V Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
This month’s regular City Council meeting became a special meeting due to last weeks’ power outage with Council meeting in the Courthouse Annext courtroom.
Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker set the tone of the meeting by pointing out the addition of a statement to the Public Comment section of the agenda:
“While civil public criticism is not prohibited; disorderly conduct or disturbance of the peace as prohibited by law shall be cause for the chair to terminate the offender’s time to speak.”
Baker followed that by saying, “We’re not going to put up with it. If it’s beyond tasteful, I’ll end it right there.”
Newly elected Councilmembers made appointments to the various City boards including:
- • Mayor Pro Tem: Bubba Haggard
- • Tourism: Haggard appointed Pam Thomas; Ray Hengst appointed Sharon Goolsby; and Robin Moore appointed Paul Moorehead
- • P&Z: Haggard appointed Mike Watts; Hengst appointed Cindy Pinkerton; and Moore appointed Kim Shaw
- • JEDCO: Hengst appointed James Parsons; Moore appointed Jim Finstrom; and Haggard apponted himself.
Haggard’s self appointment was questioned by Alderman April Taylor Johnson, but Haggard said there was not a conflict of interest according, and Baker confirmed that based on information he had from Texas Municipal League.
The City is getting two new Texas Historical Landmarks as Council approved the acceptance and placement of the markers at Lions Club Park and for the Howe Truss Train Trestle. They will be installed later this summer.
A building permit for Suzanna Manning to place a manufactured home on N. Alley Street was questioned by Haggard.
Jefferson Police Chief Tino Perez said the installer was unaware as the property owner had told Manning that one was not required. A citation was issued for the violation. Perez said it was less expensive than removing the home and bringing it back.
Travis Dean requested a building permit for a tiny home on N. Polk Street. Haggard asked Dean what his defintion of a tiny home was. Dean is a builder and described the building as a small home with metal siding. Dean also said he may add a second tiny home to the property at a later date.
A barn style storage shed was also requsted on N. Main Street near the back of the property. Haggard pointed out that the location of a chain-link fence at the back was on City property so the building needed to be set on the owners property and not the City’s.
All three permits were approved.
Council also discused the possibility of t he construction of several duplexes behind Happy Hippopotamus Daycare on N. Walcott.
Baker said Public Works director Alan Whatley indicated if the structures were single story there should not be any issues in providing water and sewer services. Baker also clarified that the entrance would be wide enough for emergency vehicles.
The sale is pending on the property and the buyer wanted to discuss these options before closing.
Haggard requested Council approve advertising for an RFQ for architechtural services for new fire station. Council approved up to $500.
Officially designating a Jefferson Historic District will require a public hearing in the near future and City Secretary Melissa Boyd and City Attorney Mike Martin will be working with P&Z to implement the requirement.
Currently no restrictions are being placed on the district.
Baker closed the meeting by requiring Council to indicate which outsnding projects they are willing to work on and if there are any to add to the list.
Lastly, Haggard requested Council review the 30 year agreemetn with the Today Foundation on management of the Port Jefferson History and Nature Center in downtown.