Board of Mayor and Aldermen

1415 Walnut Street City of Vicksburg Vicksburg, MS 39180 Minutes - Final Board of Mayor and Aldermen Tuesday, January 16, 2024 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 Monsour, Jr. 2. Roll Call Also present: Kim Nailor, City Attorney Deborah Nickson, Interim City Clerk Brian Sessums, Deputy Clerk Present: 2- Mayor George Flaggs Jr. Alderman Alex J. Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Michael A. Mayfield Sr. 3. Board Comments: 4. Adopt Agenda On motion of George Flaggs, Jr, seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr, the Mayor and Alderman voted to adopt the agenda as printed. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. Recognitions: A. ID-24-0054 Employee Anniversaries: 1. One (1) year of service: a. Melissa Trcka - Police Department 2. Two (2) years of service: a. Thomas Anderson - Building Maintenance b. Aubreuna Carson - Animal Control c. Eddie Sanders - Building Maintenance d. Roderick Williams - Sewer Department Place all on the January 25th agenda, with the exception of one employee Mayor Flaggs, Jr. recognized Eddie Sanders of Building Maintenance for two (2) years of service and thanked him for his dedicated years of service with the City of Vicksburg. Approval of Consent Agenda Items: On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by George Flaggs, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve the Consent Agenda Items. This motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. City of Vicksburg Page 1 Printed on 3/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 16, 2024 A. ID-24-0055 Approve the following Personnel Action Form: 1. Resignation: a. Ambulance Department (1) B. ID-24-0043 Approve Facility Application from Thomas J. Mayfield on behalf of United Way of West Central MS/UMMC/SPLC for use of the Gertrude A. Young Jackson Street Community Center on March 9, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a Vicksburg Community Fair Attachments: Application for Community Fair C. ID-24-0046 Approve request from Elva Smith on behalf of Warren County Election Commission for use of the Ardis T. Williams, Sr. Auditorium on February 22, 2024 for Poll Manager Training Attachments: WC Election Training City of Vicksburg Page 2 Printed on 3/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 16, 2024 D. ID-24-0041 Accept Letter Establishing Special Assessment and Adopt Resolution / Order for Cutting, Cleaning, Demolition and Site Clearing, Secure and Boarding of the following properties: 1. 1916 Martin Luther King Blvd., PPIN 20591; owned by Roby Barnes c/o Delilah M. Morgan 2. 156 Bluecreek Drive, PPIN 27995, owned by Roy James Estate 3. 1417 Fayette Street, PPIN 19376; owned by Pied Piper Playhouse Inc. c/o C. Latham 4. 123 Skyvale Drive, PPIN 19917; owned by Janice A. & Erron Flowers, Jr. 5. 1400 South Street, PPIN 16090; owned by Paul C. Morgan 6. 1114 Mundy Street, PPIN 19082; owned by Claude Chambliss c/o Geroid Chambliss 7. 1507 Grove Street, PPIN 18772; owned by James L. Nugent 8. 1517 Main Street, PPIN 17518; owned by Johnnie W. & Elizabeth A. Jones 9. 1607 Grove Street, PPIN 17613; owned by Paul C. Morgan 10. 215 Buena Vista Drive, PPIN 7476; owned by Emma Keulegan Estate 11. 2001 Royal Street, PPIN 5069; owned by Khristoffer Hearron Etal 12. 1415 Jackson Street (A/B), PPIN 18728; owned by Eddie Milton, Jr. 13. 514 Feld Street, PPIN 19829; owned by John Truly, Jr. 14. 0 Fayette Street, PPIN 19377; owned by Clarence D. & Beverly C. Latham 15. 908 Avenue E, PPIN 5665; owned by Willie & Jennie Doss Attachments: Special Assessments The Letters (Statements) and Resolutions on the following properties were presented to the Board: 1. 1916 Martin Luther King Blvd., PPIN 20591; owned by Roby Barnes c/o Delilah M. Morgan 2. 156 Bluecreek Drive, PPIN 27995, owned by Roy James Estate 3. 1417 Fayette Street, PPIN 19376; owned by Pied Piper Playhouse Inc. c/o C. Latham 4. 123 Skyvale Drive, PPIN 19917; owned by Janice A. & Erron Flowers, Jr. 5. 1400 South Street, PPIN 16090; owned by Paul C. Morgan 6. 1114 Mundy Street, PPIN 19082; owned by Claude Chambliss c/o Geroid Chambliss 7. 1507 Grove Street, PPIN 18772; owned by James L. Nugent 8. 1517 Main Street, PPIN 17518; owned by Johnnie W. & Elizabeth A. Jones 9. 1607 Grove Street, PPIN 17613; owned by Paul C. Morgan 10. 215 Buena Vista Drive, PPIN 7476; owned by Emma Keulegan Estate 11. 2001 Royal Street, PPIN 5069; owned by Khristoffer Hearron Etal 12. 1415 Jackson Street (A/B), PPIN 18728; owned by Eddie Milton, Jr. 13. 514 Feld Street, PPIN 19829; owned by John Truly, Jr. 14. 0 Fayette Street, PPIN 19377; owned by Clarence D. & Beverly C. Latham 15. 