JACKSON PANEL NAMED TO STUDY PARK FACILITIES

JACKSON -- A three-member committee appointed Monday by Mayor Paul Sander will look into obtaining a state grant to make the city park and Rotary Lake more accessible to people with disabilities.

The board of aldermen also approved rezoning of a tract of land between Goose Creek and Jefferson Avenue for construction of duplex housing.

Members of the ad hoc park improvement committee are Aldermen David Hitt and David Reiminger, and Steve Wilson, a member of the Jackson Park Board.

Reiminger said the proposed improvements include construction of a dock at Rotary Lake for those in wheelchairs, construction of an access ramp from the parking lot to the dock, and improvements to the restrooms near the lake to make them accessible.

Funding for the project would come from a grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation's 1/8-cent sales tax. The MDOC would also survey the bottom of the lake to determine the best location for the dock.

The project will include dredging of the lake bottom to increase its depth and, hopefully, eliminate the excess growth of algae. "If we can get all the figures and paperwork done, we can get it back to the conservation department in time for them to put it in their 1994 construction budget," said Reiminger.

If the project is funded, Sander said, it will resolve two issues. "It will help us take care of our algae problem at the lake and bring the city into compliance with regulations for making it accessible to the handicapped."

In other business, the board approved the rezoning and platting of a tract of land between Goose Creek and Jefferson Avenue for construction of duplex housing. Construction is scheduled to begin as soon as possible.

The board accepted the resignation of Marvin Adams from the park board. Grace Wille was appointed by the mayor to serve out his term, which expires in May 1995.

Also approved was a request from the Jackson American Legion to hold the 1994 Jackson Homecomers next August.

The mayor reported that Alderman David Ludwig is recovering from a heart attack he suffered last month. "He's coming along fine. He is up and walking, and may be back with us in about two or three weeks if the doctors let him," the mayor said.