ALDERMEN RAISE JACKSON POOL FEES

JACKSON -- It's going to cost more to take a dip in the Jackson Municipal Swimming Pool this summer. Because of increased operating costs, the Board of Aldermen approved fee increases Monday that will be in effect when the pool opens May 16.

The board also opened bids on the Phase Three water-main project along East Jackson Boulevard, and the street paving of Anna and Eastview streets. The board authorized a change of contractors for the Main Street improvement project.

Under the new fee schedule, general admission to the pool from 1 p.m. to closing time will be $2 per person. The admission fee from 5 p.m. to closing time will remain at $1 per person.

Individual season passes will be $40, while family passes will cost $75. Public swimming lessons will now cost $12. It will cost $75 to rent the pool for private parties.

City Administrator Carl Talley said the pool is opening earlier than usual this year. It usually opens over the Memorial Day weekend. "I hope the weather warms up by the time the pool opens, "Talley added.

The apparent low bidder on the Phase Three water-line extension project along East Jackson was P&R Developers, with a bid of $76,918.75. The P&R bid was one of five bids opened. The engineer's estimate was $92,200.

The apparent low bid on the Anna and Eastview paving projects was that of Lappe Concrete Finishers. The Lappe bid of $35,462.75 was well under the engineer's estimate of $43,271.

The board voted to accept the withdrawal of the low bid of R&R Concreters on the East Main Street improvement project. The contractor was unable to obtain a bid bond. The board then adopted an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept a contract with the second low bidder on the project, S.I.S. Inc. of Creal Springs, Ill.

The S.I.S. bid was $225,975, compared with the R&R bid of $192,967. The engineer's estimate was $229,500.

The East Main Street project is scheduled to begin about May 18 and be completed within 65 days. The work will be scheduled so as to provide the least amount of interruption to traffic and businesses along Main Street from the Hubble Creek bridge east to Hope Street, authorities said.

The board voted to revoke a special use permit issued to Patti A. Anderson to place a mobile home for a watchman at 410 S. Georgia. The permit was revoked because of failure to comply with zoning regulations.

The board adopted an ordinance approving a re-plat of the Edgewood Subdivision to allow the Jackson Church of Christ to build a residence on church property.

After listening to an appeal from members of the Jackson Noon Optimist Club, the board voted 8-0 to donate $1,145 to the Jackson Park Foundation for signs for Safety City, which opens later this month in the city park.

Mayor Carlton Meyer had opposed the request fearing it might lead to requests from other organizations in the future. But proponents said most of the donations that have been made to Safety City have been unsolicited. Several aldermen pointed to the "broad based" support the project has received in the community.

The Jackson Safety City is an educational program designed to instruct children on traffic safety and awareness.

The Noon Optimists will hold a series of Safety City sessions during June. Registration will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on May 16 at Jackson City Hall.

Michelle Andrew of 823 Andrew asked the board for help in resolving a water drainage problem at her residence, situated at the end of a cul-de-sac. She said that stormwater from Andrew Street floods her yard after heavy rains.

Andrew asked the board to purchase and install drain tile to correct the problem. Officials pointed out it's city policy to work with property owners on drainage problems only if the property owners purchase the drain tile. However, the board asked that the matter be tabled for further study.

The board authorized the city administrator to negotiate a contract with the engineering firm of Barnes, Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende for a study of the city's long-range electrical needs.