The Mendenhall Mayor and Board of Aldermen have agreed to table the previously discussed dog ordinance for more research.
Alderwomen Janna Miller and Judy Lee plan to further review the ordinance for necessary changes. Alderwoman Lee stated that the ordinance needed to be revised after being adopted in 2003. The ordinance was originally brought up by Alderman Arthur Walker because of aggressive at-large dogs. Defining the animals was a previous topic for completing and understanding the ordinance because there was no language defining what a “vicious animal” was. Ordinance 223 does include a restraint rule stating that animals must be secured by a leash when not on their owner’s property. The board plans to revisit the topic at the next meeting.
A bid opening for asphalt was held. The city received one bid from J & L Enterprises that included the price per ton, ultra-thin mix, and tac. The board approved the bid and will follow a similar paving plan from the last several years.
The city has budgeted approximately $200,000 for asphalt paving this upcoming fiscal year, which has been typical in recent years. This comes after the city recently completed a one million dollar paving project in which over 20 streets were repaired, including East Street, East Laurel, North West and Simpson Intersection, West Street, East Court Steet, South Main Street, Pine Lane, Green Avenue, Mamie Drive, Sunny Lane, Mary and Mose, Dixie, West Bell, Smith Drive, Martin Circle, First Street, Pittman and Dear Intersection, City Park, and City Hall Parking Lot. The city was able to pay for the bulk of the project and only accrued approximately $200,000 of debt in the form of a short-term loan.
Plans are to pay off the $200,000 loan in the current budget and do $200,000 worth of new paving. Mayor Todd Booth believes once the note is paid the city will be able to allocate up to $400,000 to annual paving moving forward.
The Board approved plans to attend the 2023 MML Conference in Biloxi. Police Chief Candy McCullum, Board Attorney Wesley Broadhead, and Court Clerks Lorie King and Angie Bryant will also attend their respective conferences in June.
A rate increase was approved for certified full-time dispatchers to $12 and part-time dispatchers $11 per hour with the Mendenhall Police Department. The board accepted the resignation of Davie Elliot from Public Works and approved a status change of Kevin Puckett from roustabout to grapple truck driver. Mayor Booth’s actions of hiring Michael Hill and Ladavian Jackson were unanimously approved.
Alderman Arthur Walker emphasized the importance of taking care of city equipment and completing routine maintenance on schedule. He stressed maximizing citizens’ tax dollars and getting the maximum use out of city vehicles.
The board approved the payment of $115,00 towards an infrastructure loan at Peoples Bank from the Infrastructure Modernization Fund. Booth said the city would continue to be aggressive in reducing debt. The city clerk was approved to write an office check to T&D’s Carpet in te amount of $4,015 for damage done to the Mendenhall Library. The damage to the library was a result of a backed-up line in the Civic Center. The line froze during and the water could not drain properly causing it come through the floor of the library. Boot expressed concern that the incident was not covered by insurance and planned to look into the matter.
The board entered executive session to discuss personnel before adjourning the meeting.
