The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Quitman, Mississippi, met in regular session on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at the Depot in Quitman, Mississippi.
Ordinance Opting Out - Medical Cannabis Act and Cannabis Products
Mayor Steve Watkins stated the last day to Opt-Out of the Medical Cannabis Act is May 3, 2022, and the deadline for the Department of Health and the Department of Revenue to issue guidelines regulating Medical Cannabis is April 30, 2022.
Judy Fulton requested the board to not Opt-Out of Medical Cannabis.
Alderman Steve Neely made a motion to table the decision of whether or not to Opt-Out of the Medical Cannabis Act to no later than May 02, 2022. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken:
Alderman Joe Brooks Voted No; Alderwoman Bridgett Peters Voted No; Alderman Steve Neely Voted Yes; Alderman Harry Wheat Voted Yes; Alderman Ronald Holloway Voted Yes
Mayor Watkins stated that the option of Opting Out of the Medical Cannabis Act will be presented to the board no later than May 02, 2022.
City of Quitman Ordinance #322 – “Request to Speak at the Regular Board Meeting” form
Mayor Steve Watkins informed the board the “Request to Speak at the Regular Board Meeting” form has been updated to comply with City of Quitman Ordinance #322 with three minutes of speaking time changed to five minutes and the deadline to be placed on the agenda changed from noon on the Tuesday before the board meeting to noon on the Thursday before the board meeting.
Approval of Regular Board Meeting Minutes for March 15, 2022.
Attorney Edward Kramer, III stated corrections need to be made to Item 6.c. The word “Canceling” should be added to each Alderman’s vote to be entered into the minutes as follows:
Alderman Joe Brooks Voted No to Canceling the Parade and Event Permits
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters Voted No to Canceling the Parade and Event Permits
Alderman Ronald Holloway Voted Yes to Canceling the Parade and Event Permits
Alderman Steve Neely Voted Yes to Canceling the Parade and Event Permits
Alderman Harry Wheat Voted Yes to Canceling the Parade and Event Permits
Alderman Joe Brooks stated a correction needed to be made to 9.c. Resident James Cook should be corrected as John Cook.
Alderman Joe Brooks made a motion to approve the March 15, 2022, Regular Board Meeting Minutes with corrections. Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted affirmative.
Approval of Special Called Board Meeting Minutes for March 21, 2022.
Alderman Joe Brooks stated corrections needed to be made on page 2. Alderman Joe Brooks stated that he voted “No” for the termination of employment of Patrice Perkins; however, the Minutes reflect “Yes.”
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters, Alderman Steve Neely, and Alderman Harry Wheat agreed that Alderman Joe Brooks’ vote should be changed to “No” based on their memory of the vote taken.
Attorney Nicholas Kramer advised that another vote should be taken with the same board members that voted in the March 21, 2022, Special Called Board Meeting.
Mayor Steve Watkins recommended a motion be made to revote the employment termination of Patrice Perkins originally voted on during the March 21, 2022, Special Called Board Meeting.
Alderman Joe Brooks made a motion to revote the employment termination of Patrice Perkins. Aldermen Bridgett Peters seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken:
Alderman Joe Brooks Voted No; Alderwoman Bridgett Peters Voted No; Alderman Steve Neely Voted Yes; Alderman Harry Wheat Voted Yes; Mayor Watkins Voted Yes
Mayor Watkins stated the motion carried.
Alderman Steve Neely made a motion to approve the Special Called Board Meeting Minutes of March 21, 2022, with corrections. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mayor Steve Watkins advised the board that $100 needed to be transferred from the General Fund to the Municipal Court Fine Money Register Drawer by writing a check on the General Fund, cashing the check at First State Bank, and placing the $100.00 cash in the Municipal Court Fine Money Register Drawer to be used as petty cash.
