Civic Corner: Board of Aldermen Meeting Recap for March 4, 2025
By Ricki Garrett, PhD, Alderwoman-at-Large
Following the consent agenda, the Board of Aldermen heard a report from Ashley Hammack, Manager of the Olde Towne Depot. Ms. Hammack reminded the Board that the Depot is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday and is available for rent for regular and special meetings and events. Some of the popular programs include Reading Railroad, the Polar Express Pajama Party, Depot Days of Summer and assisting with the Santa Claus Crawl. The rail camera has been very popular, is available 24/7, and has had over 1600 views.
The Board of Aldermen approved Mayor Fisher to execute a contractor change order in the amount of $793,858.54 with Joe McGee Construction Company, Inc related to the rising Spring 80/20 Development Project. This change order is needed due to the increase in the cost of the spring from $200,000.00 to $500,000.00. However, it is still within the budget. The Board also approved authorizing Mayor Fisher to execute a contractor change order in the amount of $134,028.00 with Century Construction Group, Inc, also related to the rising Spring 80/20 Development Project.
Right of way payments requested by the Clinton Raymond Bolton Wastewater Authority, were also approved. Fire Chief, Jeff Blackledge, asked for approval for converting fire station #2 to LED lights at the cost of $7,542.00 and to convert one light at fire station #1 that was missed when the other lights were converted.
The Board of Aldermen accepted bids received for the MCWI Force Main Improvements project and awarded to the lowest and best bidder, Hemphill Construction Company, Inc. in the amount of $14,612,575.00. In other action, the Board approved to accept WGK, Inc., for engineering services for the City of Clinton’s Community Development Block Grant public facilities project.
Under the category of Certificates of Appropriateness, the Board of Aldermen gave approval to Krilakis at 312 Jefferson Street for two signs, to Chip Wilbanks for the renovation of the Cedars at 405 East College Street, and to CUPS at 101 West Main Street to replace the deck latticework with strings of cable.
The Board was informed at its work session that Donna Yowell has acquired a city-wide nature-based grant from the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund in the amount of $878,000.00. Ms. Yowell is contracted with the city to do a citywide nature and beautification project. She is also working on several other large grants that will benefit the city in multiple ways.
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.
