Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
On Tuesday, Dec. 4, the Jennings Town Council met to discuss a proposed resolution, Resolution 2024-08, which would approve an asset management plan for the Town of Jennings. This would ensure that proper repairs and preventative maintenance on the town’s water supply would be met. “You have to have an asset management plan,” said George Glover with Florida Rural Water (FRW). “So we updated the one that was already in place here.” Glover advised that the plan presented featured suggestions from FRW to be used at the discretion of the council. The plan outlined general maintenance of the water treatment facilities, costs associated and rates. “The rates are 6 percent the first year, then 5 percent the next 3 years, and 3 percent forward.” Glover said. “The rates are not a big jump at all.” The rates are based on a 10-year plan. After a brief discussion, the resolution was unanimously approved. Following the presentation from FRW, Town Manager Jennifer Hightower shared that the children’s Christmas event will be held on Thursday, Dec. 19, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., in the council room of the Town Hall, and that the Jennings Christmas Parade will take place on Friday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. Vice Mayor Antonette Crumedy shared that anyone who would like to participate in the Christmas parade may contact Lanita Will at Town Hall. Also of interest, Jennings Police Department (JPD) Chief Reginald Akins addressed the council to share that the JPD is working on hiring a third police officer to help cover the night shift calls for service. However, JPD is waiting on a police car to be repaired before they can hire the officer. The plans to hire the officer by the first of the year. Additionally, a License Plate Reader is being donated to the agency by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). JPD is currently waiting on a Memorandum of Understanding to be completed by the PCSO. During public comments, Eddie Wynn, who is a member of the Jennings Community Church, approached the microphone to address the vote on the Jennings Package Store, which was done during the Tuesday, Nov. 12, Town Council meeting. Wynn addressed concerns that the church had regarding the operation of the store within close proximity to the church. At the last meeting, it was addressed that the store would be within proximity of three churches. “There were some folks very concerned about having a package store or liquor store that close to the church,” Wynn said. “They didn’t give us a time or days yet,” Vice Mayor Crumedy said. “We don’t even know when they are going to open,” Councilman Phillip Jackson added. DevJay, LLC, operated by Hemant Patel, appeared at the Town Council on Tuesday, Nov. 12, to request permission to open a package store where the former NAPA Auto Parts is located. The council unanimously approved the opening, with Mayor Charles Barrett offering a dissenting opinion on the council’s decision. “I would ask the council to put a regulation on the operating hours of the package store,” Wynn said. “I know it may be out of the ordinary, but it's something that our church would appreciate.” “I think that Hemant would respect that,” Jackson said. “I will personally talk to him.” Another concern was the loitering. Wynn stated that the church was concerned that there would be people loitering at all hours of the day when the liquor store opened. Crumedy stated that there would be “no loitering” signs placed on the business, also adding that Patel typically puts these signs on his businesses anyway. After Wynn’s comments, the council had nothing further to report, and the meeting was adjourned. The next Jennings Town Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, in the Town Hall, located at 1291 Florida St.