Clarksdale city commissioners refused to approve a request Monday by a local property owner that would allow him to re-open a banquet hall that had been a trouble spot in the past.
During Monday’s meeting of the Clarksdale mayor and board of commissioners at City Hall, Commissioner Ken Murphey made a motion to approve a conditional-use request by Darry Jenkins that would allow him to re-open the Memory Lane Banquet Hall located at 1604 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
However, Murphey’s motion failed for the lack of a second and no vote was taken on the matter.
In March, the Clarksdale Planning Commission approved Jenkins’ request for a conditional-use permit for the property, but also attached several stipulations. Among those were a requirement that Jenkins or his representative be present at all events, there be no alcohol, no loud noises, security be present and there would be no events running later than 10 p.m. They recommended that the city approve the request with the stipulations.
Murphey said Monday that he made his motion because of a desire to not deviate from the unwritten policy to approve the recommendations that come from the Clarksdale Planning Commission.
The matter had first come before city commissioners on March 25 and commissioner Bo Plunk told Jenkins at that time that he would not vote for the re-opening. Plunk said the property had been “a nuisance in that community” for years.
In the March 25 meeting, commissioner Ed Seals had made a motion that the issue be carried over to the April 8 meeting, which the commissioners approved by a 3-1 vote with Plunk dissenting. Seals said the two-week period would allow him time to talk with those people who live near the property.
On Monday, when asked by Jenkins if he had done so, Seals replied that he had and the answer was a resounding “no.” Seals said one neighbor said it didn’t really matter to him, but all the others were “strongly against” giving Jenkins permission to open the banquet hall.
Clarksdale mayor Chuck Espy asked Jenkins if he was willing to sell the property and, if so, urged him to reach out to the mayor’s office, which would try to match him with a potential buyer.
In other news from Monday’s meeting, commissioners:
* Went into closed session to discuss personnel, litigation and contract negotiations.
After coming back into open session, City Attorney Melvin Miller said commissioners had agreed to give the mayor the authority execute a contract between the city and the Coahoma County Economic Development Authority.
Also, commissioners agreed to reappoint Miller to a new contract that will run through July 2020.
Commissioners also agreed to hire a new grass cutter and firefighter and the city will be seeking to fill open positions for a dispatcher and assistant fire chief.
* Agreed to accept the bids for several surplus vehicles that the city had. City Clerk Cathy Clark said the city would re-advertise the vehicles on which no bids were accepted.
* Agreed to pay $6,500 as part of request from the Clarksdale Revitalization group to provide free internet access in the downtown area.
* Unanimously approved the reappointment of John McKee as the city’s representative on the Clarksdale Coahoma County Airport Board and the reappointment of Paul Wilson on the board of directors for the Delta Blues Museum.
The city will be looking to fill a spot on the Quality of Life Commission when John Magnusson’s term expires at the end of April. The recommendation will come from Murphey, commissioner of Ward Two.
* Were presented with the list of Yard of the Month award winners for April. The winners were Ward One: 640 Oakhurst Ave. (Dr. William and Dorothy Booker); Ward Two: 215 Court St. (Amy and Jerry Hudson); Ward Three: 1811 Sunflower Ave. (Savannah Young); and Ward Four: 1523 Peacock Ave. (Ezell and Bertha Ellington).
* Were informed that the annual Riverton Day celebration will be held Saturday, April 20 on the grounds of the Coahoma County Expo Center.
