When you take the field to play sports in the Jackson city park system, you may be handing over a little more green stuff (and we don’t mean grass). Tournament rental rates will remain the same, but the City has added hourly rates when the fields are rented for practices.
The Jackson Mayor and Board of Aldermen approved an updated rental fee schedule March 7. The fees had been recommended by the Park Board. These rates would apply to individuals and groups wanting to reserve field space in the City Park, Brookside Park, Football Park, and Soccer Park.
The new rates are: two hours per field, $20; four hours per field, $40; and six hours per field, $60.
The tournament rental fee for baseball or softball (per field) is $50. The tournament rental fee for football or soccer fields is $100. Tournaments also require a $100 deposit.
Other fees have remained the same. They include dragging/lining per field, $20; applying Field Dry, $12 per bag; portable mound rental, $25; and baseball or softball bases may be rented for $10 per set.
In other action
• Roundabout at Deerwood Drive: The aldermen approved the cost-share agreement with MoDOT to build a roundabout at Hwy. 61 N. and Deerwood Drive.
Although they approved the agreement, several aldermen expressed reservations about the project.
“I’ve had numerous people tell me that we don’t need a roundabout there,” said Alderman David Hitt. “I don’t like the contract. But I reallylike what Alderman [Paul] Sander said the other night about [it becoming] the entrance to the city. I think that would be an ideal location say, okay folks, you’re coming into the City of Jackson.”
Alderman Larry Cunning-ham added that he had not talked to anyone who said a roundabout was needed there. He said he would “vote for it reluctantly.”
Alderman Wanda Young said she could support the project more if Deerwood were a major east-west street. Mayor Dwain Hahs said the Major Street Plan does show Deerwood as a collector street that will connect to East Main Street via Donna Drive.
Aldermen Joe Bob Baker and Tommy Kimbel said they like the idea of having a roundabout create a formal entrance to the city there.
Sander said he could “make a case either way” (for or against the roundabout). “Is that million dollars better spent here or somewhere else?” he asked.
Alderman Dave Reiminger warned that with the increasing cost of labor and materials, the roundabout “is going to cost a whole lot more when we need it.”
Alderman Katy Liley agreed with Reiminger. “It’s not getting any cheaper.”
• Annual budget amend-ed: The Board of Aldermen amended the 2022 City of Jackson annual budget to reflect updated end-of-year balances.
• Kimbeland lift station: The aldermen voted 7-1 to approve a $6,600 increase in expenditure to Horner and Shifrin, Inc. of St. Louis to provide additional engineering services for the Kim-beland Lift Station Upgrade and Bypass Project. (Alderman Larry Cunningham voted “No.”)
• Wastewater utility rate study: The Aldermen voted 7-1 to pay Horner and Shifrin, Inc. of St. Louis $23,600 for work on the wastewater utility rate study update. (Alderman Larry Cunningham voted “No.”)
• Sanitary sewer facilities construction specifications: The aldermen approved the standard construction specifications for sanitary sewerage facilities.
• West Mary St. bridge replacement: The aldermen accepted the dedication of temporary construction easement deeds from Robert W. and Clara K. Lefebvre, and Zachasriah and Charity Lynn Willmirth, relative to the West Mary Street low-water bridge replacement project.
• Plat approval: Approval was given to the final plat of Ramsey Branch Subdivision, Phase 2, as submitted by Lucky 13 Investments, LLC.
In a related matter, the aldermen amended the “Stop Street Designation Schedule” by adding stop signs on Buckeye Pass, Byrd Creek Trail, Caney Fork Street, Hubble Cove Drive and Pinedale Drive in Ramsey Branch Subdivision, Phase 2.
