Clarksdale homeowner, property owners and concerned citizens voiced their concerns over the city’s proposed comprehensive plan prompting the city to delay a vote on the document until later this month.
A hearing on Clarksdale’s Five Year Comprehensive Plan was held in October with the community providing input on the document and the city voting to continue the hearing until Monday Nov. 11, to allow for more public comment.
The city initially had no one comment on the plan, but several showed up at Monday’s meeting that had been publicized in the Clarksdale Press Register earlier this month.
Clarksdale is required to update its comprehensive plan on a regular basis and the Board of Mayor and Commissioners were handed a new 70 page document by Slaughter, Willingham & Associates, the firm hired to create the plan.
“Implementing the comprehensive plan is critical to achieving the goals and recommendations set forth in the document,” the firm said in presenting the plan. “The plan can also be a guide for many different city decisions and should be referred to periodically for guidance and periodically updated as needed.”
The report included eight tools to implement the report: reviewing annual budgets; concentrate on capital improvement programs; enter intergovernmental agreements; enforce zoning ordinances, enforce building, construction and fire codes; establish subdivision regulations; improve community design and appearance; and develop day-to-day policy enforcement.
City Board Attorney Melvin Miller pointed out the plan specifically addressed increasing the number of police officer, paving streets and improving fire department water resources.
Mayor Chuck Espy initially suggested the city delay adopting the document until the City Planning Commis-sion had a chance to review it. At Monday’s meeting he suggested a workshop with concerned citizens about issues they brought before the board.
One homeowner wanted zoning changes to be implemented and then enforced. The city was told by their attorney changes to zoning can be difficult, but zoning changes are made routinely by the city.
One property owner wanted to know if zoning changes would change his property taxes. He was told the value of the property and not the zoning designation determines how much it is taxed.
A concerned citizen urged the city to name some of the projects they wanted to see finished in the comprehensive plan. This included the proposed Riverwalk downtown, Sasse Street Park and more sidewalks around town.
Enforcing ordinances and following state and federal requirements for safety and health was discussed with another resident.
The city’s next board meeting will be at noon, Thursday, Nov. 21 at City Hall. The city’s comprehensive plan can be found on the city’s website. All city board meeting are open to the public and the community is urged to attend.
In Other Business:
• Buster Moton approach-ed the board with concerns about his name not being on city voter roll he purchased from the city and asked for his money back. Moton said he was also concerned about a pile of debris across from his Issaquena Street business. Moton said he wanted the city to direct more work to his tree trimming business.
•Anna Jones thanked the city for allowing her to use city parks for her 31-day revival across Clarksdale. She asked for the opportunity to continue the revival on a regular basis. The city voted to give Jones a resolution for her work.
• The city voted to approve the “I’ll Be Home For Christmas Festival” hosted by Josephine Rhymes. This is the third year for Rhymes to showcase her event. Rhymes said billboards will soon go up around town proclaiming her event. The festival is paid for with city, county and tourism commission tax dollars.
• The city was approached by Myron Deering who said he had plans for a house that burned at 705 Maple and the city later tore down. He said the city did not follow proper procedure in demolishing the structure.
Mayor Chuck Espy asked Deering to work with city board attorney Melvin Miller about a possible adjustment.
The City of Clarksdale tore down two houses about four years ago without following proper procedure and had to pay the home owners for the house.
• Milton Gardner appro-ached the board and begged Mayor Chuck Espy to run for a third term. Espy said he promised voters two terms and had no plans to run for a third term as Mayor.
• The city approved August minutes and placed them in its archives for public review.
• The city approved a letter of resignation from Orden Williams from the Planning Commission Board effective Oct. 29, 2024. The board tabled Mayor Espy appointments to the airport board, planning commission and city election commission.
• The city authorized $2,500 for the Chamber of Commerce Christmas events.
• The city authorized a refund of $83 to Northwest MS Regional Medical Center for duplicate privilege tax licenses.
• The city authorized $500 for the Clarksdale Film & Music Festival set for Jan. 24-26.
• Commissioners voted to stop legal action on property at 607 Sunflower and 617 Sunflower.
• The city voted to renew the annual service agreement with Carrier in the amount of $10,010 for HVAC maintenance
• The city paid October bills in the amount of $91,934.03.
• The city paid its October Incidental Expense account in the amount of $1,313.73 without releasing details of the expenses.
• The city paid the following miscellaneous expenses: Cornerstone, $4,881; Chuck Espy travel, $481.86; John E. Givins chaplain fees, $400; Chamber of Com-merce banquet tables, $1,050; Interest & Bond Fund, $4,583.15; Regions Bank, $4,583.15; Slaughter & Associates $7,213.87; Gale Dixon litter control, $464; Carrier, $2,502.50; M&N Excavators, for Friars Point Bridge work, $204,520.83; Smith & Weiland, $24,823.64; Vector Solutions, $5,225.70; Phillip Willard Concrete, $9,296; Catalis, $1,512; Fuelman, $3,844.12; Lamar Christian Plumbing, $4,875.
• The city approved fentanyl drug training for Police Capt. Johnny Jones.
• Swore in new police officers Jeran Turner, Aranecia Williams and Anthony Williams. The trio will now head to the State Police Academy for training.
• The city approved Russell's Tree Service to remove trees at 632 and 628 West Second Street for $6,750.
• The city voted to pay T&C Cassidy Excavation $15,933.33 for 1/3 completion of the landfill road project
• The city approved policeman Damion Blue, following completion of his introductory period.
• The city approved the resignation of policeman Melvin Wilson.
• The city approved transfer of Lisa Fisher from the mayor’s office to the City Clerk's office for four hours a day and transition to full-time Jan. 1.
• The city hired Neel-Schaffer for engineering services on the Spruce Street Drainage project.
• Commissioners approved the Pearson Street Levee System FEMA Accreditation/Certification for flood insurance.
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