Jefferson City Council approves 2 resolutions related to recent disaster

Onlookers watch as floodwaters from the Missouri River overtake the North Jefferson Recreation Area on Friday, May 24, 2019.
Onlookers watch as floodwaters from the Missouri River overtake the North Jefferson Recreation Area on Friday, May 24, 2019.

The Jefferson City Fire Department can call in more people than usual, until the flooding emergency ends.

City Council members voted 9-0 Monday to approve the resolution which allows Fire Chief Matt Schofield "to adjust the minimum manning strength number as may be needed to sufficiently protect the City, as the Fire Chief may determine in his discretion."

Schofield told the Council: "It is consistent with the staffing-up that occurred during the 1993 and '95 floods to make sure that all areas of the city were covered."

He later told reporters: "We really don't know, yet, for the flood, how long that situation is going to last - but, at least we're prepared, now, to make those adjustments."

He said it's too soon to say how much overtime the city will pay for the additional staffing needs.

"On the first night of the (tornado), we had a call back for all available personnel, and we put everybody we had in the field so they could operate every piece of equipment we had, to have the most impact and be able to do as much good as they could, as quickly as possible."

'JC Strong' Day resolution

Council members also approved a resolution making May 22 of each year "JC Strong Day."

Mayor Carrie Tergin read the resolution before the vote.

In part, it says: "Whereas, our community will not be defined by the May 22, 2019, tornado but, rather, in how we came together to overcome the challenges.

"Despite (near) record flooding of the Missouri River occurring at the same time as the tornado, we are still a community that is resilient and will only emerge stronger.

"We know that one day at a time, we will rebuild and become 'JC Stronger.'"

Tergin also reminded people "there are many helpful links" about tornado- and flood-assistance information at jeffersoncitymo.gov.

Revitalization proposal

Longtime resident Glover Brown thanked city leaders, including the police and fire departments, and the many other groups that responded quickly to the May 22 tornado.

Then, he offered a way to help the city rebuild.

"With the help of the Friends of Lafayette Street and the Historic Foot District, we have secured a commitment from a commercial developer - Enterprise Commercial Group (of) Springfield, Missouri, to come to Jefferson City and give consideration to helping to kickstart the revitalization and restoration of the East Capitol Historic Overlay District," Brown announced.

"They have agreed to consider revitalizing and restoring some 42 properties in the Capitol Avenue Overlay District."

Brown said he understands the company may already be negotiating with the property owners and with the Jefferson City Housing Authority.

"In addition, they have agreed to consider an economic development project at the corner of Lafayette and McCarty streets," Brown added, "for the purpose of helping to bring back an economic driver to the community - to help provide jobs, a social environment and business opportunities, by providing potential office and retail space to foster growth in the area."

Tergin told reporters after the meeting: "I think this is something that the city will want to learn more about.

"All of those are privately owned properties (so) it's not up to the city to say that a developer is going to come and do this or that."

She noted there already is a Capitol Avenue Restoration Fund to help property owners rebuild after the May 22 twister.

Other council actions

Council members also approved adding stop signs on Southern Air and Royal Air drives at Belair Drive; a stop sign on Nuthatch Drive at Louis Drive/Louis Circle; and vacating all of the rights of way and easements granted to the Double Eagle subdivision that never was developed.

The council also approved the proposal to amend the zoning codes to allow medical marijuana cultivation and testing facilities, along with medical marijuana-infused products manufacturing facilities - but only in M-1 Light Industrial and M-2 General Industrial zoning districts.

Additionally, the facilities would not be allowed within 1,000 feet of then-existing elementary and secondary schools, childcare centers or churches.

The 1,000-foot separation aligns with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' recommendation, City Planning Manager Eric Barron previously told the Council.

The proposed regulations are consistent with provisions of the medical marijuana constitutional amendment that voters approved last November.

And the Council approved designating 204 E. High St. - the original Exchange Bank building - as a city Historic Landmark.