The work to fix Clarksdale’s landfill has been going as slow as Christmas, but it’s now Christmas.
The Clarksdale Board of Mayor and Commissioners voted Monday to abide with an agreed order from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) for about $30,000. The decision was made following executive session.
According to documents obtained from MDEQ in Jackson the initial fine was going to be six figures.
The city is closing one cell and opening another at its sanitary landfill on Palmer Road.
MDEQ has handed Clarksdale five orders that must be met, ranging from covering trash daily and drainage issues, to maintaining properly working equipment and paperwork.
The city was offered dirt for its landfill from the Clarksdale Country Club more than two years ago, but this summer agreed to purchase $80,000 of dirt that is now on site. The city has also been plagued with equipment breakdowns and has replaced old equipment with a new bulldozer and trackhoe costing $300,000. The city has also hired an extra person to manage the site.
MDEQ sends an inspector once a month to view Clarksdale’s landfill to make sure it meets state and federal standards. The Clarksdale landfill is not lined but has impermeable soil that prevents wastewater from getting into the aquifer.
The trash is dumped in layers 1- to 3-yards high and compacted by bulldozer to reduce the volume. Then the trash is covered by a layer of dirt. These layers are piled together until they reach maximum capacity and then the cell is closed with a topcoat of soil and turf. The cell is then reinforced on all sides to prevent leakage into the soil.
Clarksdale has a permit for a Class 1 rubbish landfill and accepts demolition debris, cardboard, limbs, leaves, appliances with the motors removed, furniture, plastic, glass and wood byproducts. For any other type of waste the landfill can be reached at (662) 621-8148. Dumping certain materials or attempting to dump certain materials, at the landfill is a state crime and can be deemed a federal offense.
The landfill is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and closed Saturday and Sunday and federal holidays.
In Other Business:
• The city voted to pay Bracato Construction its first installment of $21,930.30 on a $225,529 contract on the Riverside Avenue erosion control project.
The city initially hired T&M Productions, out of Starkville, to do the work, but they are unable to finish the job and has let the project to other contractors.
Riverside Avenue has been closed to through traffic for almost a year.
• Police Chief Robbie Linley said the department received 400 calls over the last two weeks with 214 of those generating incident reports. He reported eight arrests, 23 citations and five motor vehicle accidents.
The city also hired Casey Lewis as Corporal II in the Police Department and it now has 23 sworn officers.
• The city also announced a ribbon cutting at Sasse Park set for 3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 19.
• Commissioners voted to keep the damage deposit of Cario Dotson for violating the auditorium rental policies.
• Ward 1 Commissioner Bo Plunk appointed Tanna Vassel to the Housing Authority Board.
• Ward 2 Commissioner Jimmy Harris appointed Barbara Morris to the Park Commission Board.
• Ward 4 Commissioner Ed Seals appointed Lera Kinnard to the Blues Museum Board, and Samuel L. Blackburn to the Planning Commission Board.
• The city authorized the clerk to pay bills of $158,308.22.
• The city authorized Incidental Expenses of $2,679.51, but did not give details of those expenses.
• The city paid the following miscellaneous claims: Cornerstone, $4,464; Sandra Johnson, $3,229.97; Eugene Booth, $1,247.44; Mayor Chuck Espy travel and mileage, $546.40; Sandra Turner $250; Linda Schmitz, $79.50; Chaplain John Givins, $400; Catalis court and land records $2,800; Maggie Washington, $37.74; SWANA $290; Slaughter & Associations, 4,839.14; USPS $348; Pitney Bowes, $496.83; Neel-Schaffer $5,662.01; Coahoma County Road Dept., $4,320; Smith & Weiland, $144,280.
• The approved cleaning property located at 113 14th Street and proceed with demolition.
• The city approved a quote from Russell's Tree Service, for $2,250 to cut down a tree at 2125 8th St.
• The commissioners accepted the resignation of the following employees: Joseph Pittman in the Fire Dept., and Josh Troy in IT.
• Commissioners acknowledged the completion of the introductory period for firefighter Antrale Newson.
• Commissioners acknowledged the completion of one year as Sergeant to Lieutenant for the following police employees: Christopher Osborne; George Johnson; and Brad Hillhouse.
• The city voted to allow City Attorney to attend the Winter MMA Conference in Jackson.
• The city approved board minutes for Dec. 7 and Nov. 27, 2023.
• The board will meet again at noon Friday, Dec. 22. This will be a voting board meeting.
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