The City Council on Tuesday will discuss moving the Lee Middle School and Mitchell Memorial Elementary School voting precincts. Mitchell has been sold by the Columbus Municipal School District and Lee is up for sale.
“This has nothing to do with the upcoming redistricting,” Ward 3 Councilman Charlie Box said. “Lee Middle School is in my ward and it has been a voting precinct. I am not sure where our new voting precinct will be. This is something we will have to talk about Tuesday night.”
Once the new locations have been passed in a majority vote by the council, City Attorney Jeff Turnage will send the board’s wishes to the US Department of Justice for approval.
A request from Police Chief Selvain McQueen regarding the hiring of six new officers will also be heard and discussed by the council. McQueen said his department would not be fully staffed if the new hires are approved but it would be “a good start.”
The council will soon be making two new board appointments. An appointee will be needed to fill a vacancy on the Historic Preservation Commission as Nancy Carpenter’s term expires May 16. Carpenter said she is not reapplying for the position. Karon J. Davis has applied for the vacancy.
The council also needs to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. Nicole Clinkscales resigned from the commission April 23. The board can make the appointment on June 5. There are no applicants for the position at this time.
City Engineer Kevin Stafford will appear in front of the board, seeking approval on several street-related issues including making First Street South a one-way street.
The council will meet at the Municipal Complex Tuesday, May 1 at 5 p.m.
City Council agenda for May 1.
MEETING OF
THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COLUMBUS, MS
MAY 1, 2012
CALL TO ORDER AND INVOCATION
APPROVE MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF APRIL 17 & 18 2012.
APPROVE DOCKET OF CLAIMS FOR MAY 1, 2012.
CONFIRMATION OF/OR AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA:
S. McQueen A. Approve request for four (4) Officers to attend the “Investigative Grand Jury Training” that will be held in Pearl, MS, and approve the reimbursement of meal expenses for each. There is no cost for the course.
S. McQueen B. Approve request for two (2) Officers to attend the “Interview and Interrogation Training” that will be held in Batesville, MS, and approve payment for the cost of lodging and the reimbursement of meal expenses for each. There is no cost for the course.
S. McQueen C. Accept letter of resignation from Code Enforcement Officer/Captain of the Police Reserve Unit, effective May 2, 2012.
S. McQueen D. Ratify request to block off streets for Lowndes County Government Week that will be held on April 27, 2012 in front of the Lowndes County Courthouse.
S. McQueen E. Approve request to block off streets for a Grooms Indian Wedding Procession that will be held on June 10, 2012.
S. McQueen F. Approve request to block off streets for Northside M. B. Church Christian Fun Day that will be held on June 30, 2012.
K. Moore G. Approve request for a Firefighter to attend the “Trench Rescue and Emergency Shoring Course” that will be held at the MS Fire Academy in Jackson, MS, and approve payment for the cost of lodging and the reimbursement of meal expenses. The course fee is paid by a Homeland Security Grant.
K. Moore H. Approve request for a Firefighter to attend the “Homeland Security Task Force Communication Leaders Meeting” that will be held in Jackson, MS, and approve payment for the cost of lodging and the reimbursement of meal expenses. The City will be reimbursed by the MS Office of Homeland Security.
K. Moore I. Approve request for the Special Operations Chief, the Fire Chief and a Firefighter to attend the “Homeland Security Task Force Leaders Meeting” that will be held in Jackson, MS, and approve payment for the cost of lodging and the reimbursement of meal expenses for each. The City will be reimbursed by the MS Office of Homeland Security.
K. Moore J. Approve request for the Special Operations Officer to attend the “Homeland Security Asset Management Meetings” that will be held in Jackson and Meridian, MS, and approve payment for the cost of lodging and the reimbursement of meal expenses. The City will be reimbursed by the MS Office of Homeland Security.
K. Moore K. Ratify request for a Firefighter who instructed a “Homeland Security OSAR Class” at the Meridian Public Safety Training Facility, and approve payment for the cost of lodging and the reimbursement of meal expenses. The City will be reimbursed by the MS Office of Homeland Security.
