Board of Aldermen - Regular Meeting

26th Board of Alderman meeting, which is hereby called to order. I'm going to ask Pastor Paul Bryant from Cross Creek Church to come forward and lead our invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, which I will lead. Please stand.

Father, we thank you for your good and your mercies endure forever. We thank you for creating us in your image and for creating us to live in your community with one another. We thank you for our community, Father. here tonight for our city officials, for our elected leaders. Lord, we pray that you would give us wisdom, and we pray that you would give us courage to do what is right in everything we do and say this evening. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen.

I pledge allegiance 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.

Thank you. Be seated. Thank you, Pastor Bryant. Ms. Stewart, would you conduct roll call of the board?

Here. Here. Here. Here.

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all the board is president. Also the services of city attorney city attorney is going to be online he's going to be able to hear what's taking place if you have any questions for him if there's a question from the board, you'll hear me ask the city attorney on the phone and then I'll repeat his answer out loud to back to hear the answer we may have no questions for the city attorney, but he is going to be down there remotely tonight. Board you have before you the spent the minutes from the special called meeting on October to August 18 which was our budget planning meeting. Any questions comments or motion to approve those minutes. Motion to approve by Mister Wallace is your second. Second miss altruism discussion. All in favor aye all opposed motion carries. Next you have the minutes my record meeting on August the 18th which fell just shortly after the budget meeting that even questions comments or motions on those particular items those much of the rate. This Hamilton motion to approve. Is there a second. Second Mister Collins all in favor. All opposed motion carries. Mister Tony can hear me. Under public comments following the agenda, we may have Ms. Lori Barnes, the director of First Regional Library and Olive Branch, her and her team to provide a report to the board, the library's annual report to us. Good evening.

Good evening, everyone. It's always a pleasure to be with you here to talk about one of our favorite topics, which is the library, of course. I'm Lori Barnes, as the mayor said, and I'm here tonight with my team of staff, Jennifer Stevenson, who is the assistant director for public services, Nancy Anderson, who's finance manager. And, well, we also have some of our friends here. Friends, would you please wave? Library supporters, we couldn't make it without our friends. They're awesome. I just wanted to begin by thanking you because we could not do all that we're doing at the Olive Branch Library, the BJ Chain Library, without your support. And we're just always so grateful to you for that ongoing continued support. And I'm here to tell you tonight You have a wonderful public serving library in your community that's doing incredible things every day. I hope that you're all very proud of that library because I know I certainly am. It's one of the very best libraries in the state of Mississippi. It's at least the second or third highest used library in the state of Mississippi. And it's just incredible all the things that that amazing staff does day in and day out to serve your constituents. At this time I want to give you a little update on some positives that we've got going on. We measured a continued high levels of library usage as is indicated by the number of items checked out. We've had high visitation in our libraries from the patrons coming in the library. We're providing even more library programs for all ages with increased attendance. We're having great success in the area of outreach services with partnering with local organizations. We've updated our technology, including our computers and software, and we continue to offer that 24-7 Wi-Fi service that people really enjoy and love to take advantage of. At this time, I'm going to turn it over to Jennifer Stevenson, and she's going to give you an update about statistics for the library. Thank you.

Good afternoon. Thank you so much for having us. Mayor Adams board of Alderman and Alder women. I get to be the fun statistics person every year, but I like to talk about numbers and we have some great numbers to brag on. As you'll see in your handout, We have one side that is the B.J. Chain Public Library statistics and the other side which is First Regional Library. And it shows that last fiscal year we had over 94,000 visitors just to the B.J. Chain Public Library and we had over 193,000 items checked out just from the Olive Branch. and we had over 400 total programs and almost 16,000 people attended programs just at our Olive Branch BJ Chain Public Library. So what does that all mean? Because I like to kind of compare things. Well, last year we had almost 18% increase just in our summer reading programs. We've even built higher this year for our summer reading program. We had an 18.48% increase over last year's number. So we are steadily providing more and more services, more and more programs. The attendance has gone up. 37% this year compared to last year of how many people attended. Just for our summer reading program, we had over 7,500 people in your library. I also want to compare and give you some bragging rights. You know, Lori said that Olive Branch was in the type three, well, we're number one. First regional is number one in the state, okay? We have, with Olive Branch, they constitute 21% of our circulation and 13.8% of our FRL patron computer usage. But in the state of Mississippi, compared to the latest published fiscal year from the Mississippi Library Commission, FRL had 582,977 visits that year, compared to over four million in the state. So for the state of Mississippi, First Regional Library represents 13.5% of all the people in this state walking into a public library. Now, as far as our circulation, again, First Regional Library is number one. We constitute over 900,000 checkouts, which is 15.7% of the entire state's checkouts in a public library. So we work very hard, and we're not satisfied with that. Every year we try to do better. We try to do better not just for our library and our staff, but for your constituents. So we very much appreciate everything that you do for the library, and we will try to pay that back by always making you proud of what we're doing.

