The trees on Madison Street have been cut and the city will now seek costs for concrete and materials to install sidewalks, curbs and gutter in several streets in Clarksdale.
The work will ultimately be part of the city’s streets and drainage plans to be paid for out of the $5 million bond issue passed last fall. The Clarksdale board of Mayor and Commissioners discussed plans for the bond money at both their Thursday and Monday board meeting and even talked about the work at their city forum Monday night.
Ward 1 Commissioner Bo Plunk reminded the city Thursday they had yet to formally accept the funds from the city’s lender for the bond. Plunk also reminded the board once the city accepted the money they would be required to pay interest on the note.
Ward 2 Commissioner Ken Murphey said his main concern was to start work on flood control in the Pearson neighborhood and felt that took priority over streets and sidewalks.
Mayor Chuck Espy said the city should go ahead with the preliminary work on Madison Street and not wait for the bond money. Espy also pointed out it doesn’t cost anything for the city purchase clerk to ask for prices.
Espy said the plan is to also work on Sunflower and Desoto streets as soon as possible.
The city has 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.
Clarksdale’s 2019 bond referendum projects 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 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:
• The city was approached by engineer Terry Smith of Smith and Weiland about a professional services contract with the city. The city voted to authorize the agreement and to have it drawn up by the city attorney.
• Commissioner heard department reports from the City Clerk, Police, Fire and Public Works
City Clerk Cathy Clark said the city is working on end of year financials and payroll. Clarks said she would be attending the Miss. Municipal League winter conference in Jackson this week.
Police Chief Sandra Williams said police got 1,059 calls in December with incident reports being written on 515 of those calls. Police made 73 arrests with 14 of those being felonies. Seventy-two citations were written. Williams said no juvenile curfew violations were reported.
Fire Chief Rocky Nabors said firefighters responded to one house fire in December and an 18-wheeler fire.
Public Works Director Todd Jones said rains have prompted crews to address drainage issues around the city. He said crews and trucks have cleared trees on Madison. Mayor Espy said the new department structure at the Public Works has streamlined that department.
• Commissioner Turner asked code enforcement to contact a business at Sunflower and State streets about old refrigerators, contact a business about vehicles with no wheels at Highway 49 and Espy Drive.
• Commissioner Seals asked code enforcement and inspectors to check on the renovation of Willow Park Apartments and make sure the work was done properly.
• The board voted to pay the Incident Expense Account in the amount of $4,140.04 for December.
• Commissioners voted to pay December Accounts Payable in the amount of $121,952.19 of which $95,669.21 is general fund.
• The city voted to pay Park Commission claims of $2,928 to Fiser Insurance and $162.84 to Fuelman.
• Commissioners voted to allow AKA Sorority to use the City Auditorium at a reduced rate in February for a Black History program. The reduced rate was $230.00.
• The city acknowledged the receipt of the 2017-18 audit for the City of Clarksdale without discussion. The city also acknowledged the receipt of Clarksdale Public Utility, Crossroads Productions Department and Mississippi Delta Agency without discussion.
• The board approved a new holiday pay policy.
• Commissioner approved City Clerk Clark to attend the Athenian Dialogue leadership class in Southaven on April 23.
• The city paid miscellaneous claims of, $318.77 for Chuck Espy, $10,237.56 for PPM, $1,353.40 for Slaughter and Associates and $15,817.05 for KS State Bank.
• Commissioners acknowledged Stephanie Davis attended a mandatory Dept. of Safety meeting in Ridgeland on Jan. 7 and Assistant Chief Fernando Harris attended training on Jan. 13-17 in Ridgeland.
• The city approved two police officers to attend training to respond to violence against women in Southaven on Jan. 28-29.
• The city also approved Craig Anderson and Liddell Houston to attend Class 1 Rubbish Site training in Ridgeland on Feb. 6-7.
• The board entered executive session to under the limited title of personnel issues.
