Board of Mayor and Aldermen

1415 Walnut Street City of Vicksburg Vicksburg, MS 39180 Minutes - Final Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday, February 5, 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 Tasha Jordan, Deputy City Clerk Jasmine Dillon, Deputy Clerk Present: 2- Mayor George Flaggs Jr. Alderman Alex J. Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Michael A. Mayfield Sr. 3. Board Comments: Monica Allen was elected to the Bar Commission for the 9th District. 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-24-0122 Employee Anniversaries: 1. One (1) year of service: a. James Watkins - Street Department 2. Two (2) years of service: a. Danny Uzzle - Police Department b. Sandra Thomas - Administration c. Margaret Johnson - Water & Gas Administration d. Natasha Grafton - Accounting Department 3. Seven (7) years of service: a. Robert Prentiss - Gas Department Mayor Flaggs, Jr. recognized James Watkins of the Street Department with one (1) year of service; Danny Uzzle of the Police Department with two (2) years of service; Sandra Thomas of Administration with two (2) years of service; Margaret Johnson of Water & Gas with two (2) years of service; Natasha Grafton of the Accounting Department with two (2) years of service and Robert Prentiss of the Gas Department with seven (7) years of service. The Mayor and Board of Alderman congratulated all employees for their dedicated years of service with the City of Vicksburg. B. ID-24-0103 Proclamation -Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month Attachments: Proclamation City of Vicksburg Page 1 Printed on 2/26/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final February 5, 2024 C. ID-24-0110 Recognition - Vicksburg Junior High School Boys Basketball Team Attachments: Recognition VJHS Boys Basketball Team Approval of Consent Agenda Items: A motion was made by Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve the Consent Agenda Items. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. A. ID-24-0123 Approve the following Personnel Action Forms: 1. Resignations: a. Recreation Department (1) b. Water & Gas Administration (1) 2. New Hires: a. Court Services (1) b. Ambulance Department (1) B. ID-24-0112 Approve additions to Employee Driving List: 1. Court Services: a. Marilyn Bradford 2. Police Department: a. Brandon Richardson 3. Street Department: a. Scott Jones 4. Human Resources: a. Carol Sullivan 5. Community Service: a. Chanise Harris C. ID-24-0104 Declare Monday, February 19, 2024 a city holiday in observance of Presidents' Day pursuant to Section 3-3-7(1) of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended D. ID-24-0105 Approve request from Palmer Shiers for permission to use the skate park on April 20, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for a music/skateboarding event Attachments: Skate Boarding Event E. ID-24-0108 Approve request from Lead Pastor Robert Andrews on behalf of Elevate Church for permission to use the American Field and Babe Ruth Field, as well as the surrounding area at Halls Ferry Park on Saturday, March 30, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. for a community wide Easter Egg Hunt Event Attachments: 2024-Egg Hunt-City Request F. ID-24-0114 Authorize Interim City Clerk to close City of Vicksburg Escrow Account Siemens Disbursement and Trustmark National Bank issue check in the amount of $452.09 for Financing Energy Efficiency and Water/Gas Meter Replacement Project Attachments: Energy Efficiency W&G Meter Replacement Statement 12.2023 City of Vicksburg Page 2 Printed on 2/26/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final February 5, 2024 G. ID-24-0109 Approve the following request for permission for Run Thru History on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.: 1. Assistance by Vicksburg Police Department in traffic control 2. Partial closing of one lane of the Frontage Road and Clay Street from the park entrance to the Battlefield Inn for parking and pedestrian traffic 3. Assistance with pedestrians crossing the intersection of Clay Street and the park as they enter and leave the park for the run and walk start and finish 4. Sponsorship Application in the amount of $1,000.00 pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Run Thru History Run Thru History Sponsorship Mayor Flaggs, Jr. stated that purchasing an advertisement form the Vicksburg National Military Park 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 Alderman of the City of Vicksburg approved the purchase of a sponsorship ad from Vicksburg National Military Park in the amount of $1,000.00. The City is authorized pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi code of 1972, as amended. H. ID-24-0116 Accept the Recommendation of Neel-Schaffer to award project to low bidder, Theobald Construction Services, LLC for NRCS Erosion Control Project - Fillmore Street Stabilization in the amount of $78,424.00 Attachments: Recommendation for Award COV_NRCS Fillmore I. ID-24-0119 Approve the following request from the COVID-19 Advancing Health Literacy Grant Project: 1. Authorize the approval of billing statement in the amount of $250.00 from WVBG-FM (Lendsi Radio) for the month of February 2024 in accordance to Mississippi Code Annotated 17-3-1 and 17-3-3 . 