It was sort of ironic that the City of Clarksdale took bid for mowing summer grass just days after one of the worst winter storms on record hit the community.
But with an eye on warmer weather, three bids were opened for two separate mowing jobs Monday with the bids read and taken under advisement.
Bid specs asked for prices on mowing from March to October with one bid seeking to cut the city’s 420 vacant lots on a monthly basis and the second bid to cut the lawns at city buildings and right of way on a weekly basis.
City Clerk Cathy Clark said the city did not have the manpower or equipment to mow 420 vacant lots over the summer growing season. The lawns and right-of-way bid also included weed eating and disposing of clippings.
Ward 1 Alderman Bo Plunk pointed out the specifications for this work took some time to draw up and the bids were worded in a fashion due to the work being different.
“The vacant lots may still have bricks in them and the idea was to just keep the grass cut,” said Plunk. “The other bid was more about landscaping and keeping it nice.”
The bids for vacant lots also specified herbicides could be used as long as they were sprayed by a certified applicator.
Bids were submitted by Ravel Williams, Lamar Williams and ?? Houchin.
Ward 3 Alderman Willie Turner said Houchin did quality work last year and he hoped his bid qualified him for that work this year.
Bids were handed to City Board Attorney Melvin Miller to see if they met city specs and will be brought back before the board on March 4.
In other business:
• The city agreed to pay Robert Womble $4,500 for the clearing of city streets with his tractor and blade during the recent snow storm.
The Mayor and Commissioner each praised Womble for his initiative and the hours he put in to try and keep streets clear.
Womble initially cleared the street in his neighborhood and it quickly grew into a city-wide project with the city asking him to submit an invoice for the work.
• Board of Mayor and Commissioners approved the 21st Executive Order extending the emergency declaration for COVID. The declaration allows the city to qualify for federal and state COVID programs and dollars.
• The city paid the following miscellaneous claims: Cornerstone $2,250; Lillie Houston $1,200; Safeguard $928.95; Fiser Insurance Agency $113,462; John Givins $400; City of Clarksdale $ 1,858.09
• The Board of Mayor and Commissioner approved a travel reimbursement decrease from .57.5-cents per mile to .56-cents per mile.
• Voted to go into executive session for personnel.
• The city adopted the minutes of its Feb. 8 and 18 meetings.
• The board voted to recess until their first Tuesday meeting at the City Auditorium at noon March 4.
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