Board of Mayor and Aldermen

1415 Walnut Street City of Vicksburg Vicksburg, MS 39180 Minutes - Final Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday, April 7, 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 Monsour, Jr. 2. Roll Call Also present: Lee Davis Thames,City Attorney Deborah A. Kaiser-Nickson, City Clerk Jasmine Dillon, Deputy 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-25-0370 Certificate of Recognition - AMAZE Award in memory of the Late Alderman Michael Mayfield, Sr.: 1. Malcolm Lewis B. ID-25-0383 Employee Anniversaries: 1. Two (2) years of service: a. Bradley Elmore - Fire Department 2. Twenty-five (25) years of service: a. Sidra Burns - Accounting Department Mayor Flaggs, Jr. recognized Bradley Elmore – Fire Department for two (2) years of service and Sidra Burns – Accounting Department for twenty-five (25) years of service. The Mayor and Board of Aldermen congratulated all employees for their dedicated years of service with the City of Vicksburg. C. ID-25-0369 Proclamation - Child Abuse Prevention Month Attachments: Child Abuse Proclamation D. ID-25-0372 Proclamation - Autism Awareness Month Attachments: Autism Awareness Month 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. Alderman Monsour, Jr. recused himself in regards to Item Q-4 Invoice #7-139465 in the amount of $4,773.00 from TRC Engineers for the Iowa Avenue Emergency Stabilization Project. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. City of Vicksburg Page 1 Printed on 4/25/2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final April 7, 2025 A. ID-25-0367 Adopt Board Meeting Minutes for: 1. March 10, 2025 2. March 17, 2025 3. March 25, 2025 B. ID-25-0384 Approve the following Personnel Action Forms: 1. Retirement: a. Gas Department (1) C. ID-25-0377 Approve Additions to Employee Driving List: 1. Tyler Sanders - Sewer Department 2. Princess Cooper - Police Department 3. Kenneth Thompson - Street Department D. ID-25-0358 Declare Friday, April 18, 2025 a city holiday in observance of Good Friday pursuant to Section 3-3-7(2) of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Good Friday Holiday E. ID-25-0362 Approve Re-appointment of Andre Bracey to Public Utility Commission (NRoute Transit Commission) Attachments: NROUTE Commission Board F. ID-25-0364 Approve the following requests to reserve the Motor Coach: 1. Donna Gray on behalf of the Vicksburg Convention Center: a. April 24, 2025 b. April 25, 2025 c. April 29, 2025 - May 1, 2025 2. Jennifer Harper on behalf of Senior Center: a. May 9, 2025 Attachments: Motor Coach Reservations G. ID-25-0359 Approve request from Nkemdili Lewis on behalf of Warren County Board of Supervisors to waive Sign Permit Application Fee of $25.00 for use of City of Vicksburg Community Event Sign located at Walgreens Pharmacy on Halls Ferry Road from May 22, 2025 - June 9, 2025 to advertise their annual Household Hazardous Waste Day Attachments: Waive Sign Fee H. ID-25-0360 Approve allocation of matching funds in the amount of $5,000.00 to Vicksburg Family Development Service, Inc. pursuant to Section 21-19-65 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Allocation Vicksburg Family Development The Mayor and Aldermen Approved the allocation of matching funds in the amount of $5,000.00 to Vicksburg Family Development Service, Inc. The city is authorized pursuant to Section 21-19-65 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. I. ID-25-0361 Approve Sponsorship Application in the amount of $250.00 from James Dixon for CORE Mississippi MAGIC Basketball Program 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 4/25/2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final April 7, 2025 Attachments: Sponsorship Core Mississippi Mayor Flaggs, Jr. stated that the sponsorship application submitted by James Dixon for the CORE Mississippi MAGIC Basketball Program will bring into favorable notice the opportunities, possibilities, and resources of the City of Vicksburg and will be helpful toward advancing the youth and community interests of the City of Vicksburg. The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg approved the sponsorship application in the amount of $250.00 for the program. The city is authorized pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. J. ID-25-0363 Approve Sponsorship Application in the amount of $1,250.00 from Heather Hunt on behalf of Ergon Refining, Inc. for 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended Attachments: Sponsorship Ergon Mayor Flaggs, Jr. stated that the sponsorship application submitted by Heather Hunt on behalf of Ergon Refining, Inc. for the 