Mayor and Board of Aldermen - Regular Meeting

Everyone, I'm now calling this meeting to order. Please stand with us. We'll be led in prayer by Alderman Gallagher. Please remain standing after that for the pledge of allegiance. It'll be led by Alderman at large, George Payne. Heavenly Father, we're so blessed and thankful to be here tonight. Lord, we thank you for this uh special day, special time of year, Lord, where we get to worship your birth. Lord, we're so uh thankful that you decided to come to this earth and uh forgive us of our sins, Lord. And I just pray that you would be have your hand over South Haven during this time of year. In your name we pray. Amen. Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation God indivisibley andice for all.

First on the agenda this evening is the approval of minutes for the November 18, 2025 meeting. Read the agenda real quick. We have a motion by Hoots. Is there a second? Second. Second Alderman Jerome. Any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Yes, Kelly. I'm sorry. [laughter] I apologize. I'm so sorry. That totally just threw me off. So, I'm sorry. Do we finish the roll call? Yes. Okay.

That motion carries. Next on our agenda is I55 [clears throat] Main Street Beautifification Project. our planning and development director, Miss Whitney Cook.

Uh yes, the items that I handed off to everyone just a few minutes ago. Um you have two different sheets of paper and uh basically the mayor, myself, and Christie came up with a plan. Um as a new city beautifification project, we usually have one large project a year. Um this year we wanted to take and enhance the I-55 and Stateline Road interchange and the beginning of the sound barrier wall that you have coming into South Haven uh from the Memphis area. So um both of those are in different locations. The one you the one you see that says South Haven and it has the abstract painting of the orange and the blue that's meant to kind of mimic the South Haven Charger colors that are uh conducive to the West End. I mean that's the that's our high school. So, that is planned to go on the noise barrier wall that's right here past city hall. Um, it's very large scale. So, as you see it there, I know that we were talking that it may be a little busy. Abstract is the what you have to do with that because there's a a deviation in the depths of the noise barrier wall. So, you can't get really defined with with it. So, you had to do more of an abstract drawing. Um, but essentially [clears throat] those walls are 20 foot high. And I think that uh estimated length is going to be about 300 ft. So, basically, when you get right past city hall, um the goal is to draw your attention over to that area where you see it's South Haven, and like I said, it's representative of the South Haven charger colors. Uh the other one you see is more of a banner type uh design, and it says South Haven on one side, and it says established 1980. It's more of a classical look, and that will be on the uh the overpass on both sides of the actual interchange down here. So, when you're looking at the lights, waiting for traffic, going east and west, you're going to see it a navy blue and white over the top. Um, like I said, it's an enhancement. Uh, we usually use it for landscaping and things of that nature, but we did run into a mural designer who is, uh, local, well, I wouldn't say he's local, he's local to the Mississippi area. He's done a lot of work for, um, University of Mississippi, a lot down in

Madison. Uh, he's got a good portfolio of government work. U, we met with him, came up with kind of a design criteria. He came back very quickly with some beautiful designs. Uh, the three of us kind of worked together with him and came up with u, what you see proposed in front of you tonight. What we're asking for is uh approval of the contract uh with this gentleman. I believe it is on the items on the agenda. We do have an estimated cost for both of them. Um but it all is done by price per square foot. Um so we would like approval to move forward with um the sound barrier wall and the overpass mural for this year's budget under city beautifification which we do have uh budgeted for this for this year. Now question which overpasses will the this one go on?

That will be right here at South Haven. I mean it's State Line Road and um 55. So it'll be where the light is on each side of the on State Road. You'll see that right there along but just on State Line, not on any of the others. Mhm. Okay.

Our goal was to start um as I've mentioned in previous meetings. We we've tried over the years to improve the first impression. you know, when you when you leave the state of Tennessee on Interstate 55 and you come into Mississippi, the state line exit is obviously the first one. Uh so that's why we put, you know, our first monument sign was uh there, but uh because the greater the land, you can't put the monument sign where you really get I55 visibility. You obviously get it when you get on the ramp. So, we're still looking to improve that look. And as we've talked about in prior meetings about, you know, having the tower removed and and putting a monument with uh with the three flag poles, we think that would be a grand [snorts] uh entrance uh into Mississippi. [clears throat] And then this just enhances it even more. So until we can get the other, you know, us doing this just really adds some life, you know, to [clears throat] the original u you original uh interchange in South A. But it's it's uh we want to start here and then uh possibly we do something else. But the third phase and we I didn't want to get ahead of you, but the third phase is our court building. Uh we're renovating that as y'all know. And then on the the northern wall of that is ideal. You can see that from the interstate. So the phase three of this would be to um paint like a collage of the history of South Haven. Like our special places that we've noted with our historical marker signs. we would have reference to that just just to celebrate original South Haven like all the old spots and that's why we chose to go, you know, with the orange and blue colors. Um because it's I mean this was South Haven High School, you know, I mean I'm not the only one in the room and Whitney, you're coming along so well, by the way.

