Board of Mayor and Aldermen

1415 Walnut Street City of Vicksburg Vicksburg, MS 39180 Minutes - Final Board of Mayor and Aldermen Thursday, October 10, 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: Lee Thames, City Attorney Deborah A. Kaiser-Nickson, City Clerk Tasha Jordan, Associate City Clerk Present: 3- Mayor George Flaggs Jr. Alderman Thomas Mayfield Alderman Alex J. Monsour Jr. 3. Board Comments: 4. Adopt Agenda On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to adopt the Agenda, as printed. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. Recognitions: A. ID-24-1210 Vicksburg Fire Department - Fire Prevention Tips B. ID-24-1225 Employee Anniversaries: 1. One (1) year of service: a. Don Bradley - Water Department b. Victorya Amborn - Main Street 2. Two (2) years of service: a. Sherry Carroll - Animal Control b. Pardre Gray - Sewer Department 3. Three (3) years of service: a. Carolyn Reynolds - Administration 4. Six (6) years of service: a. Louis Emery - Gas Department b. William Thigpen - Street Department c. Nicolus Wright - Street Department 5. Nine (9) years of service: a. Gary Jackson - Parks & Recreation Maintenance 6. Ten (10) years of service: a. Kathy Allen - Accounting Department Mayor Flaggs, Jr., congratulated Don Bradley from the Water Department and Victorya Amborn from Main Street for one (1) year of service each; Sherry Carroll from Animal Control and Pardre Gray from the Sewer Department for two (2) years of service each; Carolyn Reynolds from Administration for three (3) years of service; Louis Emery from the Gas Department, William Thigpen from the Street Department, and Nicolus Wright from the Street Department for six (6) years of service each; Gary Jackson from Parks & Recreation Maintenance for nine (9) years of service; Kathy Allen from the Accounting Department for ten (10) years of City of Vicksburg Page 1 Printed on 11/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final October 10, 2024 service. The Mayor and Aldermen congratulated all employees for their dedicated years of service with the City of Vicksburg. C. ID-24-1213 Resolution Honoring the Life and Service of Mr. Roderick Bradford, Director of Housing for the City of Vicksburg Attachments: Resolution Roderick Bradford D. ID-24-1214 Presentation of Rebate Refund Checks from ESG (An Inframark Company) to City of Vicksburg: 1. Water Plant in the amount of $13,896.50 2. Wastewater Plant in the amount of $17,325.92 E. ID-24-1222 Presentation of Plaque - Marcus Furniture for 125 years in business Approval of Consent Agenda Items: On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., 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, and Alderman Monsour Jr. A. ID-24-1223 Adopt Board Meeting Minutes for: 1. September 16, 2024 2. September 25, 2024 B. ID-24-1215 Approve request from Debbie Haworth Peacock for: 1. Permission to host The Reindeer Run 5K in Downtown Vicksburg at Catfish Row on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 8:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m. 2. Assistance from Vicksburg Police, Traffic, and Community Service Departments Attachments: Reindeer Run C. ID-24-1218 Accept Letter Establishing Special Assessment and Adopt Resolution / Order for Cutting, Cleaning, Demolition and Site Clearing of the following properties: 1. 1601 Martin Luther King Blvd, PPIN 19162; owned by Keith McCarter 2. 1843 Martin Luther King Blvd, PPIN 20555; owned by Jimmy O & Mary Lois E Thompson 3. 2011 Martin Luther King Blvd, PPIN 20577; owned by PCM Real Estate LLC 4. 2019 Martin Luther King Blvd, PPIN 20579; owned by Anthony Troy Chiplin 5. 100 McAuley Drive, PPIN 20791; owned by River Hill Investments LLC c/o Michael A Akers 6. 1434 Maxwell Street, PPIN 16151; owned by W Stafford & Juanita J Stafford 7. 1518 Sky Farm Avenue, PPIN 19775; owned by Land Lot & Beyond LLC 8. 502 Fairground Street, PPIN 24008; owned by Regina Antoinette Real Estate Attachments: Special Assessments D. ID-24-1216 Approve request from Vicksburg Police Department for permission to close Baldwin Ferry Road by Vicksburg Junior High Stadium on the East and West Sides for the Annual National Night Out Celebration to be held on October 22, 2024 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Attachments: National Night Out E. ID-24-1221 Authorize issuance of requisition number 2500224 in the amount of $122,193.30 written to Motorola, Inc. for the purchase of thirty (30) APX 700/800 Model 2.5 portable handheld radios for the Police Department City of Vicksburg Page 2 Printed on 11/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final October 10, 2024 (State Contract #MSWIN 3429) Attachments: Requisition 2500224 F. ID-24-1224 Approve request from Donna Gray (Vicksburg Convention Center) to reserve motor coach on October 30, 2024 Attachments: Motor Coach Reservation G. ID-24-1219 Approve the following for payment: 1. PPM for professional services: a. Invoice #101403 in the amount of $2,346.50 for US Rubber Brownfield Cleanup Grant b. Invoice #101660 in the amount of $763.50 for US Rubber Brownfield Cleanup Grant Attachments: Invoices PPM H. ID-24-1211 Approve Claims Docket The City Clerk presented the Docket of Claims numbering: 329385-329653 for approval. Routine Agenda: A. ID-24-1212 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 October 2024 and invited the public to attend. The Mayor and Aldermen thanked Ms. Mahoney for attending the meeting. B. ID-24-1186 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 October 2024 and invited the public to attend. The Mayor and Aldermen thanked Ms. Strickland for attending the meeting. C. ID-24-1217 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: AGENDA 10-10-2024 Master Copy of the Agenda for October 10 2024 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 properties: RE-ENTRIES 1. 