City council extends emergency declarations until May

Shown above is the main entrance to the John G. Christy Municipal Building, commonly known as City Hall, at 320 E. McCarty St. in Jefferson City.
Shown above is the main entrance to the John G. Christy Municipal Building, commonly known as City Hall, at 320 E. McCarty St. in Jefferson City.

[<a href="https://www.newstribune.com/news/health/" style="color:#33AEFF">access the News Tribune Health section</a>]

To comply with social distancing recommendations but carry on with essential government business, the Jefferson City Council held their scheduled meeting Monday via remote video chat, with each council member at their home or office, and only some city staff at City Hall.

During the meeting, the council approved a resolution extending previous emergency declarations made by the city in relation to COVID-19 until May 5, or until otherwise extended or removed.

City Counselor Ryan Moehlman said orders made by Mayor Carrie Tergin are good for 30 days unless extended by the council.

The resolution extends the following emergency declarations:

The suspension of all boards, commissions and committees except for the council, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment and Historic Preservation Commission. This declaration was originally issued March 17.

Allowing businesses to put up temporary signs for modified operations in response to COVID-19 such as pick-up and carry-out operations, without requiring permits. This declaration was originally issued March 24.

Changes to Republic Services operations including requiring all trash to be bagged and placed into Republic Services carts, suspension of curbside recycling and Spring Clean Ups, and closure of offices to the public. This declaration was originally issued March 24.

An order that all persons, businesses and organizations within the city fully comply with orders from the Cole County Health Department. This declaration was originally issued March 27.

Adjusting the contract between the city and All Seasons Landscaping and Construction, Inc. for the yard waste drop-off site and composting services to allow for a change in the hours of the yard waste site. The operating hours were adjusted to 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. This declaration was originally issued March 30.

A ban on all door-to-door solicitations of sales or orders from any person, business or organization on behalf of a for-profit business. This declaration was originally issued April 1.

All emergency proclamations made by the mayor can be found on the city's website.

In other business Monday, the council approved a few agreements for various projects.

Council approved a $55,520 agreement with Rafetilis Financial Consultants, Inc. for an evaluation of sanitary sewer user rates.

Public Works Department Director Matt Morasch said the last evaluation was done by the same company in 2009 and the last rate increase was in 2017.

The council also approved a motion to seek a contract of $105,603 with Missouri Builders Service to replace the roof of Jefferson City Fire Station 1, 621 W. High St.

Chief Matt Schofield said the roof is at least 25 years old and beyond its service life.

The original bill put before the council was to approve a contract for $103,400 with Watkins Roofing out of Columbia for the work, but Ward 2 Councilman Rick Mihalevich requested the council seek a contract with Missouri Builders Service instead, because the company is based in Jefferson City.

Both companies, along with Jefferson City-based Weathercraft Inc. and Lakeside Roofing, out of Collinsville, Illinois, originally bid on the project.

The council approved the change 9-1, with Ward 3 Erin Wiseman voting against.