At its shortest meeting in some time, the Jackson City Council applauded the efforts of some residents, then refused to subsidize others who had campaigned against two controversial council decisions Monday night.

Concerned Citizens of Jackson is a citizens' group formed last year to oppose the Jackson Hills Golf Course and Residential Community, a large development proposed on land in and adjacent to south Jackson. Monday night, the group asked the city council for $2,209.40 as reimbursement of costs incurred in their fight against Jackson Hills.

Last September, the city council passed two resolutions Concerned Citizens believed granted approval to the development. The group quickly gathered sufficient signatures on petitions to place the question of approval as measures A and B on the ballot for this June's election.

Last month, Jackson Hills' project applicant, New Faze Development, asked the city council to rescind their earlier resolutions. Much to the annoyance of the Concerned Citizens, who had gone through considerable effort and expense to get the measures onto the ballot, the city council passed resolutions rescinding the earlier resolutions, effectively removing the measures from the June ballot.

Judy Jebian introduced the request to the city council, suggesting that the city might be able to avoid paying for this from city coffers by falling back on the indemnification agreement with New Faze.

"The city council made a commitment to the people that the issue would go to a vote," added Concerned Citizen member Thornton Consolo.

John Plasse suggested that the council could make a request of New Faze Development for reimbursement.

Council members expressed concern over the danger of setting a precedent were they to take action in favor of this request for reimbursement.

"Those citizens of Jackson who were for Jackson Hills might be paying for the actions of those opposed," added Councilman Andy Rodriguez.

City Attorney Andy Morris pointed out that "California Government Code 54964 prohibits the city from paying expenses attached to ballot measures."

When the possibility of obtaining the money from New Faze arose, Morris continued, "There is no way for the city to compel New Faze to pay for these expenses."

Mayor Rosalie Pryor-Escamilla restated the wording and intent of the 2007 resolutions, explaining the difficult situation elected officials face whenever a complex issue is brought before them. "We can't discuss things beforehand," Pryor-Escamilla said, "and we don't know what each other thinks until we have the public hearings and discuss the issue."

"The rush to the referendum process was premature," Pryor-Escamilla added. "The literature of the Concerned Citizens of Jackson was incendiary and I don't want us to pay for it."

The council unanimously denied the request for reimbursement.