Jackson council opens hearings, deems Ganson Street mill-and-pave project necessary

Jackson City Council on Nov. 18 opened a hearing of necessity for a mill‑and‑pave project on Ganson Street (Elm Avenue to the east city limits) and later adopted a resolution finding the project necessary.

During the public hearing, several nearby property owners said they had received little cost information and asked how and when assessments would be calculated. "So right now, I don't know what the cost is. So I can't say I'm in favor of it or not depending on what the cost is," one resident said, asking whether homeowners would have time to review cost estimates and mount a protest. City staff responded that tonight’s hearing is the first step: if council deems the project necessary staff will develop plans, solicit bids to establish actual costs, calculate assessments by parcel and return to council for another public hearing with notice. “This is just the start of the process. This is not the end of the process. This is step 1 of several,” staff told the chamber.

Resident John Wilson told council the project had secured a federal surface‑transportation grant of "$506,000" and characterized that as roughly 80% of the project. He said city funds from the major street fund were slated to contribute "$180,000" and that homeowners' total share was listed as about "$229,000," and asked whether water funds were included in the financing. Wilson also noted that individual homeowner assessments in previous projects ranged from about "$1,800 to $4,800" and asked how the city is choosing which types of streets and parcels pay which percentages.

Staff described specific assessment mechanics in response: corner‑lot reductions for the longest side of residential parcels, city‑owned parcels will be charged at the front‑foot rate taken up by the city rather than neighbors, and there is an assessment cap described by staff in discussion as the "lesser of the $15,000 cap or 25% of the SEV." Staff also said the ordinance requires at least 10 days' notice before the next hearing on final costs and assessments; council members and residents repeatedly urged the city to publish the assessment formula and metrics earlier in the process so homeowners can evaluate their likely share sooner.

After public comment and council discussion — including a commitment from staff to circulate more detailed assessment metrics on request — the council moved to close the hearing and adopted the resolution deeming the project necessary. The clerk displayed the roll call and the resolution passed unanimously. Council members said the action only authorizes staff to proceed with final design, bidding and detailed cost calculations and that homeowners will have another public hearing before any final assessments are levied.

What happens next: staff will develop plans and put the project out to bid; council will be notified of bid results and the projected assessment to each property and must hold a subsequent public hearing before levying assessments.