Board of Alderman - Regular Meeting

All right, we have our uh invocation by Alana Johnson and the pledge of allegiance by Alder McKenna.

Let us bow. Heavenly Father, we come this evening to say thank you. Lord God, we thank you for all the many blessings that you have bestowed upon us. Lord God, thank you for allowing us to be here another day. Lord, as we convene to talk about the works of our city, Lord God, we ask that you just be in the midst. Lord God, bless our city, all the employees, all the citizens. Lord God, bless the leadership all over our land and country. Bless those who are hurting, those who want and are without, Lord God, the things that they need to get through life. Lord God, we pray for them right now. Give us all strength to make it through these things. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. Let's rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Now we have roll call by Miss Carter. Alderman McKenna here. Alderman Bledo here. Alderwoman Armstrong here. Alderman Smith here. Alderwoman Johnson here. Alderman Langston here. Alderman Bostic here. All right. We have a quorum. All right. Um I entertain a motion to accept the municipal docket. Mayor I made the motion to approve the municipal docket. We have a motion by Alman Langston. Do we have a second?

Second. Second by Alderman Blet. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Miss Carter. Alderman McKenna. I. Alderman Bledsoe. Hi. Alderwoman Armstrong. I. Alderman Smith. I. Alderwoman Johnson. I. Alderman Langston. Hi. Alderman Bostic. I. Motion passes unanimously. Um I'll entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. Mayor, Alman Bostik,

make a motion to approve the consent agenda items A through K. Okay. A through K. All right. Do we have a second, mayor? I second. Second by Alderwoman Armstrong. All right. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Alderman Bastic, I. Alderman Langston, I. Alderwoman Johnson, I. Alderman Smith, I. Alderwoman Armstrong, I. Alderman Bledsoe, I. Alderman McKenna, I.

Motion passes unanimously. All right. Next, I entertain a motion to approve the claims docket. Mayor, Alwoman Johnson,

I move that we accept the claims docket, general fund, $198,4343. Library fund $14,37149. Economic development fund $64249. Utility fund $19,184 $89.77 for a total docket of $322,64718. Do we have a second?

Mayor second. Second by Alderman McKenna. Any discussion? Any discussion? Roll call, please. Miss Carter. Alderman McKenna. I. Alderman Bledo. Hi. Alderwoman Armstrong. I. Alderman Smith. I. Alderwoman Johnson. I. Alderman Langston. Hi.

Alderman Bosik. Hi. Motion passes 6 to1 with one eight. All right. Uh we have no presentations for tonight, but we do have a planning case. Case number

case number 2025 146. a conditional use permit request for uh a boarding home for shelter care. Uh next on the agenda is a public hearing regarding a request for a conditional use permit for a property located at 6735 Camelot Road, currently zoned as R8. At this time, I will open the public hearing. Let uh the records show uh let the record let the records reflect that notice of the this public hearing was published in accordance with the Mississippi law and the city zoning ordinance. Uh I would now ask a plan planning planning to present uh the request. Andrew,

thank you. This case is a request by Lita Williams representing Open Arms ILP Management at 6735 Camelot Road for conditional use permit for boarding home for sheltered care. Specifically, the proposed use is described as independent living and housing that offers a structured setting and case management to veterans who are transitioning toward living on their own. The use as a boarding home for sheltered care in the R8 zone is listed with the C with no attached footnotes or further restrictions. Um, and that's how it's listed in our use chart. So, we have the aerial view of the property there. Uh, we have the zoning layer there. It's in the R8 zone as well as all the surrounding properties. Um and then here um everyone that does a conditional use permit request is required to turn in some kind of uh site plan layout. And so um since this is just going to be using the existing house, uh we just asked them to just draw the house and the property. Um the only um thing that they would be requesting on that number three um is to pave the concrete out to the front of the house there to get an extra parking spot um at the number one that already exists. Number two is the original driveway. And so they're just requesting the three. So if that is approved um they would still have to come to the planning department and pull a driveway permit anyway. um that is the only change that they are requesting to the entire property. Everything else would stay the same and um that request does fit within our uh paved percentage requirement for front yards. So the next page um that's just a

