Jackson aldermen review July 4 plans

The Jackson Board of Aldermen received an update Monday on the city's plans for Fourth of July festivities.

Alderman Larry Cunningham, chairman of the Independence Day Celebration Committee, said 17 teams have registered for the mud volleyball tournament, with at least four or five more expected; the beer garden will be expanded to include a portion of the city park outside the immediate area of shelter No. 1; and free parking will be provided in a supervised lot at Union at Parkview streets.

Cunningham said that $6,200 in donations has been collected so far toward the fireworks display, which will be added to $5,000 in matching funds provided by the city. Viewers can expect to see a show valued at $15,000 on July 4, Cunningham said.

As part of the city's efforts to create a stable funding stream for future events, Alderman David Hitt announced that American Legion Post 158 will hold a dance Saturday at the Legion hall at 319 N. High St. Profits from the $6 entry fee will be contributed to the 2013 fireworks fund.

Two new events have been added to this year's activities. The U.S. National Guard will sponsor two inflatable obstacle courses in the city park and Mayor Barbara Lohr is hosting a patriotic bicycle parade.

Lohr announced that children ages 6 through 12 are invited to participate in the parade. Interested children should gather at 10:45 a.m. July 4 at the municipal swimming pool parking lot at 1003 N. High St. for a parade through the city park at 11 a.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the three entrants judged to be the most patriotically decorated.

Townhouses

The board held a public hearing Monday night to gather feedback about whether the city should allow 28 townhouses to be built on a single lot in the city.

Kenneth and Joan Asher submitted an application to the city for a special use permit to build the two-bedroom homes at 522 Broadridge Drive, adjacent to Orchard Elementary School.

Two residents spoke against the plan to build the homes, citing concerns about traffic, parking and stormwater drainage.

No one spoke in favor of allowing the permit.

A vote on the matter is scheduled for July 2, pending staff study of the issues raised in the hearing.

Backup generators

The board approved a $5,900 expenditure to Farabee Mechanical Inc. of Hickman, Neb., regarding the RICE NESHAP Improvement Project. The acronym stands for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, an Environmental Protection Agency regulation established in 2010 that controls emissions on the city's backup electrical generators. Jackson spent $759,948 last November to meet the federal mandate.

Roadwork

The board also approved installing four-way flashing lights on East Adams Street at Kies Avenue to address safety concerns raised by residents about fast and reckless driving through the intersection.

In other action proposed by the street committee, the city repealed a "yield right of way" designation on Bainbridge Road at Oak Hill Road. According to Lohr, the road previously only allowed traffic in one direction and is being widened to accommodate two-way travel.

The board entered executive session following the meeting and study session to discuss matters of litigation, personnel and property purchase.

salderman@semissourian.com

388-3648

Pertinent addresses:

101 Court St., Jackson, MO

522 Broadridge Drive, Jackson, MO

East Adams Street and Kies Avenue, Jackson, MO

Bainbridge Road and Oak Hill Road, Jackson, MO

Union Street and Parkview Street, Jackson, MO

319 N. High St., Jackson, MO

1003 N. High St., Jackson, MO