Madeleine Leroux

Election issue could end up in court

Jefferson City officials are contemplating whether to place two charter amendments on the ballot dealing with February elections. But questions remain as to whether the county and state will allow it.

Conference center plan moves forward

Jefferson City officials are moving forward with reviews of conference center proposals, but details remain unavailable to the public.

Council mulls new dual position

Some Jefferson City Council members have questioned if a new bill to combine the positions of IT director and finance director will violate the city charter.

A passion for tourism

Diane Gillespie may be new to the job, but not to the industry or to Jefferson City.

City, others struggle to attract, retain IT personnel

Jefferson City officials have said attracting, and keeping, IT personnel is one of the most difficult employment tasks they have.

Fire station design ready for bids

Designs for the new Fire Station No. 3 on Cherry Creek are finished, and city staff say the project is ready to bid out. But the Jefferson City Council has yet to approve the plan for the current installment of the half-cent capital improvements sales tax, which will provide funding for the project.

JCTV funding effort on tap

The Jefferson City Council will hear a presentation Monday on the standing of JCTV, which could lead to a final decision on whether the station continues to receive city funds in future years.

Council to consider charter amendments

The Jefferson City Council may place two charter amendments on the August ballot, both aimed at providing solutions to the city’s primary election dates.

City receives three conference center proposals

Council to discuss next steps Monday

Jefferson City has received three responses to a request for proposals for a conference center, but no details are being released on who made the proposals.

Jefferson City Airport use took off in 2012

Jefferson City Memorial Airport saw a substantial increase in traffic last year, with more than 4,000 additional takeoffs and landings than in 2011.

Architect selected for multipurpose building

Contract not to exceed $571,000

An architect -- St. Louis-based Hastings & Chivetta -- has been chosen for a proposed $6-million multipurpose building in Jefferson City.

City defends hiring actions

Media attorney: Policy should have been discussed in public

Jefferson City officials see no violation of the Sunshine law in a somewhat controversial closed session meeting that resulted in the City Council’s approval of an employee’s promotion to a position that has not yet been created.

City, county disagree on how much county money should be spent in Jefferson City

In the past few years, Jefferson City and Cole County governments have combined forces and funds to complete major infrastructure projects throughout the area, but that willingness to share has not always existed.

Downtown parking proposal moves to full council

The full Jefferson City Council soon will be presented with an ordinance to establish a downtown residential parking program, more than one year after discussions began.

City drops plan to hire finance director

A Jefferson City employee is being promoted to a new position, though that position has yet to be created. Bill Betts, current information technology services director, has been promoted to assistant city administrator, a position that will substitute for hiring a finance director.

Council ponders keeping primary election

The Jefferson City Council will need to make a decision in the next few weeks about whether to continue holding primary elections in the future.

Council OKs added election expense

The Jefferson City Council approved a bill Tuesday to add $40,000 to the city clerk’s elections account.

Official: Multipurpose building could attract many

A proposed multipurpose building could help attract more groups to the capital city, according to one official in the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Department.

Former finance director dies suddenly

Former Jefferson City finance director Steve Schlueter died of a heart attack early this week, just a few months after retiring from his post.

JC Council to act on election funds

The Jefferson City Council is expected to take action Tuesday on a bill to authorize a supplemental appropriation of $40,000 to the city clerk’s elections account.

City pursues underdeveloped lands for annexation

Unlike the most recent annexation attempts, Jefferson City is pursuing more undeveloped lands to bring into city limits.

A handshake with governor Nixon

Many people stood in line Monday afternoon, waiting for their turn to enter the Governor’s Mansion and shake hands with Gov. Jay Nixon.

City looks at new areas for possible annexation

The Jefferson City Council is getting started with new annexation efforts, just three months after the failure of the city’s last annexation attempt.

Nixon’s tone resonates with audience

The inaugural message of Gov. Jay Nixon was one of cooperation and bipartisanship, something that seemed to resonate with the crowd.

Conference center, infrastructure among city’s 2013 priorities

Jefferson City priorities for 2013 range from accomplishing long-discussed projects, such as the conference center, to continuing to maintain existing infrastructure.

JCTV events set for February

JCTV is starting to lock in plans for February fundraisers to help make up for the gap in the station’s 2013 budget.

City moving forward on multipurpose building

An announcement is expected next week on the selection of an architect for a proposed multipurpose building in Jefferson City.

JC Council renews Chamber contract

The Jefferson City Council approved the renewal of a contract with the Jefferson City Area Chamber for economic development services.

Council to eye new annexation areas

The Jefferson City Council will start the new year off by looking at new areas for possible annexation. City staff will present proposals Jan. 14.