little rendering um of what it would look like. And on the next page, we have the applicants letter they submitted uh answering our questions that are um that are required to be reviewed. So the combination of the planning commission and the board of alderman questions are in this letter. So I'm just going to go through them real quick. Uh they have to answer whether or not this use will substantially increase traffic hazards and traffic congestion. Uh they said that traffic will be normal to minimum and residents will not be allowed to have company come in the home and persons will only be allowed to pick up. Uh the next is whether or not this use will substantially increase fire hazards. Um their response is the resident will be allowed to use the stove. However, they will have access to flameless cooking equipment such as crockpots, air fryers, and a fire extinguisher is located on the property. Number three, uh they have to answer whether or not this will adversely affect the character of the surrounding neighborhoods. Their response is veterans often have strong ties to community service and civic engagement as well as funding agreements uh requiring regular upkeep. Um next is whether or not this use will adversely affect the general welfare of the city. They said stable housing reduces homelessness, allowing residents to gain employment. Next is whether or not this use will overt tax public utilities or community facilities. The response is veteran housing. Veteran housing will typically use the same amount of water and power as any standard household. Next is whether or not this use will be in conflict with the comprehensive plan. Uh they said that the Hornet comprehensive plan mentions addressing housing needs and diversity. Uh veteran housing typically helps those goals. Their um next criteria to answer is they have to show the design and location of all parking and loading. They have done that. Um they are saying that parking is

located on the side in front of the house allowing for parking for at least five vehicles. And then uh in addition to that uh we will know that note that there is on street parking available. Um, in addition to that, next is they have to mention the design and location of all trash collection areas on the parcel. Uh, they stated that a trash can is located in the back of the home. Next, they have to mention the location, availability, and compatibility of all utilities that will be needed for the use. Their response is the utilities will remain in the landowner's name, and he or she will be responsible for them. Next, um any plans for screening and buffering on the parcel. They are mentioning motion lights and a privacy fence. And then finally, the location and dimension of any required open spaces or building setbacks on the parcel. The response is the lot size is 150 by 65 and the square footage is40. um as the dimensions of the home and the lot. And so um as far as the planning review goes, this does not fall into any conflict with any of our setback or zoning requirements. So um that's basically what's on the next page. Um we find the applicant statements appropriately addresses the criteria. Um however the board of alderman can dive into any of those criteria um that it chooses to. So then we have the planning commission meeting minutes. They recommended approval and then um we do have a uh possible motion at the very end. Um on this possible motion we have that the and you know the board can switch this up any way they choose. Um, we have that the board of alderman could approve of a conditional use permit for

a boarding home for sheltered care, but uh we might recommend a additional clause in there to add on the condition that this is only for veterans um for a period of one year. And so the only reason I say that is because our use chart only lists the category for boarding home for sheltered care. And with this applicant requesting this boarding home for sheltered care to specifically be for veterans, uh I believe the board can have that distinction as a condition. And that concludes the presentation.

All right. Thank you, Andrew. Um, let the record reflect that the staff has recommended approval. Approval um with condition uh with condition. At this time, I invite the applicant of their representatives to come forward to present their requests. We have an applicant here. Come on up. Make sure you state your name. Your name and your address. That address would it be the property or my address? Um, your address?

My address. Okay. My name is Lita Williams. I am the owner of Open Arms uh ILOP Management. I stay at 611 Nail Road in Walls, Mississippi. Okay. Thank you so much. All right. Um All right. So, this pretty much you're looking at just a veterans home, correct? Yes, sir. Um um I've looked at the address uh this is in ward uh three. Um did you have any questions for anybody have any questions? Go ahead. Uh I have a few statements I want to make. Okay.

Uh first of all, did we ever ask the neighbors if they wanted this in their neighborhood? I have spoke to my neighbors. They haven't said that they denied it. They were okay with it. Okay. And the other thing, uh, it's going to be three people in the house. Yes, sir.

Okay. When they have people come over and visit, uh, I don't think you have enough parking because I don't like somebody parking in the front yard. This is a neighborhood with a residents and I don't think they'd be appreciated to have a bunch of cars parked in the front. I I really don't allow visitors because everybody has their own personal space. So I don't want I I explained to them that I really don't want people to come and visit. I prefer them to come pick them up and take them wherever it is they want them to go. But it's it's not one person's home. It's three. So I don't allow visitors.

Well, to me, if you got three people, that's a rental house. So that's my opinion. And I'd like to table it until we get more information. is a three room house, four room house. It's not listed. It's a threebedroom. I'd rather table it so we get more information. And I didn't know that the people what I thought I got that the neighbors didn't know nothing about it. All right. Honorable Johnson,

thank you for being here for us tonight. And um he actually addressed three of the questions that I did have in mind. How will you monitor the length of stay? Um, he has presented that it would be for veterans for a length of one year. How would that be monitored? Well, I don't think they were saying a length of one year. I think it was more of seeing if the housing is working, I'm assuming, for a year.

