Board of Mayor and Aldermen

1415 Walnut Street City of Vicksburg Vicksburg, MS 39180 Minutes - Final Board of Mayor and Aldermen Thursday, November 9, 2023 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: Kim Nailor, 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 ADD: Under Consent Agenda: K. (ID-23-1452) Declare the following holidays as City holidays: 1. November 23 &24 in observance of Thanksgiving 2. December 25 & 26 in observance of Christmas 3. January 1, 2024 in observance of New Year's Day Pursuant to Section 3-3-7(1) of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as annotated Under Routine Agenda: G. (ID-23-1453) 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 On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to adopt the Agenda, as amended. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Recognitions: A. ID-23-1436 Employee Anniversaries: 1. One (1) year of service: a. Joseph Moore - Street Department 2. Six (6) years of service: a. Skyla Campbell - Police Department 3. Fifteen (15) years of service: a. Kim McBeath - Inspection Department 4. Thirty (30) years of service: a. Benard Smith - Street Department The Mayor congratulated Joseph Moore in the Street Department for one (1) year of service; Skyla Campbell in the Police Department for six (6) years of service; Kim McBeath in the Inspection Department with fifteen (15) years of service and Benard Smith in the Street Department with thirty (30) years of service. The Mayor and Aldermen congratulated all employees for their dedicated years of service with the City of Vicksburg. Approval of Consent Agenda Items: On motion of Alderman Mayfield, Sr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Consent Agenda Items. The motion City of Vicksburg Page 1 Printed on 12/5/2023 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final November 9, 2023 was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. A. ID-23-1437 Approve the following Personnel Action Forms: 1. Retirement: a. Fire Department (1) 2. Resignation: a. Police Department (1) b. Ambulance Department (1) 3. Re-Hire: a. Vehicle Maintenance (1) 4. New Hire: a. Ambulance Department (1) b. Police Department (1) B. ID-23-1446 Approve Additions to Employee Driving List: 1. James Lowe - Vehicle Maintenance 2. Veronica Williamson - Ambulance Department 3. Carl Houston - Police Department C. ID-23-1434 Approve request for advertisement $540.00 (December 20, 2023-December 31, 2023) from River 101.3, KHits 104.5 and 92.7 The Touch for The Holiday Don't Drink and Drive Campaign for pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: COV DDD Mayor Flaggs, Jr. stated that purchasing an advertisement from River 101.3, KHits 104.5 and 92.7 The Touch 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 interests of the City of Vicksburg. The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg approved the purchase of a sponsorship ad from River 101.3, KHits 104.5 and 92.7 The Touch in the amount of $540.00 (December 20, 2023-December 31, 2023) for the Holiday Don't Drink and Drive Campaign. 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-23-1449 Approve request for advertisement in the amount of $250.00 (1/4 page ad) to Delta Business Journal for the Corporate Greetings Edition of the Magazine pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: DBJ Ad Mayor Flaggs, Jr. stated that purchasing an advertisement from Delta Business Journal 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 interests of the City of Vicksburg. The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg approved the purchase of a sponsorship ad from Delta Business Journal in the amount of $250.00 (1/4 page ad) for the Corporate Greetings Edition. 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-23-1451 Approve request for advertisement in the amount of $750.00 to Jackson State University Development Foundation's 1877 Signature Event pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Mayor Flaggs, Jr. stated that purchasing an advertisement from Jackson State University Development Foundation's 1877 Signature Event 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 interests of the City of Vicksburg. The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg approved the purchase of a sponsorship ad from Jackson State University Development Foundation's 1877 City of Vicksburg Page 2 Printed on 12/5/2023 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final November 9, 2023 Signature Event in the amount of $750.00. 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-23-1427 Approve request from The Exchange Club of Vicksburg Child and Parent Center, Inc. for allocation of matching funds in the amount of $9,000.00 pursuant to Section 21-19-65 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: CAP Center Allocation The Mayor and Aldermen approved the allocation of matching funds request in the amount of $9,000.00 to The Exchange Club of Vicksburg Child and Parent Center, Inc. 