Civic Corner: Board of Aldermen Recap
Following a unanimous approval of the consent agenda, the Board of Aldermen heard a report from Chandra Fontenot, Director of Therapeutic Recreation. Director Fontenot reported that participation had increased by two thousand individuals in the past year. She said that the Annual Sweetheart Formal for this year is completely supported by donations and that she is looking into the Special Olympics Program for the future. Director Fontenot also announced that the Seniors’ Valentine’s Day party will be on February 14, and the Therapeutic Recreation program is no longer mailing out information.
Mayor Fisher also asked Public Works Director Philip Lilley to give a brief report on the ongoing work related to weather issues. He reported that roads have been de-iced with sand and salt and that Johnson Milling Company had provided free salt.
The Board of Aldermen reluctantly adopted a resolution to increase residential garbage rates to $27.30 per month and the commercial rate to $31.15 per month. This increase is part of an automatic increase incorporated in our contract with Waste Management that is based on the Consumer Price Index. The Board also approved resolutions granting freeport warehouse ad valorum tax exemptions to McNeely Plastics and to Gulf State Canners for five years. This tax exemption is for goods that are held in-state for a short amount of time before being transported out of state.
The Board of Aldermen approved acceptance of a grant award from Homeland Security in the amount of $77,760 for the Clinton Police Department Bomb Team. The Board also approved acceptance of bids received for the emergency road and bridge replacement on Pinehaven Drive and awarded to the lowest and best bidder, Joe McGee Construction Company, in the amo
unt of $3,927,362.70, with allowance for appropriate construction contingency and for the Mayor to execute all documents.
The Board of Aldermen approved acceptance of bids received for the Arrow Drive pedestrian path lighting Improvements and awarded to the lowest and best bidder, McInnis Systems, Inc., in the amount of $482,375, with allowance for appropriate construction contingency and for the Mayor to execute all documents. For those citizens who have had concerns about the brightness of the lights already installed, the Board has approved dimmers for those lights and for those approved for installation.
Due to extensive obligations of the Public Works Department, the Board approved to advertise proposals for landscaping services on the 1-20 Springridge Road Interchange. The Board also approved acceptance for the lowest and best bid for sewer line replacement to Steadfast Services LLC for $35,000.
After approving one hire for the Public Works Department, the Board of Aldermen went into Executive Session and approved the firing of an employee of the City.
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.
