Fruitland man asks Jackson board to speed up annexation request decision

The Jackson Board of Aldermen heard a plea from Fruitland resident Tim Sutterer to make a speedy decision on a petition that would begin an attempt to annex Fruitland into Jackson at Tuesday night's meeting.

In December, Fruitland residents signed the petition and sent it to Jackson and Cape Girardeau as required by state law because of the community's proximity to the two cities. The residents are seeking to incorporate Fruitland as two companies, Heartland Materials and Strack Excavating, are trying to get the necessary permits to build limestone quarries near the community.

Cape Girardeau turned down the annexation offer within a month. By law, Jackson has one year to answer. If Jackson decides to accept, the city has three years to hold a public vote and three years to extend full services if the annexation is voted in by residents.

Sutterer was among several Fruitland residents to attend the meeting and spoke on their behalf. He has previously said that residents wanted some say in what types of industries located in or near Fruitland.

"The Fruitland area is growing with residential development, we've had some commercial development and we've got some industrial development headed our way as well," Sutterer told the aldermen.

Sutterer said the residents are interested in being able to deal with the industrial development like any municipality would.

"Your consideration as you look into this matter and research it for a rapid decision would be very much appreciated. There are obviously some things that the sooner we could get moving on, the better for our situation," Sutterer said.

The board thanked Sutterer and gave no response.

City administrator Jim Roach recently said city staff would look into whether annexing Fruitland would be good for Jackson's future growth and eventually make a recommendation to the aldermen, but that making a decision soon wasn't a priority for the city.

Other action

In other business, the board:

• Passed an ordinance to authorize entrance into a contract with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission relative to the Highway 61 Improvement Project.
• Approved an increase of $18,105 in the contract amount with Horner & Shifrin, Inc., for additional surveying services on the Hubble Creek Interceptor Sewer Project.
• Passed an ordinance approving and establishing the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions for a mitigation site under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Jackson North Industrial Park Subdivision.
• Approved a motion for the use of loudspeakers from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 22, Aug. 19, Sept. 23 and Oct. 21 at 4859 Old Cape Road East relative to a equine show.
• Appointed Mary Kiehne to fill an unexpired term on the planning and zoning commission, ending May 2014.

eragan@semissourian.com

243-6635

Pertinent addresses:

Fruitland, MO

101 Court St., Jackson, MO