Civic Corner: Board of Aldermen Meeting Recap – July 7th
By Ricki Garrett, PhD, Alderwoman-at-Large
The Board of Aldermen welcomed former Congressman Greg Harper to our meeting this week. Congressman Harper is currently serving as our lobbyist on the Federal level, as well as helping us with legislation on the State level that pertains to our extensive sewer project.
Congressman Harper expressed his appreciation to the Mayor and Board and to others who have helped with the preparation and funding for this project. He also expressed appreciation for Speaker of the House Philip Gunn for the twenty million in funding that came to the City and the eight million in funding for the 80/20 project on the corner of Highway 80 and Interstate 20.
Our Department Head report was provided by Fire Chief Jeff Blackledge.
The Board went into a public hearing to discuss the three re-districting maps that are currently being considered. Several citizens expressed the desire to have more Black representation on the Board of Aldermen. A representative of the NAACP presented an additional map for discussion.
Following the community remarks, Alderman James Lott made a motion to table the vote until after the Board could consider the additional map. Alderman Chip Wilbanks seconded the motion. I suggested that, although the Board had looked at many maps over the past several months, it was still divided over which was the best option and needed time to develop a plan that would be agreeable to the Board as a whole. The Board voted unanimously to table the motion.
The Board also approved the continuation of the Welcome Home Mississippi Program (Certified Retirement), which is carried out by our Therapeutic Recreation Department.
For those who enjoy utilizing the Arrow Drive multi-use path, the Board approved the advertisement for the first phase of a lighting project improvement. The Board also approved the recommendation to award AJ Construction, Inc. the 2023 Street and Parking Lot improvement project in the amount of $823,686.70.
The Board of Aldermen were very pleased to approve and accept the final plat for Horseshoe Bend -Phase 1 Subdivision and to authorize the acceptance and recording of easements. There is a lot of frustration by both Board members and citizens over the lack of new housing in Clinton, which hinders our recruitment of new families to our city, particularly young people. Whether that problem is the result of the construction regulation processes in Clinton or whether it is the reluctance of builders to begin projects, even when they have been approved, the issue needs to be addressed.
Ward 1 Alderwoman Karen Godfrey received approval for the paint colors for her house in the Olde Towne area, and Betty Todd received architectural review approval for a building at 610 Springridge Road for a proposed nursery and vegetable and fruit stand.
A much-discussed issue of the night was a conditional use request for a pipe and tobacco store at 322 Highway 80 East by Max Lyall. The Board was assured that the store would not carry cigarettes, vaping or smokeless tobacco products. With that understanding included in the motion, the Board approved the conditional use, with Ward 2 Alderman Jim Martin voting no.
The Board also denied a request to appeal the decision of the Director of Community Development, Roy Edwards, to deny the operation of a Yoni Wellness Salon at 507 K Springridge Road. After a presentation by the owner and an executive session by the Board of Aldermen, the Board made the decision to deny the appeal.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Space will be provided in each issue of The Clinton Courier to the Board of Aldermen for a recap of each meeting. Aldermen are asked to volunteer to provide this recap for the Courier.
