The Mayor and Board of Aldermen met in regular session on February 1, 2022.
Distinguished Young Woman Committee Member Cheryl Waltman-Sponsor Ad - Mrs. Waltman informed the board that all funds raised go to the scholarship program and is awarded to local recipients at the at the annual Program. A motion was made by Alderman Steve Neely to purchase the plantinum ad for $200. Alderwoman Bridgett Peters seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the
affirmative.
Quitman Historic Preservation Commission Chairman Carole Loper - Loper and Committee member Rebecca Watkins requested the board's approval to submit the application for a full grant that would benefit the Quitman Depot, McNair -Gavin House. A motion was made by Ronald Holloway authorizing the Historic Preservation Committee Chairman to submitting the grant application. Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Jonathan Tanner informed the board the two lagoon pumps at IPS should be repaired and returned to the city by the end of the week.
First State Bank Resolution - A motion was made by Alderwoman Bridgett Peters to approve a Resolution for First State Bank regarding the city's checking accounts. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Electrical Project Baseball Fields 2 & 3 - Mayor Watkins presented three updated bids to repair an electrical box at the Baseball Complex. Alderwoman Bridgett Peters made a motion to accept the Hendry Services bid to replace the box plus timer and incidentals with a cap not to exceed $10,000. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Bids received were:
Hendry Services, LLC $9,241.25
Premier HY AC Services $9773.80
Bunch Electrical $12,730.00
Multi-County Vendor Agreement for Low Income Water Assistance - A motion was made by Alderman Steve Neely to reject the Vendor Agreement. Alderman Ronald Holloway seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
2022 Annual MML Conference -Biloxi, MS - Mayor Steve Watkins reminded board members of the upcoming summer conference and to let City Clerk Cindy Kirkman know if they need to be registered.
Certification Training -Jonathan Tanner - A motion was made by Alderman Ronald Holloway to approve a Certification Training in Ridgeland for Jonathan Tanner. Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Sevyn Southern Consulting - Alderwoman Bridgett Peters made a motion to approve training through remote or in person for city clerk up to 40 hours or one week. Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion and all the Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Benefits Management Group - Mayor Steve Watkins informed the board that the aldermen and mayor were eligible to be added to a 100% paid benefit the city offers to employees for life insurance through Mutual of Omaha. Alderman Steve Neely made the motion to add coverage as optional for those who want to participate. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Mobile Home -Brown Avenue - Alderman Joe Brooks asked about a cleanup update on the property. Mayor Watkins stated that Attorney Nick Kramer would send a letter to the property owner.
Walking Trail - Alderman Brooks asked about the condition of the walking trail. Street/Parks. Superintendent Andy Reese informed the board that the county is supposed to reseal the bottom portion of the walking trail.
Mobile Home -Beckman Street - Alderman Brooks asked about an old mobile home that is an eyesore on Beckman Street. Mayor Watkins said he would get with Building Inspector Carlton Green to start the process of contacting the property owner that the mobile home would need to be repaired or brought up to code.
The meeting was adjourned until February 15.
February 15, 2022 Meeting
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen met in regular session on February 15, 2022.
Tracy McCarty-Request for Muscadine Music Festival Downtown Quitman July 2, 2022 - Mayor Watkins brought up for discussion that parade/festival requests that are private are a cost to the city due to city workers and police officers are being brought in on an overtime basis to work the events. Attorney Nick Kramer advised that the Board would need to enact an ordinance first. A motion was made by Steve Neely to table the request until the Board could discuss adopting an ordinance regarding festivals/parades. The motion died for a lack of a second. A motion was made by Alderwoman Bridgett Peters to approve the Muscadine Festival. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion. Aldermen Wheat, Holloway, Peters and Brooks voted Yes. Alderman Steve Neely voted No. The motion passed.
