Civic Corner: Board of Aldermen meeting recap
By Ricki Garrett, PhD, Alderwoman-at-Large
To begin our meeting, Ward 5 Alderwoman Beverly Oliver introduced Donna Yowell, executive director of the Mississippi Urban Forest Council, for recognition of arboretum certifications for the City of Clinton. The Clinton Visitors Center, the Quisenberry Library and Bruenburg neighborhood were all recognized. Donna selected Clinton as the city she wanted to work with to enhance its overall beauty and sustainability, and she is writing grants to accomplish these important goals. Alderwoman Oliver also presented Marcy Rushing, the Clinton Public Schools’ swim coach, and Faith Martin, YMCA Director, for recognition of their partnership on a very successful swim meet.
The Board of Aldermen approved acceptance of a proposal and approval of Right of Way Technologies to provide property and easement acquisition services for the Wastewater Improvements Project. The Board also approved and accepted a summary change order and pay request in the amount of $13,395 to Hemphill Construction Company and final pay request and closeout documents for the Pebble Book and Trailwood Drive Storm Drainage replacement project.
Public Works Director Philip Lilley presented information on upcoming repairs to the Quisenberry Library, and the Board approved the lowest and best quote from Tru Mac in the amount of $73,760 for ingress/egress repairs. The Board also authorized an application for an energy efficiency and conservation block grant for upgrades/repairs to the lighting system of the Quisenberry Library.
The Board of Aldermen approved a certificate of appropriateness to Andrew Creel at 312 Jefferson Street to add windows and doors to the building to make it better suited for his Greek restaurant. A longtime restaurant owner in Ridgeland, Mr. Creel is excited to be bringing one to Clinton.
The Board of Aldermen also approved a dimensional variance to A-1 Roof Savers, 8071 North McRaven Road. The Board also approved a dimensional variance for David Ellis at 1830 Clinton Raymond Road for the construction of a green house and a certificate of appropriateness at 305 East College Street for Brian Hudson. The Board also approved a site plan review for Denise Eley at 652 Highway 80 East, took action on unkempt property at 1203 Rockingham Drive and approved a site plan for Cedar Hill Phase II of Kirkland Development.
The most contentious issue of the meeting was the agenda item to rezone from R-1 (Single Family residential) to MU (Mixed Use) a Kirkland Development on the Clinton Parkway. At issue was whether the opponents of the change, who had filed a petition against it, had been notified of problems with their petition, causing it to be uncertified by the City. If the petition had been certified, it would have required a super majority of the Board (five votes) to approve the zoning change. Alderman Martin argued that no one had informed the residents at the work session the evening before that there was a problem with the petition and had, in fact, said it was certified. Alderman Martin made a motion to table the rezoning to provide time for the petition to be corrected. Alderwoman Oliver seconded the motion, with Aldermen Garrett, Wilbanks, Martin and Oliver voting in favor of tabling the issue, and Aldermen Godfrey, Chapman and Lott voting no. The issue was tabled until the next meeting of the Board of Aldermen.
