Board of Mayor and Aldermen

1415 Walnut Street City of Vicksburg Vicksburg, MS 39180 Minutes - Final Board of Mayor and Aldermen Friday, December 8, 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 Michael A. Mayfield, Sr. 2. Roll Call Also Present: Kim Nailor, City Attorney Walter W. Osborne, Jr., City Clerk Deborah A. Nickson, 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: (ID-23-1578) Discussion: Dr. Stevie C. Duncan, Executive Director, The Living Word Community Land Trust Economic Revitalization Initiatives to discuss status of Triple 6 Apartment Complex Presentation from Chief Derrick Stamps of the Vicksburg Fire Department On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, Sr., 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-23-1541 Employee of the 4th Quarter Deborah A. Nickson, of the City of Vicksburg Employee Committee, came before the Board to present the Employee of the 4th Quarter to City Clerk Walter W. Osborne, Jr. Walter has been a dedicated employee of the City of Vicksburg for twenty-four (24) years and was recognized by Mayor George Flaggs, Jr. for serving in an exceptional manner by exemplifying outstanding service through his work while exhibiting a positive and supportive attitude. B. ID-23-1551 Employee Anniversaries: 1. One (1) year of service: a. Timmiera Taylor - Court Services b. Erick Washington - Cemetery 2. Two (2) years of service: a. Jami Blackledge - Ambulance Department b. Brendan Gardner - Ambulance Department 3. Five (5) years of service: a. Angela Carpenter - Court Services Mayor Flaggs, Jr. recognized Timmiera Taylor - Court Services and Erick Washington - Cemetery for one (1) of service; Jami Blackledge and Brendan Gardner - Ambulance Department with two (2) years of service and Angela Carpenter - Court Services with five (5) years of service. The Mayor and Board of Aldermen congratulated all employees for their dedicated years and service with the City of Vicksburg. City of Vicksburg Page 1 Printed on 12/27/2023 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final December 8, 2023 Approval of Consent Agenda Items: On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, Sr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Consent Agenda Items. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. A. ID-23-1552 Approve the following Personnel Action Forms: 1. Resignations: a. Police Department (2) 2. New Hire: a. Police Department (1) 3. Re-Hire: a. Police Department (1) B. ID-23-1548 Approve additions to Employee Driving List: 1. Jeremy Herrington - Police Department 2. Lauren Hudson - Police Department 3. Michael Hall - Gas Department C. ID-23-1542 Approve the following request from Ann Grimshel, Purchasing Director: 1. Permission to enter a float in the Mardi Gras Parade 2. Expend funds in the amount of $5,000.00 from Administration Budget to purchase promotional items (out of the $5,000.00 the amount of $50.00 to be paid to Main Street for Entry Fee) Attachments: Mardi Gras Parade D. ID-23-1546 Approve request from Mayor George Flaggs to reserve motor coach on December 13, 2023 Attachments: Motor Coach Reservation E. ID-23-1564 Approve request for sponsorship in the amount of $2,250.00 to Mississippi Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (MBC-LEO) for their Mid-Winter Conference on January 7-8, 2024, pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: MBC-Leo Sponsorship Mayor Flaggs, Jr. stated that purchasing an advertisement from Mississippi Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (MBC-LEO) 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 Mississippi Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (MBC-LEO) in the amount of $2,250.00 for their Mid-Winter Conference on January 7-8, 2024. 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-23-1561 Authorize City Clerk to Transfer funds FROM the Separate Project Bank Accounts TO reimburse the City’s Water & Gas (pooled cash) Account for project expenditures as follows: 1. FROM COV Capital Expense Fund Account TO Water & Gas (pooled cash) Account: a. $42,053.40 - FY23 Expenditures b. $38,258.00 - FY24 Expenditures 2. FROM American Rescue Plan Account TO Water & Gas (pooled cash) Account: a. $37,677.89 - FY23 Expenditures b. $125,788.66 - FY24 Expenditures 3. FROM MS Infrastructure Fund Account TO Water & Gas (pooled City of Vicksburg Page 2 Printed on 12/27/2023 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final December 8, 2023 cash) Account: a. $162,804.84 - FY23 Expenditures b. $14,021.95 - FY24 Expenditures 4. FROM Riverfront Development Project Fund Account TO Water & Gas (pooled cash) Account: a. $38,415.13 - FY23 Expenditures b. $165,363.95 - FY24 Expenditures G. ID-23-1565 Authorize City Clerk to advertise Sealed Bids for: 1. NRCS Project - Iowa Blvd and Fillmore St. Sites Attachments: Permission to Advertise NRCS Iowa-Fillmore H. ID-23-1563 Approve the following request from Roy G. Burr, FYE Coordinator, on behalf of Alcorn State University, University College: 1. Complimentary use of the Vicksburg Convention Center for the purpose of off-campus annual training to be held on December 15, 2023 from 9:00 am - 11:30 am 2. Possibly a projector screen for presentation purposes Attachments: ASU Comp Use Convention Center I. ID-23-1538 Approve the following for payment: 1. WGK for professional services: a. Invoice #52336 in the amount of $737.95 for 2023 Roadway Overlay Improvements (Lummie St. / Oak Hill Dr. / Jackson St. / Smith Hill Rd. / Beulah Cemetery) 2. Vicksburg-Warren 911 Emergency Communications Center: a. Payment in the amount of $51,530.63 for City's Share of 13 full-time E-911 dispatchers' salaries, matching benefits, and insurance for check dates: October 31, 2023 and November 14, 2023 3. Allen & Hoshall for professional services: a. Invoice #4112304 