Board of Mayor and Aldermen

1415 Walnut Street City of Vicksburg Vicksburg, MS 39180 Minutes - Final Board of Mayor and Aldermen Friday, January 10, 2025 10:00 AM Robert M. Walker Building 1. Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and Call to Order Invocation was given by Mayor Flaggs, Jr. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Mayfield. 2. Roll Call Also present: Lee Davis 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, Sr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, 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-25-0049 Employee Anniversaries: 1. One (1) year of service: a. Billy Muirhead - Gas Department 2. Three (3) years of service: a. Aubreuna Carson - Animal Control b. Thomas Anderson - Building Maintenance c. Roderick Williams - Sewer Department d. Eddie Sanders- Building Maintenance 3. Twenty-five (25) years of service: a. Daryl Carson - Ambulance Department Mayor Flaggs, Jr. recognized Billy Muirhead – Gas Department for one (1) year of service; Aubreuna Carson – Animal Control, Roderick Williams – Sewer Department, Eddie Sanders and Thomas Anderson – Building Maintenance for three (3) years of service each; The Mayor and Board of Aldermen congratulated all employees for their dedicated years of service with the City of Vicksburg. Daryl Carson from the Ambulance Department was unable to attend the meeting. As a result, he will be recognized for his service with the City of Vicksburg at the next Board Meeting, scheduled for January 21, 2025. Approval of Consent Agenda Items: On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, 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-25-0050 Approve the following Personnel Action Forms: 1. Resignation - Police Department (1) 2. New Hire - Street Department (1) B. ID-25-0032 Approve Sponsorship Application in the amount of $1,250.00 from Deborah Delgado on behalf of Mississippi Black Caucus of Local Elected City of Vicksburg Page 1 Printed on 1/24/2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 10, 2025 Officials for its Mid-Winter Conference pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Sponsorship Application MBC-LEO Mayor Flaggs, Jr. stated that approving the Sponsorship Application from Deborah Delgado on behalf of the Mississippi Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials for its Mid-Winter Conference will bring favorable attention to the opportunities and resources of the City of Vicksburg, and will contribute to the advancement of local governance and community engagement. The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg Approved the Sponsorship Application in the amount of $1,250.00 for the Mid-Winter Conference. The city is authorized pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. C. ID-25-0033 Approve Sponsorship Application in the amount of $500.00 from Bernard Williams on behalf of Magnolia Crappie Club for MCC Eagle Lake Fishing Tournament pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Sponsorship Application Magnolia Crappie Mayor Flaggs, Jr. stated that approving the Sponsorship Application from Bernard Williams on behalf of the Magnolia Crappie Club for the MCC Eagle Lake Fishing Tournament will promote the recreational opportunities available in the City of Vicksburg and enhance community engagement through local events. The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg Approved the sponsorship application in the amount of $500.00 for the MCC Eagle Lake Fishing Tournament. 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-25-0034 Approve Sponsorship Application in the amount of $200.00 from Ashley Williams on behalf of Attitudes Matter in Human Souls, Inc. for Youth Group Event pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Sponsorship Application Attitudes Matter Mayor Flaggs, Jr. stated that approving the Sponsorship Application from Ashley Williams on behalf of Attitudes Matter in Human Souls, Inc. for their Youth Group Event will foster positive development and engagement among the youth in the City of Vicksburg, promoting community well-being and empowerment. The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg Approved the sponsorship application in the amount of $200.00 for the Youth Group Event. 