908 Avenue E, PPIN 5665; owned by Willie & Jennie Doss The Mayor and Alderman voted to accept the foregoing Letters (Statements) for cost of cutting and cleaning lots and adopted the following Resolutions establishing Special Assessments. E. ID-24-0047 Approve request from Community Development Director, Jeff Richardson, to refund Sewing Boutique (Linda Patterson) a privilege license payment in the amount of $1,840.00 Attachments: Request for Refund Privilege License F. ID-24-0049 Approve request from Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation to close the block of Crawford Street in front of the Southern Cultural Heritage Auditorium from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on February 10, 2024, to host the 12th Annual Mardi Gras Carnaval Attachments: Mardi Gras Carnaval City of Vicksburg Page 3 Printed on 3/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 16, 2024 G. ID-24-0051 Approve Water and Gas Administration Report Attachments: W& G Report H. ID-24-0067 Receive Vicksburg Police Department Crime Statistic Report for: 1. December 2023 Attachments: December 2023_Crime Stats _ I. ID-24-0048 Approve the following for payment: 1. Neel-Schaffer for professional services: a. Invoice #1093418 in the amount of $46,592.52 for Levee Street Extension Segment 1 b. Invoice #1093429 in the amount of $823.08 for NRCS Iowa Boulevard - Fillmore Street 2. Volkert, Inc. for Professional Services a. Invoice# 01012016 in the amount of $5,321.68 for Water and Sewer Improvements - Stillwater & Bluecreek Drives 3. Hemphill Construction Company: a. Pay Application #3 in the amount of $141,300.23 for Water Treatment Plant Improvements - Groundwater Well and Associated Connection Piping 4. Allen & Hoshall for professional services: a. Invoice #4122307 in the amount of $819.00 for Vicksburg Sewer Repairs at Blackburn (Inspection) Attachments: Invoice Neel Schaffer Levee St Ext. Segment 1 Invoice Neel Schaffer Iowa Blvd-Fillmore St Invoice Volkert Stillwater Bluecreek Drives Pay App #3 Hemphill Water Plant Improvements Invoice Allen & Hoshall Blackburn Sewer Repairs J. ID-24-0066 Increase Mileage Rate Reimbursement for City Employees traveling on City business from $0.655 Cents Per Mile to $0.67 Cents Per Mile in Private Vehicles (if no government owned vehicle is available) and decrease Mileage Rate Reimbursement from $0.22 Cents Per Mile to $0.21 Center Per Mile (if government owned vehicle is available) pursuant to Section 25-3-41 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Mileage Reimbursement K. ID-24-0050 Approve request from the Vicksburg Convention Center for appointments to the Advisory Board: 1. Appoint Rachel Hollowell to fill the unexpired term of Gwen Edris 2. Appoint David Cox, Cody Goss Attachments: VCC Appointments L. ID-24-0052 Authorize payment of assessment invoice in the amount of $21,633.00 (July 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023 - State Fiscal Year 2024) to Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM) Transforming Reimbursement for Emergency Ambulance Transportation (TREAT) Program in accordance to Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated, Section 43-13-117 Attachments: Vicksburg Fire Dept. Ambulance Service Vicksburg Fire Dept. Ambulance Service32321 City of Vicksburg Page 4 Printed on 3/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 16, 2024 Routine Agenda: A. ID-24-0069 ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY OWNED BY ATTORNEY MACK VARNER FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE CEDAR HILL CEMETERY Attachments: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THE property 1.16.24 Ltr Kimberly Walker Nailor 1-10-2024 On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY OWNED BY ATTORNEY MACK VARNER FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE CEDAR HILL CEMETERY. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. B. ID-24-0053 Authorize Mayor to execute Contract with Central Asphalt Co, Inc. for Stillwater Drive/Bluecreek Drive Mobile Home Park Water and Sewer Improvements in the amount of $1,217,438.00 On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Mayor Flaggs, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to Authorize Mayor to execute Contract with Central Asphalt Co, Inc. for Stillwater Drive/Bluecreek Drive Mobile Home Park Water and Sewer Improvements in the amount of $1,217,438.00. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. C. ID-24-0063 Authorize Mayor to execute Contract with American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Recipient Chili for Children Cookoff in the amount of $2,500.00 Attachments: contract arpa funding chili for children cookoff On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to Authorize Mayor to execute Contract with American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Recipient Chili for Children Cook Off in the amount of $2,500.00. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. D. ID-24-0064 Authorize Mayor to execute Contract with American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Recipient Vicksburg Convention Center in the amount of $8,000.00 with $5,000.00 being allotted for the Arts and Crafts Festival and $3,000.00 being allotted for the Jester's Ball Attachments: arpa contract vcc 2024 On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to Authorize Mayor to execute Contract with American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Recipient Vicksburg Convention Center in the amount of $8,000.00 with $5,000.00 being allotted for the Arts and Crafts Festival and $3,000.00 being allotted for the Jester's Ball. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. City of Vicksburg Page 5 Printed on 3/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 16, 2024 E. ID-24-0065 Authorize Mayor to execute Work Authorization No. 2024-01 with Barge Design for Vicksburg Municipal Airport Apron Access Taxiway Reconstruction and Terminal Apron Rehabilitation in the amount of $74,500.00 (AIP Project No. 3-28-0073-020-2024) Attachments: 3718305 WA2024-01_Final_Package (Rev) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to Authorize Mayor to execute Work Authorization No. 2024-01 with Barge Design for Vicksburg Municipal Airport Apron Access Taxiway Reconstruction and Terminal Apron Rehabilitation in the amount of $74,500.00 (AIP Project No. 3-28-0073-020-2024). The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. F. ID-24-0070 Authorize Mayor to execute Second Amendment to the Agreement with Stephen McMillin Attachments: SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Mayor Flaggs, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to Authorize Mayor to execute Second Amendment to the Agreement with Stephen McMillin. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. Executive Session: Mayor Flaggs, Jr. moved the Mayor and Alderman 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 Monsour, Jr. None Voting nay, the motion was unanimously adopted. The Mayor and Alderman discussed whether they should go into executive session. Mayor Flaggs, Jr. moved to go into executive session to discuss Personnel Action Forms for: Status Change-Ambulance Department (1); Longevity Pay- Animal Control (1); Building Maintenance Department (2); Sewer Department (1); Police Department (1); FMLA Request-Community Service (1); Termination-Recreation Department (1); Suspension-Fire Department (1). The motion was seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., Upon vote being taken, the following voted aye: Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Monsour, Jr. The motion was adopted unanimously. The Mayor and Alderman announced they would go into executive session to discuss Personnel Action Forms for: Status Change-Ambulance Department (1); Longevity Pay- Animal Control (1); Building Maintenance Department (2); Sewer Department (1); Police Department (1); FMLA Request-Community Service (1); Termination-Recreation Department (1); Suspension-Fire Department (1). The Mayor and Alderman are now in executive session. Those present at the executive session were Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Monsour, Jr., Kim Nailor-City Attorney, Deborah A. Nickson-Interim City Clerk, Brian Sessums-Deputy Clerk, Kelsey Hicks-Human Resource Assistant/Safety, Charlie Hill-Deputy Chief of Police Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. A. ID-24-0056 Status Change - Ambulance Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve a transfer for a Part-time Paramedic to a Full-time Paramedic V, effective January 24,2024. Employee wants to continue to work for the Vicksburg Fire Department as a full-time employee. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. City of Vicksburg Page 6 Printed on 3/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 16, 2024 Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. B. ID-24-0057 Longevity Pay - Animal Control (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve the Longevity Pay of an Animal Control Officer from $9.20 per hour to $9.40 ($9.00+.20+.20) per hour, effective January 12,2024. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents for two (2) years of service in the Animal Control Department. Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. C. ID-24-0058 Longevity Pay - Building Maintenance (2) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve Longevity Pay of a Building Maintenance Director from $27.22 per hour to $27.42 ($27.02+.20+.20) per hour, effective January 12, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents for two (2) years of service; An Electrician II, from $22.44 per hour to $22.64 ($22.24+.20+.20) per hour, effective January 12, 2024 Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents for two (2) years of service in Building Maintenance. Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. D. ID-24-0059 Longevity Pay - Sewer Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve Longevity Pay of a Laborer from $9.20 per hour to $9.40 ($9.00+.20+.20) per hour, effective January 12, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents for two (2) years of service in the Sewer Department. Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. E. ID-24-0060 Longevity Pay - Police Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve Longevity Pay of a Desk Clerk from $13.00 per hour to $13.20 ($13.00 +.20) per hour, effective January 20, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents for one (1) year of service in the Police Department. Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. F. ID-24-0061 FMLA Request - Community Service (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve a FMLA Request for fifty-six (56) days for an employee in the Community Service Department The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. G. ID-24-0062 Termination - Recreation Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve a request for Termination of a Sports Official, effective January 11, 2024 in the Recreation Department The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. City of Vicksburg Page 7 Printed on 3/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 16, 2024 H. ID-24-0068 Suspension Pending Termination - Fire Department (1) January 16, 2024 On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman discussed a Suspension Pending Termination of a Firefighter in the Fire Department (1). To further discuss the issue The Mayor and Alderman voted to Recess the Board Meeting and Reconvene on Friday, January 19, 2024. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: Mayor Flaggs, Jr. and Alderman Monsour, Absent: Alderman Mayfield, Sr. January 19, 2024 On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr. the Mayor and Alderman voted to go back into Executive session to discuss a Suspension Pending Termination-Fire Dept (1). Those present at the Reconvene meeting were Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Monsour, Jr., Kim Nailor-City Attorney, Deborah A. Nickson-Interim City Clerk, Kelsey Hicks-Human Resource Assistant/Safety, Charlie Hill- Deputy Chief of Police The Mayor and Alderman discussed the complaint against an employee in the Ambulance Department and a Termination Hearing was set for Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 9 am. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: Mayor Flaggs, Jr. and Alderman Monsour, Absent: Alderman Mayfield, Sr. January 24, 2024 On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr. the Mayor and Alderman voted to go back into Executive session to discuss Suspension of a Firefighter Pending Termination in the Fire Department. Those present at the Reconvene meeting were Mayor Flaggs, Alderman Monsour, Jr., Kim Nailor-City Attorney, Deborah A. Nickson-Interim City Clerk, Kelsey Hicks-Human Resource Assistant/Safety, Charlie Hill-Deputy Chief of Police, Carol Sullivan-Interim Human Resources Director Attorney Catouche requested the Board of Mayor and Alderman give him time to question witnesses on behalf of his client. The Board has granted the request of Attorney Catouch to recess until Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 9 am. January 31, 2024 On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr. the Mayor and Alderman voted to go back into Executive session to discuss Suspension of a Firefighter Pending Termination in the Fire Department. Those present at the Reconvene meeting were Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Monsour, Jr., Kim Nailor - City Attorney, Deborah A. Nickson - Interim City Clerk, Kelsey Hicks - Human Resource Assistant/Safety, Charlie Hill-Deputy Chief of Police, Carol Sullivan-Interim Human Resources Director Attorney Catouche was present along with Four Witnesses, the Plaintiff and two family members. On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to take the Termination Hearing under advisement. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. ID-24-0225 Come Out of Executive Session and Approve All Items Taken Up in Executive Session The Mayor and Alderman voted To Come Out of Executive Session and Approve All Items Taken Up in Executive Session. The motion was adopted unamously with the following vote: City of Vicksburg Page 8 Printed on 3/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 16, 2024 Adjournment On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr. the Mayor and Alderman voted recess the meeting until, Friday, January 24, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. City of Vicksburg Page 9 Printed on 3/5/2024