We certainly are proud. I'm curious on those statistics. The electronic devices or electronic medium versus hard copy good old books, how's that trending, one versus the other?

Well, certainly book circulation is highest. A lot of people that we serve still want that book in their hand. which we're happy to provide and we do provide. But I will tell you, it seems like the trend is more people are beginning to embrace electronic resources like e-books. Our usage is higher than it's been at any point in time since we've offered e-books. We do have, I was sharing with another Board of Aldermen earlier this summer, we do have some problems with that because First of all, they're very expensive. We can buy a book a lot cheaper than we can typically buy an e-book. Also, the publishing houses are very proprietary with their e-books. They only let us circulate them so many times, and then they take them away from us. And if we want it to circulate more or we have demand for it more, we have to buy it again. So we do have those things that we contend with. but usage is very high and I know because I'm the one who measures all the troubleshooting that goes on with our patrons they'll contact me saying hey I need to get my PN or I need this running that our patrons are actually contacting me directly because I like to monitor that and the usage there is just really growing tremendously so but I hope that answers your question yes it does yeah well thank you very much anything else I just wanted to close by saying that for the fiscal year 2027, we are requesting $452,230 from the city of olive branch. We just want you to know how much we appreciate every dollar and we hope that you know that we try really, really hard to stretch those dollars and give your citizens the most for their tax money. That's very important to me, it's very important to the Board of Trustees, and it's very important to the First Regional Library staff. So thank you again. Does anyone have any other questions or anything at this time?

I do want to thank you and your friends of the library. Y'all do an amazing job.

Yes. One more little point, Mayor, if I might. We are going to miss very much our precious manager, Suzanne Argo. Yesterday was her last day. In fact, she worked till last night. You know, that's just Suzanne for you. We're going to miss her terribly. We are conducting a search for her replacement, and we hope to have that position filled as soon as we possibly can. But I just want to throw that out as well. But we thank you again, and it's great to see all of you.

We will miss Ms. Argo as well, and she won't be replaced. We'll just have to backfill the position, right? She's a great lady, and thank y'all very much. Take care, everyone. Good night. Friends as well for what y'all do. Thank you. Following the agenda, I'm going to relocate to the microphone on the floor. And I'd like to call up Lieutenant Magna Pinto, Firefighter Jackson Nemec, Firefighter Anthony McGregor, and Firefighter Coleman Dowell. Please come forward. The board and staff know this is one of the favorite parts of the job for me. I won't say most fun, but it is most fun, and it's one of my favorites. We get to award different employees with monies that are not from taxpayer dollars, because we can't give away taxpayer dollars, but some citizens and businesses step up to let us recognize employees that go above and beyond in serving our citizens. And it was tough this time. The board's got all the recommendations. There were Five recommendations, and all of them were very, very worthy. But the winner at this time are these four gentlemen and submitted by Division Chief Cohia. And he goes as follows. I respectfully submit this memorandum to nominate OBFD Truck 2 B-Shift Lieutenant John Magnapinto, Firefighter Jackson Nemec, Firefighter Anthony McGregor and Firefighter Coleman Dowell for the Mayor's Award in recognition of their exceptional service, dedication and actions that went above and beyond the call of duty in service to the citizens of Olive Branch. On Saturday, July the 4th, the City of Olive Branch experienced a severe storm event that caused widespread damage throughout the community, including significant destruction at the city park. During this incident, Truck 2 was a key company in the emergency response and played a critical role in assisting and rescuing citizens impacted by the storm. The crew operated under hazardous and challenging conditions while demonstrating outstanding professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to public safety. Their service continued beyond the immediate emergency response. Following the storm, the Olive Branch Emergency Communications E911 Dispatch Center experienced a failure of its communications system. Although local resources were able to restore limited dispatch operations and radio communications using a temporary backup system, what does that mean, a handheld radio?

That's usually a backup system.

