Council Discusses Electric Franchise, Project Updates

The Jackson City Council met on Thursday, July 17, in the Council Chambers at City Hall to tackle a long list of items on their regular agenda.

After a lengthy discussion, the council approved the advertising of a franchise agreement for electric transmission within the city limits.  The advertisement will expire in August and must be advertised as required by law.  Under the requirements, the legal ad allows utility companies to “bid” on the right to provide electricity for the city. 

The franchise advertisement will not reduce the rates citizens pay and will not impact electric availability.  Mayor Laura Thomas explained that the process laid out the legal steps the city must follow and determined the measuring technique and method for the bidding utility to reimburse the city for the right to have distribution lines in the municipal limits.

The council unanimously approved the first reading of the ordinance and the advertisement for bids.  A second reading and final passage is required.

The city’s governing body also approved the first reading of an ordinance allowing approved, inspected, and licensed ATV and other special purpose vehicles to operate on city streets.  The council approved the first reading and set a second reading and possible final passage for a later date.

Approval was given to the amendment of the Jackson Police Department’s Tattoo Policy and the addition of electronic attendance timekeeping for all city employees.

Paul Nesbitt, owner and President of Nesbitt Engineering, presented updates for the Council on several city projects and answered numerous questions.  Nesbitt discussed the Highway 15 project and the $7 million sewer and water relocation and upgrades now underway.  

Nesbitt discussed the North Jackson Water Treatment improvements, the sewer rehab investigation for the core of downtown, the Quicksand sewer rehab, and water projects for Quicksand.  For more than 40 minutes, he fielded questions from the council and discussed funded and proposed projects for which KRADD sought funding. 

Mayor Laura Thomas announced that the city would hold a hearing on July 29, at City Hall beginning at 5:00 p.m. to seek the public’s opinion of the possible changes to make Court Street one way from Main Street to Cherry Street.  Mayor Thomas urged the community to attend the meeting to express their support, concerns, or to ask any questions.

The council approved approximately $30,000 in refunds for companies and businesses who overpaid their occupational taxes at 2% after the effective date when it dropped to 1.5%.

The council adjourned after over two hours and forty-five minutes of mostly discussions, questions, and clarifications concerning previously discussed city projects.