Board of Mayor and Aldermen

1415 Walnut Street City of Vicksburg Vicksburg, MS 39180 Minutes - Final Board of Mayor and Aldermen George Flaggs, Jr., Mayor Michael A. Mayfield, Sr., Alderman Alex J. Monsour, Jr., Alderman Monday, March 15, 2021 10:00 AM Robert M. Walker Building 1. Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and Call to Order Invocation was given by Mayor George Flaggs, Jr. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Alex J. Monsour, Jr. 2. Roll Call Also Present: Nancy Thomas, City Attorney Walter W. Osborne, Jr., City Clerk Tasha W. Jordan, Deputy City Clerk Present: 3 - Mayor George Flaggs Jr. Alderman Michael A. Mayfield Sr. Alderman Alex J. Monsour Jr. 3. Board Comments: 4. Adopt Agenda On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to adopt the Agenda as printed. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. Recognitions: A. ID-21-0249 Employee of the Quarter Employee of the First Quarter of 2021 was Malik Freeman in the Sewer Department. Mr. Freeman was nominated by Interim Human Resource Director, Fermika Smith. The purpose of this program is to recognize employees who have served in an exceptional manner by exemplifying outstanding service through his or her work while exhibiting a positive and supportive attitude. Approval of Consent Agenda Items: On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Consent Agenda Items. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. A. ID-21-0257 Approve the following Personnel Action Form: 1. New Hire - Fire Department (1) B. ID-21-0261 Receive Vicksburg Police Department Crime Statistic Report for: 1. February 2021 Attachments: Crime Stats for Jan 2021 - Feb 2021 C. ID-21-0226 Approve request for advertisement in the amount of $500.00 from Alcorn State University A-Club Alumni Association for their Athletic Hall of Fame Souvenir Program Booklet pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: ASU A-Club Mayor Flaggs stated that purchasing an advertisement from Alcorn State University A-Club Alumni Association will bring into favorable notice the opportunities, possibilities and resources of the City of Vicksburg and will be helpful toward advancing the moral, financial and other interest of the City of Vicksburg. City of Vicksburg Page 1 Printed on 5/3/2021 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final March 15, 2021 On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, and unanimously passed, the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg approved the purchase of a sponsorship ad from Alcorn State University A-Club Alumni Association for their Athletic Hall of Fame Souvenir Program Booklet in the amount of $500.00. The City is authorized pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. D. ID-21-0227 Approve request for radio advertisement in the amount of $885.00 from Lendsi Radio V105.5 FM for Miss Mississippi and Miss Outstanding Teen Pageants Interviews ($295 a month for the months of April, May and June 2021) pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Lendsi Radio Mayor Flaggs stated that purchasing an advertisement from Lendsi Radio V105.5 FM will bring into favorable notice the opportunities, possibilities and resources of the City of Vicksburg and will be helpful toward advancing the moral, financial and other interest of the City of Vicksburg. On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, and unanimously passed, the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg approved the purchase of a sponsorship ad from Lendsi Radio V105.5 FM in the amount of $885.00 for Miss Mississippi and Miss Outstanding Teen Pageants Interviews ($295 a month for the months of April, May and June 2021). The City is authorized pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. E. ID-21-0228 Approve request for sponsorship in the amount of $40,000.00 for the 63rd Annual Miss Mississippi Pageant pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Miss Mississippi Mayor Flaggs stated that purchasing an advertisement from Miss Mississippi Corporation will bring into favorable notice the opportunities, possibilities and resources of the City of Vicksburg and will be helpful toward advancing the moral, financial and other interest of the City of Vicksburg. On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, and unanimously passed, the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg approved the purchase of a sponsorship ad from Miss Mississippi Corporation for the 2021 Miss Mississippi Competition in the amount of $40,000.00. The City is authorized pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. F. ID-21-0229 Approve request for sponsorship in the amount of $8,000.00 from the Miss Mississippi Corporation for the 2021 Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen Pageant pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Miss Outstanding Teen Mayor Flaggs stated that purchasing an advertisement from Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen Organization will bring into favorable notice the opportunities, possibilities and resources of the City of Vicksburg and will be helpful toward advancing the moral, financial and other interest of the City of Vicksburg. On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, and unanimously passed, the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg approved the purchase of a sponsorship ad from Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen Organization for the Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen in the amount of $8,000.00. The City is authorized pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. G. ID-21-0230 