Civic Corner: Board of Aldermen Meeting June 9, 2023
Ricki Garrett, Alderwoman at Large, 2023
The first report of the Board of Aldermen meeting was from our Police Chief, Ford Hayman. Chief Hayman reported that within the next few months we should have fifty-five of the sixty-two allotted police officer positions filled. He said reinstating the traffic division had been a very good decision. He also said that adding to the warrants division had been positive with 26% of total arrests coming from that division. Chief Hayman also brought up the fact that there had been a 741% increase in violent crime in our state. He said that it is here in Clinton, too, but the department does a good job of keeping it out, as much as possible. In the past week there have been twenty-seven auto burglaries in the city. Two suspects have been arrested and charged with numerous counts.
The Board took several actions that move forward our Lovett Wastewater Improvements Project and the Southside Wastewater Improvements Project. We accepted a Homeland Security Grant Award in the amount of $27,393.00 for specialized night vision optics. An agreement to expand the professional services agreement with Rotolo Consultants, to add grounds and landscaping maintenance at the Springridge/McRaven intersection, was postponed until we have time to determine if other interchanges in the city need to be included. Furniture and equipment were approved for the Wood Center, and an amount of $7,750.00 was approved for entertainment for the fourth of July celebration.
We have talked for many months about the possibility of painting certain crosswalks in the city for both safety and visual appeal. After much research on the issue by Tara Lytal, Main Street Director, the Board approved the painting of the Mississippi College Intersection and Crosswalk. An aerial drone topographic survey along College Street/Clinton Boulevard was approved to assist with preliminary design of potential modifications to College Street/Clinton Boulevard to support pedestrian access improvements. The Board also approved an expenditure of $9,700.00 for a traffic analysis along College Street/Clinton Boulevard for the same reason.
In other action, the Board of Aldermen approved a dimensional variance for Veracity, LLC on Highway 80 East and approved the hiring of several city employees.
The Board Members are continuing to look at different options for the redistricting of Clinton, based on the new census numbers. Some of our wards have increased in population, while some have decreased, requiring the Board to move ward lines to have the wards more closely aligned in population with only small percentages of deviation. The Central Mississippi Planning and Development District has been commissioned with assisting the Board in developing an agreed upon map. Board Members are working together to compromise on where changes will be made in order to create the best possible map.
