Here are highlights of what happened at the Tuesday, Dec. 13 Jackson City Council meeting:
- The City Council continued discussions on what can be done to help homelessness and housing instability issues in the community. After a lengthy discussion, the City Council voted to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20 to review proposals from local organizations on different ways to help the homeless population. To more immediately help the issue, councilmembers also voted to allocate $10,000 for the City to provide motel rooms for people who need a place to stay, along with $3,000 to provide cold weather gear for homeless residents.
- A social district is finally happening in Downtown Jackson. The City Council gave approval to a reinvigorated social district, which is set to begin in spring 2023. Eight bars and restaurants in the downtown area are participating in the plan, which allows their patrons to get alcoholic beverages and enjoy them in the open spaces of downtown. Communities across Michigan have enacted social districts as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing people to social distance while still supporting businesses. A social district was proposed in 2021 but was not formally established due to a lack of interest from businesses.
- Residents were appointed by the City Council to nine different boards and commissions.