Jackson public meetings in 2023
17 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Martin Luther King Corridor Improvement Authority
The MLK Corridor Improvement Authority will review recommendations for the first round of Entrepreneurial Fund awards. The board will also approve meeting minutes from December 7 and December 14, 2023.
- Entrepreneurial Fund Round 1 awardee recommendations
- Approval of December 7, 2023, meeting minutes
- Approval of December 14, 2023, meeting minutes
The Authority approved grants for the first round of the MLK Entrepreneurial Fund. The board also scheduled a process debrief and set dates for a second round of funding applications.
- Awarded $49,999.99 each to Pryor’s BBQ House, M Power Fitness, Mikey’s Barbershop, Hampton’s Place Barbershop, and Jack’s Take-Out
- Approved mid-January 2024 debrief meeting with Jackson Community Foundation and evaluation committee
- Approved second round of program funding applications from February 1 to March 1
- Approved minutes from December 7, 2023
- Approved minutes from December 14, 2023
Building Code Board of Appeals
The Board of Appeals will review twelve new appeal cases involving residential and commercial properties. These items are categorized under new business for the December 14 meeting.
- Appeal: 1234 S Elm Ave (HOUSE)
- Appeal: 1520 E Ganson St (HOUSE)
- Appeal: 1701 E Ganson St (HOUSE)
- Appeal: 1510 S Jackson St (COMMERCIAL)
- Appeal: 927 Lansing Ave – 931 (COMMERCIAL)
The Building Code Board of Examiners and Appeals upheld Notice and Order designations for 10 residential and commercial properties under Dangerous Building Structures Ordinance 17-1. Two properties were removed from the agenda. The board also approved the July 27, 2023, meeting minutes.
- Uphold Notice and Order for 1234 S Elm Ave (3-0)
- Uphold Notice and Order for 1520 E Ganson St (3-0)
- Uphold Notice and Order for 1701 E Ganson St (3-0)
- Uphold Notice and Order for 1510 S Jackson St (3-0)
- Uphold Notice and Order for 927-931 Lansing Ave (3-0)
- Uphold Notice and Order for 823 S Milwaukee St (3-0)
- Uphold Notice and Order for North St Parcel 8-2492.0700 (3-0)
- Uphold Notice and Order for 1208 Page Ave (3-0)
Martin Luther King Corridor Improvement Authority
The Martin Luther King Corridor Improvement Authority is seeking proposals from entities to provide professional technical assistance. These providers would support small business and entrepreneurial programs in the South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Prospect Street corridors.
- Request for Proposals for technical assistance services
- Services include legal, accounting, marketing, and engineering/architectural
- Proposal submission deadline of January 18, 2024
- Approval of December 7, 2023 meeting minutes
The Board decided to delay the release of a request for qualifications (RFQ) for technical assistance services. This postponement allows for further staff discussion with the City of Jackson's compliance consultant regarding ARPA funding.
- Adopted the meeting agenda
- Tabled approval of December 7, 2023 meeting minutes
- Postponed release of technical assistance RFQ pending consultant review
City Council
The City Council will hold public hearings on pavement replacement projects for High Street, Elm Avenue, and East Avenue. The agenda also includes a resolution to reduce the number of voting precincts from 14 to 10. Other items involve engineering contract amendments and various board reappointments.
- Resolution to reduce voting precincts from 14 to 10
- Street reconstruction on East Avenue ($2,000,621.59)
- MLK Corridor Reimagined engineering contract amendment ($108,200)
- Renaming Iron Belle Trail sections to Martin Luther King, Jr. Equality Trail
- Payment in lieu of taxes for workforce housing project
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
Martin Luther King Corridor Improvement Authority
The Board will review a Request for Proposal regarding Technical Assistance for Jackson. The meeting also includes updates on Idea 39, the Entrepreneurial Fund, and holiday activity plans.
- Review of Technical Assistance (TA) Request for Proposal (RFP)
- Idea 39 marketing and communications update
- Entrepreneurial Fund update
- Discussion of holiday activity plans
The MLK Corridor Improvement Authority adopted its agenda and previous minutes. The board scheduled a special meeting for December 14, 2023, to review and act on a draft request for proposals for technical assistance services. Staff reported that 42 applications have been received for the Entrepreneurial Fund, with a recommendation expected by the end of the month.
