The Jefferson city council at its Oct. 13 meeting cleared the way for construction of a new animal shelter on property donated for that purpose by Greene County Development Corporation. The council accepted the property from GCDC in order to put the title in the city’s name. That will allow utilities to be run to the site, which is approximately northeast of St Joseph Catholic Cemetery in the West Business Park.
Later in the meeting, council member Dave Sloan reported that bid documents for the animal shelter will be available before the end of the month, with bid opening tentatively set for Nov. 19. Construction could be completed in the fall of 2021.
The council approved the second reading of an ordinance establishing a 35 miles per hour speed limit on N. Grimmell Road from Lincoln Way to Highway 30. The council then waived the third reading and approved adoption of the ordinance. The new, slower speed limit will go into effect following publication of the ordinance Oct. 22.
The new ordinance reduces the speed limit from 45 mph. Traffic on Grimmell Road increased considerably when the new Greene County High School opened at the intersection of Grimmell Road and Highway 30. Chief of police Mark Clouse was directed to be sure new speed limit signs are posted as soon as possible.
The council also approved the second reading, waived the third reading and approved adoption of an ordinance allowing specific types of off-road utility vehicles on city streets.
The council approved an agreement with the Iowa Economic Development Authority to accept a $435,000 Community Development Block Grant for development of upper story housing at 200 E. State St. Approval of the grant to the city was announced earlier this month.
The city council last August approved the sale of the building to Chris Deal, doing business as Jefferson City View Properties. The city has owned the building since 2016. The sale to Deal, at a price of $205,000, was contingent upon receiving the CDBG. The city will make the $435K available to Deal for work on the upper story apartments. The sum will be a 5-year forgivable loan to City View Properties.
Deal called receiving the grant “an exciting step in the project.” His next step is to obtain historic tax credits and bank financing. At that time the city will close on the sale of the building to Deal.
Total cost of the project is tagged at $982,706. A condition of receiving the CDBG is that two of the three rental units must be designated for tenants at or below 80 percent of the low-to-moderate income level.
During the council reports portion of the meeting, Pat Zmolek, a member of the council’s police committee, reported interviewing two applicants for positions on the police department. “Those are moving forward, and obviously, officer retention is on the agenda every time we meet,” he said.
The police committee is also discussing closing the railroad crossing on E. Central Ave when Landus Coop trains are loading, per the coop’s request. The committee has also discussed having a fulltime or part-time animal control officer. “There will be more to come on that later, but we did have that discussion,” he said.
Mayor Matt Gordon during his report asked for an update on union negotiations, as that is a critical part of rebuilding the police department. City administrator Mike Palmer said the union and the city would present their initial offers and possibly have a negotiating session Nov. 4.
Palmer told the council that making dumpsters available at no charge to city residents has been well received. More than 50 residents have signed up for dumpsters and 10 had already been utilized at that point. He added that residents seem to be making better use of the blue trash carts, filling them closer to capacity, knowing there will be no fall or spring clean-up.
Council member Matt Wetrich reported the park and recreation board has had contact from a private individual who is very interested in creating an 18-hole disc golf course at Daubendiek Park. That person plans to fundraise so the course could be built without city funds.
City attorney Bob Schwarzkopf announced his plans to resign effective Dec. 31. He has served as city attorney since the early 1990s. “It’s been an honor to serve you. I’ll be happy to stick around and help with the transition,” he said.
He urged the council to appoint his successor soon to allow for a smooth transition.
Police chief Clouse told GreeneCountyNewsOnline after the meeting that he’s comfortable with progress on filling officer positions. “From the start, I don’t want just a body to fill a blue uniform. I want officers who are good fits for the city and for the department,” he said.
He said he doesn’t feel pressured by the benchmarks in the 28E agreement with Greene County for providing law enforcement assistance. The agreement calls for the city to conduct interviews, make job offers, and have provisional acceptances from at least two officers by December. He said he was included in the discussion and had a voice in setting the benchmarks. He is confident the JPD will come through the current officer shortage.