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament will bring into favorable notice the opportunities, possibilities, and resources of the City of Vicksburg and will be helpful toward advancing the charitable and community interests of the City of Vicksburg. The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg approved the sponsorship application in the amount of $1,250.00 for the tournament. The city is authorized pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. K. ID-25-0366 Approve the following request from Vicksburg Juneteenth Heritage Festival Committee: 1. Sponsorship Application in the amount of $250.00 pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972,as amended 2. Fee waiver for the use of Halls Ferry Park site 3. Complimentary use and delivery to Halls Ferry Park of microphones, a podium, rectangular tables, and chairs and pickup of the items at the conclusion of the event 4. Complimentary use and delivery of at least four floor fans and pickup at the conclusion of the event 5. Assistance from Building and Maintenance personnel in providing access to electricity and water 6. Greetings from the Mayor during the opening of the event on June 14, 2025 Attachments: Vicksburg Juneteenth Sponsorship Application Vicksburg Juneteenth Application for Field Use Waiver Vicksburg Juneteenth The Mayor and Aldermen Approved the following request from the Vicksburg Juneteenth Heritage Festival Committee for the following items: 1. Sponsorship Application in the amount of $250.00. The city is authorized pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. 2. Fee waiver for the use of Halls Ferry Park site. 3. Complimentary use and delivery to Halls Ferry Park of microphones, a podium, rectangular tables, and chairs, and pickup of the items at the conclusion of the event. 4. Complimentary use and delivery of at least four floor fans and pickup at the conclusion of the event. 5. Assistance from Building and Maintenance personnel in providing access to electricity and water. City of Vicksburg Page 3 Printed on 4/25/2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final April 7, 2025 6. Greetings from the Mayor during the opening of the event on June 14, 2025. L. ID-25-0381 Approve the following Sponsorship Applications from the Vicksburg Post pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended: 1. 2025 Vicksburg Graduation Section in the amount of $250.00 2. 2025 Memorial Day Section in the amount of $250.00 Attachments: Sponsorship Vicksburg Post Graduation Ad Sponsorship Vicksburg Post Memorial Day Mayor Flaggs, Jr. stated that the sponsorship applications submitted by the Vicksburg Post for the following request will bring into favorable notice the opportunities, possibilities, and resources of the City of Vicksburg and will be helpful toward advancing the educational and community interests of the City of Vicksburg: 1. The 2025 Vicksburg Graduation Section in the amount of $250.00. 2. The 2025 Memorial Day Section in the amount of $250.00. The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg approved the sponsorship applications for both requests. The city is authorized pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. M. ID-25-0371 Approve request from Heather Calnan Sumners on behalf of the Junior Auxiliary of Vicksburg for permission to reschedule the use of Halls Ferry Park (parking lot and restroom facilities) from March 29, 2025 to May 3, 2025 for its Big Wheels Keep on Turning community event Attachments: Big Wheels New Request Date N. ID-25-0375 Approve request from Reverend Adrian Clark on behalf of New Vision Ministries for complimentary use (waive rental fee) of the City Park Field on May 31, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for Church League Kickball Tournament Attachments: New Vision Ministries O. ID-25-0378 Approve request from Meegie Jordan on behalf of AARP Mississippi for complimentary use of the Ardis T. Williams, Sr. Auditorium (waive rental fee only) on April 11, 2025, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. for Fraud and Scams Forum Attachments: AARP Complimentary Use P. ID-25-0394 Authorize issuance of requisition number 2504566 in the amount of $91,538.30 written to Utility Service Co. Inc. for the maintenance agreement (2025-2026) that is for the water towers located at Jackson Road, Kuhn, Porters Chapel, and the Airport Attachments: Requisition 2504566 Q. ID-25-0356 Approve the following for payment: 1. ESG Operations (An Inframark Company) for the month of March 2025: a. Invoice #145699 in the amount of $87,791.33 for Contract Operations and Maintenance of the City's Water Treatment