Okay. A backup system. Full repairs were expected to take up to five days. This created a significant challenge for emergency operations and the continued ability to provide reliable services to the Citizens Valley Branch. After receiving the request for assistance, Lieutenant John Magnapinto and the Truck 2 crew responded to the OBEC facility. Utilizing the latter truck, the crew assessed an antenna approximately 75 feet above the ground and successfully reset the equipment. Their actions were directly responsible for restoring the city's communications system to full operational capacity, significantly reducing the impact of outage and ensuring emergency responders had reliable communications. After completing this critical assignment, Truck 2 returned to service and continued responding to emergency calls and protecting the citizens of Olive Branch throughout the remainder of their shift. The actions of Lieutenant Magna Pinto, Firefighter Nemchek, Firefighter McGregor, and Firefighter Dowell represent the very best qualities of public service. I agree. Their willingness to respond wherever they were needed, utilize their specialized equipment and training, and assist beyond their normal responsibilities had a direct and positive impact on the safety and well-being of the community. Their professionalism, initiative, teamwork, and dedication to the citizens of Olive Branch make them highly deserving of the Mayor's Award. I respectfully recommend that Olive Branch Fire Department Truck 2, B-Shift, recognizes recognition for their exceptional service and commitment to the community. So, Lieutenant, you see, when you make division chief, how much longer you have to write, more detailed and precise, what very well written document. So it is... My pleasure to award you with four Chris $100 bills each.

Thank you very much for your work.

And just a side note, we may have individuals here that are expecting to hear the application for a planned industrial development on Craft Road north of Church Road. That application has been withdrawn from the city of olive branch. It has been pulled and withdrawn. You're obviously welcome to stay. We want you here as long as you want to be here, but that is not going to be heard tonight. Uh, nor any night that I'm aware of because it has been withdrawn. And that means that it would have to start all over again at step one if that happens. So it was totally withdrawn following the budget, excuse me, following the agenda board. You have the consent agenda items 1 through 24. Questions comments or motions on these administrative in nature items so move. Mister damage motion is there a second second second Mister Hart in discussion. Hearing none all in favor. All opposed motion carries. In the planning Commission, all business is out of number one is the one that has been withdrawn by the property owner and applicant out of 2 planning hearing date for consideration action on the motion declaring the condition of the following properties to be minutes to the public health and safety and directing either the city staff or contract labor to clean the property forth with it was tabled for meeting this date on August 18th, it was table to be heard on tonight's agenda.

Mr. Andrew Hawkins with Yes, sir, thank you So the first one is at six four three six nesting dove As you could see this property has been cut Next up is nine two eight two railroad Avenue this property has been taken care of as well and 9320 Railroad Avenue. This property has been cleaned. Here's the front and here's the side. The grass has been cut. Next is 8020 Camp Town Lane. This grass has been cut. Next up, 7384 Hunters Forest Drive. This property has been cleaned. 9896 Tremont Drive. This property has been cleaned. 9063 Champlain Drive. This property has been cleaned as well. 7198 foxtrot cove this property has been cleaned this was on the agenda to be cleaned however planning staff is requesting this item to be tabled this is at the northeast corner of alexander road and desoto road at 63 acres

So just for visibility of the board, what is being looked at? Obviously, you can tell this is a large field of 64 acres and grass height on a 64 acre field is different than grass height for dense residential subdivision. So planning is looking at how we can separate that don't know the intentions of this landowner they may be going to bail hey don't know what they're doing with it but a field that large is different than resi residential so we're going to work toward that and bring you back some recommendations for the two because they absolutely should be different continue thank you

And then this property here, this is 9218 Railroad Avenue. The applicant has submitted some correspondence with the city on requesting for a time extension to get this property cleared up. They've taken care of their other properties. and so planning staff is wishing to honor that request for an extension so we are requesting for this one to be tabled as well and so for the old business items our recommendation is to table those two properties

and table them to a date certain as in the next meeting or.

We're looking at October 6 but that that's just our reports copper with October 6 a clean to the 3 lot so.

Does it they tank. If the board's comfortable with that one, maybe we take this one away from the others. Is there a motion to continue these two to October the 6th meeting for follow-up? Got a motion, second. Dickerson-Wallace, all in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. No action needed on the ones clean, but there may be some actions needed on these, correct? Mr. Hockensmith? Yes, sir. This is a separate set of properties. Go ahead.

Yes, Sir, thank you these ones in particular are the new business items. So these have been added since the last board meeting. So first we have 4, 2, 1, 8, Becky see trail. And since it was put on the agenda, the property owners have uh very nicely taken care of this property um next we have 8409 club view try club view drive this property was taken care of 6282 saddle trail drive this property has been nicely cleaned as well 10659 pecan view drive this property has been cut and Now, we have lot three of First Revision Greenwood Place Commercial Subdivision. This property owner, Ranch of Mississippi LLC, has not cleaned this property. And at 6450 Nesting Dove, SRMZ2 LLC has not cleaned this property. As you can see, the grass is very high. And then at 6130 Goodman Road East, this property owner has not cleaned their property. And all of these pictures here, as you can see, these were taken today. All of these pictures for these three properties, this one, this one, and this one, these were all taken this morning. same with this one this picture taken this morning at seven four nine zero craft Goodman frontage Road Vikram Patel has not cut this grass as of today and so for these four properties we are recommending declaring them to be menace to the public health and safety and direct either city staff or contract labor to clean these properties