719 Cherry Street, PPIN 019693; owned by Hearn, Annie Mae & Abner Estate- (Cut Grass/weeds, remove trash and debris from the entire property) 2. 1607 Grove Street, PPIN 17613; owned by Morgan, Paul C.-(Cut Grass/weeds, remove trash and debris from the entire property) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to declare the foregoing properties which have not complied to be a public menace to the 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: RE-ENTRIES 1. 719 Cherry Street, PPIN 019693; owned by Hearn, Annie Mae & Abner Estate- City of Vicksburg Page 3 Printed on 11/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final October 10, 2024 (Cut Grass/weeds, remove trash and debris from the entire property)-Not complied 2. 1607 Grove Street, PPIN 17613; owned by Morgan, Paul C.-(Cut Grass/weeds, remove trash and debris from the entire property)-Not Complied The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. D. ID-24-1238 Approve request from Scottie Montgomery on behalf of Sobriety Trained Officers Representing Mississippi (S.T.O.R.M.) for matching funds in the amount of $5,000.00 for their Fall Conference pursuant to Section 21-19-65 and /or Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: STORM Request for Funds On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Approve a request from Scottie Montgomery on behalf of Sobriety Trained Officers Representing Mississippi (S.T.O.R.M.) for matching funds in the amount of $5,000.00 for their Fall Conference pursuant to Section 21-19-65 and /or Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. The city is authorized pursuant to Section 21-19-65 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 for matching funds for social and community service programs and Section 17-3-1 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 for advertising and bring in to favorable notice the opportunities, possibilities and resources of the municipality. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. E. ID-24-1237 Approve request from Launo Moore / Melissa Blackburn on behalf of the Fostoria Neighborhood Association for Vicksburg Porchfest in the Historic Fostoria Neighborhood Event: 1. Presence of Police during the event on November 2nd from 11:00 AM to 9 PM in and around the neighborhood 2. Barricade streets to make the festival area safer and more walkable for guests (Drummond from Harris to Finley, Speed from Letitia to Cherry, and Dewitt from Drummond to Cherry) 3. Provide a lift on the "Open Container" law for the day for neighbors and festival goers to be able to sip, stroll, shop, and enjoy the architecture and music for the day 4. Provide the Vicksburg Trolley for transportation to and from the event and downtown 5. Request to use parking lots at the City of Vicksburg Water and Gas Department and City Public Parking Garages at Mulberry and South Streets 6. Approve Sponsorship Application in the amount of $5,000.00 pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Porchfest Historic Fostoria On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Approve a request from Launo Moore / Melissa Blackburn on behalf of the Fostoria Neighborhood Association for Vicksburg Porchfest in the Historic Fostoria Neighborhood Event: 1. Presence of Police during the event on November 2nd from 11:00 AM to 9 PM in and around the neighborhood 2. Barricade streets to make the festival area safer and more walkable for guests (Drummond from Harris to Finnley, Speed from Letitia to Cherry, and Dewitt from Drummond to Cherry) 3. Provide a lift on the "Open Container" law for the day for neighbors and festival goers to be able to sip, stroll, shop, and enjoy the architecture and music for the day 4. Provide the Vicksburg Trolley for transportation to and from the event and City of Vicksburg Page 4 Printed on 11/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final October 10, 2024 downtown 5. Request to use parking lots at the City of Vicksburg Water and Gas Department and City Public Parking Garages at Mulberry and South Streets 6. Approve Sponsorship Application in the amount of $5,000.00 pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. F. ID-24-1220 Adopt Resolution Authorizing Administration and Implementation of ARPA Funds Received by Vicksburg Main Street Program Attachments: Resolution for Vicksburg Main Street ARPA Funds On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Administration and Implementation of ARPA Funds Received by Vicksburg Main Street Program. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. Executive Session: Mayor Flaggs, Jr. moved the Mayor and Aldermen to 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., Alderman Mayfield. 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 - Accounting Department (1); Longevity Pay - Gas Department (1); Longevity Pay - Street Department (2); Longevity Pay - Parks & Recreation Department (1); Longevity Pay - Water Department (1); Longevity Pay - Main Street (1); Longevity Pay - Animal Control (1); Longevity Pay - Sewer Department (1); Longevity Pay - Administration (1); Pay Adjustment/Title Change - Community Development (1); Termination (Deceased) - Community Development (1). The motion was seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr. Upon vote being taken, the following voted aye: Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Monsour, Jr., Alderman Mayfield. The motion was adopted unanimously. The Mayor and Aldermen announced they would go into executive session to discuss Personnel Action Forms for: Longevity Pay - Accounting Department (1); Longevity Pay - Gas Department (1); Longevity Pay - Street Department (2); Longevity Pay - Parks & Recreation Department (1); Longevity Pay - Water Department (1); Longevity Pay - Main Street (1); Longevity Pay - Animal Control (1); Longevity Pay - Sewer Department (1); Longevity Pay - Administration (1); Pay Adjustment/Title Change - Community Development (1); Termination (Deceased) - Community Development (1). The Mayor and Aldermen are now in executive session. Those present at the executive session were Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Monsour, Jr., Alderman Mayfield, Kristen Harris - Chief of Staff, Lee Thames - City Attorney, Deborah A. Kaiser-Nickson - City Clerk, Tasha Jordan - Deputy City Clerk, Carla Sullivan-Sanders - Human Resource Director, Elizabeth Michelle Thomas - Constituent Services Representative, Charlie Hill - Deputy Chief of Police. A. ID-24-1226 Longevity Pay - Accounting Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Longevity Pay of an Accounting Specialist II from $18.24 per hour to $18.44 ($17.75 + .09 + .20 + .20+.20) per hour, effective October 10, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional $0.20 increase per hour for ten (10) years of service in the Accounting Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. City of Vicksburg Page 5 Printed on 11/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final October 10, 2024 B. ID-24-1227 Longevity Pay - Gas 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 Warehouse Assistant from $16.37 per hour to $16.57 ($15.97 + .20 + .20 + .20) per hour, effective October 10, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional $0.20 increase per hour for six (6) years of service in the Gas Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. C. ID-24-1228 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 $14.28 per hour to $14.48 ($14.28 + .20) per hour, ; Longevity Pay of a Concrete Finisher from $11.93 per hour to $12.13 ($11.53 + .20 + .20 + .20) per hour. Both employees' are entitled to an additional $0.20 increase per hour for six (6) years of service in the Street Department, effective October 10, 2024. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote:The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. D. ID-24-1229 Longevity Pay - Parks & Recreation 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 Supervisor from $24.98 per hour to $25.18 ($24.49 + .09 + .20 + .20 +.20) per hour, effective October 14, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional $0.20 increase per hour for nine (9) years of service in the Recreation Maintenance Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. E. ID-24-1230 Longevity Pay - Water 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 Laborer from $9.00 per hour to $9.20 ($9.00 + .20) per hour, effective October 18, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional $0.20 increase per hour for one (1) year of service in the Water Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. F. ID-24-1231 Longevity Pay - Main Street (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Longevity Pay of an Assistant from $15.00 per hour to $15.20 ($15.00 + .20) per hour, effective October 18, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional $0.20 increase per hour for one (1) year of service in the Main Street Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. G. ID-24-1232 Longevity Pay - Animal Control (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Longevity Pay of an Officer from $9.20 per hour to $9.40 ($9.00 + .20 +.20) per hour, effective October 19, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional $0.20 increase per hour for two (2) years of service in the Animal Control Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vot Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. H. ID-24-1233 Longevity Pay - Sewer Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Longevity Pay of an Equipment Operator from $14.20 per hour to $14.40 ($14.00 + .20 + .20) per hour, effective October 19, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional $0.20 increase per hour for two (2) years of service in the Sewer Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. City of Vicksburg Page 6 Printed on 11/5/2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final October 10, 2024 I. ID-24-1234 Longevity Pay - Administration (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Longevity Pay of a Parent Liaison from $23.07 per hour to $23.27 ($23.07 + .20) per hour, effective October 20, 2024. Employee is entitled to an additional $0.20 increase per hour for three (3) years of service in the Administration Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. J. ID-24-1235 Pay Adjustment/Title Change - Community Development (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Pay Adjustment/Title Change of a Housing Coordinator at $14.91 per hour to a Housing Director, effective October 20, 2024. Employee is being promoted and the new salary will be $40.000.00 per year in Community Service. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. K. ID-24-1236 Termination (Deceased) - Community Development (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Termination of a Housing Director effective October 30, 2024 in Community Development. Employee is deceased. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. L. ID-24-1259 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, 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, October 21, 2024, 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, and Alderman Monsour Jr. City of Vicksburg Page 7 Printed on 11/5/2024