V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
The Jefferson Quiet Zone Committee got off to a fast start this week holding their first meeting, electing officers, and establishing their first priorities.
Jim Stacey volunteered to be the chairman of the group and lead the monthly meetings. Mark McKay joined in as vice-chair, and Scot Crimson offered to be the secretary. Missy DeLong was absent.
Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker asked the group to establish an email liason, or someone to monitor a newly created email address where citizens can submit information or requests for the group to consider. Crimson said he would be that liason.
Citizens interested in sending in comments, or requests for the group to consider, should email them at quietzone@cityhallofjefferson.com.
The group also established their regular meetings to be at 6:30p on the third Monday of each month at the Jefferson Visitors Center.
During the workshop portion of their meeting, the group requested Baker contact Dr. Richard Washington with the Federal Railroad Adminsitration (FRA), and ask him if he would consider sitting down with the group and review his December 2022 presentation to the City, and help them get moving in the right direction with their research.
The group also hopes to utilize an online bulletin board system, which will be visible to the public for reading, to help them provide information between themselves and speed the process along. A bulletin board system is allowed by the Texas Open Meetings Act. More research on the system is required so that a decision can be made at their next meeting.
Lastly, the group emphasized that they were created to procure the facts about what is necessary, and any associated costs, for the creation of a quiet zone in the City. They also confirmed they are not there to determine the pros and cons on the impact to businesses and residents, as that is a decision for the Council, but that they are to gather as much actual factual information, and what other communities have gone through, as well as reconfirm the process to create the zone.
The group will meet again at 6:30p August 21.