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. G. ID-23-1428 Approve request from Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District for semi-annual allocation of funds in the amount of $15,000.00 pursuant to Section 69-27-24 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended (1st payment for FY 2024) Attachments: WC Soil Allocation The Mayor and Aldermen approved the request for semi-annual allocation of funds in the amount of $15,000.00 to the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District. The City is authorized pursuant to Section 69-27-24 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended (1st payment for FY 2024). H. ID-23-1429 Approve the following for payment: 1. Fordice Construction Company: a. Pay App #8 in the amount of $85,242.55 for New Animal Shelter Attachments: Pay App #8 Animal Shelter I. ID-23-1430 Approve the following for payment: 1. Metro Construction Services, LLC (FAA AIP Grant 3-28-0073-019-2023): a. Pay App #1 in the amount of $82,939.75 for Runway/Apron (Fuel Farm Area) Rehab Project Attachments: Pay App #1 Runway Apron J. ID-23-1415 Approve Claims Docket The City Clerk presented the Docket of Claims numbering: 2496-2500; 322291-322314; 322315-322596 for approval. K. ID-23-1452 Declare the following holidays as City holidays: 1. November 23 & 24, 2023 in observance of Thanksgiving 2. December 25 & 26, 2023 in observance of Christmas 3. January 1, 2024 in observance of New Year's Day pursuant to Section 3-3-7(1) of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated Attachments: State Holidays Routine Agenda: A. ID-23-1448 Receive Sealed Bids for: 1. Lease Purchase Financing Interest Rate Proposal On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to received Sealed Bids for: Lease Purchase Financing Interest Rate Proposal 1. Delta Bank, 2150 S. Frontage Road; Vicksburg, MS 39180 - Interest rate: 4.75% 2. Trustmark National Bank, Post Office Box 39; Vicksburg, MS 39181 - Interest rate: 4.98% 3. Flagstar Public Funding Corp., 600 Washington Avenue, Suite 305; Towson, MA 21204 - Interest rate: 5.244% 4. Bank Funding, LLC., 14024 Clopper Road; Boyds, MD 20841 - Interest rate: 5.01% City of Vicksburg Page 3 Printed on 12/5/2023 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final November 9, 2023 On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to accept and refer the foregoing bids to the Selection Committee for review and recommendation back to the Board for award. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. B. ID-23-1416 Continue Proclamation of a Local Emergency (Curfew for Minors) On motion of Alderman Mayfield, Sr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to continue the Action Item B. ID-23-1416 Continue Proclamation of a Local Emergency (Curfew for Minors). The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. C. ID-23-1413 Discuss Vicksburg Convention Center Updates Ms. Erin Southard, of the Vicksburg Convention Center, came before the Board to inform the public of the upcoming events at the Vicksburg Convention Center for the month of November 2023 and invited the public to attend. The Mayor and Aldermen thanked Ms. Southard for attending the meeting. D. ID-23-1414 Discuss Southern Cultural Heritage Center Updates Ms. Stacey Mahoney, of the Southern Cultural Heritage Center, came before the Board to inform the public of the upcoming events at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center for the month of November 2023 and invited the public to attend. The Mayor and Aldermen thanked Ms. Mahoney for attending the meeting E. ID-23-1384 Discuss Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau Updates Ms. Laura Beth Strickland, of the Vicksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, came before the Board to inform the public of the upcoming events at the Vicksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau for the month of November 2023 and invited the public to attend. The Mayor and Aldermen thanked Ms. Strickland for attending the meeting. F. ID-23-1450 Authorize Mayor to execute Acceptance of the National Park Service's approval of the request to delete 11.96 acres known as River Front Park and to use 5.4 acres of land at Oak Street and Lee Street as replacement Attachments: 28-00600 Conversion Approval ltr to Vicksburg Chapter 8 from LWCF-FA-Manual-Vol72_2023-10-01 Limitation of Use LWCF sign and Description Green Background 28-00600 LWCF Boundary Map On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, Sr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to authorize the Contract F. ID-23-1450 Authorize Mayor to execute Acceptance of the National Park Service's approval of the request to delete 11.96 acres known as River Front Park and to use 5.4 acres of land at Oak Street and Lee Street as replacement. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. G. ID-23-1453 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: Community Devlopment Agenda 11.9.2023 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. 