Also hears from Alliant Energy, Unger Insurance
~by Denise O’Brien Van, for Greene CountyNewsOnline
The new building and zoning officer for the city of Jefferson is very familiar to many residents. Former Greene County sheriff Tom Heater starts work on March 31, replacing Mike Wright, who resigned recently from the fulltime post. His appointment was approved by the city council at its March 25 meeting.
“Tom has lots of experience in code enforcement,” said city administrator Mike Palmer. “He did it part time for us before we hired Mike Wright.”
Heater duties include securing compliance with all phases of residential, commercial and industrial construction work according to building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes, zoning laws, approved plans and local and state ordinances, specifications and standards. He will handle all nuisance complaints and their follow-up in compliance with local zoning laws. And, he‘ll be in charge of housing development in the city.
Heater served two terms as Greene County sheriff; he was first elected in 2004, and retired in 2012.The city received 14 applications for the building and zoning job, which has a salary range of $45,000 to $55,400 a year; four applicants were interviewed. Heater’s annual salary will be will $45,000.
First reading on ordinance to close Pinet St crossing
After a public hearing the city council approved the first reading of an ordinance to close the Union Pacific railroad crossing at N. Pinet St. The closing is the first on the way to creating a railroad quiet zone through Jefferson.
Alliant adds up its impact on Jefferson
A representative of Alliant Energy gave the utility’s 2013 annual report on its partnership with Jefferson at the city council meeting.
Annette Renauld said the report outlines “how Alliant contributes to the community and loos at energy efficiency.”
The company supported Greene County Development Corp. and local industry to the tune of $1,500. It gave almost $3,500 to support Jefferson and its surrounding area by supporting the Community Chest and the Chamber of Commerce, and by contributing to various events and programs. The company gave 233 rebates totaling almost $59,000 to Jefferson customers. Renauld said Jefferson “takes good advantage of our Branching Out and Trees Forever programs.” Alliant gave $2,500 toward tree planting in 2013.
Alliant’s investment in infrastructure totaled $176,400, with $93,000 in electrical structures and $84,000 in natural gas installations.
Renauld said the company is switching street lights from sodium vapor lamps to LED (light-emitting diode) lamps. “They’re expensive to put in,” she said, “but cheaper to operate.”
The company paid over $121,000 in property taxes to the city, and almost $215,000 to Greene County.
Alliant’s Jefferson operating facility employs eight people.
City’s insurance premium up slightly
Jefferson insurance agent Jim Unger told the city council that the city’s premium will rise about 10 percent, mostly due to the cost of insurance for worker compensation claims.
The city had only $1,000 in worker compensation claims last year, he said, and no property damage claims. “Enjoy that experience while you can,” he cautioned. “It can go south quickly with a shattered ankle, which can run to $200,000.”
Bike racks
Palmer plans to order four bicycle racks for Jefferson’s spruced-up courthouse square. Each will cost $600. One rack will be place on each of the square’s four corners. And all will match the style of the renovated square’s lamp posts and trash receptacles.
Highway 30 stats
City councilman Larry Teeples got some “30 stats” at a meeting in Des Moines recently.
- Iowa’s “middle road” gets more than 2.4 million traffic miles each day.
- In 2013, traffic increased 5.8 percent on Highway 30; 1.5 percent on Highway 20; and 12 percent on Interstate 80.
- Many more businesses are located along 30 than along Highway 20.
Frozen pipes cost city
Councilwoman Lisa Jaskey reported that more city-owned water pipes were clogged with ice this winter than in any winter over the past decade. “Unfreezing” pipes in the city-owned areas between municipal mains and property owners’ pipes cost the city $1,000 to $1,500 a pop. According to city clerk Diane Kennedy, there were six to eight instances of frozen pipe.
Pool’s new filters going in
Installation of a new filtration system is underway at Jefferson’s public swimming pool, said city councilperson Shannon Black. Opening day for summer’s swimming season is set for May 24.
Committee to look at cemetery charges
Black, a member of the council’s park & recreation committee, said the group may reevaluate charges for grave openings at the Jefferson Cemetery. Current charges, she said, “seem a little outdated.” Those fees include $450 for digging an adult grave, $200 for an infant grave and $200 for the final resting spot for cremains. The park and recreation department manages the cemetery. City workers do the grave openings.