Not to not be from here. You're really coming along and you're you're becoming a South Havenite, I think. I appreciate that. And so at one at one time there was no such thing as the Central Jaguars. I mean, we love them today. North Point was in Tennessee. SBC was on Homes Road in Two Lane at one time. Uh, so at one time it was the South Haven Chargers and that's all it was. So, we want to pay tribute again to our original part of our city. That's that's the reason for the orange and blue design there. Yeah. Plus, it sounds like it's going to be you'll see the sign and then the school's right there. You just

Good point. Exactly. Yeah. Because when you're going 70 miles an hour, once you see the sign, then the school's going to be right there, too. That's a great point. We didn't think about that. That kind of ties in with it as well. And then the overpass, it just it dresses it up. And I know y'all been to other places and I keep using uh the University of Mississippi just because it's a place that I'm familiar with, but on Highway 6 when Old Miss went through a major beautifification project, they started um adding so many different things. So they engraved the overpass. So, like when you're at Old Taylor Road and and some of the others, I think the first one is where it is. Maybe it's either Old Taylor or the um the Coliseum Drive, but it has uh the University of Mississippi engraved in the overpass. It just adds character to it. It's just kind of cool, you know, just again, it just it just screams that we're proud of who we are, you know. So, that's why I love this project and I hope that y'all will agree to this contract.

How much is it going to cost? It's broken down in the contract. It's by footage depending on how big. They'll have to look in there and see, but it's within budget parameters. So, wouldn't you have it? Yeah, we've got some estimates on it. Basically, the sound barrier wall, like I said, it's very large scale. It's about 2,900 ft. Uh that all the labor and execution of that uh design is 145,000. And then the overpass uh is at 616. We currently have budgeted and our city beautifification uh line item is 275. So we're we're within that

and then the phase three would be outside of budget. So what we'll do is just the plan [snorts] is to push that back to FY27. Anything is there anything else to add? No, I'm just here for any questions. Okay. Is there a motion to um approve so move the contract? Got a motion Gallagher. Second Alderman Payne. Any other discussion? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Alderman, yes. Alderman, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

That motion carries. Next on our agenda is um again we left last meeting. We had a discussion about medical cannabis about possibly opting in. And so the next uh what we accomplished at the last meeting was to determine if we were going to opt in what that would be like it there's all kinds of it's very broad uh you know you have cultivation you have research and testing and then you have dispensaries which are just the actual marketing [clears throat] and sale of medical cannabis. So, we left that meeting with the understanding if we did choose to opt in, it would just be for um dispensaries in the medical zone. So, our city attorney was given direction to prepare uh an ordinance for that. And um so, the update tonight is that has been uh prepared. So then it's it's up to the board uh if when you're ready to take action. It is is there anything else that would need to be done before I

I mean yeah I drafted an ordinance um which is uh obviously in your packet. Um it basically sets forth the um we'll just be opting in opt in for dispensaries. [clears throat] Um it includes the requirements for the city clerk's office and the checklist that will be made that will be needed. Um, I sent those documents today for the city clerk's office, but I think our email or city emails down. I'm sorry. Oh, go ahead. I'm sorry.

I don't know if that got through. Also, um, it under under state law, you can do a time, place, and manner ordinance. Um, the ordinance under state law can't be impractical or impractical makes a dispensary be able to operate. So, you opt in and your ordinance is needs to be um just regulate in time, place, and manner. Um, ordinance would require them to the entity to have a department of health in your department of health permit first. Department of health is overseeing it from the state level. Um they would then come to the clerk's office and the planning office, make sure they're in the threat zone, make sure the permit uh has been satisfied with the department of health, provide um the site plan and the um requirements set forth by the planning office in the in the ordinance um including measures [clears throat] along with allowing inspections um in the survey of the property. Um also would need to uh I said provide the um uh the fees that would be required um which would be a $2,000 application fee um annual renew of $500. Um then the uh it would be allowed to be open from 7 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is just what the ordinance is now. I mean say this is ultimately how you'all want to proceed with it. Monday through Sunday. Um but as I said earlier, it doesn't allow as the mayor noted does not allow for cultivation, manufacturing, indoor processing, um research, testing, transportation, disposal facilities wouldn't be allowed either. Um it just makes also a part the state permit. The state statute should be also a part of the ordinance set forth by the applicability section. Enforcement would have the regulations and penalties uh for violations of the ordinance um including um fines as set forth and allowed by state law. That would be the enforcement section. Um there would be a continuing penalty for continuing

