Jefferson City Council to discuss proposed entertainment center

The Jefferson City Council will review a proposed plan and tax abatement for the development of a multi-use entertainment center at the former Capital Bowl location during its Tuesday meeting.

If approved, the proposed bill would authorize a development plan, development agreement and partial tax abatement for the redevelopment of 2017 Christy Drive, where the old Capital Bowl was located. DGVGB, LLC plans to develop the area into a multi-use entertainment center that includes bowling, video games, arcade games and dining.

Capital Bowl was demolished after it was damaged in the May 2019 tornado. The area was later deemed blighted, according to the proposed bill.

If the council approves the bill, it would abate 75 percent of the real property taxes on improvements for a 10-year initial period and 50 percent of all real estate taxes for a 15-year next ensuing period.

The council is currently set to vote on the proposed bill Feb. 7.

Public hearing

On Tuesday, the City Council will hold a public hearing before voting on a bill that would expand the city’s mural regulations and permit process.

The bill would amend Chapter 3 of the city code to allow churches and schools to place murals in residential zoning districts. It would also eliminate the mural spacing requirements and allow murals to be located on right-of-way, among other changes.

Bills introduced

The council will review two bills Tuesday regarding supplemental appropriations.

The first bill would authorize a $200,000 total supplemental appropriation from the general fund, parks fund, airport fund, parking fund, transit fund and wastewater fund.

The supplemental appropriation would go toward the city’s worker’s compensation fund to cover claims and the provision for unsettled claims for the 2021 fiscal year.

According to the agenda, the City Council will be asked to suspend the rules, meaning it would vote on the proposed bill Tuesday night instead of waiting until its next meeting.

The second bill, if approved, would allow a supplemental appropriation to the Jefferson City Police Department. That bill would amend the 2021-22 budget and authorize the department to purchase ballistic shields and drone equipment using $26,397 in drug forfeiture justice funds.

Also on the agenda, the council will review a bill that would amend a grant agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation.

In December 2020, the city entered into a $202,931 grant agreement with MoDOT to fund replacement airfield lighting that was damaged by flooding. While the project was completed,

the final project work didn’t occur before the final date outlined in the grant agreement due to equipment delivery issues, according to the proposed bill.

The amendment would extend the grant so all project expenses would be grant eligible, the bill states.

The council is currently set to vote on the proposed bill Feb. 7.

Resolutions

On Tuesday, the city will review and possibly vote on a resolution and a substitute resolution regarding contracts with real estate broker services.

The first resolution, if approved, would allow the city to contract Bowman Commercial Realty Inc. to manage, market and sell city-owned residential and commercial property. Under the contract, the city would pay Bowman Realty a 10 percent broker fee for any property that sells for less than $50,000, and a 6 percent broker fee for property that sells for more than $50,000.

A proposed substitute to that resolution, if approved, would allow the city to hire Beth McGeorge to manage, market and sell city-owned residential and commercial property. Under this substitute contract, the city would pay the real estate broker a 6 percent commission fee for any property listed and sold, plus a $195 service fee per transaction.

Another resolution the City Council may vote on Tuesday would authorize the Jefferson City Police Department to reinvest unexpended funds toward recruitment and retention incentives for police officers and communications operators hired between March 1 and Feb. 28, 2023.

For the last three years, the police department has had an average of $183,336 annually in surplus funding from its personnel services portion of its annual budget.

Also on Tuesday, the city may vote on a resolution approving a memorandum of agreement with Cole County and Mid-Missouri Regional

Planning Commission to allow the city to apply for a CARES Act Community Development Block Grant on behalf of Cole County for a EMS substation.

The proposed ambulance substation would be on a county-owned parking lot across from the county jail on Adams Street.

The city plans to seek $2 million in CDBG-CV grant funds, the resolution states.

If awarded, the city can seek reimbursement for its grant administration activities for up to $45,000. Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission can also seek reimbursement for an additional $45,000. Cole County would be responsible for project amounts not covered by the grant funding.

The City Council is also set to go into closed session Tuesday to discuss attorney-client privileged communications and contract negotiations.

New business

The City Council will discuss local nonprofit Transformational Housing taking ownership of 101 Jackson St. Discussions were previously postponed so Transformational Housing could make changes to a proposal it submitted to the Jefferson City Housing Authority.

The Housing Authority owns the property, but Transformational Housing’s original proposal requested $10,000 to help repair the building’s failing roof, which the Housing Authority asked the city’s help to pay.

The property at 101 Jackson St. was one the Housing Authority took possession of from Barbara Buescher in 2019 following a lawsuit. Since then, it has sought redevelopment proposals for the property.

How to participate

The City Council will meet in person at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 320 E. McCarty St. Due to COVID-19 and social-distancing recommendations, community members can also attend virtually by clicking on the link in the city’s agenda. Residents can also view the meeting live on the city’s YouTube page.