JACKSON MAYOR BREAKS TIE VOTE TO ENACT RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

JACKSON -- Jackson Mayor Paul Sander cast the deciding vote Monday, breaking a 4-4 tie by the board of aldermen to enact new residency requirements for all city employees.

The board also listened to the attorney representing a group of landowners opposed to the sale of the landfill to a private solid waste contractor.

The new residency ordinance requires the city administrator and public works director to live within the Jackson city limits. All other city employees, including police and firefighters, must reside within a 4.9-mile radius of the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson and west of Interstate 55.

Those voting for the ordinance were: Ward 4 aldermen Jack Piepenbrok and LeRoy Brown, and Ward 2 aldermen Kevin Sawyer and David Reiminger.

Those opposing the ordinance were Ward 1 aldermen David Hitt and David Ludwig, and Ward 3 aldermen Val Tuschhoff and Glenn Oldham.

The mayor voted yes to break the tie, and the ordinance passed on a 5-4 vote.

Before the vote, Ludwig expressed concern it would extend the response time of police officers and firefighters who may live outside the city limits. "We are stretching ourselves too thin for backup of fire and police protection," said Ludwig.

Cape Girardeau attorney Joe Russell spoke for the group of property owners who live near the city's landfill. Jackson is considering the long-term, lease-sale of the city landfill to one of three private solid waste contractors.

The board of aldermen must make a decision before April 9 when new and more restrictive state and federal landfill regulations go into effect.

Russell told the board the property owners feel the landfill should be closed rather than sold to a private operator. He said the property owners have several concerns about the landfill, among them: That it is located in an active seismic zone; that there are plans to make it a regional landfill, which would increase traffic on a 20-foot-wide, gravel, county road, which is also on a school bus route.

Said Russell, "We are also concerned about increased litter and the future extension of the landfill which would have an impact on the value of nearby property; and the possibility of contamination of nearby wells in the event of seismic activity."

Russell reminded the board that even though it contracts to sell the landfill to a private operator, the city will still remain liable for its operation. He said, "The larger the landfill gets, the more time passes, the greater the risk and exposure to the city. Why not bite the bullet now and close the landfill."

Russell said the Region 8 Solid Waste Committee has also recommended that the landfill be closed in favor of a regional, publicly-owned landfill that would be operated by the Region 8 Solid Waste District.

No matter which way the board decides to go with the landfill, Russell urged the aldermen to give the property owners an opportunity for participation and input before any final decision is made.

After Russell was finished, the mayor told the group no decision will be made at this time on the sale of the landfill. Said Sander, "All we are going to do now is to decide which one of the three private landfill operators we will negotiate with."

Alderman Piepenbrok said the board is aware of the concerns voiced by the property owners, and assured them the board will consider those concerns,

The mayor also said the possible sale of the landfill would have no effect on the city's operation of the solid waste pickup service. "The city will continue to operate the trash service no matter what happens to the landfill," said Sander.

The board also authorized the development of plans for a new water storage reservoir and upgrade of the water main system in the Seabaugh Industrial Tract along South Farmington Street, and along Hope Street and Jackson Boulevard.

Also approved was an ordinance for the painting of the water tower at the power plant.

The aldermen approved the purchase of a 1994 Ford Crown Victoria police car for $13,540. The car comes with the "police package" and will be purchased as part of the state bid purchasing system.