Jefferson City Council considering extension of COVID-19 emergency declaration

The Jefferson City Council will consider a resolution Monday to extend Mayor Carrie Tergin's current emergency declaration and proclamations related to the COVID-19 pandemic through March 1.

Tergin requested the extension of the emergency declaration she originally declared March 16. The initial emergency declaration allowed the mayor to issue further proclamations.

Since the initial declaration, Tergin has issued four emergency proclamations:

March 24, allowing temporary signs at businesses modifying their operations in response to the pandemic.

June 12, regarding electronic participation for all city meetings.

July 20, regarding wearing masks at public city meetings.

Nov. 13, requiring virtual city meetings.

Under Jefferson City Code, proclamations issued by the mayor remain in effect for up to 30 days or until terminated by the mayor or City Council, whichever comes first, and that period may be extended by the mayor only upon approval of the City Council.

Also on the City Council's agenda for Monday is a resolution authorizing an application to extend the Greenway Trail through a recreational trails program grant offered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The trail would be extended up Jackson Street to connect with existing bike lanes on East Capitol Avenue. The project is estimated to cost $200,000.

One of two bills to be introduced at Monday's council meeting would authorize the mayor to execute a development agreement with Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri for property on Linden Drive, where the group is renovating the Shikles Center building. As part of the development, the city wants Catholic Charities to raise and replace an existing sewer line on the property. The city would reimburse Catholic Charities up to $20,000 for the work; that money would come from the city's sanitary sewer enterprise fund.

Another bill would authorize the mayor to execute an agreement with Safety Vision LLC for $62,681 to replace 12 JeffTran bus cameras. City officials said the current cameras are past their expected lifespan, break down frequently and are expensive to maintain with some parts no longer available.

The council meeting, being held virtually, starts at 6 p.m. Monday and can be viewed on the city's Facebook page at facebook.com/CityofJefferson.

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