Once a year, Jackson residents have had a week when they could get rid of lots of old junk by placing it at the curb and the City would pick it all up. Clean-Up Fix-Up Week has been an annual institution in Jackson since 2008.
“We think we have a better program” City Administrator Jim Roach announced to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen during study session July 1.
Instead of assigning one week a year for everyone to put out their special items (which is a lot of extra work for the City to pick up), the City wants to give one special pick-up per customer each year, that can be made by appointment. “This will give the customer control of the time of the pick-up,” explained Rodney Bollinger, administrative services director.
The amount of extra trash residents can put out during this special pick-up will remain the same as it has been during Clean-Up Fix-Up Week: four cubic yards (approximately 7 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet).
If residents need more than one extra trash pick up a year, they will be charged for additional pick-ups (a minimum of $50). This is a continuation of the policy that already exists.
Bollinger said the City of Cape Girardeau used to have annual pick-up weeks similar to Jackson’s, but switched to one free annual special pick-up in 2006, and Cape’s solid waste manager said “it was one of the best things he has done,” Bollinger reported. Only about 20 percent of Cape’s residents schedule special pick-ups, so it’s much more manageable by city crews. Plus, Cape limits special pick-ups to a total of 50 per week.
“It’s working in Cape,” concluded Bollinger.
Alderman Paul Sander said he had concerns about limiting the number of pick-ups per week in Jackson. He said if the City can pick up all the extra trash in the city in one week now, it should be able to handle the number of appointments made during a week under the new plan.
A new policy will be written and brought before the Board for approval. If approved, residents will be able to start making appointments for extra trash pickups beginning Jan. 1, 2020.
In other action:
• Accomplishment signs: During study session, the Board discussed adding up to three accomplishment signs under City Limit signs at five entrances to the city. These signs would announce that Jackson was the home of certain state champion teams.
The signs require a 10-year agreement with MoDOT and a one-time cost of $7,800.
Cape Girardeau and Perryville already have such signs. The City of Perryville paid for 100 percent of the cost. In Cape Girardeau, the Cape Girardeau School Board paid 100 percent of the cost.
The Board seemed to find the idea of the signs agreeable but decided to wait until after new city limit signs are installed following the 2020 census.
• Board meeting moved: The Board agreed to move the Monday, Sept. 2, Board meeting to Wednesday, Sept. 4, in honor of Labor Day.
• Historic Preservation Committee: The Board approved the mayor’s appointment of Jeff Long to the Historic Preservation Committee, to serve an unexpired term ending May 2020.
• Humane Society: The Board authorized a contractual agreement with the Humane Society.
• East Main Street water line: On a 7-1 vote, the Board agreed to pay Horner & Shifrin, Inc., of St. Louis $18,552 for engineering services for the East Main Street Water Line and Pavement Improvements Project. Alderman Larry Cunningham voted no.
• Roundabout: The Board accepted the dedication of a utility easement deed from Litz Brothers, Inc., relative to the roundabout project on East Main Street and Shaw-nee Boulevard.
• Unlawful possession or use of weapon: The Board approved an amendment of Chapter 45 of the Code of Ordinances relative to unlawful possession or use of a weapon. The change aligns the city ordinance with state law.
• Sewer use modifications: In study session, the Board heard a report from Kim Cole of KIMHEC Environmental Consulting regarding revisions to Chapter 41 of the Code of Ordinances (implementing sewer use modifications). The revised ordinance was set to be voted upon at the July 15 meeting.
• Storm recovery update: Also in study session, the Board was updated on storm recovery following the June 21 windstorm.
It was reported that city crews worked a lot of overtime. The cost of cleanup to the city was estimated at $215,000. Praise was handed out to city employees, residents and volunteers who all banded together to help out storm victims. There was a lot of “neighbor helping neighbor.”
“This is a unique and outstanding city,” said Public Works Director Kent Peetz. “Unfortunately, you don’t get to see the good stuff until something bad happens.”
Alderman Wanda Young said the city crews did “a great job of taking care of everything.”
Alderman David Hitt spoke on behalf of the American Legion (the hall lost its roof in the storm), saying, “We found just a lot of good people in Jackson, and the city employees are just fantastic.”
“Great job,” added Alderman Joe Bob Baker.
“I’m just proud to live in Jackson,” stated Alderman Tommy Kimbel.
“We lost a [park] shelter, commented Alderman Katy Liley. “I’d like to put thought into a bigger shelter to accommodate a bigger gathering.”
“I’m much in favor of what Katy said,” added Alderman Larry Cunningham.
Mayor Dwain Hahs said he was in favor of the City building back the park pavilion “bigger and better.”
A new pavilion was slated to be discussed in study session July 15.
