Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
The Jennings Town Council met for its monthly meeting at the council chambers on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. On the agenda were a couple of items related to town repairs, including the replacement of a water pump at the treatment plant and tires on the town fire truck.
Public Works Coordinator Josh Johnson came before the council to discuss the replacement needed for a water pump at the town treatment plant. He obtained two quotes for the pump, one for $9,801 and the other for $8,122. After a prolonged discussion on which pump to choose, Johnson requested that the board consider the pump from Hydro Service, Inc. for $8,122. After a brief discussion amongst the council, they unanimously approved the pump.
Johnson also discussed the need for more employees in the public works department, revealing that only two people were working in the department: him and one other employee. Another former employee resigned from their position the previous week. He said that, despite the low manpower, they were able to clean up several loads of debris since they were able to get the backhoe returned from repairs.
Town Manager Jennifer Hightower noted that a $150,000 grant was awarded for the town sewer plant and that it may provide some needed assistance for the town and Johnson’s department.
Following Johnson’s updates, Jennings Police Department Chief Reginald Akins shared concerns about the agency’s access to Automated External Defibrillator (AED) devices, which could help in a cardiac emergency. Akins shared an incident that occurred at the Florida Welcome Center where an AED would have been beneficial during an emergency.
When asked about the pricing of the AEDs and how many the agency would need, Akins said that the machines would cost approximately $2,000 each and the department would need four devices: three for the patrol vehicles and one for the town hall. It was suggested that grants be looked at to help cover the costs associated with the AEDs. Hightower suggested that Akins look into costs and present them at the next meeting.
Akins also welcomed the department’s third officer, Rebecca Skinner, who the agency recently hired after months of searching. While Skinner’s car continues to receive improvements and repairs, she will be joining Officer Shawn Raggins on patrol.
Brett King, the Jennings Fire Department Chief, also presented a need for new tires to be placed on the fire truck. He said that the tires are 10 years old and need to be replaced. He was able to get a quote of $2,985.30 from Suwannee Valley Tire to replace the tires. After a brief discussion, the council approved the repairs.
Finally, during public comments, Lowell Klepper, a Hamilton County Development Authority board member, addressed the need for better transparency when it comes to town events, especially in situations concerning the safety and well-being of the town. Klepper encouraged the council to consider keeping up to date on social media and utilize a newsletter-based system to keep citizens informed. Hightower replied that the city was getting a new website that would do just that.
The next Jennings Town Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, in the Town Hall, located at 1291 Florida St.