August 3, 2021
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Quitman, Mississippi met in regular session on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at 6:00 P.M. at the City Hall in Quitman,
Kaila Lawson was present to request that the Mayor and Board of Aldermen allow her to host a 90/2000’s Block Party to raise funds for her non-profit group “The Blossoming Young Ladies” to be held at the Quitman Recreation Complex on Saturday, September 4, 2021, from 3:00 -8:00 P.M. After discussion, Alderwoman Bridgett Peters offered a motion to allow the Block Party with the following concessions: Bring generators to power the jumpers. Park must be clean by Tuesday Morning. Pay a $75.00 deposit to be held until Parks Director Andy Reese inspects to make sure all is in order. Event ends at 8:00 P.M. The Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Matt Gully, representing Quitman Public Library, was present to request that the City of Quitman pay $1,781.50 on a new front door for the library. Clarke County did agree to pay ½ of the cost of the door. Alderman Ronald Holloway offered a motion to approve the payment of $1,781.50. The Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mr. Gully also requested that the City of Quitman pay ½ the cost to replace the air/heat unit for the library. The lowest of the quotes that Mr. Gully received was $4275.00 of which the city would pay $2,137.50. After discussion, Alderman Steve Neely offered a motion to have Mr. Gully receive quotes from local vendors for the project. The Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mayor Watkins gave the Board of Aldermen an update on the status of the construction of the Economic Development Building. The roofing company should start this week.
Mayor Watkins also reminded the Board of Aldermen of the Ribbon Cutting for the Rustic Couture on Friday, August 6, 2021, at 11:30 A.M.
Alderman Ronald Holloway offered a motion to send a first letter to two homeowners with warnings to clean their property. 245 Dogwood Avenue and 114 Anderson Street. The Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
A public hearing was held on August 3, 2021, at 5:30 P.M. for the purpose of allowing the citizens to object to a variance to the City of Quitman Zoning Plan. Victoria Pearson received no objection to placing a mobile home older than 10 years at 312 Railroad Avenue. Alderwoman Bridgett Peters offered a motion to allow the variance. Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion, and the vote was three yes and Alderman Ronald Holloway voted no. Mayor Steve Watkins declared the motion passed.
The meeting was adjourned.
August 17, 2021
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Quitman, Mississippi met in regular session on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at 6:00 P.M. at the City Hall in Quitman, Mississippi.
EEOC Complaint - Mayor Steve Watkins informed the Board of Aldermen that executive session was needed to discuss an EEOC Complaint against the city. During closed session Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to enter into executive session. The Aldermen voted in the affirmative. The EEOC complaint was discussed. Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to hire Will Allen “EEOC Specialist” at a cost of $200.00 per hour. The Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Advertisement for Engineering for the Following:
Coronavirus (ARPA)State & Local Recovery Funds
Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act
Drinking Water Loan Fund
Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund
Mayor Watkins informed the Board of Aldermen that in order to use the ARPA Funds for any of these categories, the city would need to advertise for engineering. Alderman Steve Neely offered a motion to advertise for engineering for the following:
Coronavirus (ARPA)State & Local Recovery Funds
Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act
Drinking Water Loan Fund
Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund
The Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mayor Steve Watkins informed the Board of Aldermen that he would like to apply for a Rural Development Community Facilities Grant that would be a 65/35 match. The city would pay 65% and the Rural Development would pay 35%. The grant would help purchase a tractor and a zero-turn lawn mower for the Water/Sewer Department. The tractor would cost $39,000.00 and the lawn mower $5,154.00. The Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mayor Watkins advised the Board of Aldermen that the city was paying $20.00 per month to keep the natural gas vehicle account open at Chickasawhay Natural Gas and the account was not used at this time. The Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mayor Watkins informed the Board of Aldermen that Code Enforcement Officer/Building Inspector Carlton Green delivered letters to two properties, and they would have a hearing at the September 7, 2021, Board Meeting unless the property was cleaned up before then. The two properties are as follows: 114 Anderson Street and 245 Dogwood Avenue
Next, Code Enforcement Officer/Building Inspector Carlton Green showed pictures of three more properties, and he requested permission to deliver letters of warning of condemnation to - 112 Roosevelt Street, 116 Anderson Street, 119 Anderson Street
Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to allow Code Enforcement Officer Carlton Green to deliver the letters to the property owners. Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mayor Steve Watkins informed the Board of Aldermen that a new checking account needed to be set up for the City of Quitman Municipal Building and funds moved over into the account which would cover expenses for the construction of the Municipal Building. Alderman Steve Neely offered a motion to allow City Clerk Lisa Harris to open the account at First State Bank and deposit $100.00. Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Next Mayor Watkins gave the Board of Alderman an outline of the new building and told him that he would like to move City Hall (Mayor & Clerks) to the new building and use the new board room for education classes as well as board meetings and have offices for the other Heads of Departments in the older side of the building. That move would place everyone in the same building. Alderman Ronald Holloway offered a motion to table until it could be discussed at the work session on August 23, 2021. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters discussed two properties that she wanted cleaned up. She gave the addresses of the two properties to Code Enforcement/Building Inspector Carlton Green to add to his list.
