By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Jacksonville will spend about $212,000 on its street-overlay program this year and in 2018.
The amount was unanimously approved the aldermen at the last city council meeting.
The money will purchase more than 1,700 tons of asphalt and provide for at least 7,500 square yards of milling.
Streets selected for this year’s program include Redmond Road from Main Street to the fire station; Loop Road from the bridge to 1,200 feet south of the bridge, and James Street from the railroad tracks to School Drive.
Two portions of Poplar Street are included in the program. The first section is from Bailey Street to 608 Poplar, and then from North First to Jones Street.
In other council business:
In his monthly report to the council, Police Chief Geoffrey Herweg said the department had 3,806 complaint calls in April, down about 200 calls from the previous April.
In April, there were no homicides or sexual assaults; four reported robberies, seven felony assaults, 15 burglaries, 82 thefts and six stolen vehicles.
The department closed 141 felony cases, but opened 149 new ones. For misdemeanors, 365 cases were closed and 357 were opened.
Under code enforcement, it was reported that officers had 137 assigned calls and initiated another 873 stops. Nearly 200 notices or letters were issued and 140 warnings given for code violations. The city mowed 47 properties that were in violation and sent out 159 grass letters concerning unkempt yards and properties.
Fire Chief Alan Laughy, in his monthly report, told the council his department had 309 rescue calls, 32 service calls, 22 false alarms, 11 fire calls, 10 hazardous conditions (without a fire), 14 good intent calls, one severe weather and natural disaster call and one call related to a down power line.
Ambulance responses for April included 241 transported runs and 95 non-transported runs.
Estimated fire loss for April was $25,500, and savings, based on insurance estimates of the department’s response and actions, was $894,500.
In the monthly animal shelter report, the shelter received 73 dogs and 49 cats in April. It returned 24 dogs to their owners and was able to adopt out 54 dogs and 26 cats. The facility euthanized two dogs and nine cats.
City Engineer Jay Whisker reported that in April his department issued 11 building permits and 10 business licenses. The department also performed 91 inspections during the month.