violations as we do other misdemeanor violations for continuing uh violations of those ordinance um that's been fed. Um and then finally it would just also uh set forth the uh uh checklist like I said earlier the check check of what's required which would be a pretty extensive amount because based on the regulations um by the state we need to have those things in our clerk's office to make sure everything's been complied with before we can actually issue the permit and including the letter from the planning department which would not is in the commercial medical district and if any of those items aren't in there it would not be a lot. So that's the overview of the ordinance as as it sits tonight just as a proposal based on direction from last meeting. Um so I think at that point we would also need to finalize uh which I have worked on those and provided some checklist and permit requirements and documentation the clerk's office could use as part of the um ordinance itself and the permit requirements. happy to answer any questions. [cough] [clears throat]

What all would be required of the clerk's office and and and any additional items or education or what would be needed as far as that goes?

It would be they would need to make sure they had all the information. Well, we'd have a background check. Um that's that we would do and so they would sign the applicant sign a background check which is consistent with what other cities are doing. Um also there would be um the site plan that they would need to provide the planning office. They would need to provide the security measures. They need to provide all the the permits they received from the state um along with the certification [clears throat] that they are the required amount of distance from um the other dispensaries or the child or churches or daycarees um including any waiver. So you can get a waiver for that from the entities but they would need to provide that as well. Um, so it just it would be like a just a documentation for the clerk's office to have that um all [clears throat] in a row and then also to allow for inspections by the planning I mean by the uh city police and uh city code um on an annual basis to make sure everything's in compliance with the statute. I mean with the statutes obviously and with the ordinance as well. So that it'd be a couple forms to fill out and then have that information to the clerk's office. The clerk's office have uh 30 days to review and then issue the permit after that. In the event a permit's not issued, you have to provide some type of due process. So the applicant can always appeal to the board and then from there appeal to applicable courts based on the denial that they feel not just orided by the ordinance and state. Nick, I got a couple questions. Um are [clears throat] we allowed to stipulate what kind of building like a freestanding building. Uh you know

I think it is a time place and manner uh you have to have a time place and manner. So I think you could put that in the ordinance. Now could I say that that would hold up under the impractability statute? I don't know. Um because you right now the way it's drafted you have a commercial medical district and that's what we zoned it for a year or two ago whenever that was um within that commercial medical district it can go a dispensary can be located. Um, as it stands now, uh, you could, I think, make some adjustments by saying it has to be a standalone building. Um, I think that would fit into a time, place, man restriction, but it's it's, uh, you just can't make it to where it would not allow for dispensaries to be authorized in that area or make it to where it's not really practical for them to operate in that area. So, I think you could um include that language in the statute in the ordinance. But it would just have to be the enforceability would then come back to how much does that allow for operate within that district or in that zone. So that's something that could be if the board wants to provide that language revise that and include that in there. Um but the issue would be does that then create a concern or not concern but does that then create an issue from the standpoint of not allowing the dispensary to really operate or open in an area with So it could be potential illegation.

Yeah. Yeah. Are we going to be able to enforce them? I mean, is this going to be similar to the the way with it is with liquor stores? I mean, the state's going to control everything at their will or is it

No, I think we we Well, as long as it's within we're controlling it within the zoning area. So we do have some from the standpoint of a liquor store, you do have control of your liquor store from the standpoint of where it's signed um and the and the um footage from a church to school. I do think you control this from the standpoint of it's in commercial medical district and it has to be within a certain amount of feet within that commercial medical district of each within each store or within certain daycarees, schools purchase. But does that mean that you can control the zoning? Yes, you can control that. within that zone. But if they meet the requirements as it stands now um up to 1500 ft or thousand feet I can't from the state statute that's going to be allowed under commercial. So it's control it's u controlled within that parameters of commercial medical district and the state law.

You can't contradict state law. Yeah. So Nick is there any limit to the number of these that can be in the district? Uh no I mean only thing it's limited by within the district is by the feet requirement set forth by state law. So to the mayor's point we can't mean we can't come in and say you know we're going to make it further restricted within this community because that would be contrary with the state law requires. that we So if 10 if if 10 met those they could and I know that 10 won't but theoretically 10 could go into that district.

