By Rick Morain
Jefferson Herald
The Jefferson city council, last week, moved two proposed ordinances ahead in their approval process. One was the second reading of an ordinance establishing new voting precincts for the city. The ordinance would reduce the number of precincts from three to two, with Highway 4 as their dividing line.
Voting for city offices in Jefferson is at large, meaning each voter votes on each race on the ballot. But state law requires that no precinct exceed 3,500 residents. Jefferson’s population is over 4,000, so the city needs at least two precincts.
The second ordinance proposal, to rezone one-and-a-half blocks on the north side of W. Lincoln Way from single-family residential to multi-family residential, affects the area from West Street eastward to the alley between High Street and Walnut Street. The proposed ordinance was placed on first reading.
The first reading of the rezoning ordinance followed a public hearing on the proposal. No oral or written comments were received.
City ordinances require approval at three separate council meetings before a vote of approval can be taken on them, unless the council chooses to waive one or more of the readings.
In other action, the council approved the hiring of Michael Teeples as a city water operator. Teeples was a plumber for several years with his uncle Dennis Louk. He was hired as a Level One operator at a salary of $19.76 per hour.
The council adopted a resolution in support of the Jefferson Main Street/Chamber program. The resolution comes up for approval every two years. Approval followed the quarterly presentation of Main Street/Chamber plans and activities by seven board and committee members of the combined organization.
The council also approved reimbursement of $2,000 for sidewalk replacement at 301 E. Madison Street and $1,050 for sidewalk replacement at 101 E. Harrison Street.
Three Jefferson city council members elected in November were sworn in for their new four-year terms. Each were incumbents: Pat Zmolek, Darren Jackson and Harry Ahrenholtz. Their terms will run through 2025. Mayor Matt Gordon administered their oaths of office.
The Jefferson city council meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers on second floor of city hall.