for two controversial structures.
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church sought approval to construct a 16,000 square foot activity center on the lots adjacent to the church. Numerous organizations and individuals had expressed opposition to the building until additional information was provided as to it’s use, impact on traffic, parking, and water and sewer services. The groups also wanted to ensure it would fit in with the historic buildings in the area.
Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker said the City had requested several tests be made to ensure the existing water and sewer services would be able to serve the buildings needs – including a proposed fire suppression system.
“The last tests were done today,” said Baker, “so I don’t have a report to hand out. But, the regular flow for normal water usage was OK. The water services will allow the proposed fire suppression system to meet minimum requirements, but is below the recommended 65 PSI. This means the building would need to have some sort of pump system, or a dry system for fire suppression in the building.”
Architect Brent Brevard said they “would make the system work,” and will “revise as needed.”
Available parking was also discussed. Brevard, when asked, first said there were 34 parking spaces available at the facility. He later clarified to indicate there were 13 spaces off-street and the remaining 21 were angle parking on Vale and eventually Lafayette Street. Those 21 spaces would replace the existing parallel spaces, but will still need approval from Council.
Ward 1 Alderman Jim Finstrom moved to approve the permit as submitted. However, Ward 3/1 Alderman Richard Turner seconded the motion but only if it included some form of statement indicating the Church needed to adjust the fire suppression system to meet what can be supplied by the City. Finstrom did not wish to amend his motion. After additional discussion the motion received a second and was approved as submitted 6-0. Alderman Ward 2/3 Robin Moore, who sits on the Church Building Committee and who had previously abstained from voting, voted for the permit.
Skip Torrans’ proposed shop and covered parking permit for 305 S. Alley received eventual approval after Torrans clarified it’s usage.
“I’m selling down the business, and want to retire,” said Torrans.
Torrans promised Council that no commercial manufacturing would be occurring at the site and that while the building is 17 feet tall, it sits on the back side of the property, which is four feet above the street, and he’ll be adding a six foot privacy fence at the street to help “hide” the structure.
“How to preserve the Historic District needs to be discussed,” said Torrans, but, at the moment there are no restrictions.
Council approved the permit 5-1
Joyce Johnson got approval to leave a mobile home on her property after it being there for almost a year. Johnson had requested the permit in March but it was tabled at the April 4 meeting so she could be present and for Council to obtain additional information.
The trailer is to be used as a family gathering place and guest house according to the permit request.
Turner questioned the location of the trailer, believing it to not be inside one of the designated areas in the City for mobile homes. After a lengthly discussion on where the boundaries are for that area of town, Council approved the permit 4-2 with Aldermen Turner and Hollis Shadden voting against.
The 2022 Streets Campaign continues to be delayed as Council awaits a list from SPI, the City’s engineering firm.
Turner suggested rolling over this years funds to the next budget year, citing the late start on the process.
Ultimately Council voted to table the project until they could get a list, with estimated costs, from SPI.
Tammy Bennett’s request for reimbursement for plumbing expenses continued to be tabled while the City discusses the situation with adjacent building owner Jeff Ponder and his contractor Joe McDonald. The issue stemmed from roll-off dumpsters being placed in the alleyway between the buildings. Those dumpsters crushed the clay-pipe sewer line under the alleyway. Bennett is out $865 for plumbing repair to discover the problem.
Lastly, Council tabled a request from the Masonic Lodge to remove a live tree from a corner of their property until discussions could be had with SWEPCO.
The tree is “rotted” on the inside and limbs are starting to fall out of it, according to Frankie Stone. There are powerlines which go through the tree limbs, thus prompting Council to ask SWEPCO for assistance in removing the tree.
At Baker’s request, Council approved a 30-day lease extension for the Marion County Chamber of Commerce’s use of the former Police Department building. The existing lease expired at the end of April. Turner requested the Chamber provide proof of payments on utilities and other receipts in accordance with their lease before Council approve a new one. The extension is expected to be concluded by the June 4 meeting. The request was approved 5-0-1 with Shadden abstaining.
Lastly, Council extended the delay in paying Lawler Construction approximately $149,000 for repairs to the parking lot behind the Marion County Courthouse.
Turner, who has challenged the legality of Baker authorizing the repairs, ultimately moved that the City obtain a 3rd party attorney’s legal opinion on how to pay the bill.
Baker has stated that he viewed the incident as an emergency and, as such, was allowed to authorize the repairs to protect public safety and public property. As such, he is allowed to forego the bid requirement for projects over $50,000.
Turner claims that the incident was not an emergency and says his reading of Texas Government Code does not allow the bid process for a Type A city.
After being questioned by Baker, Turner admitted he has contacted the Marshall News Messenger on the “situation” and “invited them to attend the meeting.” He also admitted to contacting the Texas Rangers and “requested an opinion on the situation.”
According to District Attorney Angela Smoak she was contacted by the Rangers about the issue but as of press time no complaint has been brought to her office as required by law before the matter can be referred to the Rangers.
Baker said under an interlocal agreement with the County on the use of the parking lot, the County is required to pay half of the maintenance expenses on the lot. Baker is working with the County to get the bill paid and the City reimbursed once payment is made.
Turner moved to get a 3rd party attorney’s opinion on the matter. The vote was 3-0-3 with Turner, Shadden and Moore voting for, and remaining council abstaining. As the majority of available votes was to get the opinion, the motion passed.
Boyd is discussing with Turner and Baker on how to proceed on the matter.
With the approval of a 3rd party attorney’s opinion. What is the cost to the city?
They did not specify an amount to spend for the review. The response was received just before press time this week, so it will be in next week’s paper.