Civic Corner: Board of Aldermen meeting recap
By Ricki Garrett, PhD, Alderwoman-at-Large
The Board of Aldermen Meeting was very brief since it was Neighborhood Night Out in Clinton. The Mayor and Aldermen traveled with Clinton police officers to various neighborhoods hosting events throughout the city. These events give Mayor Fisher and the Board members the opportunity to listen to concerns and provide information on what is happening in the city.
The Board unanimously approved the consent agenda, with Alderman Robert Chapman and I attending via Zoom and telephone, and with Aldermen Chip Wilbanks and Jim Martin absent. Due to the brevity of the meeting, there was no Department Head report.
In its next action, the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Darren Lamarca as the Municipal Court Judge. Attorney Will Purdie has been serving as both the City Attorney as well as the municipal court judge. However, with his announcement to run for Mayor, Attorney Purdie could no longer serve as the judge and had submitted his resignation.
The Board of Aldermen also voted to approve the request for an acquisition payment to Gilbert Henderson and Kenneth Henderson for an easement needed for the Pinehaven Bridge replacement project.
Under employment hires, the Board voted to hire two grounds technicians for the Parks and Recreation Department. The Board also approved the hiring of Abaigail Lee and Sherri Perot as dispatchers and Jasmine Robinson and Elizabeth Ellett as booking officers for the Clinton Police Department.
The Mayor and Board made the decision not to have a work session the previous evening, but there will be one on the evening of Monday, October 14. The Board is continuing to discuss the proposed zoning request by Bruce Kirkland’s company to re-zone forty acres on the Clinton Parkway to multi-use to develop commercial, residential homes and townhouses on the property. Citizens have raised concerns about potential flooding, as well as the proximity of the Clinton Nature Center. Members of the Board have visited the property, as well as responded to letters and emails from citizens.