2. Approve authorization of petty cash in the amount of $350.00 for Cynthia Skinner of the COVID-19 Advancing Health Literacy Grant Project to purchase health literacy marketing subscriptions and items for CHAMPIONS social media sites to complete close activities by June 30, 2024 as listed in the approved No-Cost extension in accordance to Mississippi Code Annotated 17-3-1 and 17-3-3. Receipts will be provided to Purchasing. Attachments: Billing Statement Lendsi Radio CHAMPIONS of Health City of Vicksburg Page 3 Printed on 2/26/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final February 5, 2024 J. ID-24-0111 Approve the following for payment: 1. ESG Operations (An Inframark Company) for the month of January 2024: a. Invoice #108001 in the amount of $55,751.25 for Contract Operations and Maintenance of the City's Wastewater Treatment Facilities b. Invoice #108005 in the amount of $85,177.83 for Contact Operations and Maintenance of the City's Water Treatment Facilities 2. Trilogy Engineering Services: a. Invoice #017-002-017 in the amount of $15,100.00 for Water Plant Improvements Project 3. EJES for professional services: a. Invoice #200-02-11 in the amount of $3,628.55 for Washington Street Project- Haining Road to Jackson Street 4. PPM for professional services: a. Invoice #99024 in the amount of $4,548.00 for Vicksburg Brownfield Assessment Grant (2020) - Non Trust b. Invoice #99033 in the amount of $142.00 for US Rubber Brownfield Cleanup Grant 5. Central Asphalt Company, Inc. a. Pay Estimate #7 in the amount of $27,354.06 for Levee Street Pedestrian Rail Crossing & Site Utility Improvements Project 6. Fordice Construction Company: a. Pay App #10 in the amount of $124,061.45 for New Animal Shelter Attachments: Invoices ESG Invoice Trilogy Invoice EJES Invoices PPM Pay App #7 Central Asphalt Levee Street Pay App #10 Fordice Animal Shelter Routine Agenda: A. ID-24-0106 Discuss Vicksburg Convention Center Updates Appearing Erin Southard 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 February 2024 and invited the public to attend. The Mayor and Alderman thanked Ms. Southard for attending the meeting. B. ID-24-0107 Discuss Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau Updates Appearing Laura Beth Strickland 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 February 2024 and invited the public to attend. The Mayor and Alderman thanked Ms. Strickland for attending the meeting. City of Vicksburg Page 4 Printed on 2/26/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final February 5, 2024 C. ID-24-0115 ADOPT RESOLUTION APPOINTING A SELECTION COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVIEWING PROPOSALS AND BIDS SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THE INVITATION FOR BID/RFP FOR THE FURNISHING AND INSTALLATION OF WATER METERS IN THE CITY OF VICKSBURG Attachments: resolution appoint committee On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to adopt the Resolution Appointing A Selection Committee For The Purpose Of Reviewing Proposals And Bids Submitted In Response To The Invitation For Bid/RFP For The Furnishing And Installation Of Water Meters In The City Of Vicksburg. 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-24-0117 ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PREPARATION AND SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-FOREST SERVICE URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY PROGRAM Attachments: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PREPARATION AND SUBMITTAL usda grant live life cleaner go greener On motion of Alderman Monsour, Jr., seconded by Mayor Flaggs, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to Adopt Resolution Authorizing Preparation And Submittal Of An Application To The United States Department Of Agriculture-Forest Service Urban And Community Forestry Program. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. E. ID-24-0113 Authorize Mayor to execute Contract for Window Cleaning Services at the Water and Gas Administration Building with Kirk Brown Attachments: Contract Kirk Brown On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to Authorize Mayor to execute a Contract for Window Cleaning Services at the Water and Gas Administration Building with Kirk Brown. 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-24-0118 Authorize Mayor to execute Lease Agreement with Patricia Kinnard for property located on 339 Ford Road to be used solely for a community garden Attachments: Lease Agreement Kinnard On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to Authorize Mayor to execute Lease Agreement with Patricia Kinnard for property located on 339 Ford Road to be used solely for a community garden. 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 2/26/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final February 5, 2024 G. ID-24-0120 Authorize Mayor to execute Contract for Professional Services with Wanda Gentry to provide training to two (2) employees in the Public Works Department on collecting and inputting data needed for the completion of the Department of Transportation report for the Public Works Department Attachments: Contract Gentry On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to Authorize Mayor to execute a Contract for Professional Services with Wanda Gentry to provide training to two (2) employees in the Public Works Department on collecting and inputting data needed for the completion of the Department of Transportation report for the Public Works Department. 