May 3, 2022
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Quitman, Mississippi met in regular session on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 5:00 P.M. at the Depot in Quitman, Mississippi.
Derek Princell of Sno Biz presented the board with the projected location of the snow cone stand between A&M and Sumrall Park located on Archusa Ave. in which a business permit has already been obtained. Curtis Lewis confirmed he was leasing the property where it would be placed and has provided ample parking. Alderman Steve Neely made a motion to approve the location of the Sno Biz stand. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion, and a Roll Call vote was taken.
The vote was as follows:
Alderman Joe Brooks Voted No; Alderwoman Bridgett Peters Voted No; Alderman Ronald Holloway Voted Yes; Alderman Steve Neely Voted Yes; Alderman At Large Harry Wheat Voted Yes;
The motion carried
Tracy McCarty presented the board with the details for the 2022 Muscadine Music Festival and Car Show, which would also include vendors along Main Street. Many of the businesses along Main Street would not be open during the festival and did not present a problem. Edgars Restaurant mentioned staying open in order to generate more business. Tracy McCarty requested the sales tax for vendors be waived. Mayor Steve Watkins informed him this was a requirement by the state of Mississippi and could not be waived. Tracy McCarty was informed he would be given final approval for the 2022 Muscadine Music Festival and Car Show once he presents the state issued permit to the City Clerk. No action was taken.
Strategic Doing Program – Stennis Institute at Mississippi State
Mayor Steve Watkins is waiting to speak with Dr. Fratesi about this program and finalizing details in order to relay more information. Mayor Watkins stated this was an inexpensive program and their goal is not to make money. The cost of the program is mainly covering the transportation to and from the city.
Approval of Regular Board Minutes for April 5, 2022
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters disagrees with the word “abstain” in section 9.n. of the minutes from April 5, 2022, due to not being present and requested it be changed to “no vote.”
Alderman Harry Wheat made a motion to approve the minutes for April 5, 2022, pending change of verbiage. Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
MS Archives and History Boot Camp Training for Elected Officials and Historic Preservation Commission
A day and a half of training offered for $40.00 that is open to anyone on the board, and also open to anyone on the historic commission. The days of training would be May 24th and 25th. Attorney Edward Nick Kramer III clarifies that the city cannot pay for the Historic Commission to attend the bootcamp. Alderman Steve Neely made a motion to approve only paying for board members and the mayor to attend this event, Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Jonathan Tanner to attend 2022 MsRWA Annual Management & Technical Conference
The conference dates are May 31st - June 3rd with a $250.00 registration fee. Alderman Harry Wheat made a motion to approve Jonathan Tanner to attend the conference, Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Quote for replacement parts for RadarSign - $589.00
Solar panel and solar arm will need to be replaced due to storm damage and the radar sign falling over. The county and the city have an agreement, the city would cover all cost of the radar sign. Jonathan Tanner did check to see if it was covered under the warranty for the radar sign; however, it would not be covered. Jonathan stated that our insurance deductible would cost more than the replacements parts and Jonathan would be doing the labor himself. Alderman Harry Wheat made a motion to approve the replacement parts for the radar sign, Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
David Thomas due reimbursement for sewer billing - $439.05
Mr. Thomas has been paying sewer for the past two years, in conjunction with his water and garbage bill, however, the sewer does not extend past Archusa Creek Waterpark which is where Mr. Thomas’ service address is located. Alderman Harry Wheat made a motion to approve the refund pending how Mr. Thomas would like to receive it, Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
2022 CDBG Grant Surveys
Jonathan Tanner presented the board with CDBG Grant Surveys that are due in two weeks from May 3, 2022. Mr. Tanner asked the board to help get the surveys completed in time in order to apply for the Grant.
BBI training for Municipal Court Clerk, Thereasa Haire (2-4 hours of remote training at $50/hr.), Mailing Barcodes
Alderman Harry Wheat made a motion for Court Clerk Thereasa Haire to complete the required BBI training, Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mayor Steve Watkins requested BBI to fix our mailing barcodes at a cost of $250.00. Alderman Harry Wheat made a motion for BBI to fix mailing barcodes, Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Annual Law Enforcement Training for 16 officers at a cost of $560.00
Alderman Harry Wheat made a motion to approve Law Enforcement training for the 16 officers at a cost of $560.00, Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Personnel
Steve Neely made a motion to extend the probationary period for Deputy Clerk Kernesha Price until the next board meeting on May 17, 2022. Harry Wheat seconded the motion, and a roll call vote was taken.
Alderman Joe Brooks Voted Yes; Alderwoman Bridgett Peters Voted Yes; Alderman Steve Neely Voted Yes; Alderman Harry Wheat Voted Yes; Alderman Ronald Holloway Voted Yes;
The motion carried.
Stennis Institute Salary Comparison and Analysis for all Job Titles within the City of Quitman
Mayor Watkins informed the board of a 3-month study that the Stennis Institute offers regarding salary and job descriptions. This will cost $2,000.00 and begin the 1st of June 2022.
Alderman Steve Neely made a motion to approve the $2,000 three month study with the Stennis Institute, Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Resolution for 2022 CDBG
Alderman Steve Neely made a motion to approve the resolution for the 2022 CDBG, Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
STAC
A request for a banner to be placed at City Hall was made by STAC “Standing Together Against Cancer” the cost of the banner is $100.00, and the funds will go towards the Cancer Patient Benevolence Fund, at Andersons Hospital in Meridian, MS. Alderwoman Bridget Peters made a motion to approve the banner and donation, Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Court Clerk Thereasa Haire – Administration
Mrs. Haire made a suggestion that more police officers be present at events that are held around the City of Quitman for safety reasons.
Alderman Harry Wheat made a motion to adjourn until May 17, 2022, at 5:00 P.M. Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
