V Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
Tuesday night’s City Council meeting was more discussion than actual action, but those discussions were rife with council members expressing their views.
Ward 3 Alderman Robin Moore led off the evening by stating that she would be abstaining and “not voting on building permits until [the city] gets a building permit person and inspector… because there are no teeth in the ordinance requiring a permit, so a lot of people don’t do them.”
Moore followed through on that statement by abstaining from voting on the consent agenda which contained four building permits and one sign permit. The consent agenda also included the approval of five city council meetings, the August monthly financial reports, an event application for the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, the renewal of an amusement ride permit, the TML Health Benefit Pool Renewal notice for city employees, and changing of a City holiday.
Council continued the discussion later in the meeting when Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker reviewed the “Council Initiatives” list he’s been asking Council members to take on for several months. Baker explained that there were several items with no “leader” so he took that to mean they were “low priority and on the back burner.”
Items that did not have a “leader” include the Drainage evaluation, Building Inspector, establishing the City Limits Survey and Floodplain projects, a liaison for the Quiet Zone Committee, General Grant needs of the City, Event Town Hall and reworking the Event agreement, and the Employee Handbook.
Ward 2 Alderman Ray Hengst volunteered to lead the Event Town Hall and a discussion ensued about the Jefferson Burn Benefit’s use of water barricades. Baker pointed out the event application was approved earlier in the year and Council was to schedule a demonstration of the barricades to address concerns but that had not happened. He also said that while the barricades might be a concern, they aren’t widely in use by other events, so not part of the general discussion at this time.
Event organizer Michelle Fox-Davis said after the meeting that whatever material Chief Perez needed would be provided immediately and the event has emergency procedures established to ensure an individual needing medical attention could receive it quickly.
Moore pushed the issue of the barricades being a safety issue in getting emergency vehicles into the closed off areas. Jefferson Police Chief Tino Perez said he would meet with the EMS and Fire Chief, again, about the issue and address any concerns they might have.
At the close of the discussion, Moore volunteered to lead the Employee Handbook initiative.
Friends of Jefferson Animals provide an updated of the second quarter activities of the organization. They said as their fiscal year ended, they had raised over $71,000 in donations, including a little over $15,000 from a 501c3 that disbanded, and expenses at approximately $59,000.
FOJA President Sharon Goolsby and Board Member Dina Carroll thanked Council for the continued support from the City for what they are doing.
During the quarter, FOJA said they had transported 75 puppies and kittens to rescues in other areas.
The City also acknowledged that they have been handling Public Comment incorrectly and have taken steps to correct the issue.
According to Baker, the Marion County District Attorney Angie Smoak contacted the City following the filing of a complaint with her office. Upon research, City Attorney Mike Martin said he confirmed the error.
At issue was the City’s requirement of only allowing people who residents or business owners to address Council during the Public Comment portion of the Open Meeting. Martin said the law had changed in 2019 and cities could not make such a restriction.
Baker said all of the various City commissions and boards have been notified and the verbiage on the agendas updated.
The Union Pacific Railroad crossings on North Alley Street will be being redone. Baker said UP informed him they were waiting on materials and would let the City know before they start in the next 2-3 weeks. Baker said every effort would be made to let the public know when the street will be closed.
The week of October 5 will be Teacher Appreciation week as Baker read a proclamation in support of teachers as World Teachers’ Day is October 5.
The proclamation requests people put a light blue ribbon in front of their homes and businesses that week in support of teachers.
Council approved a Municipal Maintenance agreement with TxDOT for the maintenance of state-maintained roads inside the city limits. It is a 10-year agreement that was last signed in 2013 and has no changes. Baker asked Council to table two supporting action items, a resolution and ordinance, until the next meeting as they were not ready at this time.
City employees will be getting their budgeted raises starting with the first payroll in October as Council formally approved the budgeted 3 percent raises.
A town hall will be scheduled in the future for the possibility of moving City Hall into the Jefferson Primary School which Baker said JISD has strongly indicated the district will not be using next school year.
There is a Community Strategic Plan meeting scheduled for October 2nd at the Community Center, according to Core Team Member and City Secretary Melissa Boyd. Moore, in giving her update simply said one was in the future and the public would be notified in advance of the meeting.