Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Actions Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Jasper council approves routine permits and resolutions, creates Junior Council and highlights community survey
Summary
Council approved permits and agreements including Art in the Park, a temporary street closure for a restaurant HVAC lift, authorization to solicit concessions bids, a mowing agreement with 'LDOT,' a resolution for landfill monitoring wells, and adopted a Junior Council resolution; the mayor promoted a city survey and events calendar.
At its Feb. 3 meeting, the Jasper City Council moved through a series of routine approvals and introductions while spotlighting community engagement work.
Consent and routine approvals included a permit for 'Art in the Park' at Gamble Park (May 9), authorization to solicit bids for concessions operations in the Parks and Recreation Department, and a temporary closure of 19th Street East on Feb. 6 so a crane can lift HVAC units onto the Tzatziki's roof. Kelly told council the event permit had been approved by police, fire and street departments. Mayor Gates described the street closure as a brief, Friday morning operation to allow contractors to set HVAC units in place.
The council adopted a resolution creating a Jasper Junior Council intended to give students hands-on experience in local government. Councilmember Smith, who introduced the measure, said the program will give students “a better understanding, a real understanding of how city works” and praised local school partners and students Layla and Elliot for their involvement.
The council also authorized the mayor to enter an annual mowing agreement with 'LDOT' and discussed a resolution recommending installation of monitoring wells at the landfill—an item presented as a follow-up to prior work-session discussions. For the animal shelter, the mayor asked to sign a contract to acquire property across from the current shelter and renovate it; the council approved the authorization, and one council member announced a recusal because a family member is involved in the matter.
Two ordinances were introduced for future consideration: an annual ordinance to levy ad valorem taxes (presented as a formality and explicitly described as having no tax increase) and an introductory rezoning ordinance to apply permanent B-4 zoning to a newly annexed parcel in the I-22 Business Corridor Zoning District. Both introductions were informational and no votes were taken on those items.
Mayor Gates closed his remarks by urging residents to complete a community survey—saying Jasper's population is around 15,000 and 800 surveys had been completed so far—and by announcing a city events calendar and a submission email, jaspercommunitycalendar@gmail.com, to encourage centralized event listings.
The meeting ended after audience comments and a unanimous vote to adjourn.
