Riding e-bikes and e-scooters may be regulated in the city of Jefferson.
Pastor Dan Cunningham spoke to the Jefferson city council at their June 9 meeting, drawing partly on his observations of young riders on S. Maple St, near the municipal swimming pool. He said staff in Greene County Medical Center‘s emergency department has seen an increase in the number of injuries from riding them, and that they’re banned on Mackinac Island, where no motorized vehicles are allowed.
Cunningham also said his informal traffic count showed only about 25 percent of motorists obey the STOP sign at the corner of E. South and S. Maple Sts. He reminded the council that the role of the police department “is not to make friends of the public, but to benefit public safety.”
Police chief Mark Clouse told Cunningham he would increase patrol in that neighborhood. City administrator Scott Peterson said the council’s police committee has had thorough discussion and he expects action on it “in the near future.”
Peterson said the council will hold a public hearing before approving an ordinance. “It’s an issue people will be very interested in,” he said.
The council approved the third reading of ordinances to increase water rates and solid waste/recycling fees. The new rates go into effect July 1.
The council approved 28E agreements with Scranton and Grand Junction for use of the animal shelter. Residents in those cities cannot personally take an animal to the shelter but should take it to a city official who will take it to the shelter. Sheriff’s personnel are not to take animals to the shelter for residents in those towns.
Rippey also has a 28E agreement for use of the shelter. Those three towns pay $200 annually to the city of Jefferson for use of the shelter. Pet owners or the city pay additional fees per animal.
Deputies can take animals from rural areas to the shelter, as the county also has a 28E agreement with the city for use of the shelter.
Council member Harry Ahrenholtz reported on a meeting of the water/city/street committee. The committee spent much of its time discussing Drainage District 57 in the northeast portion of the city. The council received a report at its previous meeting about drainage issues there.
“There’s a lot of work ahead on that project,” Ahrenholtz said. “Hopefully we can fast track it, but it looks like it’s going to be complex.”
Peterson said addressing the issue of tree roots blocking drainage tiles is at the top of the list. He said the city crew used a different, larger head on its jetter trying to cut out roots that are blocking the drainage tiles. has purchased a new head for the jetter, a device used to clean sewer lines.
“That will get us to the root of the problem,” council member Matt Wetrich said.
Council member Chad Sloan, another member of the water/city/street committee and a plumbing contractor, said the larger $1,800 head was a demo. “It’s great opportunity to try it. For the cost of the tool we can use it for multiple things. I think it’s no-brainer to buy it and try it. If the city can blast some of those roots out and maintain it (the tile), it’s a lot cheaper than to replace slip line,” Sloan said.
He called the new header “an essential part of the machine they have.”
The council approved hiring Steve Scheffler as a recycling/streets worker at a starting wage of $25.50. Peterson said Scheffler is already a member of the Jefferson fire department. He will be the only city employee on the department. Peterson said Sheffler will be able to leave work to respond to fire calls. Under the consent agenda, the council approved cigarette/ tobacco/ nicotine/ vapor permits for Casey’s General Store, Dollar General, Fareway, Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, Shambo Enterprises dba Oly’s, Sparky’s One Stop Jefferson and Wild Rose Jefferson LLC.