If I may, the uh my statement was just for the recommendation for the conditional use to be for one year, but the board can choose however long it wants. Okay. Okay. Thank you. And you stated that um you know allowing people over and them being dropped off or picked up that's really it seems as if to me that that would be something beyond your control if it was three people that will be staying there on the premises. How would you know what is going on there?

Well, I have cameras inside and outside of my home. So, I'm doing they they've signed a contract for 24-hour monitoring. So, I'm able to see what will be going on inside or out. And you are sure that these are veterans that will be staying? Yes, ma'am. I have to have this permit in order for them to be able to say so. Yes, ma'am. Yes. Okay. Thank you. All right. That's one reason why we want to clarify that it's uh and make it clear that this conditional use will be strictly for veterans. if you if the board do approve it. Any more any more questions for Miss Williams? All right. Thank you so much, Miss Williams.

You're welcome.

All right. At this time, um is there anyone else who wish to speak in uh is now that we have a open um this is a public hearing. Is there anyone that would like to speak uh during this public hearing concerning this matter? Is there anyone who would like to speak regarding this matter? All right, last time. Is there anyone who would like to speak regarding this matter? Public hearing is now closed. Uh I entertain a motion to approve the conditional use uh permit subject to the stated conditions. Mayor

Alman Ner to uh vote on approval of case number 2025-146 conditional use permit request for one year for a boarding home for shelter care for veterans. All right. Do we have a second? Do we have a second? last time. I Well, can I Well, did he did you say for the condition for the use for veterans or just for one year for veterans? For veterans.

Yeah. As a amendment to what's on the on the actual document. So, we Yeah. Put two uh denims on there. One for the the length of time, one year. Let's go ahead and get a second. Uh do we have a second? Who's going to make sure that second? All right, we have a second by Alman McKenna. All right, any discussion? Any more questions? Just McKenna, do you have any more questions? No, I don't care. All right. Roll call, please. Alderman Bostik, nay. Alderman Langston, hi. Alderwoman Johnson, nay.

Alderman Smith, nay. Alderwoman Armstrong, nay. Alderman Bledo, nay. Alderman McKenna, I. All right. Motion fail. Nays five. Yay. Two. All right. Moving on. There will be no new business. Uh, we do have one citizen remark. Mr. Vince, uh, Cavo, am I correct? I'm I'm good. We talked on the phone earlier.

Oh. Oh, yeah. That's right. Mr. Vince, good to see you, Mr. Vince. I I thought I thought that was you. I was trying to figure it out earlier. All right. But thank you so much and your concerns and hopefully we address I addressed them today. Thank you. All right. Right, we're moving on from citizens uh remarks. Now we will go to mayor and alderman correspondents. Uh I just want to thank uh the board uh for the uh uh supporting the mayor's youth council uh down in Jackson for the uh this uh I vis I visit with uh the legislators. But uh let me tell you this. Horn Lake youth uh mayor's council showed up and showed out. They won several prizes, uh, several games. The young lady won $200 here in Horn Lake and she shared it with everybody, just split it with the kids. So, yeah, we're just thankful to them. Uh, another young lady won the u like a bullying contest. Uh, it's like theatrical how to deal with bullies. And Hornley came out on top on that, too. And I think she scared me cuz I I went I'm not a bully, but I sure got nervous uh by the way she did. But we thank we want to thank Miss AJ Lynville for her hard work. Of course she she here.

Uh give her online clap. And also it's also nice to have my wife and got to miss school for one day to hang out with dad at the mayor's uh youth council. Uh I want to thank them for all their participation and helping out with the youth. We did have a good time. Uh and I look forward to going again with them next year. Next year I'm going have to find some more fun for us to do. All right. Um um that's all I have for today. I had something else I can't think of. Alderman Boston, Alman Langston, Aldwoman Johnson.

Yes, sir. I just want to invite everyone to attend our ReadAcross America event at Horn Lake Intermediate. Uh the fire department, police department, and Alderwoman Armstrong has committed to come and read with our students on this Friday. If you are interested in attending, please let me know or contact me. We look forward to sharing the love of reading with our community

and and I think three of our schools will have us reading. Uh I know it's first Horn Lake Intermediate, then I think the next one is Horn Lake Elementary and then the other one is going to be Shadow Oaks later on today. So I'll be at all three. So hopefully Kelly Kelly come with me. I got Kelly. He'll come with I mean Alderman Smith. All right. Um Alderman Smith. No, hang on a sec. Old woman Armstrong. Y'all quiet tonight. It's scary. Uh Alman, uh bless bless her bless McKenna. Uh

no, I don't have anything but uh don't forget to set your clocks up Sunday an hour or Saturday night or whatever. Can you tell them about the chamber event Java Junction coming up? What's the Java Johnson? That is the 13th. Next Thursday. Uh, see Friday. Friday the 13th. That's Friday the 13th. If we can at all, let's make sure we support that event. Got an email today on the Java junction. Larry Mcken, he he he he'd be available. He trying to go May everywhere. All right. I try to. All right. We're going down to um our department head correspondents, Chief Pulling.