- Agenda adopted (motion carried)
- October 26, 2023 minutes approved (motion carried)
- Special meeting scheduled for Dec 14, 2023 to act on RFP (motion carried)
- Board confirmed Dec 28, 2023 meeting date
Martin Luther King Corridor Improvement Authority
The Board will review a Technical Assistance Request for Proposal and receive updates on Idea 39 and the Entrepreneurial Fund. The meeting also includes discussion of holiday activity plans and a potential additional December meeting date.
- Review of Technical Assistance Request for Proposal
- Idea 39 marketing and communications update
- Entrepreneurial Fund update
- Discussion of holiday activity plans
The Board scheduled a special meeting for December 14, 2023, to review and act on a final draft request for proposals for technical assistance services. The Board also received updates on community outreach efforts and the status of 42 Entrepreneurial Fund applications.
- Adopted the modified agenda
- Approved minutes from the October 26, 2023 meeting
- Approved special meeting for December 14, 2023 to act on Technical Assistance Provider RFP
Racial Equity Commission
The commission will review audit updates and strategic planning items including a promotional video and community outreach. Members will also discuss the 2024 meeting calendar and an end of year report.
- Strategic Planning Action Items: Promotional Video and Community Outreach
- Equity Seal work for 2024
- Discussion of 2024 meeting dates and times
- End of year report
The commission approved the agenda and previous meeting minutes. Members discussed committee updates regarding city bidding processes, grants, and the 2023 year-end report. The commission established its meeting dates for 2024.
- Adopted the agenda
- Approved previous meeting minutes
- Set 2024 meetings for the 2nd Tuesday of the month
City Council
The meeting focuses on administrative transitions, including the administration of oaths of office for the Mayor and several councilmembers. The Council will also hold selections for Vice-Mayor and Parliamentarian.
- Administration of oaths of office for Mayor Daniel Mahoney and councilmembers
- Selection of Vice-Mayor
- Selection of Parliamentarian
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
City Council
The Jackson City Council will consider several contract changes for water main replacement projects and street reconstruction. The agenda includes a recommendation regarding rooming house inspection fees and appointments to the Racial Equity Commission. The council will also review applications for upcoming downtown special events.
- Decrease of $1,310,119.03 for East Division water main replacement contract
- Decrease of $1,032,019.92 for West Division water main replacement contract
- Increase of $4,493.62 for Perrine Street Reconstruction contract
- Appointment of David Hammontree to the Racial Equity Commission
- Special event applications for Christmas in the City and Kiwanis Newspaper Sale
🗳️ How they voted — 1 divided vote
City Council
The City Council will conduct interviews with several applicants for a 5th Ward position. Following the interviews, the Council will consider an appointee to fill the vacancy.
- Interviews for Christy Davis, Shalanda Hunt, Samantha Kloos, Anson Lah, Todd Moore, Robert Porter, Holly Rose, James Warner, and Tanja Worthey
- Council consideration of a 5th Ward appointee
🗳️ How they voted — 1 divided vote
Building Code Board of Appeals
The board will hear new appeals for residential and commercial properties. The agenda also includes the approval of minutes from the July 27, 2023, meeting.
- Residential appeals for S Elm Ave, E Ganson St, and Mitchell St
- Commercial appeals for Lansing Ave, North St, and Page Ave
- Approval of July 27, 2023, meeting minutes
Environmental Commission
The commission will discuss expanding the EAP to address a sustainability request from the Mayor. The meeting also includes discussions regarding urban forestry, land use/pollinators, and energy efficiency.
- EAP Expansion to address Mayor's Sustainability Request
- Urban Forestry discussion
- Land Use / Pollinators discussion
- Energy Efficiency and Inventory discussion
- 2024 Meeting Schedule
Human Relations Commission
The commission is meeting to review reports from various committees and discuss upcoming community events. The agenda includes discussions regarding 2023-2024 committee assignments, the treasurer role, and attendance at the MLK Dinner at Jackson College.
