The Columbus City Council will clear one of its last hurdles before redrawing the lines in some of its six wards. The Council on Tuesday will discuss and adopt an ordinance needed for approval before the final redistricting map can be sent to the U.S. Department of Justice for final approval. The ordinance will outline where the lines will be moved and where polling and voting precincts will be moved.
The council plan, which was approved on a 4-2 vote, would cut the population variance among wards to 9.5 percent. Currently, there is a 20 percent variance between the city’s most populated ward, Ward 6, and its least populated, Ward 4. A variance of more than 10 percent automatically triggers redistricting, according to federal law.
The plan, which was drawn up by the firm of Bridge and Watson, was met with opposition from Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens and Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem, both of whom voted against its approval. A second map supported by Karriem and Mickens will also be sent to the DOJ for approval. The DOJ can approve only one map. Neither map is guaranteed to be approved by the DOJ.
Under the council’s plan there is no change in wards 1 and 2. Ward 3 would lose everything south of Hemlock Street and everything west of McCrary Street. Those areas would move into Ward 4. The Ward 6 area south of Waverly Road and a block of Sixth Street North would be taken into Ward 5.
Census data from 2010 shows Ward 4 is the most underpopulated ward, with a variance of negative 427 or negative 10 percent, down from 219 people in 2000. Ward 6 is the most heavily populated, with a positive variance of 360 or 9.1 percent.
Redistricting, where legislative or voting districts are redrawn, is mandated by the DOJ and falls under Section 5 of The Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The redistricting must be approved and the wards redrawn before the municipal elections in 2013.
The City Council meets Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Municipal Complex.
POST OFFICE BOX 1408
COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI 39703
MEETING OF
THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COLUMBUS, MS
AUGUST 7, 2012
CALL TO ORDER AND INVOCATION
APPROVE MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF JULY 17, 2012.
APPROVE DOCKET OF CLAIMS FOR AUGUST 7, 2012.
CONFIRMATION OF/OR AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA:
K. Moore A. Approve request for two (2) Firefighters to attend the Homeland Security exercise “Operation Gun Smoke” that will be held in Tunica, MS, and approve payment for the cost of lodging and the reimbursement for meal expenses for each. The City will be reimbursed by Homeland Security.
K. Moore B. Approve request for a Captain to attend the “Fire Service Instructor 10-41-I Course” that will be held at the Mississippi Fire Academy, and approve payment for the cost of the course and the reimbursement of meal expenses.
K. Moore C. Approve request for the Special Operations Chief to attend the Homeland Security exercise “Operation Wet Water” that will be held in Tunica, Brandon and McComb, MS, and approve payment for the cost of lodging and the reimbursement of meal expenses. The City will be reimbursed by Homeland Security.
K. Moore D. Ratify request for the Special Operations Chief to attend a full-scale Homeland Security exercise “Operation Gun Smoke” that will be held in Tunica, MS, and approve payment for the cost of lodging and the reimbursement of meal expenses. The city will be reimbursed by Homeland Security.
K. Moore E. Accept letter of retirement from a Captain, effective October 16, 2012.
K. Moore F. Approve request to declare items as surplus property.
K. Moore G. Approve request for the Chief Financial Officer to reimburse the City of West Point for meal expenses of three (3) fire personnel who attended the Trench Rescue Class” that was held in Jackson, MS. The City will be reimbursed by Homeland Security.
K. Moore H. Approve request for the Chief Financial Officer to issue a check to the Jackson Fire Department for fuel expenses. The City will be reimbursed by Homeland Security.
S. McQueen I. Approve request for the Director of Training to attend the “Annual United States National Standards and Training Seminar” that will be held in Biloxi, MS, and approve payment for the cost of the training, lodging and the reimbursement of meal expenses.
S. McQueen J. Ratify request to block off streets for the “6th Annual Youth/Community Outreach” that will be hosted by True Redemption Evangelistic Ministries on August 4, 2012.
S. McQueen K. Approve request to block off streets for a Block Party that will be hosted by Point of Grace Church on August 10, 2012.