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-25-0035 Approve the following from Bobbie Bingham Morrow on behalf of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Memorial Committee: 1. Complimentary use of the Ardis T. Williams, Sr. Auditorium on January 20, 2025 honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2. Sponsorship Application in the amount of $500.00 pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Comp Use Application MLK Birthday Memorial Committee Sponsorship Application MLK Birthday Memorial Committee Mayor Flaggs, Jr. stated that Approving Complimentary Use of the Ardis T. Williams, Sr. Auditorium as well as a Sponsorship Application from Bobbie Bingham Morrow on behalf of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Memorial Committee will honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and promote community unity and engagement. The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg Approved the following: 1. Complimentary use of the Ardis T. Williams, Sr. Auditorium on January 20, 2025, in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2. Sponsorship Application in the amount of $500.00 for the event. The city is Authorized pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. City of Vicksburg Page 2 Printed on 1/24/2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 10, 2025 F. ID-25-0030 Approve request for allocation of funds in the amount of $25,000.00 to Haven House Family Shelter pursuant to Section 93-21-115 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended to support a safe refuge for victims of domestic violence and their children Attachments: Allocation Haven House G. ID-25-0040 Approve the following for payment: 1. PPM for professional services: a. Invoice #102439 in the amount of $1,308.00 for Vicksburg Brownfield Assessment Grant (2020) - Non Trust - September 2024 b. Invoice #102755 in the amount of $21,412.55 for Vicksburg Brownfield Assessment Grant (2020) - Non Trust - October 2024 c. Invoice #102440 in the amount of $988.00 for US Rubber Brownfield Cleanup Grant - September 2024 d. Invoice #102757 in the amount of $4,446.00 for US Rubber Brownfield Cleanup Grant - October 2024 2. Central Asphalt Company, Inc.: a. Contractor's Progress Estimate #3 in the amount of $53,215.20 for NRCS Evergreen/Iowa/Patricia Sites b. Pay App #8 in the amount of $65,373.39 for Water and Sewer Improvements - Stillwater & Bluecreek Drives Mobile Home Park 3. Fordice Construction Company: a. Contractor's Progress Estimate #3 in the amount of $142,895.15 for NRCS Sports Force Site Attachments: Invoices Brownfield Assessments Invoices Brownfield Cleanup Grant Pay App #3 Evergreen-Iowa-Patricia Sites Pay App #8 Mobile Home Park Central Asphalt Pay App #3 Sports Force Site H. ID-25-0042 Increase Mileage Rate Reimbursement for City Employees traveling on City business from $0.67 Cents Per Mile to $0.70 Cents Per Mile in Private Vehicles (if no government owned vehicle is available) and continue Mileage Rate Reimbursement of $0.21 Cents 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 I. ID-25-0044 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 MS Infrastructure Bond Fund Account TO Water & Gas (pooled cash) Account in the amount of $65,373.39 2. FROM Riverfront Development Project Fund Account TO Water & Gas (pooled cash) Account in the amount of $561,404.15 3. FROM MS Infrastructure Bond Fund Account TO Water & Gas (pooled cash) Account in the amount of $500,000.00 J. ID-25-0045 Continue Proclamation of Local Emergency (Curfew for Minors) K. ID-25-0038 Accept Letter Establishing Special Assessment and Adopt Resolution / City of Vicksburg Page 3 Printed on 1/24/2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 10, 2025 Order for Cutting, Cleaning, Demolition and Site Clearing of the following properties: 1. 2428 Halls Ferry Road, PPIN 15330; owned by C & D Properties of Vicksburg LLC 2. 1414 Grove Street, PPIN 18784; owned by Easter Neely 3. 111 Churchill Drive, PPIN 13211; owned by Shirley R Grantham 4. 2013 Oak Street, PPIN 18347; owned by Robert Curtis & Arthur J Fuller Est 5. 519 Fairground Street, PPIN 15142; owned by Paul C Morgan 6. 311 Farmer Street, PPIN 19074; owned by Lucia Hawkins Brown Estate 7. 1114 Mundy Street, PPIN 19082; owned by Claude Chambliss c/o Geroid Chambliss 8. 1607 Grove Street, PPIN 17613; owned by Paul C Morgan 9. 719 Cherry Street, PPIN 19693; owned by Annie Mae & Abner Hearn Estate 10. 316 Lake Hill Drive 316-A, PPIN 7720; owned by James L Nugent 11. 502 Dallas Street, PPIN 19631; owned by Berteal E & Will Rogers 12. 1709 Main Street, PPIN 17529; owned by Larry Prentiss 13. 1701 Main Street, PPIN 17527; owned by Larry Prentiss 14. 1806 Poplar Street, PPIN 17815; owned by State of Mississippi Attachments: Special Assessments The Letters (Statements) and Resolutions on the following properties were presented to the Board: 1. 