Yeah. I mean theoretically. Yeah. I mean now let me say this. I don't know if that's theoretically or not on the standpoint of I don't know the feet requirement. I mean I know the feet department is I don't know how many could actually [cough]

it won't allow. Okay. Yeah. I that's something I just haven't mapped [clears throat] out where the schools are and the zones and where each one can be fort. Now you could try and look at you know doing something by standalone building. Um but like I said I can't you know that's something that uh I just don't I just don't know how that's how that it's such a subjective term as far as making something impractical. I don't know that's basically going to be a case by case basis the way practicality works. So, you couldn't say no shopping centers or I'm not saying you can't say that. I said you can put that in there. But does that then quote unquote makes something impractical? I I don't I don't know. I mean, it's I would say

you don't know if it'd stand up to litigation.

Yeah. I mean, it's subjective terms. I mean, yes. My point being is you could say, you know, it only has to be a standalone building. Um, but does that then make it impractical to operate with our commercial medical district for, you know, the certain number that need to come in or want to come in? I can't answer that. I haven't I don't know how many standalone buildings there are in that area. I haven't had a chance to I don't know and I don't know how many shopping centers or where they could actually be located to make it where that argument would be well going to stand alone makes it impractical for more than two to be there. I I just don't know the answer to that because it's only going to be based on it's such a subjective term it's going to be based on how many standalone buildings actually operate and comply with requirements set forth in law. One last question for me. Uh,

as far as the medical district, is can that be challenged? Can I mean I mean

I mean anything obviously anything always challenged. Um, I do think commercial medical district did a good job that was zoned whenever yall did that as far as taking into account where uh um the best use in place would be because it does provide the um access and allows for it to be within a central part of the city and provides a pretty broad district to allow it to operate. I don't why do you think it'd be you know we live in a latigious society or anything can be challenged I don't I think that commercial district is wide and broad enough to where it's it does allow for this if the board should stop in a dispense to be able to operate [clears throat] or dispense be able to operate freely within the city without it making it impractical for the use and placement of an entity that wants to be dispensing it within that zone. That's what I just it's that's a very subjective criteria. Obviously, we would have some arguments why we think that's why [clears throat] we want to do that, but can I guarantee that that's makes it impractical, nonpractical? I don't there's no guidance for impractical

under and I apologize. I mean, I know we had email issues today, so this is, you know, first time I've been able to review it. Uh like under inspections, we mentioned Monday through Friday. Yeah. Can we extend that through Monday through Sunday? Yeah. For all their business hours as far as when you can do an inspection. Yeah. Yeah. I think that was just there based on I mean I hate to know second guess it right now in front of all this and Oh, no. No. Please do. I mean, if we could put it off so everybody could review it. I mean, if that's a thing,

that's fine. I that I I was just draft get something drafted up. Yeah. No, no. I want to review it some more and we can discuss it next morning. Y'all tell me what you want to do because um I'm not like I said, this is just a draft of something that that can be considered. Sure. No, [clears throat] it looks good. I mean, it's just But if you want to make changes and revisions and then the clerk's office wants to review other documents that they'll need to be familiar with, that's fine, too. I just want to have you something to review to discuss and think through when y'all are moving, however you want to move forward. I work for y'all. I'd rather have some time myself just to look it over just make sure.

I mean, is that cool with everybody? Well, this is just an update. So, unless anybody's making a motion, if you're going to make a motion tonight, then make it. If not, if there's no other discussion, we'll move on. Yeah. Cool. So, is there a motion to take action tonight on this uh ordinance that's been laid before you hearing? None. Uh we'll move on to the next item on the agenda is contract for uh for our vent concessions.

I apologize. I probably should have been up here for the medical marijuana question. Um the uh contract for the event concessions um this is a current our current contract is with the uh event concessions inc um with this bank plus amphitheater as part of the um renewal of the contract with the civic center board. Um we're going to start using their in-house for the concessions for next year. I think that'll be more efficient um based on our parks recommendation and the civic center uh recommendation that'll be more efficient. the current contract we [clears throat] have expires in March of next year. So they weren't even under contract for next year's performance uh or performances. Um so that being said, the quest the request tonight is to cancel the contract with professional services agreement um based on the 60-day termination clause and that the contract that we had with our prior board can't bind this board. So, we just need action to take to move forward with that to end it now as opposed to March so that the civic center board or civic center um can start moving forward with their operations for concessions.

I'll make that motion. Second. We have a motion. Berman Wheeler. Second. A Berman Hoops. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman. Yes. Alderman. Yes. Alderman H. Yes. Jerome. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. That motion carries. Next on our agenda is our audit engagement letter.

