JACKSON BOARD ACCEPTS PLATS, SCHEDULE ANNEXATION HEARING

JACKSON -- Jackson City Attorney David Beeson did most of the talking during Monday's board of aldermen meeting, reading a number of ordinances concerning rezoning changes and acceptance final subdivision plats.

The board approved legislation rezoning property owned by Rob Litzelfelner from M-1 to R-1 in the Little Schumer Subdivision, near Emma Avenue and August Street. No one appeared in opposition to the rezoning at a public hearing held prior to Monday's board meeting.

The aldermen then approved legislation accepting Litzelfelner's plat of the Little Schumer Subdivision.

An ordinance was adopted to annex a part of the Rosewood Subdivision on Independence Street (Route D) near Broadview. There was no opposition to the friendly annexation during the public hearing.

The board then approved legislation to accept the final plat of the subdivision, and accept easements of Jerry and Kathy Stoverink, and Jim and Deborah Maevers.

A resolution was adopted to accept a friendly annexation petition from the Maevers family to annex a 4.25 acre tract of land located immediately north of the Rosewood Subdivision. A public hearing on the annexation was set for June 17.

The board adopted legislation to accept the final plat of the Oak Forest II subdivision on Bainbridge Road, with conditions, as submitted by John and Donna Lichtenegger.

The aldermen approved an ordinance accepting the final plat of Gib's minor subdivision on Wayne Street, near Woodland Drive. The plat is a re-subdivision of two existing lots owned by Sam and Harriet Drusch.

A measure was adopted setting a 20 mph speed limit in the city's Klaus Park, near Interstate 55. The board named the only street in the park Klaus Park Drive, and ordered stop signs placed at each end of the street. Legislation was also adopted to bring the park under Jackson park regulations. Klaus Park was annexed into the city in 1990.

In other business, the board approved a final payment of $29,022 to Lappe Cement Finishing for completion of the Court Street improvement project.

Acting city engineer Rich Bowen said the cement finishers' strike and bad weather had delayed work on a number of paving projects. He said settlement of the strike means work on the Bainbridge Road improvement project can resume as soon as the weather improves.

Bowen said the final design of the second phase of the East Jackson Boulevard sewer improvement project has been completed but is not ready for bidding at this time.

The board approved an application from the Jackson American Legion post to downgrade its liquor license from five percent to 3.2 percent.

It also approved a request from the American Legion to block off South High Street, near the Jackson City Cemetery, for Monday's Memorial Day program.

A proposal to raise the pay of city aldermen and the mayor by $25 did not come up during the meeting. On May 6, aldermen approved a motion by outgoing alderman Leonard Dambach to raise the pay of the mayor and aldermen. They now receive $50 per month; the mayor receives $100 per month.

After the meeting, Ward 4 Alderman Jack Piepenbrok said the board might discuss the proposal later this year. If a pay hike were adopted, he said it would not take effect for two years.