JACKSON FOCUSES ON PARK DEVELOPMENT

JACKSON -- The Jackson Board of Aldermen approved legislation Monday making it possible for donations to be made to the city for development of parks.

The City of Jackson Public Park Development Foundation will receive and manage funds or other donations to the city for park development.

City officials said the legislation was adopted after a number of Jackson residents expressed a desire to donate funds to the city for park development.

The legislation says "persons, firms, and corporations may donate money or assets to the city (foundation) for the specific purpose of the acquisition, development and maintenance of park lands within the city limits of Jackson, and for capital improvements thereto."

In addition to the acquisition, development and maintenance of park lands, donations also may be used, but not be limited to, landscaping, construction or erection of slides, sporting fields, playgrounds, walking paths, jogging paths, wildlife sanctuary, ponds and other retention structures, picnic grounds, and sanitary facilities.

The legislation specifies that money and other assets donated to the park foundation be held in a special account that cannot be used for any operational expense for park facilities. It also provides for restricted donations to be used for specific park projects.

The legislation was approved by unanimous vote. City Attorney David Beeson said donations to the park foundation will be tax-exempt and fully deductible.

In other business, the aldermen approved the purchase of a new police car for $14,393 from the state procurement officer in Jefferson City.

A parade permit was issued to the Jackson Veterans of Foreign Wars for a patriotic parade on Saturday to show support for American forces in the Middle East.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. It is being held in conjunction with a special "Support the Troops" program sponsored by the Jackson American Legion at 11 a.m.

The board accepted utility easements from property owners on East Jackson Boulevard for water- and sewer-extension projects.

The board approved a mutual-aid agreement with other cities in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas who own and operate their own utilities. The pact allows Jackson to assist the other communities in the event of a disaster or other emergency.

The city engineer reported the Bainbridge Road improvement project will probably begin in mid-to-late April or early May. A call for bids is expected early in March.

The engineer also said work on the Court Street improvement in uptown Jackson will not begin until the threat of prolonged winter weather is over.

He also said work on the Jackson Trails-Lee Avenue bypass bridge continues. The contractor has been taking advantage of mild weather to build concrete forms for the bridge; however, all other work has stopped until the arrival of spring, he said.

The mayor said city streets have not been swept recently because the street sweeper is not in operation. The street department is working on the problem, he said.