in the amount of $800.00 for WWTP Trickling Filter and Valve Project b. Invoice #4112306 in the amount of $546.00 for Vicksburg Generators - Ford Rd. & Washington St. c. Invoice #4112307 in the amount of $2,340.00 for Vicksburg Sewer Repairs at Blackburn (Inspection) d. Invoice #4112308 in the amount of $5,400.00 for Vicksburg Sewer Repairs at Blackburn (Bidding/CA) Attachments: Invoice WGK 911 Payment Allen&Hoshall Invoices J. ID-23-1540 Approve Claims Docket The City Clerk presented the Docket of Claims numbering: 2511-2515; 322872;22873; 322874-322883; 322884-323232 for approval. Routine Agenda: A. ID-23-1545 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 December 2023 and invited the public to attend. The Mayor and Aldermen thanked Ms. Mahoney for attending the meeting. B. ID-23-1544 Continue Proclamation of a Local Emergency (Curfew for Minors) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, Sr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Continue Proclamation of a Local Emergency (Curfew for City of Vicksburg Page 3 Printed on 12/27/2023 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final December 8, 2023 Minors). The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. C. ID-23-1539 Authorize payment of invoice #224 in the amount of $150,000.00 (City's contribution) to the Vicksburg-Warren Economic Development Foundation for MCITy Project pursuant to Section 21-19-44 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended (Fiscal Year 2024 - payment 1 of 2) Attachments: Vicksburg Warren EDF Invoice On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to authorize the payment of invoice #224 in the amount of $150,000.00 (City's contribution) to the Vicksburg-Warren Economic Development Foundation for MCITy Project pursuant to Section 21-19-44 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended (Fiscal Year 2024 - payment 1 of 2). The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. D. ID-23-1547 Ratify approval of letter to Freddie S. Rush for permission to erect permanent historical marker on the city right-of-way at the current site of Dabney and Dabney Law Firm (1515 Walnut Street) Attachments: Lucius Dabney Marker On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to ratify the approval of letter to Freddie S. Rush for permission to erect permanent historical marker on the city right-of-way at the current site of Dabney and Dabney Law Firm (1515 Walnut Street). The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. E. ID-23-1562 Approve 2024 Application and Schedule for Excess Loss Insurance (Unity Re, Inc.) Attachments: 2024 City of Vicksburg Application (002) On motion of Alderman Mayfield, Sr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the 2024 Application and Schedule for Excess Loss Insurance (Unity Re, Inc.). The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. F. ID-23-1566 Approve the following regarding sponsorships: 1. Adopt Policy for Sponsorship Guidelines 2. Approve Sponsorship Application Attachments: SPONSORSHIP GUIDELINES COV SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the following regarding sponsorships: 1. Adopt Policy for Sponsorship Guidelines; 2. Approve Sponsorship Application. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. G. ID-23-1549 Accept Recommendation of WGK, Inc. to award contract for 2023 Roadway Overlay Improvements (Lummie Street, Oak Hill Drive, Jackson Street, Beulah Cemetery, Smith Hill Road) to Southern Paving, LLC in the amount of $170,521.00. Attachments: Letter of Recommendation Roadway Overlay On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to accept the Recommendation of WGK, Inc. to award contract for 2023 Roadway Overlay Improvements (Lummie Street, Oak Hill Drive, Jackson Street, Beulah Cemetery, Smith Hill Road) to Southern Paving, LLC in the amount of $170,521.00. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. City of Vicksburg Page 4 Printed on 12/27/2023 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final December 8, 2023 H. ID-23-1559 Adopt Resolution for Conditional Approval of Redevelopment Tax Abatement for Joseph Lane Campbell for 1322 Chambers Street (PPIN 015298) Attachments: Tax Abatement 1322 Chambers Street On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, Sr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to adopt the Resolution for Conditional Approval of Redevelopment Tax Abatement for Joseph Lane Campbell for 1322 Chambers Street (PPIN 015298). The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. I. ID-23-1560 Adopt Resolution Granting Conditional Approval for Tax Abatement for Bovina Development, LLC for 1310 Washington Street (PPIN 18471) Attachments: Tax Abatement 1310 Washington Street On motion of Alderman Mayfield, Sr., seconded by Mayor Flaggs, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to adopt the Resolution Granting Conditional Approval for Tax Abatement for Bovina Development, LLC for 1310 Washington Street (PPIN 18471). The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. J. ID-23-1543 Authorize Mayor to execute Memorandum of Understanding by and between City of Vicksburg, Mississippi and Core & Main LP to conduct an evaluation of Vicksburg's Advanced Meter Infrastructure Attachments: Vburg MOA Signs On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Mayor Flaggs, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to authorize the Mayor to execute Memorandum of Understanding by and between City of Vicksburg, Mississippi and Core & Main LP to conduct an evaluation of Vicksburg's Advanced Meter Infrastructure. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. K. ID-23-1550 Authorize Mayor to execute Contract for Project Management Services relating to the City's Water Meter Replacement Program with Water Company of America Attachments: Vicksburg_WCA_Contract for ProjMgmt_6Dec2023 On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, Sr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to authorize the Mayor to execute Contract for Project Management Services relating to the City's Water Meter Replacement Program with Water Company of America. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. L. ID-23-1567 Authorize Mayor to execute Rental Agreement for Christmas Tree with Leon Gilmer and payment of invoice #1 in the amount of $3,500.00 Attachments: Gilmer Agreement On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, Sr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to authorize the Mayor to execute Rental Agreement for Christmas Tree with Leon Gilmer and payment of invoice #1 in the amount of $3,500.00. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. M. ID-23-1568 Authorize Mayor to execute the following regarding Cyber Security and Policy Development: 1. Engagement Letter with Horne LLP 2. Statement of Work with Howard Technology Solutions Attachments: UPDATED Howard Tech City of Vicksburg - Cybersecurity and Advisory Engagement Letter 2023 City of Vicksburg - OPP021691 - SOW - Cyber Testing On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, Sr., the City of Vicksburg Page 5 Printed on 12/27/2023 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final December 8, 2023 Mayor and Aldermen voted to authorize the Mayor to execute the following regarding Cyber Security and Policy Development: 1. Engagement Letter with Horne LLP; 2. Statement of Work with Howard Technology Solutions. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. 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: Longevity Pay - Court Services (2); Longevity Pay - Cemetery (1); Longevity Pay - Ambulance Department (2); Suspension Pending Termination - Fire Department (1); Discussion - City Clerk Transition; Discussion - Human Resources. The motion was seconded by Alderman Mayfield, Sr. 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: Longevity Pay - Court Services (2); Longevity Pay - Cemetery (1); Longevity Pay - Ambulance Department (2); Suspension Pending Termination - Fire Department (1); Discussion - City Clerk Transition; Discussion - Human Resources. 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, Deborah A. Nickson - 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-23-1553 Longevity Pay - Court Services (2) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, Sr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Longevity Pay of a Deputy Court Clerk from $11.00 per hour to $11.20 ($11.00+.20) per hour, effective December 14, 2023. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents increase per hour for one (1) year of service; a Judge from $57.2274 ($57.0274 +.20) per hour to $57.4274 ($57.0274+.20+.20) per hour, effective December 17, 2023. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents per hour increase for five (5) years of service in Court Services. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. B. ID-23-1554 Longevity Pay - Cemetery (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, Sr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Longevity Pay of an Equipment Operator from $14.00 per hour to $14.20 ($14.00+.20) per hour, effective December 14, 2023. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents increase per hour for one (1) year of service in the Cemetery. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. C. ID-23-1555 Longevity Pay - Ambulance Department (2) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, Sr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Longevity Pay of a Paramedic from $14.95 ($14.85+.10) per hour to $15.05 ($14.85+.10+.10) per hour, effective December 15, 2023. Employee is entitled to an additional .10 cents per hour increase for two (2) years of service; a Paramedic from $14.57 ($14.47+.10) per hour to $14.67 ($14.47+.10+.10) per hour, effective December 15, 2023. Employee is entitled to an additional .10 cents per hour increase for two (2) years of service in the Ambulance Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: City of Vicksburg Page 6 Printed on 12/27/2023 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final December 8, 2023 Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield Sr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. D. ID-23-1556 Suspension Pending Termination - Fire Department (1) No action was taken on this agenda item. E. ID-23-1557 Discussion - City Clerk Transition This agenda item was tabled until Monday, December 11, 2023. F. ID-23-1558 Discussion - Human Resources This agenda item was tabled until Monday, December 11, 2023. On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, Sr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Recess the Board Meeting and Reconvene at 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 11, 2023. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following votes: Aye: Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Mayfield, Sr., Alderman Monsour, Jr. On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr. seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to Reconvene the Board Meeting. Those present at the Reconvened meeting Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Mayfield, Sr., Alderman Monsour, Jr., City Attorney Kim Nailor, City Clerk Walter Osborne, Jr., Deputy City Clerk Tasha Jordan and Kelsey Conner-Hicks. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Mayfield, Sr., Alderman Monsour, Jr. G. ID-23-1581 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: 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, December 18, 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 7 Printed on 12/27/2023