WORK ON MAIN STREET EXTENSION TO PROCEED

JACKSON -- The first phase of a project intended to extend East Main Street to Interstate 55 can now proceed, City Administrator Steve Wilson said Monday.

"The hard part's over."

That was the acquisition of easements between Oak Hill Road and Shawnee, a distance of about 2,000 feet.

The Jackson Board of Aldermen Monday night accepted the dedication of the last of the easements from property owners who live on East Main between the two streets. Wilson said condemnation proceedings against one owner were narrowly avoided. Wilson said the city spent about $3,000 on acquiring the Phase 1 easements.

He said core samples will be taken on East Main this week to allow engineering specs to be drawn up. The project then will be put out to bid.

Given a break in the weather and a good bid, Wilson predicted the project could be completed by the beginning of 1999.

Last December, the board committed spending city transportation funds to completing the first phase of the project.

The second phase of the project would extend East Main from Oak Hill to the interstate but will not proceed without a Missouri Department of Transportation commitment to build an interchange at the junction of I-55 and East Main. Wilson said Mayor Paul Sander sent a letter to MoDOT last week requesting a commitment to build the interchange.

East Main Street is viewed as a major source of relief from the traffic congestion problems now plaguing the city.

Jackson Board of Aldermen

7:30 p.m. Monday, July 20

City Hall

Action items

Power and Light Committee

-- Authorized the city's consulting engineer to conduct rock probing activities and seismic surveys relative to work on the Grandview Acres Sewer Project.

-- Approved the mayor's appointment of employees to serve on Deferred Compensation Committee.

-- Authorized solicitation of qualifications of engineering firms to conduct a water study.

-- Approved the semi-annual financial statement ending June 30, 1998, to be published in the local newspaper.

-- Accepted the audit report for the year ended Dec. 31, 1997, prepared by Beussink, Hey, Martin and Roe, certified public accountants.

-- Authorized extension of contractual agreement with Beussink, Hey, Martin and Roe relative to services provided in conducting city's audits.

-- Accepted dedication of easements for the construction, maintenance and repair of a water line from Litz Brothers Inc., the Jack M. Litzelfelner Revocable Trust and Robert K. Litzelfelner and Michele Litzelfelner.

-- Approved Pay Request #4 in the amount of $164,790.01 to PR Developers Inc. under the District Sewers No. 2R, 2R1 and 2R4 (Grandview Acres) Contract.

Street Committee

-- Set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, to consider the 1998 tax rate.

-- Set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, to consider the request for a special use permit for the operation of a day care facility in an R-3 (general residential) District at 1327 E. Main St. as requested by Don Harris.

-- Approved the preliminary plat of Walton Subdivision as submitted by Wal-Mart Stores East Inc.

-- Approved the rezoning of all of the property addressed as 480 W. Jackson Trail from R-1 (single family residential) to C-2 (general commercial) as submitted by Chris Weiss.

-- Renamed a street known as Oak Forest Drive in Oak Forest Third Subdivision to Lacey Street.

-- Authorized a contractual agreement with Penzel Construction Co. Inc. relative to the Bridge No. U2150001 Project (old Cape Road over Goose Creek).

-- Confirmed the issuance of a Minute Entry and approval of city clerk's Amended Special Tax Bill No. 2-9.