When the Mendenhall Mayor and Board of Aldermen met on June 7 Mayor Todd Booth announced that only three signatures were needed to move forward with the Highway 13 and Highway 49 water line project.
The project has been on hold since March after the board discussed a wrinkle in the Highway 43 water tower project. The original path to connect the tower was no longer available. The city planned to use Entergy’s right of way and connect the tower to the main system near Green Avenue. Booth said the project needed the approval of approximately 13 property owners for an easement to connect the tank to the main water system, and 10 signatures have been obtained.
The board unanimously agreed to adopt a new ordinance pertaining to regulations at the Mendenhall Cemetery. The line item was first discussed during the board’s May meeting.
Massey brought up the issue of people being buried in the cemetery without the Mendenhall Cemetery Association being notified. He asked that the city put some form of legal instrument in place that requires that the association be notified when a person is to be buried in the city cemetery. He described issues of people being buried in the wrong plot, and of the association not knowing to keep up maintenance on new graves. He explained that bodies and headstones shift over time, and it makes the association’s job difficult when they don’t know that a new grave is being dug. The board tabled the request in May to allow board attorney Wesley Broadhead to research an ordinance.
The newly adopted ordinance stated that any person or entity that desires to inter a body in Mendenhall Cemeteries shall notify an officer of the Mendenhall Cemeteries Association at least 24 hours before the burial. Violation of this ordinance will result in a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500, or imprisonment not to exceed 30 days.
Mendenhall Fire Chief Brandon Wester appeared before the board to recommend allowing Covington County Ambulance Service to use the fire station as a base of operations. Covington County Ambulance Service will be replacing the previous provider, ASAP.
Wester explained that the Mendenhall area ambulance would use an empty bay at the fire station and store supplies. He said he believes this will be a big help to the department when going on calls. The board unanimously agreed to allow the ambulance service the use of the fire station.
Alderwoman Judy Lee was selected as an alternate voting delegate for the upcoming MML Conference.
May board minutes were approved along with a payroll transfer from the ARPA fun account to the special project account.
The board unanimously approved the clean up of the property at 505 North Main Street. Fees associated with cleaning the property will be assessed to the owner’s taxes.
Minda Smith was hired as a part-time dispatcher with the Mendenhall Police Department. Josh Purser, Robert Barske, and Michael Phillips were all hired onto the city crew.
City Inspector David Miller updated the board on the conditions of grease traps around the city. Miller explained that 30 locations in the city utilize grease traps. Of those locations 17 needed cleaning, 8 businesses needed to install grease traps, and 5 were cleaned. Miller explained that the city is following guidelines put forward by the MS Department of Health. The board voted to establish grease trap form number one or “GT01” to establish a schedule of when grease traps will be inspected. Miller said all business owners have worked well with the city on getting grease traps cleaned. A separate letter detailing a timeline for when grease traps should be cleaned after failing an inspection an instituting a $300 fine was tabled until next month.
Mayor Todd booth initiated a discussion of homeowners pulling permits and having unlicensed people doing projects on homes in the city. Booth explained that he was contacted by a licensed plumber and was asked how people without licenses were being allowed to work in the city. Miller said as it stands a homeowner can pull a permit to do what they want to their own home. Alderman Tim Gray suggested the discussion be taken offline until they can gather more information.
An update was given on the walking trail to be installed at the Mendenhall Sportsplex. Booth explained that bids are currently coming in too high on the project. He explained that the project is still being evaluated and will move forward as soon as possible. The board entered executive session to discuss personnel before boarding a van and touring the city to discuss asphalt and pavement plans. Several streets were discussed as the board worked to prioritize the worst streets in each ward. Paving is expected to begin in July.
