The Jefferson City Council met Tuesday night in regular session.

During open forum, a Landus Cooperative Representative addressed the Council about some improvements to the rail system at the Jefferson location. Following the harvest season, Landus will be replacing the rails and ties with the road crossing, which will necessitate temporary road closure. The Council decided to refer the matter to the committee for further discussion.

The Council then approved the third and final reading to amend an ordinance to increase water and sewer rates each by three-percent, along with the third and final reading to amend an ordinance to increase residential and commercial solid waste by $1 per month and establishing a commercial recycling monthly fee. Additionally, the Council approved a two-year lease agreement for the coworking company of Gravitate for 202 North State Street with a base rental rate of $1,000 and an additional rate as a reimbursement for improvements to the property as made by the City. 

The Council also approved the first reading, and waived the second and third readings, for a four-yard dumpster rental rate ordinance for residents to use in lieu of there no longer being a fall and spring clean up week in the City. The Council then approved a 28E agreement with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office to provide temporary law enforcement coverage in the City, along with approving the first readings of two different ordinances to reduce the speed limit on Grimmell Road from Lincoln Way to Highway 30 from 40 to 30 miles per hour, and allowing off road utility vehicles within city limits. 

The Council then heard an update from the cat committee. Council member Darren Jackson proposed increasing the People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) budget by $2,500 to allow them to run a trap-neuter-release program for feral cats and the Council agreed to consider approving the measure at their next Council meeting. 

Finally, the meeting ended with the priority budget workshop for the 2022 fiscal year. The top priorities, as determined by the Council, were water and sewer line improvements, the animal shelter, housing and obtaining grants.