R. Smith L. Approve request for the Mayor and three (3) Council Members to attend the “2012 Tunica Policy Conference”, and approve payment for the cost of registration, lodging, mileage and the reimbursement of meal expenses for each.
R. Smith M. Approve request for the Mayor to attend the “Mississippi Main Street Association Board Meeting” that will be held in Jackson, MS, and approve the reimbursement of meal expenses.
R. Smith N. Approve request for the Mayor to attend the “MML Board of Directors Meeting” that will be held in Tupelo, MS, and approve the reimbursement of meal expenses.
M. Pratt O. Accept letter of resignation from a Truck Driver, effective August 6, 2012.
M. Bernsen P. Ratify payments from the Night Out Against Crime fund to four (4) Site Directors for annual event that will be held on August 7, 2012.
F. Goodman Q. Ratify payment to contractor for work performed on the Public Works building.
D. Nash/ R. Approve request for the Code Enforcement Officer and an Inspector to attend
K. Wiegel the “Annual Asbestos Inspection & Assessment Refresher Course” that will be
held at Mississippi State University, and approve payment for the cost of
registration, certification and the reimbursement of meal expenses for each
REPORTS, PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AGENDA:
R. Smith A. General Comments from the Mayor and Council Members
R. Smith B. Presentation on National Night Out Proclamation
D. Armstrong C. Board Vacancies:
Historic Preservation Commission
One vacancy
John A. Andresen appointment declared vacant on
06/04/2012.
Appointee will fill the remainder of John Andresen’s term.
Appointment can be made tonight.
Applicant:
Michael Pratt
Civil Service Commission
One vacancy
4-Year Term
Thomas L. Moore, Jr.’s appointment will expire on 08/05/2012.
Appointment can be made tonight.
Applicant:
Thomas L. Moore, Jr.
Municipal Election Commission
One vacancy
Fred Kinder resigned effective July 9, 2012.
Appointee will fill the remainder of the term.
Appointment can be made on 08/21/2012.
No applicants at this time
Columbus-Lowndes Library Board
One vacancy
5-Year Term
Bruce Hufford’s appointment will expire September 30, 2012.
Appointment can be made on 09/18/2012.
Applicant:
Melinda G. Lowe
Board of Adjustment & Appeals of Development Codes
One vacancy
2-Year Term
Ralph McLain’s appointment will expire September 21, 2012.
Appointment can be made on 09/18/2012.
No applicants at this time
CITIZENS INPUT AGENDA: (Please limit to 2-5 minutes)
A. Larry Golden – RE: Club Hideho
B. Glen Baldwin – RE: Board Appointment
POLICY AGENDA:
T. Jones A. Discuss/Accept FAA AIP Grant for Columbus-Lowndes County Airport.
T. Jones B. Discuss/Approve lowest bid on the CLCA Taxiway Rehabilitation Project.
T. Jones C. Discuss/Approve lowest bid on the CLCAPAPI Installation Project.
T. Jones D. Discuss/Approve request to apply for the 2012 HOME Investment Partnership
Grant and approve request to advertise for a Public Hearing.
R. Smith E. Discuss the Columbus Properties, LLC TIF.
C. Berry F. Accept Brownfields Assessment proposals from qualified environmental firms and appoint a selection committee.
K. Moore G. Approve request to hire four (4) Entry-Level Firefighters upon successful completion of physical examinations and drug screening.
M. Bernsen H. Ratify payment to Mississippi State Tax Commission for the annual Non-Hazardous Solid Waste Fee for the landfill.
J. Turnage I. Approve Ordinance regarding establishing Redistricting Polling and Voting Precincts.
D. Armstrong J. Discuss/Approve advertising for Recycling and Collection Services Proposals.
R. Smith K. Discuss/Approve permission to apply for the Mississippi Development Authority for BRAC Grant.
J. Turnage L. Conduct Hearing on Overgrown Lots and Dilapidated Houses.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Meeting of
The Mayor and City Council
City of Columbus, MS
August 7, 2012
Page PAGE 2
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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