Civic Corner: Board of Aldermen Recap
By Ricki Garrett, PhD, Alderwoman-at-Large
Following the approval of the consent agenda, the Board heard a report by Main Street Director Tara Lytal. Director Lytal reported that it had been a busy spring with a new event, Chocolate Walk; the Caterpillar Parade; concerts in Lions Club Park; Art in the Park; Olde Towne Uncorked; and Dinner and a Movie night. She also announced that the Red Brick Roads Festival will be moving to spring, so there will not be an event this August. Director Lytal also announced that Clinton Main Street will be receiving two awards at the Mississippi Municipal League Conference in Biloxi this June. Stay tuned for that announcement.
At the recommendation of Mayor Fisher, the Board approved Ward 6 Alderman James Lott and me as the voting delegates for the City of Clinton at the Mississippi Municipal League Conference in Biloxi.
The Board of Alderman also approved the acceptance of a lease proposal submitted by CIT Group Inc. for the financing of computer equipment for the City. Also, the Board approved the qualification of energy service providers. These are companies that will ultimately bid on the lighting project for Traceway Park.
The Board of Aldermen was very pleased to accept a donation from the Junior Civic League of Clinton in the amount of $15,000, with $5,000 to be used toward Traceway field number banners and $10,000 toward the cost of a new baseball scoreboard.
In further action, the Board approved the closeout documents and final pay request in the amount of $223,467.45 to Hope Enterprises, LLC for the 2023 drainage channel slope stabilization improvements in the Sunset Drive and Kent Drive areas of Clinton. Also, the Board approved the advertisement for the Clinton NE and Briars UV Replacement Project. This project is related to two sewer treatment facilities in the Tanglewood and Huntcliff areas.
To better protect our water system, the Board approved a quote in the amount of $15,000 from Control Systems, Inc. as the sole source for elevated tank cell communications improvements. In the event of an electrical outage, this system will alert the City of low levels in the water tanks.
In final action, the Board of Aldermen approved the hiring of a full-time grounds technician, a part-time maintenance technician and a part-time summer worker for the Parks and Recreation Department and three part-time summer workers for the Public Works Department.
During our Work Session on Monday evening, Mayor Fisher and the Board heard a report from the new Economic Developer for Connect West, Philip Gunn. Connect West is the newly-formed economic development umbrella organization for the western Hinds County area. We are very fortunate to have former Mississippi Speaker of the House Philip Gunn in this important role. The Board also heard an extensive update on a potential funding mechanism for the lighting project at Traceway Park.
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.