2428 Halls Ferry Road, PPIN 15330; owned by C & D Properties of Vicksburg LLC 2. 1414 Grove Street, PPIN 18784; owned by Easter Neely 3. 111 Churchill Drive, PPIN 13211; owned by Shirley R Grantham 4. 2013 Oak Street, PPIN 18347; owned by Robert Curtis & Arthur J Fuller Est 5. 519 Fairground Street, PPIN 15142; owned by Paul C Morgan 6. 311 Farmer Street, PPIN 19074; owned by Lucia Hawkins Brown Estate 7. 1114 Mundy Street, PPIN 19082; owned by Claude Chambliss c/o Geroid Chambliss 8. 1607 Grove Street, PPIN 17613; owned by Paul C Morgan 9. 719 Cherry Street, PPIN 19693; owned by Annie Mae & Abner Hearn Estate 10. 316 Lake Hill Drive 316-A, PPIN 7720; owned by James L Nugent 11. 502 Dallas Street, PPIN 19631; owned by Berteal E & Will Rogers 12. 1709 Main Street, PPIN 17529; owned by Larry Prentiss 13. 1701 Main Street, PPIN 17527; owned by Larry Prentiss 14. 1806 Poplar Street, PPIN 17815; owned by State of Mississippi The Mayor and Aldermen voted to Accept the foregoing Letters (Statements) for cost of cutting and cleaning lots and adopted the following Resolutions establishing Special Assessments. L. ID-25-0037 Approve Claims Docket The City Clerk presented the Docket of Claims numbering: 331129-331364 for approval. Routine Agenda: A. ID-25-0031 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 January 2025 and invited the public to attend. The Mayor and Aldermen thanked Ms. Mahoney for attending the meeting. B. ID-25-0041 Adopt Budget Amendments On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Adopt the budget amendments. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. City of Vicksburg Page 4 Printed on 1/24/2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 10, 2025 C. ID-25-0039 Authorize Mayor to execute Contract with Elva Smith for Administrative and Election Support Services to the City of Vicksburg for the Municipal Election 2025 not to exceed $25,000.00 Attachments: Contract Elva Smith On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Authorize the Mayor to execute a contract with Elva Smith for Administrative and Election Support Services to the City of Vicksburg for the Municipal Election 2025, not to exceed $25,000.00. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. D. ID-25-0047 Authorize Mayor to execute Vicksburg Municipal Airport Hangar Lease with Carl Haynes Attachments: Hangar Lease Agreement Haynes On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Authorize the Mayor to execute the Vicksburg Municipal Airport Hangar Lease with Carl Haynes. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. E. ID-25-0046 Authorize Mayor to execute Certificate of Substantial Completion with Ramsay Construction Group, Inc. for Constitution Firehouse Rehabilitation Attachments: COSC Constitution Firehouse On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Authorize the Mayor to execute the Certificate of Substantial Completion with Ramsay Construction Group, Inc. for the Constitution Firehouse Rehabilitation. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. F. ID-25-0048 Approve the following with Central Asphalt, Inc. for NRCS Iowa Sites 1 & 2: 1. Authorize Mayor execute Contract Amendment No. 1 for a net reduction of the contract amount of $12,492.85 and allow an additional 20 calendar days 2. Approve Contractor's Progress Estimate #4 (Final) in the amount of $14,666.06 3. Accept Certificate of Substantial Completion 4. Accept Close Out Documents (Contractor's Affidavit of Payment of Debts and Claims, Contractor's Affidavit of Release of Liens, Consent of Surety to Final Payment) Attachments: CA #1-Final Pay App #4 Iowa Sites 1&2 On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Approve the following actions with Central Asphalt, Inc. for NRCS Iowa Sites 1 & 2: 1. Authorize the Mayor to execute Contract Amendment No. 1 for a net reduction of the contract amount of $12,492.85 and allow an additional 20 calendar days. 2. Approve Contractor's Progress Estimate #4 (Final) in the amount of $14,666.06. 3. Accept the Certificate of Substantial Completion. 4. Accept Close Out Documents (Contractor's Affidavit of Payment of Debts and Claims, Contractor's Affidavit of Release of Liens, Consent of Surety to Final Payment). 