Jones Springs council approves infrastructure contracts, schedules hearing on alcohol-license zoning

The Jones Springs City Council on Feb. 10 approved a series of infrastructure and procurement actions — including a $50,000 task order to map the city’s gas system — and introduced an ordinance to change where businesses may be licensed to sell alcohol.

The actions took place at a regular meeting in the Municipal Building courtroom, 116 North Ranch Avenue. Council members voted on routine items and several project recommendations affecting utilities, a park pavilion replacement and street work; the council set a public hearing in March on the proposed change to the city code that restricts where licensed premises may sell alcohol.

The most consequential operational vote approved task order No. 1, for $50,000, with Albert Fergard and Associates to create a GIS map of the city’s gas infrastructure. Miss Leslie, city staff, described the work and how staff will use it: “It’s we’re using the same thing that everybody else uses, Esri, ArcGIS. So once we get that map … you’ll be able to share it with any entity that you choose,” including 9‑1‑1, and it will allow field crews to see valve locations on a phone or tablet. Councilman Gilbert moved the authorization; Councilman Poole seconded. The clerk recorded yes votes from Dugas, Gilbert, Lamb Williams, Poole and Wesley.

Council members also approved the administration’s recommendation package for East Railroad Avenue — a contract package in the transcript given as $128,600 — and a proposal recommendation to replace the Spring Park Pavilion, quoted at $198,800. Council discussion noted the pavilion will be replaced on the existing slab. Motions to approve those project recommendations were moved and seconded during the meeting and recorded as passing by unanimous roll calls of the five-member council present.

The council approved advertising for disaster debris removal procurement, a recurring process the city runs every three to four years; the current three‑year contract had been extended one year and the transcript notes that contract expires May 1. The council voted to proceed with advertising; recorded votes were unanimous among present members.

On land-use and licensing, Councilman Gilbert moved to introduce an ordinance amending section 10-102 of the municipal code regarding location restrictions for licensed premises that desire to serve alcohol. The city set a public hearing for March 2025 at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building courtroom. The motion passed on a roll call (Dugas voted No; Gilbert, Lamb Williams, Poole and Wesley voted Yes).

The record includes an item described as a resolution authorizing Art Landry to apply for a CWEF grant through the Office of Community Development (for additional valving and water system work). The transcript records debate and overlapping remarks; a clear roll-call outcome for that specific resolution is not separately recorded in the transcript excerpt provided and therefore is listed as not specified below.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (Jan. 24, 2025): motion by Gilbert, second Dugas; roll call recorded all present voting Yes. Outcome: approved. - Consent agenda (Jan. 1–31, 2025): motion by Wesley, second Lamb Williams; roll call recorded all present voting Yes. Outcome: approved. - Introduction of ordinance to amend section 10-102 (alcohol-license location restrictions); public hearing set for March 2025 at 6 p.m.: motion by Gilbert, second Poole; roll call Dugas No; Gilbert, Lamb Williams, Poole, Wesley Yes. Outcome: ordinance introduced; hearing scheduled. - Task Order No. 1 — $50,000 — GIS mapping for gas system (Albert Fergard and Associates): motion by Gilbert, second Poole; roll call recorded Yes from Dugas, Gilbert, Lamb Williams, Poole, Wesley. Outcome: approved. - East Railroad Avenue project recommendation — $128,600 (contract/award): motion and second recorded; roll call recorded Yes from council; outcome: approved. - Spring Park Pavilion replacement recommendation — $198,800 (advertise/award authorization): motion and second recorded; roll call recorded Yes from council; outcome: approved. - Authorization to advertise disaster debris removal (procurement): motion and second recorded; roll call recorded Yes from council; outcome: approved.

What the council directed and discussed - Staff was directed to proceed with the GIS mapping task order so city field crews can access valve and infrastructure locations on handheld devices; staff said the GIS data can be shared with 9‑1‑1 and other entities. - The pavilion replacement will be built on the existing slab at Spring Park; staff noted some demo and rework are included in the package. - The council set a public hearing date for the alcohol-license location ordinance change; the ordinance was introduced for consideration but not adopted at this meeting.

Council logistics and context - City treasurer Michelle had no report. Several routine departmental reports (fire, police, animal control) were included in the meeting packet. - The council completed votes by roll call and adjourned at the end of the meeting.

This article summarizes actions recorded in the Feb. 10 meeting transcript. When the transcript did not include a clear roll-call outcome for an item, the article states that the outcome was not specified in the provided record.