January 5, 2021
BE IT REMEMBERED that the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Quitman, Mississippi met in regular session on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at 5:00 P.M.
Reginald Whitfield, representing the Mohegans was present to answer any questions that the Mayor and Board of Aldermen might have concerning the Mohegan Plant. Some questions included the smoke pollution and loud noise coming from the plant. Mr. Whitfield stated that the plant was within state guidelines, but they are working to come up with solutions for these problems because they still want to be a good neighbor to the City of Quitman.
The Peter K. Smith family did agree that donating the property of their father in 2021 would be fine. Mr. Bill Hoffman is working on an updated land survey and as soon as it is finished, it will be brought back to the Board of Aldermen.
The City of Quitman received a parade request from Lynnita Bartee to hold a Mardi Gras Parade on February 27, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. Mrs. Bartee stated that all COVID-19 Guidelines would be enforced. Alderman Joe Brooks offered a motion to approve the parade request. Alderwoman Bridgett Peters seconded the motion, and the vote was 3-yeas and 1-nay. Mayor Fulton declared the motion passed.
Jennifer Bozeman, President of Creature Comforts sent a request asking that the City of Quitman renew the contract with them for the 2021 year. After discussion, Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to renew the contract for 2021. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows:
Alderman Joe Brooks Voted Yes
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters Voted No
Alderman James Buchanan Voted No
Alderman Harry Wheat Voted Yes
Mayor Fulton broke the tie by voting yes and declared the motion passed.
Mayor Eddie Fulton informed the Board of Aldermen that the proper documents had been sent to the owner of 217 North Jackson Avenue and as soon as the city could obtain the bids needed for the tear down, the city would proceed and add the cost to the property taxes.
Mayor Fulton informed the Board of Aldermen that he had received numerous complaints about the dogs at 106 Hood Avenue and the trash build up there. Mayor Fulton requested permission to send a letter asking the current owner to attend the next Board Meeting or correct the problem. Alderman Joe Brooks offered a motion to have Mayor Fulton send the letter inviting the homeowner to the meeting or to correct the problem. Alderman James Buchanan seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mayor Fulton gave the Board of Aldermen a copy of the Ordinance Incentivizing the maintenance and improvement of properties in the downtown historic district including the mill district that he would like to pass at the next Board Meeting.
Upon the motion of Alderman James Buchanan and duly seconded by Alderman Harry Wheat, the Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to recess the meeting until the hour of 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
January 19, 2021
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Quitman, Mississippi met in regular session on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at 5:00 P.M.
Mayor Fulton informed the Board of Aldermen that there was some work left to do on the ordinance. Alderman James Buchanan offered a motion to table Historic Preservation Ordinance. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mayor Fulton informed the Board of Aldermen that he had not heard from the owner of Hood Avenue about his dogs or litter problem. Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to fine the owner for the litter and have the animals picked up and taken to the shelter since they are not leashed as required by law. Alderman James Buchanan seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
The Bond Bill will come up in April and the city should receive funds at that time for Quitman Village.
Alderman James Buchanan offered a motion to add the following language to the deed for Harris Park:
“The property identified below has been acquired or developed with federal assistance provided by the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior in accordance with the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 4601-5 et seq. (170ed.). Pursuant to a requirement of that law, this property may not be converted to other than public outdoor recreation uses (whether by transfer, sale, or in any other manner) without the express written approval of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the Secretary of the Department of the Interior. By law, the Secretary shall approve such conversion only if it is in accord with the then existing Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) and only upon such condition as the substitution of other recreation properties are of at least equal fair market value and of reasonably equivalent usefulness and location.”
Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mr. Bill Hoffman is working on an updated land survey and as soon as it is finished, it will be brought back to the Board of Aldermen. Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to table the Land Donation. Alderwoman Bridgett Peters seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters was still concerned about the smoke and dust coming from the Mohegan Plant and felt that the Zoning law needed more restrictions.
Mayor Fulton advised the Board of Aldermen that they needed to fill one position for Election Commissioner for the upcoming election. Alderman James Buchanan offered a motion to name Faye Swilley as the new election commissioner. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to approve the following Seminar Schedule. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
MWPCOA Central MS Short Course Wastewater Certification, Pearl, MS, February 15-19, 2021, to be attended by Jonathan Tanner.
Mayor Fulton informed the Board of Aldermen that Health Care for city employees was again up for renewal. Blue Cross Blue Shield increased around $700.00 per month with the same coverage and copays. Alderman James Buchanan offered a motion to renew Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance for 2021. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Upon the motion of Alderman Harry Wheat and duly seconded by Alderman Joe Brooks, the Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to recess the meeting until the hour of 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