Patricia Arrington & Lawrence Buckley -"Come Home to Clarke County" Parade/Event. The parade/event will be from 12-6 with a parade beginning at the DHS Building on Harris Ave thru Quitman. The event will be held on the Courthouse Lawn. A motion was made by Alderman Ron Holloway to approve a parade, with the exclusion of four wheelers and to allow the use of the Depot Parking Lot for a Car Show on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Alderman Joe Brooks seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Water & Sewer Upgrades-Jonathan Tanner - Mayor Watkins and Jonathan Tanner informed the board that beginning this year, the City will be allocated $4.5 -5 million in funds that is to be used for water and sewer upgrades. The additional projects will require another person to be hired to the Water/Sewer
Department. Mayor Watkins stated that he and Jonathan will continue talking with a candidate who is certified in Wastewater/Drinking Water.
Police Department Weapons Upgrade - Police Chief Mike McCarra requested the board's approval to trade in (2) Smith and Wesson 45 Caliber and (1) Smith and Wesson (357 Caliber) for (2) new Glocks or purchase the two Glocks. McCarra received bids from Quitman Sporting Goods for $520 and R.W. Sporting for $850.00. Alderman Harry Wheat made a motion to approve the trade. Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
307 Mulberry Lane - Mayor Watkins informed the board that a resident at 307 Mulberry Street has been
without sewer for a month. Tanner stated that on the city's easement an Oak tree has encapsulated the sewer line. A motion was made by Alderman Ron Holloway to purchase a lift station from Southern Pipe for $4250 with a $6,000 cap on the project. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Wetlands Delineation Study - Mayor Watkins informed the Board that a Wetlands Study must be conducted at 2300 feet within County Road 140 and 1300 feet within Welborn Lane. Mayor Watkins requested the Board's approval for Pittman Environmental Services to conduct the Wetlands Study at a cost of $1,900 and to be paid from the ARPA fund. Alderman Steve Neely made the motion to approve. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the Affirmative.
Mayor Watkins requested permission from the Board to apply for a Recreational Trails Grant from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The deadline to apply is March 8, 2022, and if awarded, would provide an 80/20 funding with the City of Quitman paying 20% and the Government 80%. The grant will be used to repair the walking trail at the ballpark. Alderwoman Bridgett Peters made the motion to approve Mayor Watkins to apply for the grant. Alderman Steve Neely seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
City Hall Post Office Box Reconsideration - Mayor Watkins asked the Board to reconsideration a previous motion that passed during the February 1, 2022, meeting approving the discontinuation of P.O. Box 16 when the annual post office box renewal is due. Mayor Watkins stated that with the cost to the City being $92 per year, it was more feasible to keep the post office box. Alderman Steve Neely made a motion to continue the use of the Post Office Box. Alderman Ron Holloway seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Engagement Letter -Bethany Stringer Year End Audit - Mayor Watkins requested the Board's approval of an Engagement Letter from Bethany Stringer to perform the Year End Audit at a cost of $1100. Alderman Steve Neely made a motion to approve the Engagement Letter. Alderman Harry Wheat seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Downtown Parking - Mayor Watkins informed the Board that there is a conflict in parking spots downtown and that all parking spots are open to everyone. A motion was made by Alderman Harry Wheat to allow Police Chief Mike McCarra to inform the business owners that designated parking signs cannot be placed outside of their businesses. Alderwoman Bridgett Peters seconded the motion and all Aldermen voted in the affirmative.
Zoning Violation - Alderman Ron Holloway discussed with board members of a zoning violation where a resident is residing in a camper across from the ballpark. The former mayor, Eddie Fulton, had given the property owner permission to live in the camper while the landowner built a home. No action was taken.
Tennis Court Lights - Alderwoman Bridgett Peters discussed the need for the tennis court lights to be replaced. Parks Director Andy Reese stated the weather has been a factor and that the ground needs to be dry before a bucket truck can be brought in to replace the lights.
Medicinal Marijuana - Alderman Steve Neely stated the city should have discussions on the Medicinal Marijuana. Mayor Watkins stated he is waiting on opinions from the Mississippi Municipal League.
The meeting was adjourned until March.
