Clarksdale finalized the last details of a bond issue Monday for infrastructure projects that could bring streets, sidewalks, bridges and new city equipment to the city.
The bond will be serviced by the internet use tax that collects sales tax from internet sales. The revenue stream is similar to traditional sales tax and was enacted by the Mississippi Legislature.
Tray Hairston, a bond attorney with Butler & Snow out of Jackson, said the bonds will be held by Trustmark Bank and are for 10 years.
“We are asking for patience from the community,” said Mayor Chuck Espy. “We are working hard and have accomplished more than has been accomplished in Clarksdale over the past 50 years.”
Espy pointed out an unprecedented amount of state and federal dollars have come to the city and the money is being spent wisely.
Those federal stimulus dollars have also begun to trickle down to the county and other communities around Clarksdale. Jonestown, Lula, Coahoma, Tunica and Tunica County all have public hearing advertisements in today’s Clarksdale Press Register explaining the amount and type projects they are seeking. Clarksdale has not made their intentions public record.
Clarksdale voters said ‘yes’ to a $5 million bond issue in August 2019 that city leaders promised would rebuild a bridge, mitigate flooding problems, install lighting and repair streets.
The final tally saw 1,320 city residents vote for the bond issue and 675 votes against it for a 66/34 percent margin.
The city prioritized five projects totaling $8.25 million. However, after allowing for $3 million in funding from the Mississippi Department of Transportation and a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant, the city’s share would be $4.91 million.
The referendum has been tagged “Building for the Future” with city leaders pointing out this is an investment that will reap immediate rewards.
Building for the Future project include
1. Replace Second Street Bridge: $3,800,000.
2. Sasse Street drainage: $800,000.
3. Pearson Street levee/pump: $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 fund become available through possible grants.
The city has built two sidewalks, started construction of the Pearson Street levee and begun preliminary work on Sasse Street drainage concerns. They have also bumped the Friars Point Road project up the list, but work has not started on that project.
Ward 1 Commissioner Bo Plunk said he wants to see street repairs get underway during this years summer construction season.
In other business:
• Police Chief Robbie Linley said officers responded to 406 calls which generated 317 incident reports and made 31 arrests with four of those being felony arrests over the past two weeks.
• The city’s grant writer Millicent Dixon said, at the request of the Mayor she has begun working on a downtown improvement plan.
• City Attorney Melvin Miller said the planning commission will soon start hammering out details of the city marijuana ordinances.
• Plunk asked police to watch for 4-wheeler riding on city streets. He warned someone will get hurt if it isn’t stopped.
• Plunk also said 18-wheeler continue to park on streets in his ward. Mayor Espy directed Chief Linley to ticket those vehicles.
• Ward 2 Commissioner Ken Murphey urged city crews to look for buildings downtown and lots in neighborhoods that needed to be cleaned up.
• Ward 3 Commissioner Willie Turner asked if grass cutting crews were staffed and working. Public works has 10 employees and gets four inmates on a regular basis. The city has over 500 empty lots that it is responsible for maintaining.
• Ward 4 Commissioner Ed Seals said he has houses on Seventh Street that have been vacant for 20 years and he wants them torn down.
• Krystal Earl requested Hickory Street between Adams and Washington be blocked on April 16 for an Easter egg hunt
• Joey Young came before the board to discuss the theft of his four wheeler and a lack of progress on finding it. He offered to look at SkyCop camera photos in his neighborhood to help with the investigation.
• Kelvin Stacker asked the city to rename Neal Place for recent Grammy Award winner Christone “Kingfish” Ingram.
• The board approved March Incidental Expenses in the amount of $ 1,432.16 and authorized the payment of March, 2022 Accounts Payable invoices in the amount of $205,568.38 in
which $66,754.32 is General Fund.
• The board approved Resurface Paint to paint the City Hall Board Room
• Approve the proposal with Debra Brown to design a Welcome Sign for the entrance to the City. No price was given for this work.
• Acknowledged that bids were received on April 6 for surveillance cameras at City Hall and Security Services was the low bidder. No price was given for the bid.
The board approved payment for: Cornerstone, $2,250; Cornerstone $10,500; Cornerstone $1,403.27; Pitney Bowes $949.61; Chuck Espy (March) $705.16; Geiger $1,678.66; Coahoma County Road Dept., $21,072.55; Felicia Smith $250; Hollis Radiator $412.
• The board appointed Debra Brown to the Planning Commission.
• The city approved Delta Wrecker Service to tow vehicles during the Juke Joint Festival.
• The city approved an agreement with Smith and Weiland for software that would allow the
Fire Department to maintain all fire hydrants located within the city.
• The city accepted a bid from CamMo Small Engines for a lawnmower.
• Approved Muriel Canada to use her accrued annual leave.
• Approved Captain Delarian Norsworthy to use his excess accrued leave upon exhausting all
his available time for medical leave.
• Hired Eugene Weatherspoon as a Patrol Officer in the Police Department.
• Offered Acting Captain to Bradley Hillhouse for 90 days
• Withdrew offer of employment to Michael Starnes
• Offered employment to Beverly Allen as Laborer in Public Works
• The board entered executive session to discuss, settle and pay two law suits against the city: McDonald vs. City and Bobo vs. City. The city also discussed personnel matters in the police department and accepted the resignation of Clifton Thomas.
