The Jefferson City Council met Tuesday night in regular session.
The meeting started with three public hearings about selling three lots to a housing developer, Origin Homes. The lots are 600 West Lincoln Way, as well as 504 and 506 North Vine Street, with each lot at $500. Jefferson resident Bill Allen offered to pay $1,000 to purchase 600 West Lincoln Way, because that property was previously owned by his family in the 1950s. Matt Daniels with Origin Homes explained that they plan to build three single family homes that are three bedrooms and two bathrooms with a two vehicle garage. Following each hearing, the Council approved selling the properties to Origin Homes, by a three to one vote, with Council member Chad Sloan voting no each time and Council member Darren Jackson was absent.
Next, the Council approved Caliber Concrete and their bid of $217,301 to build two pickleball courts and lighting at Russell Park. City Administrator Scott Peterson noted that with engineering expenses, the total for the project was $254,301, which was $13,726 short of what was fundraised by a separate committee. Peterson said the rest will be paid for through a donated fund to the city and automatic funding from Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation.
The Council then approved a forgivable loan application for Bob Smith’s buildings of where Vault Nutrition and New Hope are located on the downtown square to install a new roof, the 16th pay estimate of $652,161 to Shank Constructors for the Wastewater Treatment Plant improvement project, hiring Kyle DeMoss as the new Water Superintendent with a $73,900 annual salary, and purchasing 427 additional recycling carts for $28,457.
Finally, the hearing was held for Bob Gilmore and Nicole Townsley to appeal a decision that their pitbull dog be changed from illegal to vicious. An incident was reported to the police department where the pitbull got out of the house and went to a neighbor’s house and reportedly bit the neighbor and her dog. The dog was deemed illegal by police and as per the ordinance, the animal had to leave city limits. Both sides were presented, and additional comments were made on behalf of Gilmore and Townsley, as well as the victim Alicia Paup. A motion was made to change the status from illegal to vicious, and the vote ended two to two, with Council members Sloan and Matt Wetrich voting in favor of the change. The Council then tabled the final decision to the next regular meeting when the full council is present.