Retiring Jefferson city administrator Mike Palmer attended his last city council meeting in that capacity June 27. Palmer’s retirement is effective July 7; the next council meeting is July 11.
He thanked the council, calling his 15-year tenure “a good ride.” He credited the council as having “generated a lot of ‘can-do’ attitude that has permeated out to the general public. I see youth getting involved. It’s really been great to see…”
He said he and his wife Sherry plan to stay in Jefferson. “Jefferson has everything we could want here. I want to thank everybody,” Palmer said.
Mayor Matt Gordon presented Palmer with a plaque and then invited comments.
City attorney David Morain referred to Palmer’s “steady leadership” and “good stewardship.” City council member Harry Ahrenholtz recalled that the city is much changed from when he moved here 20 years ago and that the changes have been positive.
Council member Matt Wetrich, who is now director of Jefferson Matters: Main Street, thanked Palmer for his involvement with Jefferson Matters, particularly as a volunteer outside of office time.
Council member Darren Jackson noted that Palmer’s door was always open and he was willing to answer questions.
“In the last 15 years more has happened in Jefferson than in years before that,” council person Dave Sloan said. “A lot of that is due to Mike.”
In the business portion of the meeting, the council approved updating the policy regarding the forgiveness of sewer fees in certain circumstances. The change increases the sewer charge needed before the water/sewer/streets committee considers waiving a portion from $500 to $675. The change reflects the increase in sewer rates, as bills under normal circumstances are higher than they were.
The council approved three public hearings to be held at the July 11 meeting. One will be on rezoning properties near the Union Pacific railroad tracks and N. Cedar St from residential to light industrial. Two of the parcels to be rezoned are owned by the city. The second public hearing will be on the sale of those properties (205 and 207 E. Perry) to Tim Buenz for rental storage units. The third is regarding zoning for a planned unit development by Rowland Real Estate near Head Park in northeast Jefferson.
Ahrenholtz reported from the city finance committee that revenues and expenses are “pretty much on track” through the end of May, although there have been some timing issues in accessing bond funds for the wastewater treatment plant project. “We’re well on track for a balanced year,” he said.
Wetrich reported that golf course revenues are up 35 percent and expenses are down 2 percent. “Joe’s (Foote) been doing a great job buttoning things up and getting more accountability,: Wetrich said. He also mentioned increased usership.
Jackson reported that several pickleball players attended the last parks and recreation board meeting to ask for more pickleball courts. The city has painted pickleball lines on the tennis courts at Russell Park and the racquetball court at the community center can be used for pickleball, but that’s the extent of courts in the city. Parks and rec staff report as many as 50 persons play pickleball regularly in Jefferson.
Jackson also said the state is slow to inspect and approve the new slide and climbing wall at the municipal pool. They cannot be used without that approval. Wetrich said it may not happen before the end of the swim season.
