The Mendenhall Mayor and Board of Aldermen met for a regularly scheduled meeting on October 5. The board voted on an emergency matter regarding the bridge located on South Main Street near the Mendenhall Sportsplex. A unanimous vote was cast for Mayor Todd Booth to move forward with repairs to the bridge which was closed due to a failed inspection. Booth explained that the bridge has needed repairs for some time and that the situation was inevitable. The materials needed for the project have been purchased and the city crew will work to get the bridge operational. Booth said the project is high priority and will be fixed as soon as possible. Citizens affected by the closure are currently being rerouted to Athens Road.
Mendenhall Fire Chief Brandon Wester appeared before the board and explained that there were left over grant funds from the purchase of the new cascade system. Wester sought approval from the board to purchase additional equipment for the newly purchased cascade system. Wester provided the board with two quotes on the additional equipment and the board approved the lower quote from Bonaventure Fire and Safety. The cascade system was originally purchased from Bonaventure.
Dr. Norman Miller with ASAP Ambulance presented his monthly report. Miller said the service’s response time remains less than 15 minutes and they currently have a fifty percent transport rate. Miller highlighted that patients are not charged when the ambulance service responds, only if they are transported.
Representatives from Nick Floyd & Associates received approval from the board to offer life insurance to city employees. Discussion on the food tax died for lack of motion. First discussions on the food tax were held last month about implementing a two percent food tax in the city. The tax would apply to anywhere in the city that prepares and sells food except for grocery stores and restaurants with sales of over $100,000 a year. Booth said the subject would be revisited once more information is gathered.
The board approved the city clerk to complete the municipal compliance questionnaire. The board also approved the IPFS property insurance renewal. The city of Mendenhall will observe Halloween on Saturday October 30. The annual Trunk or Treat will take place in conjunction with Friday Nights on Main, and the board approved City Hall to participate.
A rate increase was given for part-time and full-time dispatchers. The city superintendent also received a $1,500 rate increase. The board approved the hire of five new employees. Marcus James and Patrick Jones were approved as part-time patrolmen for the Mendenhall Police Department. The board ratified the mayor’s actions of hiring Kevin Puckett and Justin Abbott with the grass crew, and Blake Barnard with the water department. The Board went into executive session to discuss personnel and subsequently terminated Blake Barnard.
Before adjourning the meeting, the board adopted the 2020 Census results and redistricting guidelines. Booth explained that every ward within the city will be redistricted. The board approved the guidelines and will work with CMPDD on redistricting the wards.