Facilities b. Invoice #145701 in the amount of $57,505.67 for Contract Operations and Maintenance of the City's Wastewater Treatment Facilities 2. Mitchell's Little Helpers: City of Vicksburg Page 4 Printed on 4/25/2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final April 7, 2025 a. Invoice #MLH310-1 in the amount of $15,000.00 for Vicksburg NAACP Housing Initiative Project for 100 Village Drive 3. Voice of Calvary Ministries for professional services: a. Invoice in the amount of $2,800.00 for Housing Consultation and Education for the month of March 2025 4. TRC Engineers: a. Invoice #7-139465 in the amount of $4,773.00 for Iowa Avenue Emergency Stabilization Project 5. Vicksburg Tallulah Regional Airport: a. Invoice #4665 in the amount of $2,166.45 for the month of February 2025 6. Fordice Construction Company: a. Contractor's Progress Estimate #6 in the amount of $105,258.63 for NRCS Sports Force Site 7. Central Asphalt Company, Inc.: a. Contractor's Progress Estimate #6 in the amount of $8,203.32 for NRCS Evergreen/Iowa/Patricia Sites b. Pay App #11 in the amount of $53,191.80 for Water and Sewer Improvements - Stillwater & Bluecreek Drives Mobile Home Park 8. Volkert, Inc. for professional services: a. Invoice #01603012 in the amount of $4,168.93 for Water and Sewer Improvements - Stillwater & Bluecreek Drives Attachments: Invoices ESG Invoice Mitchell's Little Helper Invoice Voice of Calvary Invoice TRC Invoice VTR Progress Estimate Fordice Construction Progress Estimate Central Asphalt Central Asphalt Pay App Invoice Volkert, Inc Routine Agenda: A. ID-25-0355 Discuss Vicksburg Convention Center Updates Ms. Donna Gray, 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 April 2025 and invited the public to attend. The Mayor and Aldermen thanked Ms. Gray for attending the meeting. B. ID-25-0392 Adopt Budget Amendments On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Adopt Budget Amendments for April 7, 2025. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. C. ID-25-0395 Adopt Resolution Authorizing Preparation and Submittal of an Application to the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority (MMEIA) for the Military Base Enhancement Program (BEP) Attachments: Resolution MMEIA City of Vicksburg Page 5 Printed on 4/25/2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final April 7, 2025 On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Adopt the Resolution authorizing the preparation and submittal of an application to the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority (MMEIA) for the Military Base Enhancement Program (BEP). The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. D. ID-25-0368 Ratify Mayor's execution of Agreement with Allen Derivaux to serve as Vicksburg Municipal Court Judge for the date of March 31, 2025 Attachments: Allen Derivaux Agreement On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Ratify the Mayor's execution of the Agreement with Allen Derivaux to serve as Vicksburg Municipal Court Judge for the date of March 31, 2025. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. E. ID-25-0396 Ratify Mayor's execution of Auction Agreement with Jeff Martin Auctioneers, Inc. On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Ratify the Mayor's execution of the Auction Agreement with Jeff Martin Auctioneers, Inc. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. F. ID-25-0376 Authorize Mayor to execute Professional Services Agreement Supplement #1 with Stantec Consulting for Fisher Ferry Road Bridge Replacement over Hatcher Bayou Project for Phase 4-5 services only for a not to exceed amount of $435,961.92 Attachments: Stantec Agreement On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Authorize the Mayor to execute Professional Services Agreement Supplement #1 with Stantec Consulting for the Fisher Ferry Road Bridge Replacement over Hatcher Bayou Project for Phase 4-5 services only for a not to exceed amount of $435,961.92. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. G. ID-25-0379 Authorize Mayor to execute Renewal Amendment and Order Form with Fifth Asset, Inc. d/b/a DebtBook for debt management software in the amount of $79,500.00 Attachments: Debtbook Renewal Amendment & Order Form On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Authorize the Mayor to execute the Renewal Amendment and Order Form with Fifth Asset, Inc. d/b/a DebtBook for debt management software in the amount of $79,500.00. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. H. ID-25-0399 Authorize the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg, MS to execute Declaration of Existence of a Local Emergency due to imminent threat of flooding from the Mississippi River due to heavy rains On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Authorize to execute the Declaration of Existence of a Local Emergency due to the imminent threat of flooding from the Mississippi River due to heavy rains. 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 6 Printed on 4/25/2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final April 7, 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: Longevity Pay - Fire Department (1); Longevity Pay - Accounting Department (1); Pay Adjustment - Police Department (1); Pay Adjustment/Promotion - Gas Department (1); Suspension - Gas Department (1); Termination - Gas Department (1); Termination - Animal Control (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: Longevity Pay - Fire Department (1); Longevity Pay - Accounting Department (1); Pay Adjustment - Police Department (1); Pay Adjustment/Promotion - Gas Department (1); Suspension - Gas Department (1); Termination - Gas Department (1); Termination - Animal Control (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, Jasmine Dillon - Deputy Clerk, Carla Sullivan-Sanders - Human Resource Director, Kelsey Hicks - Human Resources/Safety, Penny Jones-Chief of Police, Charlie Hill - Deputy Chief of Police Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. A. ID-25-0385 Longevity Pay - Fire 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 Firefighter in the Fire Department by changing the hourly rate from $14.10 to $14.10 (13.90 +.10 + .10), effective April 5, 2025. The employee is entitled to an additional $.10 per hour increase for two (2) years of service. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. B. ID-25-0386 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 Accountant in the Accounting Department by changing the hourly rate from $32.05 to $33.55 (31.70 +.35 + 1.50), effective April 5, 2025. The employee is entitled to an additional $1.50 per hour increase for twenty-five (25) years of service. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. C. ID-25-0387 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 for a Police Officer by changing the position to Field Training Officer with an hourly rate of $22.03 (21.28 + $.75), effective March 4, 2025. This adjustment reflects Officer Africa Sharonda Godbolt beginning her role as Field Training Officer alongside Officer Joshua Wilson, in accordance with Policy 3.22-Revised. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. D. ID-25-0388 Pay Adjustment/ Promotion - Gas Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Approve the Pay Adjustment for a Dispatcher by changing the position to Administrative Assistant with an hourly rate of $15.78 (15.18 + .20 + .20 + .20), effective April 1, 2025. The employee is replacing another employee as the Administrative Assistant in the Gas Department. The motion was adopted City of Vicksburg Page 7 Printed on 4/25/2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Minutes - Final April 7, 2025 unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. E. ID-25-0389 Suspension - Gas Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Aldermen voted to Waive the Suspension of a Serviceman in the Gas Department. The employee had violated the City of Vicksburg Attendance Policy. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. F. ID-25-0390 Termination - Gas Department (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to Waive the Termination of a Laborer in the Gas Department in lieu of a (3) Day Suspension, effective April 8, 2025. The employee has repeatedly violated the City of Vicksburg's Attendance Policy and had previously been suspended for three days in February 2025. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. G. ID-25-0391 Termination - Animal Control (1) On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Monsour, Jr., the Mayor and Alderman voted to Approve the Termination of an Animal Control Officer in the Animal Control Department, effective April 7, 2025. The employee was terminated for violating the City of Vicksburg vehicle usage policy, drug policy, and for being a no call/no show. The motion was adopted unanimously by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Flaggs Jr., Alderman Mayfield, and Alderman Monsour Jr. ID-25-0447 Come out of executive session and approve all items taken up in Executive Session. On motion of Mayor Flaggs, Jr., seconded by Alderman Mayfield, 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.,Thursday, April 10, 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 8 Printed on 4/25/2025