The agenda was full when the Jackson City Council held its February meeting at Jackson City Hall, Tuesday.
“The Council voted to accept a bid from Mid-South Business Construction LLC for work to begin on the Bicentennial Park project,” said Ross Priddy, District 5 Councilman, “This will satisfy the City’s contribution to the project which includes grading of the subject property and construction of a retaining wall.
“The Bicentennial Committee will follow this up with the design, development, and construction of the park.”
Priddy said in relation to the Jackson Plaza property, the Council voted to accept a proposal from LRK for the Jackson Plaza Redevelopment Plan.
“This plan will focus on the feasibility of the proposed convention center on the site as well as a study that will focus on future planning for the wider Old Hickory District,” Priddy said.
Priddy said there were several recommendations for changes to the City of Jackson Code from its Code Committee.
“These recommendations dealt with sections in the code pertaining to the Parks and Recreation Board, the Keep Jackson Beautiful Commission, the Jackson Transit Authority, the Budget Committee, and the Audit Committee,” Priddy said, “The Code Committee also brought forward a recommendation that a study be conducted concerning the operations and economic impact of City Court and the City Court Clerk’s office.”
Priddy said each of the recommendations passed.
“I commend the work that the Code Committee has done on this project,” Priddy said, “They have spent many hours on this important work.”
Concerning public safety, Priddy said the Council voted to move forward with a request from the Fire Department for a match on a grant that will be used to replace aging firefighter safety equipment, specifically Self Contained Breathing Apparatus units that are over 10 years old.
“For the Police Department we approved a Sharing Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding for the newly formed Drug Task Force between the Jackson Police Department and the Madison County Sherriff’s Office,” Priddy said.
The Council was presented with a matching grant opportunity from its Storm water Operations.
They identified 6 projects that will be applied for under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Plan – an important step as the Council continues to address the needs of our aging storm water infrastructure.
The Council also heard a presentation and passed a resolution from our Recreation and Parks Department to support the Local Park and Recreation Fund Grant.
“If awarded this grant, the funds would go towards projects like new pickleball courts, bringing walking paths into ADA compliance, a new skatepark, and the replacement of old playground equipment in many of our parks,” Priddy said, “While we have a lot of work to be done this is an exciting step to improving our parks to the level they should be at for the enjoyment of our current residents and as we prepare for new members in our community with the arrival of BlueOval.”
(PHOTO: Ross Priddy)