4041 Washington Street, PPIN 013476; owned by Asam Hotels, Inc. c/o Sam Malik - (Remove dilapidated buildings and structures) *Brought before the Board on September 18th, 2023, *Giving a 30-day extension on September 18th, 2023 City of Vicksburg Page 4 Printed on 12/5/2023 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final November 9, 2023 expired on October 18th, 2023, *October 19th, 2023, there has been no appreciable amount of progress made. On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to take this agenda item under advisement and for the Director of Community Development, Jeff Richardson to present to the Board on next meeting November 20, 2023. Executive Session: Mayor Flaggs, ,Jr., 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, Jr., Alderman Mayfield, Sr., Alderman Monsour, Jr. None voting nay, the motion was unanimously adopted. The Mayor and Aldermen discussed whether they should go into executive session. Mayor Flaggs, Jr., moved to go into executive session to discuss Personnel Action Forms for: Pay Adjustment - Water & Gas Administration (1); Pay Adjustment - Court Services (1); Pay Adjustment - Police Department (1); Status Change - Ambulance Department (1); Longevity Pay - Police Department (1); Longevity Pay - Inspection Department (1); Longevity Pay - Street Department (2). The motion was seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr. Upon vote being taken, the following voted aye: Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Mayfield, Sr., 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 - Water & Gas Administration (1); Pay Adjustment - Court Services (1); Pay Adjustment - Police Department (1); Status Change - Ambulance Department (1); Longevity Pay - Police Department (1); Longevity Pay - Inspection Department (1); Longevity Pay - Street Department (2). The Mayor and Aldermen are now in executive session. Those present at the executive session were Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Mayfield, Sr., Alderman Monsour, Jr., Kim Nailor - City Attorney, Walter W. Osborne, Jr. - City Clerk, Tasha W. Jordan - Deputy City Clerk, Kelsey Hicks - Human Resource Assistant/Safety, Charlie Hill – Deputy Chief of Police. Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. A. ID-23-1438 Pay Adjustment - Water & Gas Administration (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Pay Adjustment of a Cashier from $10.20 ($10.00+.20) per hour to an Adjustment Specialist at $12.20 ($12.00+.20) per hour, effective November 1, 2023 in the Water & Gas Administration. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. B. ID-23-1439 Pay Adjustment - Court Services (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Pay Adjustment of an Interim Municipal Court Clerk to $20.3254 per hour, effective November 7, 2023. This action is to correct the rate of pay in Court Services. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. C. ID-23-1440 Pay Adjustment - Police Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Pay Adjustment of a Patrolman from $19.07 per hour to an Officer in the Criminal Investigation Division at $20.07 ($19.07+$1.00) per hour, effective November 15, 2023 in the Police Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. D. ID-23-1441 Status Change - Ambulance Department (1) City of Vicksburg Page 5 Printed on 12/5/2023 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final November 9, 2023 On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Status Change of a Firefighter I at $11.14 per hour to a Part-time EMT at $15.00 per hour, effective November 15, 2023. Employee wants to continue to work for the Vicksburg Fire Department on a part-time basis in the Ambulance Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. E. ID-23-1442 Longevity Pay - Police Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Longevity Pay of a Records Specialist from $11.56 ($11.36+.20) per hour to $11.76 ($11.36+.20+.20) per hour, effective November 10, 2023. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents increase per hour for six (6) years of service in the Police Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. F. ID-23-1443 Longevity Pay - Inspection Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Longevity Pay of a Combination Inspector from $18.23 ($18.06+.17) per hour to $18.73($18.06+.17+.50) per hour, effective November 12, 2023. Employee is entitled to an additional .50 cents increase per hour for fifteen (15) years of service in the Inspection Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. G. ID-23-1445 Longevity Pay - Street Department (2) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Longevity Pay of a Truck Driver from $14.00 per hour to $14.20 ($14.00+.20) per hour, effective November 16, 2023. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents per hour for one (1) year of service; a Supervisor from $20.79 ($20.44+.35) per hour to $22.79 ($20.44+.35+$2.00) per hour, effective November 17, 2023. Employee is entitled to an additional $2.00 per hour for thirty (30) years of service in the Street Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. H. ID-23-1499 Come Out of Executive Session and Approve All Items Taken Up in Executive Session On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., 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 Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Adjournment On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., 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., Monday, November 20, 2023, to take up and act upon any and all matters that may come before the Board. MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. City of Vicksburg Page 6 Printed on 12/5/2023