Yeah. This engagement letter with the Jerel group is the same entity that did our um audit last year. Um as part of this year's audit, uh Caleb Flowers has worked uh getting this negotiated and and done has done a good job of having them to make sure they meet the requirements for our timelines. As you recall, this past year, audit wasn't completed till September. But this year, under this engagement letter, Caleb's had them insert language that says that the completion will be done by April 21st, 2026. Uh the cost the engagement is $45,000. So tonight, need approval for the mayor to sign the ultimate engagement letter with the Jerel group for the FY25 audit. So move second. We have a motion Flores, second Alderman Wheeler. Is there any discussion?

Hearing none, all in favor say I. I. Any oppose say no. Eyes have it. Motion carries. Next on the agenda is a resolution for a police uh vehicle purchase. Okay. This is just authorization for the police to p purchase the vehicles from the Missouri Highway Patrol. It's 6 2022 Dodge Durango amount of $33,000. This intergovernmental purchase, so it does allow for them [clears throat] to do it um pursuant to 31713 Miss Code. So tonight need authorization for the purchase and the mayor to sign the resolution authorizing the purchase. I'll make that motion. Second. We have a motion Flores, second by Alderman Gallagher. Is there any discussion? We have to have an interlocal for this.

No, not this is not a donation. So it wouldn't be an inter local. It just be a resolution for purchase. We bought six for $33,000. 30,000 each. I'm sorry. Yeah. Like hey, that's a good deal. Any other any other discussion hearing? None. Roll call. Alderman Payne. Yes. Alderman. Yes. H. Yes. Jerome. Yes. Yes. We Yes. That motion carries. Next on our agenda is a resolution for surplus in the fire department.

This Yeah. This resolution will surplus three three vehicles from the S South Haven Fire Department in a code with in accordance with 172525. Mr. Code moved. Second. We have a motion Flores. Second. Alderman Gallagher. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman F. Yes. Alderman. Yes. H. Yes. Alderman. Yes. [clears throat] Yes. Yes. Yes. That motion carries. Next on our agenda are contracts for our IT department.

We've got two different contracts tonight or there's three, but one two of them go together, one separate, so just do it all at one time if that's okay with the board. But um the first one was just authorization for the mayor's office to have a printer and the contract for that and the purchase. The second one is also a contract with um Barracuda. It's renewal for the firewall subscriptions um that are required for the city email backups and storage. So, um, and that is an amount of 34,543, um, per year on a three-year basis. It is a renewal, um, and they have complied with what we've asked for. So, tonight need authorization for both of those contracts to be signed by Michael Norris, um, the head of IT for the city. Second.

We have a motion Hoot, second by Alderman Payne. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne, yes. Alderman Lewis. Yes. Alderman. Yes. Jerome, yes. Gather. Yes. Yes. Yes. That motion carries. Next on our agenda is a resolution for a soul source purchase in our utilities department.

This resolution will authorize soul source purchase of the Badger pumps from J.R. Stewart. This is what we um which is a vendor for um central pipe supply. Uh the sole source allows for us to get a a price decrease, but they're the only people or the only entity that will sell the pump that we are authorized to sell the pump that we need for our sewer system that corresponds with our automatic meter reading and our sewer um infrastructure. So this is uh needed so that we can have the right pumps and meters that will comply with our sewer system and will be an authorized soul source based on soul source letter and the information they have provided which will be included as exhibits to the resolution. So need authorization for the mayor to sign these resolution to sign this resolution along with the exhibits um attached to the resolution.

So moved second. We have a motion Payne second Jerome. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman. Yes. Alderman Lewis here. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. That motion carries. Next on our agenda is a resolution to clean private property. Mr. Mayor, I move we adopt a resolution granting authority to clean private property as presented on the state. Second. We have a motion. Berman Payne, second Bererman Gallagher. Is there any discussion among the board?

Are there any properties? Do we have a list of the properties on there?

Michael there. No properties. Okay. Okay. [laughter] Okay, we'll move on then if there's no properties. Okay, so next on our agenda is our planning agenda, Miss Whitney Cook.

Yes. [clears throat] So, our first application is for um a design review. Uh you see highlighted right there on the southwest corner of Church and Gwell. It's actually just west of the CVS pharmacy right there. Two buildings on site. One is a single tenant building which is set to be the Ace Hardware. uh that we approved through a site plan a few months ago. This is the design review package for that. Uh there's also a three tenant office building that will uh be adjacent to it on the same site. Uh if you can look at your design review package, basically they have taken kind of an old farmhouse design and kind of brought it in nostalgic for the Ace [clears throat] Hardware. Um obviously it was something the planning commission was very fond of. He did mimic that design with the other building as well. So, they flow very well together. Um, they did put um a nice landscape package together. They also did all of the parking lot lighting. Um, as the decorative acorn lighting did kind of help in with the old time look of the building. Uh, we just had a couple of comments regarding the size of the landscaping uh to be increased where it requires it in the ordinance. Um, otherwise it was viewed very well by the planning commission. They vote they did vote unanimously in favor of it to approve with those minor comments.

Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we approve item number one on the planning agenda as presented tonight. Second. On item one, we have a motion Flores, second by Alderman Payne. Is there any discussion? Whitney, is there access from Getwell beside the CVS right now? There is a shared access point that is already in place uh and it's partly on CVS and it's partly to the south that will carry over and connect and basically do a L-shape. So you'll have access to this lot on Church Road and then you'll have access by CVS. I've noticed that. So I was wondering is that Very good. Yeah, very good circulation for the site. Good. Any other discussion on item one? Hearing none. Roll call.

Yes. Yes. [clears throat] Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. That motion carries.

Our second application is for subdivision for 17.9 acres of property. This is going to be on the south side of Goodman Road just east of Elmore. All the areas you see identified in blue is the 17.9 acres. And it does have the Kia and the Honda stores both on there. They're both dealerships owned by the same entity. And uh when the land was purchased and the original Honda came into play, they did have excess parking to the south. To gain access to that area, they had to obtain three additional parals that were in two other subdivisions. So this subdivision application in front of you now is a way to clean up title and to merge all of them into a single ownership lot. So, we will be removing a lot from the uh what is it? The Jennings Rayburn subdivision. We'll be adding it into the Bell Office Park subdivision. So, essentially, we will have lot 5B and 5C. Lot 5B will be [clears throat] the um Honda site. It will be 9.97 acres, and then we will take it and make an additional lot 5C, which will be 7.93 acres. That'll be to the east. I know it's confusing. Nothing will change on the ground. This is for title work and to allow the separation of the two dealerships. Um but it also just clean titles and vacates the other subdivisions that of the land they were already purchasing. So um after some deep discussion at the planning commission and we settled the confusion, they did vote unanimously in favor of it.

Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion that we approve item number [clears throat] two on the planning agenda as presented tonight. Second. On item two, we have a motion by Alderman Flores, second by Alderman Wheeler. Is there any discussion? Whitney, what's that little notch on the on the south west side right under 587? I can't see. Yeah. Uh that is probably a cell tower site. Okay. Yeah, I think you're right. So that would be obtained in an easement. It will not they don't get their own lots. They simply get an easement onto a larger lot. So I think you're right. I think that's all right. Thank you.

Does this mean that they're wanting to do something with lot five at some point? That so that has already been primarily built out. That is surplus parking for Yeah. behind the Honda and the Kia dealership. Um there is some open land just a little south of Jennings Jennings Drive which is also a portion of it and that is just for additional surplus parking if and event they ever need it. But we used it right now for a buffer line between that and Bowmont Estates. Okay. Any other discussion on item two [clears throat] hearing? None. Roll call. [cough] Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. [clears throat] That motion carries.

Our final application is also a subdivision application and this is for a revision to the College Road Business Park subdivision. This is going to be on the southwest corner of College Road in Gatwell Road. Uh lot one is the State Farm building that's on the hard corner if you will remember and you should have it in your package. Um the owner of Precious Paws Veterinarian Clinic came in and did a campus style setting and got approval to do a 247 emergency hospital, uh a doggy daycare facility and a dog park. And he bought all the remaining property from that subdivision as well as what he had um presently where the vets's office is. Um what he has done with this now is taken that five acres and broke it down into the four lots. Each entity will have its own individual lot. So the veterinarian clinic that's already there will be on one lot. The emergency vet will be on one lot. The doggy daycare will be on one one lot and then the dog park itself will be on one lot. So this is again just clean title work. Uh it is compliant with all of the ordinance set forth for commercial properties and was recommended unanimously for approval.

Mr. Mayor, I recommend that we approve item number three on the planning agenda as approve as presented tonight. Second. On item three, [clears throat] we have a motion by alderman Flores, second by Alderman Payne. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne, yes. Alderman Le, yes. Alderman, yes. Alman, yes. Gallagher, yes. Yes. Yes. That's it.