Uh yes, sir. Mayor, just a reminder, we are starting our citizens police academy next Thursday and we do still have some openings. So, if anybody wants to do it, then please do swing by. All right. Thank you so much for uh the police academy. I'm telling you, it's a lot of fun if you haven't uh been involved with our police department. Plus, you get to learn what is somewhat of the risk they take and being police officer. So, it's a good chance for citizens uh to get involved. All right, Belinda. Wayne, Chief Lynville, Drew.

Uh, thank you, Mayor. Thank you, board. I just, uh, want to let everybody know that our Easter event, our Easter egg hunt is going to be on Saturday, March the 21st from 12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. So, it'll be at Latimer Lakes Park and invite everybody out to have games, activities, and Easter egg hunts. That's all I have, sir. Thank you, Drew. All right. Uh, Phillip, I almost call you little Vince. Phillip, you need Mayor Board. I don't have anything tonight. And, uh, Vince, you want to let them know about Patricia Drive that it will be a life. Huh?

Oh, uh, Philip. Um, yes, we uh had a had a good meeting yesterday with the contractor and I think we worked through a lot of the issues and uh they're back on site today working at Patricia and Twin Lakes. So, that should be open back up I would hopefully by the end of the week, but I'll say early next week to be safe. All right. Thank you so much, uh, Phillip. All right, Alexis. Uh, nothing today. All right, Andrew. No, sir.

All right. Uh, anybody and if uh uh uh board members have any questions for the directors? All right. Y'all scared me. All right. Uh attorney, I have nothing. Any questions for me? All right. Well, I'll accept a motion to go into close determination. Motion by Alderman Bleo. I have a second. Second. Second by Alderman Smith. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Miss Carter. Alderman Bosik. Hi. Alderman Langston.

I. Alderwoman Johnson. I. Alderman Smith. I. Alderwoman Armstrong. I. Alderman Bleso. Hi. Alderman McKenna. Hi. Motion passed unanimously. We're now in close the termination.

All right. Can I get a motion to come out of closed determination? Mayor, I'll make that motion. Motion by Alderman Bostic. I second. Second by Alman Bleso. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Miss Carter. Alderman McKenna. I. Alderman Bledo. I. Alderwoman Armstrong. I. Alderman Smith. I. Alderwoman Johnson. I. Alderman Langston. I. Alderman Bostic. I. Motion passes unanimously. Uh, can I get a motion to go in executive session? Mayor, Alman Botik, make a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters in the finance administrative department.

Have a motion by Alderman Bost. Do we have a second? Second. Mayor. Second by Alderwoman Armstrong. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Miss Carter. Alderman Bik. Hi. Alderman Langston. Hi. Alderwoman Johnson. I, Alderman Smith, I. Alderwoman Armstrong, I. Alderman Bledsoe, hi. Alderman McKenna, I. Motion passed unanimously. We are now in executive session.

I mean this goddamn if Jenny would have been back here. Christmas had a backpack. Thank you. All right. Can I get a motion to come out of executive session?

I'll make that a motion. All right. Motion by allo. Uh, can I get a second? A second. Mayor all one Armstrong. All right. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Alderman McKenna. I. Alderman Bledson. Hi. Alderwoman Armstrong. I. Alderman Smith. I. Alderwoman Johnson. I. Alderman Langston. I. Alderman Bosit.

I. Motion passes unanimously. Uh will there be any motions coming out of executive session? Mayor, alderman Bostik, like to make a motion for a pay adjustment for employee number 853 to $84,000 a year effective to second pay period of March. Uh we have a motion by Bosik. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Alderman Langston. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Carter. Alderman Bostic. I Alderman Langston. Hi. Alderwoman Johnson. I. Alderman Smith. I. Alderwoman Armstrong.

I. Alderman Bledsoe. I. Alderman McKenna. I. Motion passes unanimously. Are there any more motions coming out of executive session? If there are none, I need one more motion from you all. Make that motion to adjurnn. Mayor second. It is a motion to adjurnn. We have a motion by alderman bostic, second by alderman bleo. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Miss Carter. Alderman McKenna. I. Alderman Bledo. Hi, Alderwoman Armstrong. Hi,

Alderman Smith. Hi, Alderwoman Johnson. I, Alderman Langston, I, Alderman Bostic, I guess. So, meeting is adjourned.