Staff Reports
Resident and tourist safety, but not comfort, took center stage during Tuesday nights City Council meeting.
Aldermen approved reimbursing a tourist after a limb from a Bradford Pear tree on Market Street fell and damaged their car. Aldermen Richard Turner and Robin Moore were against the decision citing the claim should have gone through the City’s insurance agent, and that a precedent was being set by approving the request. The City agreed to pay the requested $225.53 and then to have a tree service evaluate the six trees in that area and make recommendations for either removal or pruning.
Aldermen also rejected a request 5-1 to authorize JEDCO to spend almost $46,000 to produce a study on the feasibility and requirements of a “Quiet Zone” in town.
A “Quiet Zone” is a restriction placed upon the railroads to limit the number of times, and how loud, the horns sound. At every crossing, trains must sound their horns four times at a minimum of 15 seconds – regardless of the time of day. The last blast has to be held until the engine is fully inside the crossing.
Turner said he didn’t believe that JEDCO funds could be used for this project as no jobs were being retained or created. Alderman Jim Finstrom indicated that if a study was to be done then it should be for both the KCS and UP lines and not just KCS as proposed. Moore wanted to wait for the completion of the Strategic Plan project to determine if it was necessary or just a request from a “small, special interest group.”
Alderman April Taylor-Johnson countered that we wouldn’t know what needed to be done if we didn’t ask. And Moore asked why couldn’t the City do the study themselves instead of hiring an outside firm.
Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker said the study would be required by the railroad companies before they would agree to the zone, and the study would indicate what safety features would be needed at the crossings as well as any changes to city streets in the area.
Baker also the completion of a merger between KCS and Canadian Pacific could increase both the frequency of trains and the size of the loads on the rails and that the City would be in discussion with them on what is being done to minimize future derailment hazards like what recently occurred.
The sinkhole at Soda and Henderson streets is making progress to be repaired as David Lawler Construction has completed filling the hole with materials designed to keep it from spreading. Baker said Lawler should begin resurfacing the area in the next week.
Baker also reported the City is making progress in cleaning up after last week’s storms. Citizens are encouraged to pile limbs and storm debris either on the edge of their property or on the edge of the street right of ways, but not impeding traffic. The city is working with a tree service to remove the debris as quickly as possible, but it may take several weeks for it all to be removed.
The City of Jefferson Police Department will be getting new software to manage the evidence collected during investigations.
“Currently there are five different systems in use in the evidence room,” said JPD Chief Tino Perez. “All are written ledgers, but have different formats so tracking or finding can be difficult.”
Alderman approved Perez’s request to spend $3,125 to purchase the PMI-Evidence Tracker system. The system is currently in use by Atlanta and Linden Police Departments, and the Cass County Sheriff’s office. Perez said the system also came with a basic asset management system which could be expanded for all marking City property.
Perez also requested Council accept Texas Education Code 25.093 which allows for the assignment of fines to parents and students who are truant.
The fines, which range from $100 to $500, and are misdemeanors, would be split with JISD when collected. A special revenue and associated liability line items would be created in the City’s budget to track the funds.
As the schools are located within the City Limits, JPD can issue tickets for any student in the district, regardless of where they live.
Uncontracted trash pickup by agencies coming to town in trash-compactor style trucks will be reviewed and identified over the next several months. Turner had the item added to the agenda to start a discussion on what Council wanted to do about the vehicles as they are larger than what city streets are engineered to withstand, and those companies that are picking up from commercial locations are not paying a franchise fee back to the City as required. Council agreed to get a list together of the companies and then discuss options at a future meeting.
JPD, Alderman, and other city workers are to start compiling a list of locations where street signs or stop signs are in need of installation or replacement. Perez said there are a number of signs which need to be replaced and some which have been a victim of graffiti.
Baker was authorized to form a committee of Council members to review the City’s proposed franchise contract with CenterPoint Energy. The current contract, which expired earlier this year, was a 25 year contract. Baker said he wants input on the new proposed contract before bringing it to Council for consideration. Turner indicated he would like to participate, and others are to contact Baker directly.
Council approved two building permits, one in consent for Peter Stapa at 507 N Soda Street, and one in action items for Wesley and Michelle Miller at 209 E. Clarksville Street. The Miller’s had already begun construction of a garage on an existing slab prior to getting the permit but had stopped construction when requested. Their permit includes a variance to the setback rules as the construction is in line with other adjacent buildings. Stapa is building a storage building and cover for an RV.
Lastly, Council established a schedule for the August Budget Workshops to prepare the 2022-23 budget year. Council will be meeting August 2nd, 9th, 23rd and 30th to discuss and finalize a budget. Citizens are asked to talk with their Aldermen about requests and needs so they can be considered. The workshops will begin at 6:30p each evening at the Transportation Center.