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., 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: Longevity Pay-Gas Department (1); Longevity Pay-Accounting Department (1); Longevity Pay-Water & Gas Department (1); Longevity Pay-Administration (1); Longevity Pay-Police Department (2); Longevity Pay-Street Department (1); Pay Adjustments-Fire Department (2); Pay Adjustments-Police Department (1); FMLA Request-Animal Control (1); Termination-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: Longevity Pay-Gas Department (1); Longevity Pay-Accounting Department (1); Longevity Pay-Water & Gas Department (1); Longevity Pay-Administration (1); Longevity Pay-Police Department (2); Longevity Pay-Street Department (1); Pay Adjustments-Fire Department (2); Pay Adjustments-Police Department (1); FMLA Request-Animal Control (1); Termination-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, Tasha Jordan-Deputy City Clerk, Jasmine Dillon-Deputy Clerk, Charlie Hill-Deputy Chief of Police, Carol Sullivan-Interim Human Resources Director, Kelsey Hicks-Human Resources Assistant/Safety, Anessia Martin-Human Resources-Benefits Coordinator and Jasmine Dillon, Deputy Clerk Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. A. ID-24-0124 Longevity Pay - Gas Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve the Longevity Pay of a Foreman, from $13.66 per hour to $13.86 ($13.57+.09+.20) per hour, effective February 8, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents increase for seven (7) years of service in the Gas 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 6 Printed on 2/26/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final February 5, 2024 B. ID-24-0125 Longevity Pay - Accounting Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve the Longevity Pay of an Accounting Specialist, from $14.79 per hour to $14.99 ($14.59+.20+.20) per hour, effective February 9, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents increase for two (2) years of service in the Accounting Department. 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-24-0126 Longevity Pay - Water & Gas Administration (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve the Longevity Pay of a Cashier, from $12.04 per hour to $12.24 ($11.84+.20+.20) per hour, effective February 9, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents increase for two (2) years of service in the Water & Gas Department. 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-24-0127 Longevity Pay - Administration (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve the Longevity Pay of an Administrative Assistant, from $15.46 per hour to $15.66 ($15.26+.20+.20) per hour, effective February 9, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents increase for two (2) years of service in the Administration Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. E. ID-24-0128 Longevity Pay - Police Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve the Longevity Pay of a Custodian, from $9.20 per hour to $9.40 ($9.00+.20+.20) per hour, effective February 9, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents increase for two (2) years of service in the Police Department. 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-24-0129 Longevity Pay - Street Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve the Longevity Pay of a Truck Driver from $14.00 per hour to $14.20 ($14.00+.20) per hour, effective February 9, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional .20 cents increase for one (1) year of service in the Street 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-24-0130 Pay Adjustments - Fire Department (2) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve the Pay Adjustments of a Captain V (+3) from $17.18 per hour to a Captain V (+4) at $17.44 per hour, effective January 24, 2024 and a Lieutenant I from $13.32 per hour to a Lieutenant V at $14.57 per hour, effective January 24, 2024. Both employees have met requirements for an increase based on the Tier Pay System of the Fire 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 2/26/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final February 5, 2024 H. ID-24-0131 Pay Adjustment - Police Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve the Pay Adjustment of a Patrolman from $18.62 per hour to $18.32 ($18.62-.30) per hour, effective February 7, 2024. The reduction in pay is due to a shift change from night to day shift in the Police Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. I. ID-24-0132 FMLA Request - Animal Control (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve a FMLA Request of an Animal Control Director for fourteen (14) days for the dates of January 30, 2024 to February 13, 2024 in the Animal Control Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. J. ID-24-0134 Termination - Fire Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to approve the Termination of a Firefighter, effective January 31, 2024 in the Fire Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. K. ID-24-0206 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 Alderman 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 Alderman of the City of Vicksburg adjourned to meet 10 o’clock a.m., Friday, February 9, 2024, to take up and act upon any and all matters that may come before the Board. Aye: 2- Mayor Flaggs Jr., and Alderman Monsour Jr. Absent: 1- Alderman Mayfield Sr. City of Vicksburg Page 8 Printed on 2/26/2024