- Discussion of 2023-2024 Committee Assignments and Treasurer
- Planning for attendance at the MLK Dinner at Jackson College
- Updates on new commissioner onboarding and apparel orders
The Commission appointed Amy Rich as Treasurer and voted to disband the Public Events committee, merging its duties into the Project Development Committee. Members also extended the application deadline for ex-officio seats and approved sending a card to the Harold White family.
- Appointed Amy Rich as new Treasurer (Unanimous)
- Approved sending a card to the Harold White family (Unanimous)
- Moved scheduling of community meetings to Project Development Committee (Unanimous)
- Extended ex-officio application deadline to January 31, 2024 (Unanimous)
- Disbanded Public Events committee and replaced it with Project Development Committee (Unanimous)
General
The Racial Equity Commission is meeting to hear updates from several subcommittees. The agenda includes discussions on an audit update, strategic planning, and 2024 Equity Seal work. Members will also address a potential board vacancy.
- Community Liaison Police Officer Report
- Committee reports including Grants and Housing and Mobility
- Audit update and strategic planning
- Equity Seal work for 2024
- Discussion regarding a Board vacancy
The Commission approved sending two members a day early for a January trip to Montgomery, AL. Members also voted to approve a letter regarding an audit update and authorized investment in materials for subcommittee members.
- Approved sending 2 REC members a day early to Montgomery, AL to plan activities (unanimous)
- Approved a letter regarding an audit update pending a zoom meeting (unanimous)
- Approved investment in materials for subcommittee members (unanimous)
- Adopted the meeting agenda (unanimous)
- Approved previous meeting minutes (unanimous)
City Council
The City Council will consider an ordinance to reduce the number of voting precincts in Jackson from 14 to 10. The agenda also includes pavement replacement reports for High Street, Elm Avenue, and East Avenue. Additionally, the council will review several infrastructure contracts and emergency warming shelter proposals.
- Contract with Fishbeck for water treatment plant design ($974,000)
- Purchase of four Dodge Durango police vehicles ($176,600)
- Demolition contract with Handy Excavation for three residential structures ($100,568)
- Confirmation of meterless parking special assessment roll ($113,155)
- Emergency ordinance for temporary warming shelters
🗳️ How they voted (8 roll-call votes)
Racial Equity Commission
The Racial Equity Commission will conduct a regular meeting including committee reports and updates on old business. The agenda includes discussions regarding strategic planning, the 2024 Equity Seal, and potential board vacancies.
- Committee reports from seven different subcommittees
- Audit update and action item follow up
- Strategic planning and 2024 Equity Seal work
- Discussion of a vacancy on the Board
The Commission approved sending two members a day early for a January trip to Montgomery, AL. Members also voted to approve a letter regarding an audit pending a Zoom meeting and authorized investing in materials for subcommittee members.
- Approved sending 2 REC members a day early to Montgomery, AL to plan activities (unanimous)
- Approved audit letter pending a Zoom meeting (unanimous)
- Approved investment in materials for subcommittee members (unanimous)
- Adopted the agenda (unanimous)
- Approved previous meeting minutes (unanimous)
Racial Equity Commission
The Racial Equity Commission will review several committee reports and a police officer report. The meeting also includes discussions regarding an audit report and the strategic planning buildout.
- Conversation on Audit Report
- Strategic Planning Buildout (Brochure and Commercial)
- Community Conversation Update
- Committee reports including Housing, Mobility, and Education
- Community Liaison Police Officer Report
The Jackson Racial Equity Commission approved the appointment of Dodi Wheeler and Chris Heydenberg as subcommittee members. Additionally, the commission approved the appointment of Bikash Jha as an ex-officio commissioner. The remaining agenda items were suspended until the next meeting.
- Adopted meeting agenda with date amendment
- Approved previous meeting minutes with edits
- Appointed Dodi Wheeler as subcommittee member
- Appointed Bikash Jha as ex-officio commissioner
- Appointed Chris Heydenberg as subcommittee member