JACKSON TO SUBSIDIZE BOARD OF TOURISM

JACKSON -- The Jackson Board of Aldermen voted 7-0 Monday to approve an agreement with the Jackson Chamber of Commerce creating a tourism board to promote attractions in and around the Jackson area.

The five-member tourism board will begin its work on July 1. The new board members were elected recently by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce. Members serving two-year terms are Mary Strong and Kirk Williams. Those serving a one-year term are Max Drill and former Mayor Carlton Meyer. The fifth member is Steve Eleson, vice president of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.

Under the agreement, the city will provide a two-year grant of $20,000 ($10,000 per year) in "seed money" to get the tourism board on its feet. The city also expects the business community to make donations to match the yearly grants.

The agreement includes three fundamental operating principles:

- City funds will be used to promote Jackson and out-county areas.

- No individual business or tourist attraction will receive attention to the detriment or exclusion of others.

- The chamber will establish a relationship and cooperate with the Missouri Division of Tourism.

The agreement also calls for the chamber to submit semi-annual written reports to the city relating the activities of the tourism board. In addition to preparing an annual budget, the tourism board will also submit a financial report to the city at the end of each fiscal quarter.

The agreement notes that the city intends to fund the tourism board for at least two years, at which time the program will be reviewed by the mayor and board of aldermen.

In other business, Acting City Engineer Rich Bowen reported he has received inquiries about using corrugated plastic pipe in addition to PVC and clay tile pipe on local construction projects. Bowen said the questions were prompted by contractors planning to bid on the Jackson Middle School project. Bowen will work with the city attorney to prepare an ordinance allowing the use of the corrugated plastic pipe.

The board approved the closing of two blocks of South High, and one block of West Main, from South High to Missouri Street, for the Harvest Days Celebration on Oct. 1. The board specified that one lane be kept open for drive-in bank customers at the corner of Court and West Main.

City Administrator Carl Talley reminded the board that Clean-Up, Fix-Up Week will be held in Jackson June 28-July 1. "I urge all citizens to participate," said Talley. The final Clean-Up, Fix-Up Week will be held in September.

Mayor Paul Sander reminded board members and Jackson residents to attend an important planning and zoning public hearing at 7 p.m. July 7 at city hall. A proposed zoning ordinance that would add several new zoning classifications will be discussed. The proposed ordinance will not change any current zoning of property, the mayor emphasized.

Sander also reported that the special committee to develop job descriptions for a public works director and assistant city administrator held its third meeting. "Progress is being made," the mayor commented.