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 go into a closed meeting to City of Vicksburg Page 5 Printed on 1/24/2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 10, 2025 determine if the Board should go into executive session. The motion was seconded by Alderman Mayfield Voting aye, Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Mayfield, 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 - Police Department (1); Longevity Pay - Gas Department (1); Longevity Pay - Ambulance Department (1); Longevity Pay - Animal Control (1); Longevity Pay - Building Maintenance (2); Longevity Pay - Sewer Department (1); Education Incentive Request - IT (1). The motion was seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr. Upon vote being taken, the following voted aye: Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Mayfield, 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 - Police Department (1); Longevity Pay - Gas Department (1); Longevity Pay - Ambulance Department (1); Longevity Pay - Animal Control (1); Longevity Pay - Building Maintenance (2); Longevity Pay - Sewer Department (1); Education Incentive Request - IT (1). The Mayor and Aldermen are now in executive session. Those present at the executive session were Mayor Flaggs, Jr., Alderman Mayfield, Alderman Monsour, Jr., Kristen Harris - Chief of Staff, Lee Davis Thames - City Attorney, Deborah A. Kaiser-Nickson - City Clerk, Tasha Jordan - Associate City Clerk, Carla Sullivan-Sanders - Human Resource Director, Elizabeth Michelle Thomas - Constituent Services Representative, Charlie Hill - Deputy Chief of Police Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. A. ID-25-0051 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 Property & Evidence Technician by changing his hourly rate from $14.68 to $16.75 (annual salary of $34,840.00), effective January 8, 2025. This adjustment is due to increased duties added to his job description. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. B. ID-25-0052 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 Serviceman from $10.56 per hour to $10.76 (10.56 + .20) per hour, effective January 10, 2025. The employee is entitled to an additional $.20 per hour increase for one (1) year 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-25-0053 Longevity Pay - Ambulance 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 Paramedic from $21.82 per hour to $23.32 (21.57 + .25 + 1.50) per hour, effective January 10, 2025. The employee is entitled to an additional $1.50 per hour increase for five (5) years of service in the Ambulance Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. D. ID-25-0054 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 Animal Control Officer from $10.40 per hour to $10.60 (10.00 + .20 + .20 + .20) per hour, effective January 12, 2025. The employee is entitled to an additional $.20 per hour increase for three (3) years of service in the Animal Control 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 1/24/2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final January 10, 2025 E. ID-25-0055 Longevity Pay - Building Maintenance (2) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Approve the Longevity Pay of an Electrician II from $23.31 per hour to $23.51 (22.91 + .20 + .20) per hour, effective January 12, 2025. The employee is entitled to an additional $.20 per hour increase for three (3) years of service; Longevity Pay of a Building Maintenance Director from $29.82 per hour to $30.02 (29.42 + .20 + .20 + .20) per hour (annual salary of $62,441.60), effective January 12, 2025. The employee is entitled to an additional $.20 per hour increase for three (3) years of service. Both employees are in the Building Maintenance Department. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. F. ID-25-0056 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 a Laborer from $10.40 per hour to $10.60 (10.00 + .20 + .20 + .20) per hour, effective January 12, 2025. The employee is entitled to an additional $.20 per hour increase for three (3) 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. G. ID-25-0057 Education Incentive Request - IT (1) On motion of Mayor Pro-Tem Monsour, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr. the Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the Education Incentive Request of an employee in the Information Technology Department for pursuing a Masters Degree in Information Technology Management. The motion was unanimously adopted by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. F. ID-25-0090 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 Mayfield, and unanimously passed, the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg Adjourned to meet 10 o’clock a.m.,Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 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 1/24/2025