The Mendenhall Mayor and Board of Aldermen recently discussed their plans for the 2023 paving project.
Mayor Todd Booth presented the board with a plan to take out a loan to repair a large number of streets around the city. Repairs would follow the same process in the past of identifying the worst streets and making those a priority for repairs. Booth explained that he estimated that it would cost the city $1,222,000 to complete most streets in need of repairs.
This comes on the heels of the city’s recent million-dollar paving project that was completed in 2022, which put a dent in the city’s paving issues. The city accrued approximately $200,000 of debt while funding that project in the form of a short-term loan which was paid off in this year’s budget. The city has spent approximately $200,000 on paving each year in recent years.
Booth said he has discussed a loan with the bank and said it would be a long-term loan of up to 7 years. He asked the board not to make a decision but instead ride the streets in their district and around town. Alderman Robert Mangum said he understood the need for the city streets, but suggested the city build up the money over the next couple of years instead of taking on debt.
Booth presented another option that the city do half of the streets on the list and possibly take out a $600,000 loan. Booth said the internet use tax could be used to pay towards the loan. That tax has consistently bought in $200,000 per year. The board ultimately took no action and will resume the discussion later.
Booth and Alderwoman Judy Lee were approved as the voting delegates for their Mississippi Municipal League Conference. The board approved joining the Mississippi Main Street Association.
Alderwoman Judy Lee took exception to a home on Pittman Drive not being listed on the property clean up list.
Lee said, “They should not be off this list. We need documentation of battling this. I’d like them put back on the list and we look at this again next month. We need to question their shed and unused above ground pool. It’s not fair to the neighbors.”
Lee also said that a rooster is living inside the city limits and discussed a plan to try to locate it.
The board ratified the mayor’s action to allow the city clerk to write office checks from HB 1730 bank account for invoices on the highway 13 water line project. Four checks were issued for a total of $20,437.07. The actions were ratified by a majority vote with Alderman Robert Mangum opposed.
Booth asked the board to approve the clerk to write office checks as invoices come in for the highway 13 water line project. Booth explained that the project has been time sensitive and invoices need to be paid to keep the project on track. He said being timely also plays a key factor in when the city will be reimbursed for money spent on the project. The latest invoice on the project was approximately $205,000. Mangum was opposed to the idea of authorizing office checks, and suggested the board should see invoices and approve them as they come in. The board approved paying the $205,000 invoice and prompted the mayor to call a special meeting if necessary to pay future invoices.
Booth gave an update on the Highway 13 water line project. He explained that the tank has been connected to the main water system at Green Avenue. He said the contractors are now waiting on a check valve. Once the new valve is installed the water tank can be filled and tested. Booth said a clear test at Green is needed before the lines can be opened.
Approval was given to purchase cell heads for the new water meters. The city is still transitioning to upgraded water meters and will use funds from HB 603 to purchase them. Booth explained how the new system can be monitored from City Hall and will notify the customers when they have a leak. He said it tracks water trends and will update the customer if their usage spikes. He said the goal for the system is to add an automatic shutoff feature to rental properties that will allow water to be shut off from City Hall.
Deputy City Clerk Latasha Millis was approved to attend the 2023 MML Conference. The board entered executive session to discuss personnel before adjourning the meeting.
