V. Hugh Lewis II/ Jefferson Jimplecute
Jefferson City Council decided to table their decision on hiring a City Administrator during last Thursday’s special meeting.
Council had come under fire for not possibly violating the Open Meetings Act by not posting notice of a “meet and greet” on Good Friday to talk with two finalists for the position.
In a Letter to the Editor, see page 2, from Mayor Rob Baker, he wrote “As I have said since being elected, I aim to be a transparent leader and help fix and/or replace processes, ordinances, and practices that do not make sense, do not benefit the citizens, or are in any way negative to the City of Jefferson. As I stand here today, obviously there is still a lot of room for improvement in some citizens’ minds. Having said that, the Council In no way was trying to hide our meetings with the two candidates whatsoever, and no intent to mislead the citizens of Jefferson.
“In hindsight, should it have been posted?” he continued. “It obviously would have been easier seeing where this has unfortunately evolved. With this question coming to our attention, I can insure [sic] you that we will need to put in place specific and tighter guidelines in our ordinances and processes to address citizens’ concerns about posting meetings and interviews for salaried employees of the City.”
“We decided to start the process over,” said City Attorney Mike Martin after the meeting. “We still hold we did nothing wrong, but we want everyone to see that we’re doing it legally.”
Council did not formally announce this plan following the conclusion of an Executive Session which they went into for Personnel Matters. They did vote on tabling the hiring following the executive session.
Council also rejected a request to approve a waiver for the two City Administrator candidates so they could live outside the City Limits. The current ordinance, 2-132, requires the City administrator to reside inside the City Limits.
“I’m here tonight in opposition to the agenda item where you’re asking for a waiver for residency of city administrator,” said Richard Turner during public comment. “It’s my contention that a person of this stature should make themselves a part of the community and the only way for that to happen is for them to live here. The cohesiveness they need to manage this city is for them to live here.”
The one who lives 30 minutes from here would choose not to move here as they are established in their community,” said Baker. The one who lives out of state has looked around and we’ve had several conversations with him on the affordability, or lack thereof for him. He might prefer to live in the county and may not be able to buy a home in Jefferson.”
“I talked to constituents, and they’re feeling the same way that they figure to be qualified here they need to live in town,” said Ward 3 Aderman Ted Dickson. “I even asked if they’d be fine with just outside the city limits but within the county, and they didn’t’ have too much of a problem with that. The people want the investment in the community.”
In other business, council approved a building permit, with waivers of the permit fee, lot setback requirements, and building over the sidewalk at 200 W. Austin Street, for Gene Ponder. Ponder intends to build a two story building with retail and two car garage downstairs, and a 2,200 square foot living space upstairs.
Council also chose to take no action on a rate increase request from CenterPoint Energy. The rate adjustment is part of their Annual GRIP (Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program) Adjustment.