No one from the public spoke at a public hearing held by the Jackson Mayor and Board of Aldermen March 20, regarding changes in the city ordinances regulating recreational marijuana sales and public usage.
The changes to the ordinance were approved unanimously later in the meeting. The changes affect marijuana dispensaries, cultivation, manufacturing, testing and transportation/storage facilities, and consumption in public lounges.
Below are some of the key points in this text amendment:
• Recreational marijuana should be allowed in the same locations as medical marijuana.
• Dispensary hours should be limited to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and there should be no on-site consumption during business hours.
• The distance between churches, schools, and state-licensed daycares should be 500 feet.
• The method of measuring separation distance should match the State’s.
• Consumption lounges should be allowed if they meet the same separation distances. Conditions should be added that limit their hours of operation to 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. and prevent access by anyone under the age of 21.
In other action
• Electric transformers: Two of the city’s electric transformers went down recently. Don Schuette, director of electric utilities, informed the aldermen of the purchase of two replacement transformers.
• Police station cleaning: The aldermen accepted a proposal from Squeaky Clean Cleaning Service, LLC, of Jackson to extend a contract for one year relative to providing janitorial services for the Jackson Police Station.
• Civic Center door opener: A $332 change order to Cape Paint & Glass, Inc., of Cape Girardeau was approved for work installing an assisted door opener at the Jackson Civic Center.
• Public safety grant: Fire agencies throughout the state were given an opportunity to apply for a 50/50 matching grant through the Missouri Department of Public Safety for up to $40,000.
Jackson Fire Rescue has been approved for a grant, which will be used to purchase a set of dual-purpose gear for all personnel. Dual purpose gear can be used for vehicle extrications, as well as technical rescue and natural cover fires.
Having dual-purpose gear will save additional wear and tear on firefighting turnout gear which is four times the cost. It also reduces the weight personnel must carry or wear.
The aldermen authorized a contract with the Missouri Department of Public Safety to receive this grant funding.
• Tiny homes: A public hearing was set for Monday, April 17, at 6 p.m., to consider a text amendment to Chapter 65 (Zoning) regarding the addition of provisions for defining and limiting tiny houses in Jackson.
• Main Street sidewalk: The aldermen approved a $94,313.03 task order to Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing, Inc., of Cape Girardeau, for providing engineering services for the East Main Street sidewalk connection project. A contract was authorized.
• Pavement improvement: A bid of $248,763.60 from Mike Light Cement Finishing, Inc., of Perryville was accepted for work on the 2023 Concrete Pavement Improvement Program. A contract was approved.
• Water system: During study session, the alderman heard an overview of the Water System Facility Plan Implementation Project, Phase 2, Projects 2D and 2E.
Lisa Fennewald of Horner & Shifrin also provided information on the following two items:
~ Amendment 6 to Task Order Authorization No. 19-04 in the amount of $85,900 for Horner & Shifrin’s services related to the future construction phase of Phase 2, Project 2E (East Jackson Boulevard and a section of North High Street) and for updating remaining project estimates to reflect current prices. This update was needed for use in obtaining the remaining water bonds.
~ Change Order #1 Project 2D: The plan to upgrade the water plant’s SCADA System as part of the water plant improvements has brought to light the need to replace the associated computer hardware and radio communication system that communicates with the wells and towers. The change order in the amount of $38,696 includes component costs as well as installation.
• Boards and commissions: Reports were given of the March 8 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting and the March 13 Park Board meeting.
• City Parks fencing: One bid was received to replace and repair fencing in Jackson City Park. It was from Bootheel fence for $40,300.
• Power plant: Three bids were submitted for the power plant new addition equipment painting project. Robert Boitnott Painting of Cape Girardeau had the low bid of $28,500 and was recommended to be awarded the project.
• Fire Department grants: Fire Chief Jason Mouser informed the aldermen of grants for which Jackson Fire Rescue was applying.
• Personnel Policies: An update to personnel policies and procedures was presented.
• Vacuum truck: A new vacuum truck was purchased for the Wastewater Department.
• Purple Heart City: The aldermen discussed an agreement being made with MoDOT for the installation of Purple Heart City signs.
