Published: February 08, 2006 03:10 pm      

Jackson Council swears in 2006

The meeting began with a party

The first Jackson City Council meeting of 2006 began with a party.

Prior to the January 3 swearing in of Mayor Charlie Brown and councilmen Lewis Sims and Harold “Doc” McMichael, the mayor and council invited friends and family to the municipal court building for delicious refreshments. Several dozen well-wishers looked on as Butts County Probate Judge Vicki Johnston then swore all three men back into office.

Once the crowd and snacks thinned out, the meeting started with the appointment of Lara Brewer as City Clerk. The city has been without a full-time clerk for several months, though Brewer had been filling in many of the clerk’s duties.

The Council voted to table a rezoning application from Chester Adams. The application, involving 0.9 acres on North Benton Street, seeks to change the zoning from R-M (Multi-Family Residential) to C-2 (Neighborhood Business). Adams plans to demolish the existing structure and build a new funeral home. Adams was not present for the meeting.

The Council voted unanimously to approve a rezoning application from David Griffin. The application, dealing with 0.235 acres on West Third Street next to the Marathon gas station, will be zoned C-2. Griffin is proposing to open a garden store market on the site, which adjoins his family’s home, the Carmichael House.

An amendment to the city’s Subdivision Regulations was also approved. The change increases the length of a cul-de-sac in a subdivision from 500 feet to 1,000 feet.

Charter Communications sent a letter to the Council informing it that rates for its basic and expanded cable television packages are increasing. The company, which has a franchise agreement with the city, raised its rates most previously in July 2005.

Finally, the Council reviewed street projects the city undertook in 2005 and the cost of each: Lyons Street - $18,226.54, Recreation Drive - $15,082.14, Nelson Street - $12,628.45, McCaskill/Foxhollow - $5,447.40, Power Line/McCaskill - $2,940.56, and Shoemaker Street - $593.85.

The Council meets again on Tuesday, January 17 at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Court on South Mulberry Street.