The Jefferson city council at its Feb. 14 meeting approved a resolution supporting art improvements to the east-west alley between Art on the Fly and Royal Jewelers. Jean Van Gilder presented the project on behalf of the Jefferson Matters: Main Street Tower View Team.
Imagination Alley is the third and final downtown alley project. According to Van Gilder, it is designed for children and families and will feature augmented reality. Viewers can take a photo of a digital tag on the mural to make the mural seem to move. The alley will also have interactive features for children.
The city had already approved the project. The Feb. 14 resolution of support was needed for grant applications to project funds. Total cost is estimated at $100,000.
The council considered bids for work on the front entry to city hall. The project had been bid last July, but only one bid was received and it was much higher than expected. This time there was again only one bidder, Tallgrass Land Stewardship of Waukee, not the same bidder as last time. Tallgrass Land Stewardship’s bid of $108,905 was still 15 percent more than the engineer’s estimate of $94,690, but it was $30,000 less than the lone bid in July.
The council voted to award the bid to Tallgrass Land Stewardship. Work will begin as soon as the weather allows.
The council considered the first reading of an ordinance creating a seven-member board for the animal shelter. The approved the first reading and then waived the second and third readings. Persons will be appointed to the board after the ordinance is published.
The council approved hiring Joe Foote as clubhouse manager at the Jefferson Community Golf Course. The seasonal position will start March 1 and end Oct. 31. His salary will be $34,000. City administrator Mike Palmer said there were “several really good candidates.”
