POWER OUTAGE PUTS JACKSON MEETING OUTSIDE

JACKSON -- The sun went down on Monday night's meeting of the Jackson Board of Aldermen.

The board met outdoors in the gazebo in Courthouse Park because power had not yet been restored in the wake of Monday afternoon's severe wind storm.

"I think it was the first time it had ever been done," City Administrator Steve Wilson said of the outdoor meeting.

Besides the board, mayor and city staffers, a few citizens were there to talk about a problem along their street. When the power came back on in the courthouse at 8:30, the meeting was completed inside.

Fortunately, the agenda was light. The board authorized the creation of a Jackson Fire Department Explorer Post.

The post for ages 14-20 will be run through the Boy Scouts, though boys and girls don't have to be members of the Scouts to join.

Capt. Curtis Sparks said the youths will undergo one-on-one training and will become a support group for the actual firefighters. They will have their own officers and will raise their own money.

"They will get first-hand knowledge of what it's like to be a fireman," Sparks said.

He said members of the post will be allowed on the fire ground during fires but won't be allowed "in the hot zone." They also won't be allowed to climb ladders.

Sparks said the post is about to begin recruiting. Anyone who is interested can call the fire station at 243-1010.

In other business, the board approved the preliminary plat submitted by James C. Green for Klaus Park Village Subdivision.

The subdivision calls for 105 buildings, most of them single-family residential, some multi-family.

The subdivision is to be located on County Road 313.

Jackson Board of Aldermen Agenda

7:30 p.m. Monday, May 17

City Hall

Action items

Power and Light Committee

-- Approved an ordinance authorizing the execution of a contract by and between the City of Jackson and Lang Family Trusts and Richard and Daina Bert relative to the exercise and closing of land purchase options.

-- Authorized additional expenditure of $3,970 for upgrade of playground area in location of Safety City pending Park Board approval.

-- Canceled the regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen on June 21 and rescheduling the regular meeting for June 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Street Committee

-- Approved the preliminary plat of Klaus Park Village Subdivision as submitted by James C. Green.

-- Set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 7, to consider the rezoning of property owned by Equity South, L.L.C. and described as Klaus Park Village Subdivision from R-1 (single family residential) to R-2 (single family residential), R-3 (general residential) and C-2 (general commercial) as requested by James C. Green.

-- Approved an ordinance approving the rezoning of all of the property addressed as 2436 Brittany Drive from C-2 (general commercial) to R-2 (single family residential) as submitted by Mr. and Mrs. James Joggerst.

-- Authorized the Jackson Fire Department to proceed with establishment of a Jackson Fire Department Explorer Post.

-- Approved Pay Request #2 in the amount of $4,500 to Lappe Cement Finishing Inc. under the East Main Street Extension Project Contract.