The Jackson City Council held its first in-person meeting at City Hall since Feb. 2020 on July 13. The lifting of the City's COVID-19 Local State of Emergency on July 1 is allowing in-person meetings again. Here are highlights of what was decided at the meeting:
-The City Council voted to formally accept $31 million from the federal government in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds.
-Infrastructure upgrades are planned at the Water Treatment Plant and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The City Council approved the use of ARP funds to plan these improvement projects. This is the first allocation of ARP funds.
-A proposed Urban Farming Ordinance was voted down by the City Council. The ordinance would have allowed urban farming and the keeping of pigs, chickens, and bees in the City Limits.
-The sale of six City-owned properties were approved by the City Council. These sales will generate a total revenue of $139,000 for the City. \
-The entirety of Cooley Place and a two-block section of Biddle Street will see construction this year. The City Council approved the use of federal funds and special assessments to fund the construction project.
-Downtown Jackson could soon be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The City Council approved an application for Downtown Jackson to be included on the registry. This will make historic tax credits available to businesses in the downtown area and will not bring any new restrictions on properties.
It's important to note that while in-person meetings have returned, residents can still participate in livestreams on Comcast Cable Channel 21, the City Facebook page, and the City website.
A recording of the meeting is available on this page.