That motion carries. Next on our agenda is our mayor's report. Um, as always, uh, either next meeting or the first meeting in January, I'll put together a a year-end review like we always do. And like I always say, when you when you stop and you start putting that together, you realize how much changes in one year. There's a lot of stuff that happens over the course of a year. There's a lot of stuff going on right now in the city that's uh, good, really good. Um but anyway, I'll get to that uh next meeting or the following one. But tonight, uh just want to talk about just what's at hand now. Uh Christmas is upon us. Uh our parade is this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Uh same route going down uh Main Street, finishing at City Hall. Uh there's going to be the Chamber of Commerce has really stepped up and has a lot of other fun events for the kids. It's going to be here at city hall uh at the end of the parade. So, uh, just encourage everybody to get out and celebrate a great South Haven tradition with the Christmas parade. Um, our Southern Lights tradition is underway now, uh, where you can, uh, take your kids and, uh, ride through beautiful Central Park and look at the Christmas lights. As y'all know, over the last few years, we've added some features to that. So, we've freshened it up. It's really special and, uh, uh, the kids love it. So, it's going to be open until December 31st. uh the money that uh is collected there goes 100% to charitable organizations. So we've had some questions like why do we not give a discounted rate you know so you can go multiple times. The answer to that is because on any given night it could be a different charity. So we don't want to you know we want to make it fair for all the charitable organizations that are working the gate for us. But it's a it's a great tradition. Beautiful southern lights. Um our tree y'all know we put us up a to use a good old southern term. We put us up a shown enough tree last year. So, uh, we waited. You know, we tried to be

efficient with our money. I'm not even going to tell you how much that tree cost, but No, I will. What was it, Whitney? Huh? It's a lot. So, we delayed for a lot of years. We tried to grow real trees and and I'm not one to admit failure, but I threw in the towel. I finally gave up that it is just not meant to be for us to have a natural tree on the city hall property. So, we just uh finally last year put up this beautiful tree. But but uh it's gorgeous. It's it's super nice and it reminds me again talking about old South Haven. Uh for those who were kids in the 1970s and 1980s here, you know about the um the huge tree at the Southland Mall on Shelby Drive. So, if you grew up in this area, I

said that

at some point, uh, your mom and daddy said, "Hey, tonight's a night. We're going to go check out the tree and and all the kids piled in the car and we went and looked at the beautiful tree in the Southland Mall parking lot. It's not as tall as that one, but it reminds me of it and I hope it does other people, too, because it was a very special tradition for South Haven people back then. And so, I hope this tree reminds uh people of that as well. We added some things this year with our beautiful monument signs. we have a citizen that uh reached out and said, "Hey, could we decorate the the beautiful brick monument signs that we put up? Could we decorate those for Christmas?" I said, "Hey, sounds like a great idea." So, Whitney made that happen. Um and then our utilities department, Ray Humphrey and Humphre and his team, uh they went and helped us with all the all the snowflakes and all the um the monument signs. So, we have uh wreaths on the monument signs that will be lit up soon as well. So, we're we're taking a lot of pride in beautifying our city at Christmas time. Um, last thing I just want to mention some things, and I've never done this before. I know our police department does a really good job uh trying to communicate with the public with the challenges that come with the with the holiday season. And so, I just want to kind of, you know, reiterate that that um it gets wild in December, you know, in so many ways. you know, you have um people out Christmas shopping. When you have people out, you have gifts in the car. Uh it it increases, you know, uh theft from automobiles. Uh shoplifting, shoplifting challenges are higher, you know, in the shop shopping Christmas shopping season. Uh obviously, people are out Christmas shopping, so there are more people on the road. Uh there's a lot of things going on. So, I just want to kind of reiterate that to people. you know, we want to keep everybody safe, but but having a safe city, we all kind of got to do our part. Let's be smart with that. So, like if you're Christmas shopping, lock your doors. Don't leave your, you know, your

uh uh Christmas presents in plain view because some there are people out there who will take those. So, please lock your doors. Be smart with that. Um the other thing too is um you know, just safety with Christmas trees and candles. Um I love candles. I know a lot of people love candles, but this is the insurance nerd in me. But I got to tell you, one of the biggest um starters of house fires, candles and space heaters. Those are two of the two of the things that cause the most fire. So enjoy your beautiful Christmas candles, but be smart. You know, don't put them next to things that are flammable. Give them their own space. Be safe with your candles and your space heaters. And uh you don't want to, trust me, you don't want to go through a house fire at Christmas time. Um the last thing and then obviously if you have a if you don't have an artificial tree, if you have a real tree, you know, you got to keep some water in that thing because it becomes a fire ready to happen. If you don't keep that thing watered, you leave that thing up for about two weeks, uh it becomes a fire ready to happen. So um so just take that advice and um to keep your family safe. The other thing is about traffic. You know, do do we ever talk about traffic in South Haven? Everybody's always got an opinion about traffic. So, I'll start again by saying what I always say. Um, traffic is inconvenient, but traffic is a sign of success. Okay? So, uh, when you need to worry is when you have no traffic because nobody wants to be in your city and you have no economy. Okay? We have a great economy in South Haven. We have a tremendous retail economy, which means that you're going to have traffic, have people out there. So, I would just encourage everybody to not only be safe with their driving, uh, but be smart. If you've been here a while, um there are if you don't know, then email me and I'll I'll tell you a few secrets. There's ways to avoid the big traffic hang-ups. There's little other routes that you can get north and south and east and west in this city by staying off. Everybody knows about Goodman Road,

