One of the invisible fences preventing construction of a new animal shelter was taken down Tuesday.
Jefferson city administrator Mike Palmer reported to the city council that the Greene County Development Corporation board had earlier in the day agreed to give to the city 4-1/2 acres in the southwest corner of the west business park for construction of a new shelter and dog park. The parcel is located immediately north of the St Joseph Cemetery.
The only condition GCDC put on the gift is that the shelter be built within three years. Palmer said fundraising could begin on the project, which is being spearheaded by volunteer Don Orris.
Council member Lisa Jaskey was at the GCDC board meeting. She told the council GCDC executive director Ken Paxton expressed appreciation for all the city has done to help develop the west business park. “He (Paxton) encouraged them to approve this as a way to give back,” Jaskey said.
The city council also okayed a move that will quit taking down trees for the production of council packets. At the suggestion of city clerk Diane Kennedy, all documents the council members need prior to each meeting will be scanned and then emailed to them. The packets will come as two emails – one being the agenda and related documents, and second being the bills for payment.
The packets have been delivered to council members by on-duty police officers. The paperless packets will be more efficient, Kennedy said. The city will save not only paper, but the time it takes to photocopy, collate and deliver the hard copy packets. She estimated paperless packets will save the city approximately 50 hours of staff time per year, a savings of $1,000 in the general fund.
