Clarksdale took steps this week to manage flooding in two neighborhoods and work on the project should begin as soon as the weather breaks this spring.
The Board of Mayor and Commissioners were told project estimates have dropped after the city worked with Coahoma County and the Yazoo Levee Board to receive help with work to alleviate flooding in the Pearson Street and Sasse Street neighborhoods.
The city has also got a site visit by the Mississippi Development Authority to obtain a Community Development Block Grant. While the grant has yet to be formally bestowed, the city was told a site visit is a key indicator MDA is very interested in the project.
The city is now ready to proceed with bidding on the Pearson Street project. In September 2019 engineers initially estimated the cost of the project at $1.7 million and that price tag dropped to $1.2 in February 2020 with the city determining it could use city personnel, equipment and dirt to reduce the cost. Commissioners were told the estimate could drop to $774,136 this month with the help of the county and levee board.
Pearson Street was the site of significant flooding in 2016 with many homes in the neighborhood just off Lee Drive in western Clarksdale forced out of their home by the Big Sunflower River.
Sasse Street, Just off Desoto Avenue in eastern Clarksdale has been plagued by poor drainage for years.
On a motion by Ward 3 Commissioner Willie Turner and a second by Ward 4 Commissioner Ed Seals the city acknowledge the new bid estimates the City Clerk and the CDBG status from the Grant Writer regarding the Pearson Street and Sasse Street.
The city had prioritized five projects for a 2019 bond issue that was approved by voters.
Clarksdale’s 2019 bond referendum projects included:
1. Replace Second Street Bridge: $3,800,000.
2. Sasse Street drainage: $800,000.
3. Pearson Street levee: $2,025,000
4. Sidewalks/Lighting: $1.1 million.
5. Street rehabilitation: $500,000.
6. Friars Point Road: $3,600,000.
Projects are listed by priority and Friars Point would be added if funds become available through possible grants. The city has also discussed taking the Second Street Bridge off if the county can get it on the state’s bridge replacement list.
In other business:
• Commissioners discussed recent shootings in the city.
“We need to get a handle on these shootings,” said Seals. “More patrolmen are needed.”
Clarksdale has seen its police force drop dramatically as almost in half of its veteran officers have left the department and are being slowly replaced by new recruits.
The city has advertised the positions and has even paid for a number of new recruits to attend the State Police Academy for training.
The police department has traditionally had a staff of about 40 and that number has dropped to closer to 30 this fall.
“Maybe we need to put the (violent crime/gang) task force back into operation,” said Seals. “We had similar problems a couple of years ago and that seemed to help.”
Mayor Chuck Espy said the task force is operating under another name and the department is cracking down.
“The department has done some significant moves and there are people in the community who have become agitated,” said Espy. “A lot has happened on the judicial side and we will probably have a report on Dec. 28.”
Espy has repeatedly said crime is down in Clarksdale.
Police reported 57 arrests, with 25 of those being felonies, from Nov. 23 to Dec. 14.
• The city was told the spring election season will be shorter in 2021.
All city commissioners’ posts and the Mayor’s office are up for election and qualifying will be open from Jan. 4 to Feb. 5. Elections, which are traditionally held in June, will be held on April 6 this year.
• The city officially swore in James Hicks to the Clarksdale Public Utility Board and Curtis Kemp to the Clarksdale Park Commission.
• The commission was approached by Crossroad Economic Partnership executive director Jon Levingston who presented a video presentation about their new name and website.
• David Huggins, of Fiser Insurance, presented a report and quotes for insurance on city autos, equipment and law enforcement and public official liability. He said his report and quote could save the city up to $32,000 next year.
• Carol Harrison, of 1215 Brooks Drive, requested and was approved for an extension to get her home fixed to keep it from being torn down. Harrison was given six months to obtain a permit and complete renovations.
• The city discussed paying a homeowner for tearing down a home after the property was improved in executive session. The city’s attorney Melvin Miller is involved in the case and has reported to the board.
The city held a three hour meeting to discuss long-range planning with Mike Slaughter of Slaughter and Associates. Comments and concerns were taken from the public and the board.
• The city paid the following claims:
Cornerstone Services, $ 3,375.
Target Solutions, $5,204.25.
Travelers, $ 22,655.
Clarksdale Public Utilities, $10,868.
SouthGroup Clarksdale, $1,909.
Smith & Weiland, $4,400.
Miss. Development Authority, $1,858.09.
City of Clarksdale General Fund, $1,858.09.
Amanda Dear (Oct, Nov), $2,000.
Neel-Schaffer, $2,240.
Chuck Espy, $ 207.
Salu & Salu Law Firm, $600.
The city also approved reimbursing the Incidental Expense Account in the amount of $1,521.38 for the month of November.
• The city entered an agreement with the Coahoma County Board of Supervisors to stripe Lee Drive within the City of Clarksdale with the city approving to pay half of the cost of paint.
• The city approved an increase in the final cost of Griffin Strategies mailer of $1,000.
• The city closed its doors to the public and went into Executive Session where the following decisions were made:
- Approved a longevity pay increase for the court clerk Josephine Bruce.
- Withdrew and offer of employment in the city clerk’s office and authorized reposting the job.
- Approve a longevity pay increase to officer Orlando Bell.
- Approved authorizing officer Vince Ramirez to use his major medical leave.
- Approved the completion of two years for officer William Leavy.
- Acknowledged the termination of Tameka McDaniel.
- Acknowledged the resignation of Demarco Bailey.
- Acknowledged the termination of Ashley Davis.
- Acknowledged pay increases in public works and waste collection for: Tyrone Alexander, Terrance Holmes, the transfer of Christopher Wilson to the Waste Collection.
- Motion by Commissioner Turner seconded by Commissioner Seals authorizing the City Attorney to work on a settlement for a claim against the City. The motion passed 4-1 with Ward 1 Commissioner Bo Plunk voting no.
• The city adjourned at 8:25 p.m. and their next meeting will at 4 p.m. Dec. 28 at City Auditorium.