but that's not the only problem. We have a lot of uh big areas that are problems for traffic. So, I would just encourage you to be smart with that. Take a different route. And when you do that, you help the city because you you help eliminate some of the, you know, the troubled areas that are heavy traffic [snorts] areas. The other thing, and you may think I'm crazy by saying this, again, it's the insurance nerd in me, but if you can avoid a left turn, think about just avoid a left turn. There's so many ways like Whitney and Alderman Payne asked about the hardware store. So when the Ace Hardware is built, do do you want to come out and try to make a left on Church Road right there at Church and Getwell? That's just I'm just telling you if you try to do that, it's a matter of time until you get t-boned. Somebody you're going to have a wreck when you try to take a left at busy intersections. The simple way is just go back out by CVS and take a right and then go the other way. You could we could name a ton of other locations like that, but when you're on Goodman Road or you're on Get Well, um or or Church Road, if you can avoid any taking a left turn at an unsignaled area, that could save your life. Okay, so just um y'all know, you see it, you see people waving somebody through and you're like, "Oh, no. Is it this just a collision waiting to happen?" and you know, they're peeking around the other lane and one person's waving them and one person's saying no and it's just it's just a total nightmare. Y'all know it. So, I just encourage everybody. I don't know how many people watch this meeting, but listen to me. Avoid taking left turns at busy areas without a signal, okay? And you may save your life. But anyway, that's all I got. I'll stop preaching, but we'll move on. And next on our agenda is our donation docket.

[clears throat] Yeah, just a donation tonight from U Texas Gas um for $1,000. 500 for the police, 500 for the fire department. Is the office to accept the donation? I'll make the motion to approve and [clears throat] thank you for te to Texas Gas. Second. We have a motion. Merman Payne, second Jerome. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Any oppose say no. Eyes have it. Motion carries. Next on our agenda is our personnel docket. Mr. Mayor, move we approve the personnel docket as presented on the state. Second. We have a motion. A Bman Payne, second. Alderman Gallagher. Is there any discussion?

Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne. Yes. Alderman Lewis. Yes. Alderman H. Yes. Alman Jerome. Yes. Gallery. Yes. Wheeler. Yes. Yes. That motion carries. Do you have anything on the city attorney? No, I don't. utility executive session. Just realiz before we go on, could I meant [clears throat] to catch you before you got off your mayor's report? Uh any update on the the noise and stuff coming from the power plant? Were we able to get anything accomplished on that?

Yeah, like I've told the public um over and over, there's a pending plan on that. Yeah. Yeah. This probably not the because it's, you know, an economic development, this probably not the appropriate place to discuss that. But yeah, I've explained that um repetitively that and had many meetings. Uh that is being addressed as we speak. Um uh there is an expensive solution to that, but there's been no uh no push back at all in doing that. So like I've told everybody, we will solve that problem. Uh that's the uh promise that we made when the development came. Uh we will stand to true to that and we have a pending solution to that. Okay. So, next on our agenda is the um city attorney's legal update. Do you have anything else? Okay. So, we'll pass on I'll add utility claim when we get to the executive session. So, next uh on our um agenda is the utilities billing leak adjustment docket.

Mr. Mayor, I move we approve the utility bill leak adjustment docket as presented. Second. We have a motion of Alderman Payne, second Alderman Hoots. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman. Yes. Alderman. Yes. Alderman. Yes. Alderman. Yes. Yes. Yes. Flores. Yes. That motion carries. Next on our agenda is to approve one claims docket. Mr. Mayor, I move we approve the claims docket in the amount of 2,367,574.88 cents including demand checks. Second.

We have a motion Payne. Second, Alderman Flores. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. That motion carries. Uh, next on the agenda is the to determine the purpose of executive session. I'll make that motion. Second.

We have a motion Gallagher, second Wheeler. All in favor say I. I. Any oppose say no. The purpose of executive session this evening, police department personnel, litigation, a utility claim, economic development within the city, and interdep departmental personnel with no action. So is there now a motion to declare executive session? So move. Second. We have a motion. Alderman Hoots, second Alderman Jerome. All in favor say I. I. Any oppose say no. Eyes have it. Motion carries. The mayor and board will now enter executive session.