Mayor Watkins gave an update on the Radar Sign. It is on Back Order from Canada.
Monthly Revenue & Expenditure Reports & Bank Balance Reports were given to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
A work session will be on August 25, 2021, at 1:00 P.M. at City Hall to discuss the budget and the City of Quitman Municipal Building.
Mayor Watkins gave an update on the Main Street Program. He is diligently working to find a director. Main Street is a great program.
The meeting was adjourned.
September 7, 2021
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Quitman, Mississippi met in regular session on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at 5:00 P.M. at the City Hall in Quitman.
Ryan Fontaine representing Fontaine Engineering was present to answer any questions the Board of Aldermen might have concerning the ARPA Funds Proposals for Water and Sewer and the SRF Facilities Plan which would cost $70,000.00 out of the ARPA Funds. He spoke of viable solutions for the force main issue beside Quitman Building Supply.
The City of Quitman received one Engineering proposal from Fontaine Engineering. The Board of Aldermen did the Engineering Proposal Technical Evaluation, and the results were as follows:
Qualifications: 37
Experience: 37
Project Knowledge: 19
Total: 93
Alderman Joe Brooks offered a motion to hire Fontaine Engineering for the City of Quitman’s full use of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allotment of $519,533.00 to be used in the category of Water and Sewer. Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Then, Alderman Steve Neely offered a motion to have Fontaine Engineering proceed with the SRF Facilities Plan which would cost $40,000 sewer and $30,000 water for a total of $70,000 to be paid out of the ARPA Funds. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Next Mayor Steve Watkins informed the Board of Aldermen that the City of Quitman received two bids for the 2020 Sewer System Improvements. They are as follows:
Suncoast Infrastructure $279,235.00
Gulf Coast Underground LLC $455,503.13
Alderman Joe Brooks offered a motion to accept the low bid from Suncoast Infrastructure in the amount of $279,235.00. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Verdis Lopez Rupert was present to request from the Mayor and Board of Aldermen an extension of 60 days to have her property “114 Roosevelt” cleaned. After Discussion, Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to grant her request for 60 days extension which would end on November 6, 2021. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Next, Alderman Ronald Holloway offered a motion to send warning letters to the following properties: 101 Brown Avenue, 103 Brown Avenue, 105 Brown Avenue, 129 Long Boulevard, 116 Roosevelt Street, 245 Dogwood Avenue. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mayor Steve Watkins gave the Board of Aldermen an update on the expenses of the Municipal Building. The Board of Aldermen wanted Mayor Watkins to get quotes on all items that needed to be added on.
Mayor Watkins informed the Board of Aldermen that the library received four quotes for the air conditioner.
• H & H (Full System) $7,704.00
• Sanders Heat & Air (Full System) $7,500.00
• Precision Heat & Air (Full System) $6,725.00
• Joseph Holloman Evaporator Coil Only $2,200.00
After discussion, Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to hire H & H to install the system since he is local with the city paying ½ of the cost pending clarity about the bid. Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mayor Watkins requested that the Board of Aldermen approve a “Security Certificate” from Google for $155.00 per year for the Web Site. Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to approve the Security Certificate at a cost of $155.00 per year. 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 Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
MML Small Town Conference, October 26-27, 2021, Lake Terrace Convention Center, Hattiesburg MS, to be attended by Mayor, Board of Aldermen & Clerk
2021 Fall Academy Certified Municipal Clerk Program CMC, October 13-15, 2021, Hattiesburg, MS, To be attended by Lisa Harris
Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to approve the following 2021-2022 Budget. Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Tracy McCarty requested permission to hold a Martin Luther King Unity Parade on January 15, 2022, at 12:00 P.M. After discussion Alderman Ronald Holloway offered a motion to approve the request for the parade. Alderwoman Bridgett Peters seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to spread the following Declaration of Emergency to the minutes. Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to approve the following two final resolutions granting tax exemptions for Dart Container. One in the amount of $47,103 and one in the amount on $180,155. Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mayor Steve Watkins informed the Board of Aldermen that he received a call from the U.S. Geological Survey, and they would be installing a measuring station for the Chickasawhay River in Quitman on Highway 512. They will be in town the week of October 21, 2021.
Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to allow Trick or Treat on Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Street Superintendent/Parks Director Andy Reese requested that he be able to hire Schrimpshire Fencing to put up 136 feet of fence and two gates on both ends on the complex for a cost of $2,950.00 so that it can be locked each night. After discussion, Alderman Harry Wheat offered a motion to hire Schrimpshire Fencing to install the 136 feet of fence and gate for $2,950.00. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Alderwoman Bridgett Peters was concerned about the Trailer Park on Thompson Avenue and the vacant trailers at the location. After discussion, Alderwoman Bridgett Peters offered a motion to have a warning letter sent to the owner of the park. Aldermen Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
The meeting was adjourned.
