The City of Jackson has fulfilled all the requirements to be designated a “Purple Heart City” and will soon have highway signs posted along roads entering our city to let visitors know.
Sid Staton, commander of Chapter 125 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart presented a plaque and a flag to Mayor Dwain Hahs at the April 3 meeting of the Jackson Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
The plaque reads, “The Military Order of the Purple Heart Special Recognition Award is bestowed with pride to The City of Jackson, Missouri, for your dedication and support honoring America’s combat wounded veterans becoming the Purple Heart City. Presented by The Patriot Members of the Department of Missouri Military Order of the Purple Heart USA.”
Later in the meeting, the aldermen authorized a Roles and Responsibilities Agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission relative to the installation and maintenance of Purple Heart City signs.
In other action
• Hwy. 61 North: A representative from MoDOT discussed the proposed improvements for Highway 61 North from the roundabout at Main Street to Route D (Independence St.).
The road will be widened in places, resurfaced, and a new bridge over Hubble Creek will be constructed. New left-turn lanes will be added at Mary Street and an existing one at route D will be lengthened. Cascade Street coming out of City Park will be closed permanently, and the park entrance near the municipal pool will be moved south, away from Route D.
The City will move its utility lines from under the street to under the sidewalks, so the street will not have to be torn up to make utility repairs in the future.
Final plans for this project have been submitted by engineers, and bids will be let next month.
The winning bid is expected to be awarded at the June Transportation Commission meeting.
Work may begin in July, depending upon the schedules of contractors, who will have until Nov. 1, 2024, to complete the project.
There will be street closures during construction. Traffic will be detoured to Farmington Street.
• New rental fees: The Alderman approved new rental fees for pavilions in the city parks, effective April 4. In the past, residents were charged $15 and nonresidents $25. Now, all rentals will be $25.
• Child Abuse Prevention month: Mayor Dwain Hahs presented a proclamation in recognition of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month to Alix Gasser, development director of Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence (SEMO-NASV).
• Marijuana use by city employees: The aldermen amended the Personal Policies and Procedures for the City of Jackson as set forth in Chapter 51 (Personnel Policies and Procedures) of the code of ordinances to address the use of recreational marijuana by city employees. A section on workplace safety from drug/alcohol abuse was amended by adding a section for safety-sensitive positions.
• Water plant: A $46,830 change order to Robinson Industrial, Heavy and Commercial Contracting, Inc., of Perryville, was approved for work on Jackson Water Plant improvements.
This will pay for concrete coating over a new slab that will cover a former water storage pit and new hardware for the SCADA system.
In addition, a $85,900 expenditure increase was approved to Horner & Shifrin, Inc., of St. Louis, for additional engineering services under the Water System Facility Plan Implementation Project, Phase 2.
This involves a water main upgrade along East Jackson Boulevard from just east of Shawnee Boulevard to Alliance Bank at 2120 E, Jackson Boulevard and a short stretch of South High Street.
• Power poles: A change order was approved for Power Line Consultants, LLC, of Farmington, for work on the Wedekind 73 power pole replacement project. The completion date was extended again due to weather delays.
• Power plant: The aldermen accepted a $28,500 bid from Robert Boitnott Painting of Cape Girardeau to paint power plant equipment, and a contract was authorized.
• ARPA funds: The aldermen authorized the internal transfer of $12,500 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the City to the Community Outreach Board for community projects.
• Payment processing: Approval was given for the City of Jackson application with GSC Forte Payments, Inc., of Allen, TX, for payment processing services through the GWorks Simple-City application.
• Vacuum truck: The purchase of a $504,805 vacuum truck was authorized after accepting the bid from Vac-Con, Inc., of Green Cove Springs, FL. The truck will replace an older truck used by the Wastewater Department.
• City Park fencing: The aldermen accepted a bid of $40,300 from Bootheel Fence Co., of Jackson, and authorized a contract for replacement and repairs of fences in city parks.
• Cruisin’ Uptown: The aldermen discussed a special permit application for the Community Outreach Board’s Cruisin’ Uptown Jackson event that was planned for April 8.
