~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
The Jefferson city council met in regular session on April 14 through videoconferencing with Zoom. Mayor Matt Gordon chaired the meeting in person at the city hall council chambers while council members, the public, and media attended through Zoom and by telephone.
The meeting agenda listed an update from “the cat committee,” referring to the ongoing and divisive issue of how the city should deal with unowned “community” cats, often referred to as feral cats.
The update was postponed to the April 28 council meeting. “We have an idea that has many moving parts. PAWS (People for Animal Welfare Society) and veterinarians are involved,” Jackson said.
Jackson said the idea is based on a feral cat problem in Philadelphia and could possibly start in the summer.
A public hearing was held on plans and specifications for the Chestnut and Adams water main improvements project. The project is for the construction of 1450 linear feet of 6-inch water main along E. Washington St from Wilson Ave to the alley west of Chestnut St; E. Adams St from Wilson to the alley east of Chestnut; and the alley from Chestnut to Adams.
Bolton and Menk, construction engineers, received and tabulated six bids for the project.
The engineer’s estimate of cost was $227,625. The highest bid came in at $340,767. Keller Excavating Inc. of Boone submitted the low bid of $216,516.
After some discussion of oversight of the work involved, the council unanimously approved awarding a contract to Keller Excavating Inc.
The council unanimously approved a resolution to set a public hearing for the Jefferson Municipal Airport Runway 14/32 Extension project. The public hearing will be held May 12 at 5:30 pm during the council’s regular meeting.
The resolution also directs the city clerk to advertise for bids on the construction of the project. Bids will be received at city hall until May 5 at 3 pm. Bids will be opened on that day and tabulated by Bolton and Menk. Action will be taken on the bids at a future council meeting.
Plans and specifications for the construction of the runway extension were prepared by Bolton and Menk. The project includes extending runway 14/32 to the south 900 feet and displacing the north runway threshold by 100 feet to the south. Lighting, navigation aids, paving, grading, drainage, pavement marking, and electrical work will also be necessary.
The council discussed amending the city’s current urban renewal plan to eliminate a $150,000 cap on money spent per building. There is also a $600,000 cap total for all buildings per year.
A public hearing on the amendment was set for the next council meeting on April 28 at 5:30 pm.
In a related matter, the city received one bid from Westbrook Construction Company in Urbandale for the 100 E. State St roof project, home of Angie’s Tea Garden. The council unanimously approved the bid of $217,370, subject to the outcome of the public hearing on the amendment to lift the $150,000 cap per building.
In other business, the council had previously approved $27,642 to repair showers at the swimming pool. This amount was for materials. The council additionally approved $11,000 for labor. The funding will come from Local Option Sales Tax and general fund.
Jefferson police chief Mark Clouse recommended the hiring of Jeremy Behrens as patrol office, to start Friday, April 17. Clouse said Behrens has 22 years of experience in law enforcement and would need minimal training.”
The wage and benefit department recommended Behrens start at Grade 7, at a wage of $50,692 per year. The council unanimously approved the hire and grade.
Council member David Sloan commended city departments “for doing an outstanding job” during the difficult times of COVID-19 restrictions.
Public hearing was held for the 2020-2021 budget. No comments were received from the public. The council unanimously adopted the budget.
