The Jefferson City Council met Tuesday night in regular session.

The Council approved the third reading to amend an ordinance to allow child care and preschool facilities as special exceptions in the holding district and the second reading to amend an ordinance to increase the deposit for new municipal utility accounts to $150. The Council then approved a $25,200 contract to Murphy Construction to demolish the interior of the former Pizza Ranch building.

The Council also approved a $21,745 change order as well as a $158,996 sub final payment to Kingston Construction for four completed paving projects; the standard operating procedures and policies for the fire department; an airport grant application to receive state funds; a letter of intent to Region XII Council of Governments to donate three properties at 506 East Clark Street, 507 South Locust Street and 507 North Cedar Street for a grant application for new housing; a $1,080 hotel/motel funding application for Jefferson Matters: Main Street to purchase additional banners and banner arms for the downtown square.

The Council also heard a final presentation from Bolton and Menk on the East Lincoln Way entry project. The cost estimate to install landscaping, more lighting and an eight-foot walking trail from the City cemetery to Cedar Street on Lincoln Way was about $700,000. The City is looking to phase in the project and tot grant funds to pay for it.

The Council then decided to make an appointment to fill a vacancy on the Council. Individuals from Ward Two are eligible to submit their names for consideration to City Hall ahead of the appointment, which can be as early as the June 27th Council meeting.

During the reports, Council member Dave Sloan gave an update on the animal shelter. He said the steering committee is proposing that the City owns the facility and a non-profit organization, like People for Animal Welfare Society or PAWS, would operate it. The committee also wants to set up a seven-person board to oversee the operations and the facility. The committee is also looking over different options for a type of building they want the shelter to be.