It will cost more to use the Jackson Civic Center when the calendar flips over to January. The Jackson Mayor and Board of Aldermen approved rate increases Nov. 7.
North or south meeting room rentals will increase from $85 to $100 for two hours, and the cost for additional hours will double from $15 to $30.
The full meeting room rental fee will increase from $160 to $175 for two hours and additional hours will cost $35, up from $25.
Rental fees for the lounge will increase from $60 to $75 for two hours with additional hours increasing from $10 to $30.
The conference room will see a $15 increase to its current rental fee of $40 for two hours. Additional hours will also increase $15 from $10 to $25.
The full gym will cost $50 more to rent; next year it will cost $850 for general rental and $550 for non-profits to rent.
The wedding reception package will increase from $700 to $800.
The catering kitchen rental will increase from $50 to $75.
A new fee has been added: an after-business hours fee of $40.
The increases were requested by the Civic Center because usage has increased, bringing about more wear and tear on such things as chairs, tables, microphones, projectors, etc. The fee increases will be used to supplement funds available to purchase replacements and help offset increased labor costs as the minimum wage goes from $11.15 to $12 an hour next year.
In other action
• Annual budget: A public hearing was set for 6 p.m. Monday, Dec, 19, at City Hall to consider the proposed 2023 City of Jackson annual budget, which includes sewer and utility rate adjustments.
• UJRO: A resolution was passed endorsing the Uptown Jackson Revitalization Or-ganization’s participation in the Missouri Main Street Program, as UJRO ascends to the associate level. For more information, see the mayor’s column on page 5A.
• Historic Preservation Fund grant: The Aldermen passed a resolution supporting a grant application to the Department of Natural Resources State Historic Preservation Office. This grant is for a 2023 Missouri Main Street Connection quarterly workshop. A memorandum of understanding was also approved.
• Jackson mural: A license agreement with McQuade Enterprises was approved, regarding the maintenance of the city’s mural on the north side of the building at 100 S. High St.
• Annexation: the annexation of property at 385, 389 and 391 Timber lane, as submitted by JWRPM Properties, was approved. The property was also rezoned from R-1 (single family) to R-4 (general residential).
• Savers Farm Subdivision: The aldermen accepted the dedication of a water line easement deed from MMRR, LLC, to serve Savers Farm Subdivision, Phases 8 and 9. They also approved the preliminary plats of Phases 8 and 9 of Savers Farm Subdivision, as submitted by Cape Land Development, Inc.
• City employee medical insurance: The aldermen approved a contract with Auxiant of Wauwatosa, WI, to provide services under the 2023 Employee Medical Insurance Benefit Plan. A contract was also approved with Roundstone Management Ltd., of Lakewood, OH, to provide services.
• Greenferry Road traffic study: A $4,900 task order was approved to Lochmueller Group of St, Louis, to provide engineering services under the Greensferry Road traffic study.
• Bleacher purchase: The aldermen accepted the $75,000 bid from Southern Bleacher Co., Inc., of Graham, TX, to purchase 20 new units of bleachers for use in city parks. ARPA funds are being used for the purchase. Some old bleachers will be replaced and some additional bleachers will be installed.
• Sanitary sewer lift stations: A $6,870 bid from Municipal Equipment Co., Inc. of Earth City was accepted for the purchase and installation of cellular monitoring devices on sanitary sewer lift stations.
• Pool renovation: The alderman authorized the application for a grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to help with the Jackson City Pool renovation project.
• Towing business: The aldermen approved a request for a special use permit to allow a towing business in a C-2 (general commercial) district at 1383 S. Hope St., as submitted by Land Escapes, LLC. Alderman David Hitt, who represents that ward, cast the lone opposing vote in the 7-1 decision. (Some neighbors had opposed the request at a public hearing.)
• Civic Center Subdivision: The aldermen approved a minor plat of the Jackson Civic Center Subdivision, as requested by the City of Jackson.
• Engineering: A contract was approved with Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing Inc., of Cape Girardeau, relative to providing services under a master agreement for professional engineering/architectural services. The firm was then given a $9,800 task order to provide ground penetrating radar services on Rolling Fields Drive and Mulberry Street to locate the sources of two groundwater issues.
• East Main Street sidewalks: A Transportation Alternatives Fund Program Agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission was authorized for the East Main Street sidewalk project.
• Southeast Missouri Pets: During study session, representatives from Southeast Missouri Pets discussed the housing agreement with the aldermen.
So far this year (through Oct. 31), Southeast Missouri Pets has accepted 198 animals from Jackson — 177 from residents and 21 brought in by animal control officers.
Southeast Missouri Pets is now a no-kill facility and when transferring animals to other facilities, will only select other no-kill facilities. The longest an animal stays at Southeast Missouri Pets is about 19 to 25 days.
• Sunset Drive bridge: The aldermen had considered relocating the Sunset Drive bridge over Hubble Creek to align with Francis Drive but was told by an engineering firm that it is best to keep the bridge where it is.
• Generator repair: Don Schuette, director of electric utilities, received a “head nod” approval from the Board of Aldermen to purchase a used engine that had been “mothballed” in order to harvest parts from it and replace damaged parts on Engine No. 8 in one of the city’s electricity generators. Buying replacement parts would have cost $12,000-$15,000. The damaged generator produces 6.8 megawatts, or about a third of the city’s power.