Alderman Steve Neely made a motion to approve Fine Money Register Till of $100.00 petty cash for fines. Ronald Holloway seconded the motion. Roll call vote was taken:
Alderman Joe Brooks Voted No; Alderwoman Bridgett Peters Voted No; Alderman Steve Neely Voted Yes; Alderman Larry Wheat Voted Yes; Alderman Ronald Holloway Voted Yes
City of Quitman Sports Complex - April 16, 2022, Easter Egg Hunt - April 30, 2022, Day in the Park.
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters made a motion to approve the Easter Egg Hunt on April 16, 2022, and Day in the Park on April 30, 2022, at the City of Quitman Sports Complex. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Resolution Naming Authorized Representative - 2021 SRF Drinking Water System Improvement
Alderman Ronald Holloway made a motion to approve Mayor Steve Watkins as the Authorized Representative for the 2021 SRF Drinking Water System Improvement. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Declaration of Emergency - March 22, 2022, and March 30, 2022
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters made a motion to spread the minutes the Declaration of Emergencies for March 22, 2022, and March 30, 2022, due to forecasted high winds and severe thunderstorms. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Employee Handbook - Hourly employees to be paid weekly.
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters made a motion to pay hourly employees weekly but withdrew her motion after discussion. Alderman Harry Wheat made a motion to be table the issue of weekly pay for hourly employees. Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
East Central Planning and Development District to advertise for Engineers for 2022 CDBG Application
Alderman Harry Wheat made a motion to approve request to advertise for Engineers for the 2022 CDBG. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Alderman Joe Brooks made a motion to spread to the minutes of advertising for Engineers on March 10, 2022, and March 17, 2022, in the Clarke County Tribune. Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
8-inch force main repair at Hwy 18 and Hood Street- Quotes received for the repair
Red Oak Construction, LLC submitted a quote of $15,500.00 and MidSouth Utility Contractors submitted a quote of $18,500.00. Alderman Harry Wheat made a motion to approve the $15,500.00 quote from Red Oak for the repair of the 8-inch force main. Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative
March 30, 2022, Sewer & Water Department lightning strike repair at the North Water Tower - Dee Bunch Electrical Quote $6,499.00. With a Declaration of Emergency for the City of Quitman being in affect at the time of the lightning strike and the equipment disabled by the lightning strike being deemed essential, with time being of the essence, this repair was deemed to be an emergency situation requiring no further quotes.
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters made a motion to approve the repair by Dee Bunch Electrical in the amount of $6,499.00. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
BBI - Monthly closeout for March 2022 and April 2022 and BBI Training for new City Clerk.
Mayor Steve Watkins requested to have BBI closeout the month of March 2022 and April 2022 at $70.00 an hour allowing 7-10 hours per month. Mayor Steve Watkins requested approval for three days of BBI training for the new City Clerk at $75.00 per hour. Alderman Steve Neely made a motion to approve BBI monthly closeout of March 2022 and April 2022 at $70.00 an hour allowing 7-10 hours per month and up to three days of BBI training for the new City Clerk at $75.00 per hour. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Board Attorney Edward N. Kramer, III informed the board that since Alderman Harry Wheat was present by telephone at the March 31, 2020, Special Called Board Meeting when the original vote to hire Joyce Bolen was taken, a revote needed to be taken.
Alderman Ronald Holloway made a motion to hire Joyce Bolen as City of Quitman Water Clerk at $14 per hour with a six-month probation. Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken:
Alderman Joe Brooks No Vote; Alderwoman Bridgett Peters No Vote; Alderman Steve Neely Voted Yes; Alderman Harry Wheat Voted Yes; Alderman Ronald Holloway Voted Yes
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters and Alderman Joe Brooks stated the reason for not voting was because they were not present at the Special Called Board Meeting of March 31, 2022, when the original vote was taken. Mayor Steve Watkins declared the motion passed.
Harry Wheat made a motion to adjourn until April 19, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
April 14, 2022, Special Called Meeting
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Quitman, Mississippi met in special called session on Thursday April 14, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. in City Hall.
