CITY OF JACKSON TO START ACQUIRING EASEMENTS FOR HIKING-BICYCLE TRAIL

JACKSON, Mo. -- A plan to connect parks and some of the public schools in the city of Jackson with a hiking/biking trail is beginning to take shape.

Monday night, the Jackson Board of Aldermen will consider a motion readopting the city's position of authorizing the acquisition of easements and right of ways for the hiking/biking trail.

City Engineer Dan Triller has submitted the paperwork to the Missouri Department of Transportation to qualify the city for a grant to help build the hiking/biking trail, which is to be built in phases. The city would pay 20 percent of the cost, with MoDOT providing the rest.

The first phase of the trail is designed to run from City Park west along West Independence Street to the Jackson Middle School.

Another phase will connect City Park to Brookside Park. There is discussion of making a piece of property on the creek side of the route into a roadside park or soccer park, according to Jim Roach, the city's public works director.

The easement acquired for the trail also will be used to run a sewer main through the corridor.

The first phase of the project is expected to be designed this year, with construction to begin next year.

It has not yet been decided whether hiking, biking and in-line skating will be allowed on all parts of the trail. Biking and in-line skating are not permitted on the one-mile trail in City Park because it is only 5 feet wide. The proposed trail will be 8 feet wide.

Shane West Anderson, the city's parks and recreation director, said part of the planned trail along Goose Creek across from the city's industrial park especially lends itself to biking and in-line skating.

Anderson said the one-mile trail already in existence in City Park is the most used element of the city's park system.

"One thing that really accents a park system is to have a walking and biking trail that connects the parks," he says. Many different age groups would be expected to use the trail.

Also on Monday night's agenda is a public hearing for a special use permit to operate a motor vehicle storage business at 402 E. Adams St.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

JACKSON AGENDA

7:30 p.m. Monday, March 19

City Hall

Public Hearing

* Hearing to consider the request for a special use permit for the establishment and operation of a motor vehicle storage business in an I-2 (heavy industrial) district at 402 E. Adams St. as submitted by Mr. and Mrs. Mike Turbeville.

Action Items

Power and Light committee

* Consider motion readopting and reconfirming the city's position of authorizing the acquisition of easements and right of ways necessary to provide for park extensions and connections with hiking/biking trails along Hubble creek in addition to providing for flood control and infrastructure and utility corridors.

* Consider a motion accepting donation of an emergency backup generator form Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and authorizing the transfer of a generator from the Jackson Fire Department to the Cape Girardeau County Emergency Preparedness Mobile Communications Center.

* Consider a bill proposing an ordinance accepting dedication of water line easements from Ryan and Laurie Davis and McCombs Funeral Home Inc.

Street Committee

* Consider a motion approving the mayor's appointment of Michelle Drury Spooler as assistant municipal judge for the City of Jackson.

Executive Session

* Motion to have executive session to discuss litigation, personnel and purchase or property.