City accused of employment discrimination

Former transit driver files lawsuit, alleging discrimination, retaliation

A former transit employee is suing Jefferson City for discrimination, alleging she was terminated for being pregnant. The suit was filed Dec. 21.

Deadline nears for conference center proposal

City has not received any proposals

The deadline for proposals for a new Jefferson City conference center is drawing near, and no proposals have been submitted yet. The concept calls for a hotelier-owned facility with no city-provided operations subsidy.

Search for finance director narrows

Jefferson City officials are hoping to have a new finance director in place sometime next month, which would be about five months after the previous director retired.

Primary will affect Ward 1 absentee voting

Jefferson City voters will see several contested races for City Council on the April ballot, but only voters in Ward 1 will have a March 5 primary.

Candidate withdraws to save cost of primary

Would be happy with either 3rd Ward candidate as council representative

Councilman Bryan Pope is ready to let someone new represent his ward, eight years after he first ran for Jefferson City Council. Pope withdrew from the ballot after two other candidates filed for the same seat, saving the city the cost of a 3rd Ward primary.

MSP tours turn profit for first time

Tour attendance, revenue grows with each year

In the fourth year of tours at the old Missouri State Penitentiary, revenues from tour attendance have finally started to outpace expenses.

Volunteers spend holiday giving to others

About 100 people spent the Christmas holiday giving to others by volunteering with the Salvation Army for the organization’s annual Christmas dinner.

City: Pay ranges can be moving target

Municipal salary plan has had minor changes since its creation

Keeping salaries of city employees competitive to attract good candidates requires regular attention and adjustment, Jefferson City officials say. City Administrator Nathan Nickolaus said there are a number of factors that come into play when trying to maintain pay ranges and to stay competitive in salaries.

City pays many of its officials slightly more than average

When compared to similarly-sized cities in Missouri

A News Tribune look at how Jefferson City officials are paid compared with several other Missouri cities shows many are paid above average. When averaging the salaries of each position in each comparably-sized city, only city clerk, city administrator and public works director in Jefferson City were paid less, on average, than their counterparts.

Races set in 4 Jefferson City wards

Voters in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th wards will see a race for Jefferson City Council next spring, and a primary will be held in March for residents of the 1st Ward. Filing for municipal elections closed Tuesday, and 12 candidates filed for office.

City opts not to vacate Chestnut Street

After more than one month on the informal calendar, a proposal to vacate Chestnut Street to Lincoln University has died.

Frog Hollow project evolves

Purchase of land by school district changed road’s design

Jefferson City is getting ready to approve its capital improvements plan which includes $1.5 million for a project on Frog Hollow Road. The city is changing its design, as it's no longer necessary to have two roads going through the school district's newly acquired property.

East McCarty work causes reviews of side streets

Street crews monitor resulting issues from construction

After more than one year of construction, Jefferson City's East McCarty Street has reopened and everyone seems relieved. But residents of the nearby side streets also have complained about damage from construction crews and increased traffic while McCarty was closed.

New candidates file in Jefferson City 3rd, 1st wards

A third candidate has entered the race in Jefferson City's 3rd Ward, ensuring a primary will be held in March, and another race has formed in the 1st Ward. Ken Hussey filed for the 3rd Ward seat Friday afternoon and Kolbie Ward has filed in the 1st Ward.

Chestnut Street proposal to face council

The Jefferson City Council is expected to take up a proposal to vacate Chestnut Street to Lincoln University on Monday, but there is no indication yet as to whether the council will approve the plan.

New candidate files in Jefferson City's 3rd Ward

A new City Council race has formed, with Len Stella looking to challenge incumbent Bryan Pope in Jefferson City's 3rd Ward. Stella filed for the seat Thursday morning, making it the second race so far in municipal elections.

Capital improvements sales tax to miss projections

Jefferson City officials are laying out a plan for use of funds from the capital improvements sales tax F, but originally projected revenues are now expected to fall short.

MSP tour numbers exceed expectations

The old Missouri State Penitentiary has attracted more visitors than predicted in 2012 with more than 19,000 people exploring the site in the past season.

Municipal law is ‘career calling’

Drew Hilpert sees working as the Jefferson City attorney as his career calling, saying there’s almost nothing he doesn’t like about the job. Hilpert became the city attorney in April, after spending several months serving as interim city attorney.

Vacancies left on city boards, commissions

Jefferson City is seeking volunteers to fill vacancies on several boards and commissions. A spokesperson says there is one vacancy on each of the following: Board of Adjustment, Cultural Arts Commission, Convention and Visitors Bureau Board and the Housing Authority Board.

JCTV plans fundraising events

JCTV is gearing up for two possible fundraisers after the new year, hoping to show Jefferson City officials that the community supports the station.

Stories by Madeleine