The Columbus City Council Tuesday approved the city”s share of a Mississippi wireless communications grant, enabling local emergency agencies to better communicate with other local and state emergency operations.
The council voted to pay $9,851.37, the city”s match share of a $10 million grant going to the state; the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors earlier voted to pay the county”s share of the grant match.
The new Mississippi Wireless Information Network radios, and radio towers installed by the state, are a direct result of “lack of communications” after Hurricane Katrina, Columbus Fire Chief Ken Moore noted, explaining state agencies were “mandated to go to the new system” and local agencies were encouraged to do so.
The city will use the grant money to upgrade existing equipment to effectively tie in with the state system.
In another matter, the council upheld recommendations of the Columbus Planning Commission from its April 12 meeting.
The commission approved, and the council upheld, a request to allow a child day care center at the old Hughes school building, located at 1820 23rd St. N.
But the commission and council denied a request to allow a homeless shelter at the same location, where Genesis Church meets.
Jessie Koonce, who lives on 23rd Street North, told the council she is opposed to a homeless shelter because of security concerns and a lack of information on the project, but Genesis Church Pastor Darren Leach said the church “desires to be a good neighbor” and will “work with the neighborhood to deal with concerns.”
The commission and council approved the preliminary review of a new subdivision plat — River Dreams — on Island Road and an adult day care facility for the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District at 1522 Gardner Blvd.
The commission and council also approved a request by Leigh Mall General Manager Gail Culpepper, on behalf of Mississippi Delta Shows LLC, to have a carnival July 28-Aug. 7 at 1404 Old Aberdeen Road, behind the mall.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
