DECISION TABLED ON JACKSON REDISTRICTING

JACKSON -- The Jackson Board of Aldermen Monday tabled a proposed law to redraw the city's four wards to adapt to a "one man, one vote" court mandate after drawn-out debate on the subject.

Unless a special meeting is held prior to the end of the month, the board will have to take up the issue at its next regular meeting, Jan. 6 only a day before the candidate filing period opens.

Roby Robertson, Jackson building inspector, said the redistricting was required following the 1990 census that showed the wards failed to comply with state requirements that assure even population distribution among the city wards.

Robertson presented the aldermen with three maps showing different boundary lines for each ward. He recommended adoption of one of the maps, which would affect a minimum of voters yet still conform to the "one man, one vote" requirement.

Robertson said the first option would affect 811 people of voting age, while the second would impact 936 potential voters. The recommended option would affect only 670 voting-age residents.

Robertson said the third option would keep the two largest wards in the eastern part of the city, which might be offset by future growth in subdivisions in the west end of town during the next 10 years.

Alderman Paul Sander indicated he would support the third option. "The plan is fair because it does not add or subtract from any of the wards," he said.

But Alderman Lee Roy Brown said he wanted more time to study the proposed ward boundary lines and asked that the issue be tabled. The board voted 7-1 to table, with Sander dissenting.

In other business the board:

Approved the lone bid of Lakenan Insurance of Jackson for the city's master insurance policy. The policy covers real property, general liability, public officials' errors and omissions, law enforcement liability and vehicle insurance.

The policy's premium is $43,587, a $900 increase over last year's premium because two additional vehicles will be covered.

Approved the apparent low bid of the Mark Skinner Co. for construction of water line on a section of the Old Toll Road, and on Bainbridge Road, in an area recently annexed. Skinner's bid of $12,553 was the lowest of four bids.

Approved a request from P & R Developers for partial payment of $28,696 for the East Jackson Boulevard water main project. Acting City Engineer Rich Bowen said the project is about 75 percent complete.

Approved a partial payment of $36,135 to the same firm for work on the East Jackson Boulevard sanitary sewer project.

Approved final payment of $72,886.82 to Lappe Cement Finishers for the West Main Street improvement project.

Adopted a law that establishes enforcement procedures for the city's wastewater pre-treatment program. City Administrator Carl Talley explained the ordinance will bring the city into compliance with federal EPA and Missouri Department of Natural Resources directives.

Talley also announced that the City Library and collector's offices will be closed Christmas Eve, but that other City Hall offices will remain open until 1 p.m.