Civic Corner: Board of Aldermen meeting recap
By Ricki Garrett, PhD, Alderwoman-at-Large
The Board of Aldermen welcomed the Mississippi State Champion Clinton 12U Little League All Stars to our meeting to be recognized for their participation in the Little League World Series Southwest Regional Baseball Tournament. They joined us for a photograph following the recognition.
Our department head report was provided by Ashley Hammack, the manager of the Olde Towne Depot. Manager Hammack reported that the Depot is both an event space and a community hub. They average about fifty visitors per week. Events include Reading Railroad, the Gingerbread House, Polar Express and the Santa Claus Crawl.
In early action, the Board approved the municipality bond resolution for the City of Clinton and the approval of a resolution regarding Mississippi Development Bank. This allows us to proceed to issue bonds for the lighting project. This project will include new lighting for Traceway Park, decorative lights down Pinehaven Drive to Arrow Drive and the purchase of all power poles in the city that we are currently renting from Entergy. The bond sale will close in early October, and the City will be able to immediately utilize the funds. We currently spend $650,000 annually on the rental of the Entergy light poles.
The Board of Aldermen also approved a quote from Delta Constructors, Inc. for an emergency sewer repair on Hollyberry Drive in the amount of $155,000. Director of Public Works Philip Lilley and his team have spent considerable time on this emergency over the past several weeks.
The Board also accepted a donation from the Lion’s Club of Clinton in the amount of $4,250 for the removal of a dead tree at Lion’s Club Park. We are very appreciative of the commitment of Lion’s Club to this park over many years.
In other action, the Board accepted a proposal from Struthers Recreation for playground equipment at Brighton Park and approved the purchase in the amount of $403,757.85. The City was able to make this purchase at a discounted price. Other projects in the works for the Department of Parks and Recreation include a combination concession stand/restroom at Kid’s Towne Park and work on softball fields and a soccer module.
Main Street Director Tara Lytal brought a request for authorization to apply for a grant with Mississippi Main Street. The Mississippi Legislature has provided funding for the grants. The application will be submitted to Mississippi Main Street, and they then select the proposals to be submitted to the legislature. The grants are in amounts up to $500,000. The Clinton grant proposal would be to provide sidewalks.
The Board of Aldermen spent the previous week in budget discussions to develop the 2024-2025 budget for the City. Discussions revolved around being able to provide police and fire department raises, while at the same time, providing other much needed services for the City. There is now a draft budget that will be advertised, a public hearing will be held, and the Board of Aldermen will vote on the budget at a specially called meeting on September 12 at 12 p.m.
The Board of Aldermen also approved the hiring of a certified police officer.
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.