K. Moore L. Approve request to reimburse a Firefighter who successfully completed “BIO 2924 Microbiology” during the 2012 Spring Term at East Mississippi Community College.
K. Moore M. Approve the use of the City’s Credit Card to pay the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-Basic certification examination for three (3) Firefighters.
K. Moore N. Approve request for the CFO/Secretary-Treasurer to issue a check to the Yazoo County Sheriff’s Department for dive equipment annual maintenance.
F. Goodman O. Approve request to refund an applicant for the date of September 1, 2012.
L. Dudley P. Approve request for two (2) Judicial Correctional Probation Officers to attend the “Mississippi Association of Drug Court Professional Training Conference” that will be held in Hattiesburg, MS, and approve payment for the cost of registration, lodging, mileage and the reimbursement of meal expenses for each.
REPORTS, PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AGENDA:
R. Smith A. General Comments from the Mayor and Council Members
D. Armstrong B. Board Vacancies:
Historic Preservation Commission
One vacancy
4-Year Term
Nancy Carpenter’s term will expire on 5/16/2012.
Appointment can be made on 5/15/2012.
Applicant:
Karon J. Davis
City Planning Commission
One vacancy
Nicole Clinkscales resigned effective 4/23/2012.
Appointee will serve the remainder of the term.
Appointment can be made on 06/05/2012.
No applicants at this time
CITIZENS INPUT AGENDA: (Please limit to 2-5 minutes)
A. Margaret Evans – Re: Senior Citizens Center
B. William Meyers – Re: City Transportation
POLICY AGENDA:
T. Jones A. Discuss/Approve Rental Rehabilitation Application for an applicant.
M. Bernsen B. Discuss/Approve request to relocate Lee Middle School and Mitchell
School Voting Precincts and the use of the TSX Voting Equipment, and grant
permission for the City Attorney to proceed in getting authorization from the
U. S. Justice Department.
S. McQueen C. Discuss/Approve Eligibility List for Entry-Level Police Officer applicants who have successfully completed and passed all the necessary requirements.
S. McQueen D. Discuss/Approve request to hire six (6) Entry Level Police Officers, upon successful completion of a physical examination and drug screen.
F. Goodman E. Discuss/Approve request to accept the lowest bid for the replacement of the roof on City Buildings located at 1601/1602/1605 Main Street.
K. Stafford F. Discuss/Approve request to reduce the speed limit on Juanita and Lee Streets.
K. Stafford G. Discuss/Approve request to advertise for Fuel Farm Improvements at the Columbus-Lowndes County Airport.
K. Stafford H. Discuss/Approve request to pave Temple Cove.
K. Stafford I. Discuss/Approve request to clean Northaven Woods ditch and to request County assistance.
K. Stafford J. Discuss/Approve request to make First Street South to a One-Way Street.
J. Turnage K. Discuss/Approve Quit claim Deed from the City of Columbus to Lowndes County for the grant application for a bridge over Moore’s Creek.
D. Armstrong L. Appoint Committee to review RFQ’s for Energy Services Proposal.
D. Armstrong M. Discuss/Approve New FBO Agreement for Columbus/Lowndes County Airport.
J. Turnage N. Conduct Hearing on Overgrown Lots and Dilapidated Houses.
M. Pratt/ O. Approve request to hire two (2) Laborers and a Truck Driver, contingent on
P. Mitchell successful completion of pre-employment medical examination and drug
screen.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A. Personnel Matters (2)
Meeting of
The Mayor and City Council
City of Columbus, MS
May 1, 2012
Page PAGE 4
MAYOR
ROBERT E. SMITH, SR.
CITY COUNCIL
GENE A. TAYLOR
JOSEPH W. MICKENS, SR.
CHARLIE BOX
FRED E. STEWART
KABIR KARRIEM
BILL GAVIN
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
DAVID ARMSTRONG
CFO/SECRETARY-TREASURER
MIKE BERNSEN
POLICE CHIEF
SELVAIN MCQUEEN
FIRE CHIEF
THOMAS K. MOORE
DIRECTOR OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS
TRAVIS JONES
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
PATRICIA MITCHELL
CITY PLANNER
CHRISTINA BERRY
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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