A three-lane Hwy 4 through Jefferson is now in the rearview mirror. The Jefferson city council at its Nov. 12 meeting approved a recommendation from the council’s streets committee not to proceed with the Department of Transportation’s plan to remark the road from four to three lanes. Committee member Chad Sloan said the plan was an “absolutely horrible idea” given the number of trucks that go through town.
Only 10.2 percent of those who provided input to the DOT were in favor of the project, with 84.8 percent being “not in favor” or “less in favor.”
Looking ahead, the council earmarked $50,000 from the city’s emergency fund to assist homeowners in removing dead trees.
The water/sewer/streets committee and the finance committee developed a plan that Sloan called “a good start” to the problem of dead (mostly ash) trees on private property.
The council plans to continue educating property owners about their responsibility to remove the trees. No action will be taken to compel a comprehensive removal until next June 1, at the earliest. City building/zoning officer Chad Stevens will inventory trees in early June.
Affected homeowners will then be able to complete a written application for loan funds to pay a contractor to remove trees. A cost quote from an insured tree contractor needs to be submitted with the application. The city will pay the contractor after the property owner signs an agreement to repay the city with minimum monthly payments of $50 and a maximum repayment term of five years. The minimum payment may be reduced to $25 per month in cases of extreme hardship. The city will charge the property owner 5 percent interest on the outstanding balance. There will be no income qualification for the program.
The council approved renewing employees’ health insurance plan through Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, with the premiums 5.75 percent less than the current year. City clerk Roxanne Gorsuch said employees would not see a decrease in the premiums they pay, but that more money would be put into the city’s self-insurance sinking fund.
The council approved a change order on the pickleball court, moving the final completion date to May 30, 2025. The goal of playing pickleball by Thanksgiving won’t be met because the contractor ran out of weather suitable for applying the needed acrylic surface.
During the open forum Gary Goodwin, saying he was representing an unnamed group of concerned citizens, quizzed council member Matt Wetrich on where he lives. Goodwin referenced an unsigned letter circulated in September alleging that Wetrich has moved out of Jefferson for personal reasons. When Goodwin asked directly where he lives, Wetrich answered that he has a Jefferson address. When Goodwin repeated his question of where he lives, Wetrich answered, “it’s taken care of.”
Jefferson Matters: Main Street board president Amy Milligan and board members Pete Bardole and Deb McGinn updated the council on recent activities.
Events committee chair Bardole reported previous events this year and said the Winter Festival is slated for Dec. 6-7 at Clover Hall on the Greene County fairgrounds.
Tower View Team chair Deb McGinn said the team has had “a great 2024”, with a highlight being selected to receive the Best Façade Improvement Award from Iowa Main Street for Imagination Alley.
McGinn said the TVT is planning Operation Paint the Town for 2025, with a goal of painting four rooftops and two murals simultaneously. That project is dependent on obtaining funding. She thanked the city staff and crew for their assistance and said TVT is the envy of other Main Street towns for the support it receives from the city.
Milligan mentioned Jefferson’s semifinalist status for the Great American Main Street Award. The winner will be announced at a national Main Street conference in April. She also said that Jefferson Matter’s strategic planning is focusing on 1) helping new and existing businesses; 2) providing more art and cultural experiences in Jefferson; and 3) building a strong, sustainable organization for the future.
