GROUP OPPOSED TO JACKSON BUS GARAGE PLEADS TO ALDERMEN

It should have said the pay raise given to city employees in the new budget is a 5 percent increase and 51 city employees are eligible for refunds of premiums they have paid into the LAGERS retirement system. (RAN 4-17-91, PAGE 2A)

JACKSON The issue of the Jackson R-2 School District's school-bus transportation center was back in the court of the Jackson Board of Aldermen Monday. But aldermen said it's in the hands of the school board.

About 25 residents, most of whom live on Springview and neighboring streets near Orchard Elementary School, went back before the Board of Aldermen a second time asking that it revoke the special-use permit issued earlier this year to the school district to build the transportation center.

The aldermen told the residents they do not have sufficient cause to revoke the permit without opening the city to legal liability. "Your only recourse is with the school board," the board said.

The residents were represented by attorney Jeff Dix, who spoke for the group last week at the Jackson R-2 Board of Education meeting.

After presenting a petition with 287 signatures to the board, Dix said the residents feel they were not properly notified of the plans to build the transportation center.

During their first meeting on March 1 the residents raised the issues of safety, air and noise pollution, and traffic. The same issues were raised again Monday.

The residents said they were back before the aldermen because they felt the school board was not concerned about their concerns.

One resident who spoke Monday said: "This thing was shoved through the back door. The problem is the kids' safety. I don't think you or the school board considered this."

But Mayor Carlton Meyer pointed out legal notices were published in the local paper about the school board's request to the planning and zoning commission for the special-use permit. In addition, the Jackson Cash Book Journal and the Southeast Missourian published stories prior to the public hearing held by the Board of Aldermen to consider the special-use permit.

At last week's school board meeting, the residents were told the board was never legally required to seek a special-use permit for the transportation center, but did so as a courtesy to the city. Following the meeting, Meyer agreed the school board was under no legal obligation to ask for the permit.

Because of concerns expressed by the residents, the board approved legislation setting a 20 mph speed limit on Orchard Drive; East Lane between Oak and Orchard; Willow Bend Drive; and Springview Drive.

In other business, about 29 city employees will be eligible for refunds of premiums they have paid into LAGERS (Local Government Employees Retirement System). The board approved a resolution that will allow the employees to file for their refund after Jan. 1.

Legislation was also approved granting a 15 percent, or 40-cent across-the-board hourly pay increase to all city employees. The council had previously approved the pay increase when it adopted the 1991-92 budget.

Bids were opened for street improvement projects on Orchard Drive and Adams Street. Both are separate projects but were bid together to reduce costs. Six bids were received. The low bid of $63,383.30 was submitted by Fronabarger Concreters of Jackson.

The board approved a motion to hire one full-time firefighter. The addition was contained in the new budget.

Those who dump old tires in the Jackson landfill are going to have to start paying a penalty beginning next month. An ordinance was approved setting a penalty of $1.50 per tire for those who bring loads to the landfill that contain old tires. The penalty goes into effect in 30 days.

The board approved legislation to add 12 street lights along Ridge Road and one street light on East Jackson near Kimbeland.

A motion was also approved to instruct the city engineer to proceed with the design and specifications for the repaving of West Main Street from High Street through Union Street.

The city engineer reported the Bainbridge Road improvement project will be ready to go in about one week, as soon as utility poles and water lines have been moved and trees on the right-of-way removed.

He said the completion of the Jackson Trail project is now delayed by wet weather. The Court Street repaving project should be completed, weather permitting, by the end of this week, he said.