City Council, February 19—Prior to the regular meeting, council met in Executive Session to discuss the details of a new Union contract between the city and its employees. That contract was later approved.
In regular session, Mayor Paul Becker presented his annual “Citizen of the Year Award” to Whitman Parker. In his remarks, the mayor commended Parker for his leadership in organizing the 2018 anti-meals tax ballot measure and for his contributions to the community through his work as publisher of the Jacksonville Review.
The Jacksonville Seniors group received a 3-year lease extension on the historic Bruener Building which houses the Thrift Store. Members of the community and council acknowledged the value the thrift store brings to town and the beneficial fundraising it does on behalf of the Community Center.
City Council, March 5—Doc Griffin Going Organic—Lauren Kemple of Pesticide-free Jacksonville presented a synopsis of a recent public open house that presented ideas on using non-toxic herbicides and pesticides in city parks. Council will be holding a study session on the matter on April 8 from 5:30-7:00pm at Old City Hall when it will hear from experts in the field. In a show of support for the grass-roots program, Mayor Becker thanked Kemple for her graciousness in working with staff on a complex matter. Administrator Jeff Alvis then went a step further when he announced that he had just re-signed a contract with TruGreen (the firm used for spraying herbicides/pesticides in city parks) and that Doc Griffin Park will only be sprayed with organic products in 2019. Despite an increase of $500/year for organic treatments, the park will be the city’s test site for the non-toxic program this year.
Jacksonville firefighters Josh Bowden and Derek Matchett were on-hand to introduce the new “Zoll Autopulse CPR Machine,” which was recently acquired by the department. Fundraising for the purchase was accomplished thanks to a successful Spaghetti Dinner hosted by Engine Company #1 volunteers, significant donations from a raffle and citizens and a discount offered by the manufacturer. In his presentation, Bowden demonstrated how the life-saving machine operates by freeing-up human hands, thus improving chances of surviving a cardiac arrest. The impressive display was met with rousing applause by the audience.
Gary Rose with Back in Time Wagon Rides received approval to continue offering horse-drawn rides around town. Rose will begin a new season of tours beginning on St. Patrick’s Day weekend through Victorian Christmas.
Carolyn Kingsnorth, president of Historic Jacksonville, Inc., presented her annual report on the activities at the Beekman House and Beekman Bank. Kingsnorth reviewed attendance records and receipts for HJI events including house and bank tours, Haunted History Tours, Historic Walking Tours, Victorian-themed events, Living History, Story & Song and other HJI-sponsored events.
Urban Renewal Meeting, March 5—Is a New Fire Hall in Our Future? Council laid the groundwork for a “new” fire hall during its Urban Renewal meeting when it granted staff permission to apply for a $1.5 million Urban Renewal loan through US Bank. The financing program is similar to that used to revitalize the Courthouse into city offices. In so doing, council unanimously backed the concept of retrofitting the existing structure, using the same building footprint. After extensive seismic/structural studies are reviewed and council agrees to move forward, architectural plans would then be drawn for an extensive remodel, including the addition of a second story that would likely include dormitories and/or kitchen facilities. Urban Renewal funds may only be used to retrofit and/or remodel existing structures within the historic core. Although the present fire hall building is not deemed “historic,” a minor amendment to the city’s Urban Renewal plan will be made so that it qualifies for program funding.