Approve request from Vicksburg Theatre Guild, Inc. for allocation of matching funds in the amount of $7,500.00 pursuant to Section 39-15-1 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: VTG Allocation The City is authorized to approve request from Vicksburg Theatre Guild, Inc. for allocation of matching funds in the amount of $7,500.00 pursuant to Section 39-15-1 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. City of Vicksburg Page 2 Printed on 5/3/2021 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final March 15, 2021 H. ID-21-0231 Approve request for advertisement in the amount of $125.00 from Alexis Murrell for a virtual nation-wide mental health fair pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Mental Health Fair Mayor Flaggs stated that purchasing an advertisement from Alexis Murrell will bring into favorable notice the opportunities, possibilities and resources of the City of Vicksburg and will be helpful toward advancing the moral, financial and other interest of the City of Vicksburg. On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, and unanimously passed, the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg approved the purchase of a sponsorship ad from Alexis Murrell for a virtual nation-wide health fair in the amount of $125.00. The City is authorized pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. I. ID-21-0232 Approve request from Truly Ministries, Inc. for matching funds in the amount of $5,000.00 pursuant to Section 21-19-65 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Truly Ministries On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve allocation of funds in the amount of $5,000.00 to Truly Ministries. The City is authorized pursuant to Section 21-19-65 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, for matching funds for social and community service programs and the City is matching these funds. J. ID-21-0253 Authorize contribution to the Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $60,000.00 for support of a local economic development organization pursuant to Section 21-19-44 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Chamber Funding On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve contribution to Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce for support of a local economic development organization in the amount of $60,000.00. The City is authorized pursuant to Section 21-19-44 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. K. ID-21-0254 Authorize contribution to Vicksburg-Warren Retirement Development Program in the amount of $5,000.00 for support of a local economic development organization pursuant to Section 21-19-44 of the Mississippi Code 0f 1972,a s amended Attachments: Chamber Retirement Funding On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve contribution to Vicksburg-Warren Retirement Development Program for support of a local economic development organization in the amount of $5,000.00. The City is authorized pursuant to Section 21-19-44 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. Routine Agenda: A. ID-21-0255 Acknowledge Proclamation Regarding the Re-Opening of Vicksburg While Minimizing the Risk of Infection and to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19, Effective Friday, March 12, 2021 at Noon Through Noon on Thursday, April 1, 2021 Attachments: Proclamation COVID-19 On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to acknowledge the Proclamation Regarding the Re-Opening of Vicksburg While Minimizing the Risk of Infection and to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19, Effective Friday, March 12, 2021 at Noon Through Noon on Thursday, April 1, 2021. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. City of Vicksburg Page 3 Printed on 5/3/2021 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final March 15, 2021 B. ID-21-0252 Hearing to determine whether or not the properties listed on the Community Development Agenda are a public menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community Attachments: Master Copy of Agenda for March 15, 2021 Jeff Richardson, Director of Community Development, came for a hearing before the Board to discuss and request permission to proceed to cut, clean and demolish the following property: 1. 901 Pierce Street, PPIN 020225; owned by Everline D. Gibson Estate c/o Portia Coleman - (Cut grass/weeds, remove trash & debris, remove dilapidated structure) On motion of Alderman Mayfield, seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to declare the foregoing property which has not complied to be a menace to the public health, safety & welfare of the community and authorize the Director of Community Development to proceed to cut, clean and demolish structures with all charges incurred to be assessed against the property owner(s). In the event an extension is granted, if owner(s) has/have not complied at the end of the extension period, the Director of Community Development is authorized to proceed; along with the following actions: 1. 901 Pierce Street, PPIN 020225; owned by Everline D. Gibson Estate c/o Portia Coleman - Not Complied The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. C. ID-21-0256 Approve Water and Gas Administration Report Attachments: W & G Report On motion of Alderman Mayfield, seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Water and Gas Administration Report. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. D. ID-21-0243 Adopt Resolution to Upgrade (3) Main/Farmer Street Area Streetlights to LED Lights Attachments: Resolution Streetlights Main-Farmer On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to adopt the Resolution to Upgrade (3) Main/Farmer Street Area Streetlights to LED Lights. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. E. ID-21-0248 Adopt Resolution to Authorize Advertising with Facebook Pursuant to Sections 17-3-1 and 17-3-1 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Resolution - Facebook On motion of Alderman Mayfield, seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to adopt the Resolution to Authorize Advertising with Facebook Pursuant to Sections 17-3-1 and 17-3-1 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. F. ID-21-0247 Authorize Mayor to execute Agreement for Professional Services with Allen & Hoshall for construction of three new permanent natural gas backup generators at existing pump stations Attachments: Agreement for Generators On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to authorize the Mayor to execute Agreement for Professional Services with Allen & Hoshall for construction of three new permanent natural gas backup generators at existing pump stations. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: City of Vicksburg Page 4 Printed on 5/3/2021 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final March 15, 2021 Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. G. ID-21-0250 Authorize Mayor to execute Contract for Services with Shondell Lockridge for 2021 Inner-City Youth Summer Baseball Camp Attachments: Contract Lockridge On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to authorize the Mayor to execute Contract for Services with Shondell Lockridge for 2021 Inner-City Youth Summer Baseball Camp. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. H. ID-21-0251 Authorize Mayor to execute Change Order #7 with Hemphill Construction Company for Section 592 Waterline Improvements Project Attachments: Change Order #7 592 Waterline Project On motion of Alderman Mayfield, seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to authorize the Mayor to execute Change Order #7 with Hemphill Construction Company for Section 592 Waterline Improvements Project. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. Executive Session: Mayor Flaggs moved the Mayor and Aldermen go into a closed meeting to determine if the Board should go into executive session. The motion was seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr. Voting aye, Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, Alderman Monsour, Jr. None voting nay, the motion was unanimously adopted. The Mayor and Aldermen discussed whether or not they should go into executive session. Mayor Flaggs moved to go into executive session to discuss Personnel Action Forms for: Pay Adjustment in the Fire Department (1); Termination in the Fire Department (1); Termination in the Police Department (1). The motion was seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr. Upon vote being taken, the following voted aye: Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, Alderman Monsour, Jr. The motion was adopted unanimously. The Mayor and Aldermen announced they would go into executive session to discuss Personnel Action Forms for: Pay Adjustment in the Fire Department (1); Termination in the Fire Department (1); Termination in the Police Department (1). The Mayor and Aldermen are now in executive session. Those present at the executive session were Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, Alderman Monsour, Jr., Nancy Thomas - City Attorney, Walter W. Osborne, Jr. - City Clerk, Fermika Smith - Interim Human Resource Director, Tasha W. Jordan - Deputy City Clerk, Sam Andrews - Mayor’s Administrative Assistant, Tabitha Martin-Crawford - Compliance Officer. Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. A. ID-21-0258 Pay Adjustment - Fire Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Pay Adjustment of a Firefighter III from $10.58 per hour to Firefighter/Ambulance III at $11.42 per hour, effective March 24, 2021 in the Fire Department. Employee has been assigned to the Ambulance. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. B. ID-21-0259 Termination - Fire Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Termination of a Firefighter I, effective March 15, 2021 in the Fire Department. Employee has a pattern of unapproved leave and repeated absences without leave, argumentative behavior, aggressive driving, and using a cell phone while driving an emergency vehicle. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. City of Vicksburg Page 5 Printed on 5/3/2021 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final March 15, 2021 C. ID-21-0260 Termination - Police Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Suspension of an Investigator in the Police Department. In lieu of termination, the employee will remain suspended pending the outcome of his case. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. D. ID-21-0402 Come Out of Executive Session and Approve All Items Taken Up in Executive Session On motion of Mayor Flaggs, seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Come Out of Executive Session and Approve All Items Taken Up in Executive Session. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. Adjournment On motion of Mayor Flaggs, seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., and unanimously passed, the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg adjourned to meet 10 o’clock a.m., Thursday, March 25, 2021, to take up and act upon any and all matters that may come before the Board. MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. City of Vicksburg Page 6 Printed on 5/3/2021