Personnel
Alderman Wheat moved to enter into closed session to discuss possibility of entering Executive session, seconded by Alderman Brooks, and all voted in the affirmative. Alderman Brooks moved to enter into Executive session to discuss personnel, seconded by Alderman Holloway, and all voted in the affirmative. After Mayor Watkins passed each Alderman resumes for candidates for city Clerk. Alderwoman Peters moved for a self-audit to be conducted, seconded by Alderman Brooks. After discussion a roll call vote was taken as follows: Brooks, Yea. Wheat Yea, Neely No, Holloway No, Peters Yea. Mayor Watkins declared the motion approved.
Alderwoman Peters moved to request the state auditor to perform audit of City of Quitman, seconded by Alderman Brooks. After discussion, a roll call vote was taken as follows: Brooks, Yea, Wheat Yea, Neely No, Holloway No, Peters Yea. Mayor Watkins declared the motion approved.
After review of the application and discussion of qualifications of Naomi Shepherd, Mayor Watkins recommended she be hired as city clerk at wage of $18.75 per hour, for a 40-hour week, with 6 month’s probation, to begin April 29th. Alderman Holloway moved to hire Naomi Shepherd on the stated terms, seconded by Neely. After discussion a roll call vote was taken, as follows: Brooks, No, Wheat Yes, Neely Yes, Holloway Yes, Peters No. Mayor Watkins declared the motion approved.
Mayor Watkins recommended termination of Kernesha Price, whose probationary period would expire May 10, Discussion was had concerning her job performance. Mayor Watkins advised that in the interim former clerk Cindi Kirkman would fill in as needed after office hours. Alderman Holloway moved for immediate termination, seconded by Neely. After discussion, a roll call vote was taken as follows: Brooks, No, Wheat No, Neely Yes, Holloway Yes, Peters No.
Mayor Watkins declared the motion failed.
Alderman Neely moved to allow Naomi Shepherd and Mayor Watkins to attend BBI training at the BBI facility at the rate of $50.00 per hour, seconded by Alderman Wheat, for May 2nd, and a roll call vote was taken as follows: Brooks, No, Wheat Yea., Neely Yea, Holloway Yea, Peters No. Mayor Watkins declared the motion passed.
Adjournment
Whereupon Alderman Neely, seconded by Alderman Wheat, moved to adjourn, and all voted in the affirmative.
April 19, 2022
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Quitman, Mississippi met in regular session on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 5:00 P.M. at the Depot in Quitman.
Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act
Mayor Steve Watkins informed the board they needed to decide what their position would be concerning the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act and whether or not to Opt-Out. Mayor Watkins further informed the board they had three choices concerning the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act. Choice #1 – Do nothing and the City of Quitman will remain a participant forever in the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act after May 3, 2022. Choice #2 – Opt-Out of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act temporarily until the MS Department of Health and the MS Department of Finance published the required guidelines for administering the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act. Then opt back in if they so choose. Choice #3 – Opt-Out of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act completely with no temporary clause. Mayor Watkins suggested the board Opt-Out temporarily until the MS Department of Health and the MS Department of Revenue published their guidelines for administering the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act. Alderman Ron Holloway made a motion to Opt-Out of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act without a temporary clause. No second was made to the motion. Mayor Steve Watkins declared the motion Failed for lack of a second.
Alderman Joe Brooks made a motion to not Opt-Out of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act. Alderwoman Bridgett Peters seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken:
Alderman Joe Brooks Voted Yes; Alderwoman Bridgette Peter Voted Yes; Alderman Steve Neely Voted Yes; Alderman Harry Wheat Voted Yes; Alderman Ronald Holloway Voted No
Mayor Watkins declared the motion Passed.
Municipal Court Duties
Mayor Steve Watkins informed the board that Judge Bartee had received word from the Attorney General’s office that contradicted his earlier statements to the board that Municipal Court Clerk Thereasa Haire could not accept payment of court fines since she also served in the capacity of a police officer. Mayor Watkins further informed the board that in accordance with Mississippi Code 21-23-11 there were no such restrictions placed on a Municipal Court Clerk who also serves as a police officer. Municipal Court Judge Tobey Bartee then spoke to the board regarding the Municipal Court.