Thank you Mister Hawkins Smith is there anyone here on behalf of these 4 properties that are listed anyone here on behalf of them that your property at your neighbor you want to speak on these properties for against them being required to clean them up. Here seeing and hearing non public comments section is closed. So you're asking the board for consideration board any questions and you need to see any of these 4 again. Mr Wallace motion to declare minutes for call to be cleaned up is there a second. Second, Mister Collins in discussion. All in favor. All opposed motion cares. All business consideration of is opened August 24, 2026 for the new hangar development area taxi lines for all of a.

yes thank you ryan the engineering department and michael reichert i will invite to comment if there are further questions is requesting approval and notice of award to a and b construction for the new hangar development area taxi lanes at the olive branch airport at a total price of nine hundred and thirty four thousand dollars nine hundred thirty four thousand six hundred and $37.90, which is a total price including the two additive alternates.

Mr. Rod Elrod, thank you. So anything to add, COO Riker, Chief Operating Officer Riker, to this?

I would just say we had three total bids, and they came in low bid with the alternates added in, and we'd like to approve the discussion with...

And is this accurate, even though that's a large number, and it certainly is, based on the grants that the city has received, we'll either pay 5% of that amount or 2.5% of that amount only. Is that right? That's correct. So the rest of it, a grant will pay for the rest of it, which is awesome. Thank you. Any questions, board?

Our cap is 2.5%.

On one grant it is, and on one grant it's five. We're trying to see where it fits.

So it's not on the total necessarily. It's depending on the grant.

The maximum it would be would be 5% of that number was 600-something. Okay. 5% of that max.

Okay.

certain things fit under certain rancid and others don't fit in so we're trying to work our way through that but worst case no more than 5% of that number and best case 2.5% of the total number what's the number again Mister all right.

The total number for the A and B construction contract is 934,000 $637.90 so 5% or 2 and a half 45,000 ish give or take a pin on the ground right.

Any questions discussion or motions. Now make a motion to approve. Second.

Mr. Earhart, motion to approve. Second, Ms. Hamilton. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Item two, consideration of bids open on August the 10th, 2026 for the public works supplies for FY 2027. board uh you have a list of those items i don't think you want mr elrod reading each one of them we certainly can i know you've seen the number but it's for different supplies needed different times throughout the year this is a term bid so we can go and buy those supplies that are needed at the rate that we've been quoted to do business with those companies yes sir Mr Wallace motion to approve second, Mister damage in discussion all in favor, I oppose motion carries. Is your motion to leave regular session with the intentions of going into executive session to discuss items one through 5 personal items one through 5. motion from Mister Collins is there a second second second Mister Gamage all in favor all opposed motion carries is there a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel matter in the fire department gas maintenance department police department planning department and administration department to go into executive session for those 5 items motion Mister Gamage motion Second, Mr. Collins all in favor. Aye. All opposed. Before we go into executive session, this is a tad out of sequence, but we will then go back live on the YouTube channel. We'll go, this is an executive session, so it will be turned off during this session for streaming, but it'll come back live as we come out of executive session for the board to make their vote on the final budget for FY27. So we're in executive session at this time. Back live, John. We're back in regular session, Board. It's consideration for resolution of setting our tax millage rate for fiscal year 2026 and 2027 based on the budget about to adopt. Anything CFO may add to that? No increase in the millage rate for our residents. Anything else to add? No, sir. OK. Flat rate, no change. Flat rate, no change. Any discussion or is there a motion to adopt the millage rate for a flat rate to our citizens? Collins motion. Second. Second. Earhart, all in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Is there a motion to approve the budget as is with the condition of the salaries that were just discussed and approved by the board is there a motion to approve the budget condition upon those salaries that were just discussed and approved motion to approve based on those salaries we're approving executive session mr gamage motion is there a second second mr dickerson all in favor aye all opposed motion carries there's nothing else before this honorable board is there what let's do our claims yes sir items 1, 2, and 3 on the claims docket, our warrant report. Any questions or motions on those? Pay the bills.

Motion to pay them.

Mr. Gamers, motion. Mr. Wallace, second. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Now, if there's no further business, is there a motion to adjourn?

So moved.

Mr. Wallace, motion. Is there a second?

Second.

Second, Mr. Earhart. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? We are adjourned. Thank you, board. Thank you, Mr. Dye. Hope you feel better. Thank you, Mayor.