The Jefferson city council set public hearings for every item on its April 9 meeting agenda.
The council set May 14 at 5:30 pm as the time for a public hearing on the relocation of 243rd St for a runway extension project at the municipal airport. The resolution setting the public hearing also included ordering the plans and specifications for the project and setting the bid security.
City engineer Jim Leiding of Bolton & Menk reported that bids will be accepted April 10-26, with the bid letting April 26 at 11 am. The Federal Aviation Administration will review the bid submitted by the apparent low bidder and all other documentation, and a bid will be accepted after the May 14 public hearing.
The probable cost of the project is pegged at $696,000, with $612,000 being construction costs and $83,000 being engineering costs. Of the total, $600,000 will be in grant funding from the FAA. Leiding said there are a offsets available if the bids come in more than funding available.
A second public hearing was set for May 14 at 5:30 to consider issuing a general obligation bond of $2.6 million to pay for equipment purchases and a multi-use trail (bicycle and pedestrians) along Central Ave from Elm St west to Walnut St in anticipation of the new high school.
Finally for May 14, the council will hold a public hearing on a 2019 urban renewal amendment to allow money from the TIF district to be used to pay the bond on the above mentioned multi-use trail.
The council will hold a pair of public hearings April 23 at 5:30 pm to consider transfers of city-owned residential property at 506 E. Clark St and 507 E. Clark St to Region XII Council of Governments. Region XII has grant funding to build a house on each of the lots and then sell them to income-qualified home buyers.
The homes will be 1,020 square-foot with 2-bedrooms. The basement will be poured with an egress window to allow for a third bedroom, although the basement will not be finished at the time of sale. The plans for each house include an attached, two-stall garage.
Mayor Craig Berry reported he has heard from five residents who are interested in being appointed to fill the vacancy on the council. The appointment will be made at the council’s April 23 meeting.