Engineering Proposal Grading for the 2022 CDBG
Two engineering firms, Fontaine Engineers and Cornerstone Engineering, presented their credentials to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for consideration and selection of an engineering firm for the 2022 CDBG.
Alderman Joe Brooks Fontaine Engineers – 100 /Cornerstone Engineering - 99
Alderman Harry Wheat Fontaine Engineers - 90 /Cornerstone Engineering - 76
Alderman Ronald Holloway Fontaine Engineers – 100 /Cornerstone Engineering - 77
Alderman Steve Neely Fontaine Engineers – 100 /Cornerstone Engineering - 100
Mayor Steve Watkins Fontaine Engineers – 100 /Cornerstone Engineering – 80
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters grading form was returned to her for corrections and incomplete information but was not resubmitted by her for grading.
Total numbers submitted for grading: Fontaine Engineers 490
Total numbers submitted for grading: Cornerstone Engineering 432
Case Avenue/Children at Play Signs
Alderman Steve Neely made a motion that two to three Children Play Signs will be placed on Case Avenue and Earl Street coming in both directions. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance
Mayor Watkins suggested that Clarke County Emergency Management Director, David Sharp, should be invited to speak on the FEMA Flood Mitigation/Flood Insurance Program. Mayor Watkins stated he would extend an invitation to speak to the Board concerning this program.
Hourly Employees to be paid weekly
Alderman Harry Wheat motion to approve Deputy Clerk and Water Clerk to be paid weekly starting the week of April 14, 2022. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Beer Ordinance
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters informed the board that she would like the approval of the board to start selling Beer after 12:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters made a motion for the issue to be tabled until May 3, 2022, Regular Board Meeting. Alderman Harry Wheat made a second and all the Alderman voted in the affirmative.
Sumrall Park Sign
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters motion that two No Parking Signs be placed on the Sumrall fence and purchase a lock for the gate. Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative. Superintendent Andy Reese stated he would purchase a lock for the gate at Sumrall Park and have the signs made and installed as soon as possible.
SWOT - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats - bringing ideas to the community
Mayor Watkins recommended he call Dr. Dallas Breen, Assistant Director of the Stennis Institute at Mississippi State University regarding the availability of a SWOT program. Alderman Ronald Holloway made a motion to table the issue until Mayor Watkins could make contact with Dr. Breen. Aldermen Steve Neely seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Parade Legal Vehicles
Attorney Edward N. Kramer, III informed the board that no response has been received concerning off-road vehicles in a city parade.
School Traffic
Alderman Steve Neely informed the board that he would speak with a traffic specialist regarding traffic at Quitman Elementary and Quitman High School.
Obstruction on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Donald Street
Building Inspector/ Code Enforcement Officer Carlton Green will contact Mr. Jimmy Zdenek regarding a growth of bushes obstruction views at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Donald Street.
Superintendent Andy Reese - Street, Garbage and Park
Explained that the electrical project at the Quitman Sports Complex had been delayed due to weather and back ordered parts, but work would begin tomorrow morning. The event manager for the “Day in the Park’ event would like to have a helicopter land on the baseball field so that kids can have the opportunity to experience the site of a helicopter for the April 30, 2022, event.
Alderman Steve Neely motion to approve the landing of the helicopter at the Quitman Sports Complex for the “Day in the Park” event with adequate safety measures and supervision in place. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen and voted in affirmative.
Superintendent Johnathan Tanner-Water and Sewer
Johnathan Tanner asked each board member to provide him with the dates of all Mississippi Rural Water Association training accomplished in the last two years. Jonathan Tanner informed the board that he would get a quote for replacement parts to the repair the radar sign in the vicinity of the Quitman Jr. High School.
Alderman Joe Brooks made a motion to adjourn until next Regular Board Meeting for the City of Quitman until May 3, 2022, at 5:00 P.M. Ron Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
