Jones County Commissioners continue to grapple with the replacement of stage curtains at the W. E. Knox Civic Center with finding interested vendors an unexpected challenge.
Chairman Chris Weidner called the June 3 meeting to order, and Jones County Sheriff’s Deputy Jimmy Howard led the opening prayer and pledge.
Commissioners John Wood and Wendy Vaughn were in attendance, and Commissioner Sam Kitchens participated via phone. Commissioner Daylon Martin was absent.
The first item of business was a planning and zoning item presented by Zoning Officer Tim Pitrowski. The request was for a variance to allow an additional lot on Tori Drive, a sub-standard private road.
Following an explanation by the property owner about the reason for the request, Vaughn made the motion to grant the variance, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
New business
County Administrator Jason Rizner presented members with a Capital Improvement Element Resolution. He said the CIE had been discussed at a previous work session, and the resolution was a formality due to the county’s impact fees being at zero.
Wood made the motion to approve the resolution, and the vote was unanimous.
Weidner led the discussion of the next item, the possibility of placing cameras in the cabs of county equipment. He said cameras can record the driver, whereabouts of the vehicle and everything.
“It works well for the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, and it may be a good idea for our equipment. I’d like to check if it is feasible,” he said.
Rizner said he saw a demo, and there are several options. He noted some of the GPS units the county has now have the capability of attaching cameras.
“I’m happy to research and bring back the information the board wants,” he said.
Wood said the county needs what is best and most cost effective, and he believes cameras are becoming a necessity.
The chairman said it is about accountability, and he would like to see it looked at.
Clerk of the Board and HR Director Shannon Wagner said Jessica Tyler had achieved certification and made the recommendation of her appointment as EMA director.
Wood made the motion for the appointment, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
Old business
Parks and Recreation Director Bert Rosenberger talked to the commissioners about the effort to replace the Knox Center stage curtains. He said one quote had been received from Main Stage in the amount of $74,435.
“We are trying to get another quote, but I’m looking for direction,” he said.
Rosenberger said, in order to get another quote, the other company is asking for $1,500 to inspect the rigging.
Kitchens said he has checked his contacts, and the vendor he had previously worked with was no longer in the business. He recommended postponing the item to allow time for more information.
“We absolutely need new curtains,” the commissioner said.
Wood made the motion to postpone the item, and the vote was unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned to go into a closed session. The meeting was reopened 40 minutes later only to be adjourned without any action taken.
The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Commissioners is 6 p.m., June 17.
