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 that will be led by alderman at large George Payne. Heavenly Father, Lord, we thank you for the opportunity to be here tonight. We thank you for the good things that you've given us. Lord, we know that all good thing all things work together for good. For those that love the Lord, for those who are called according to his purpose, Lord. Uh we don't know what's going on in the rest of the world with all the fighting and all the innocent people that are uh suffering, Lord Jesus, but we know that you have your hand on it, Lord. So we ask you to bless those people, Lord, and bless our time together. In your name we pray. 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 justice for all. First on our agenda this evening is the approval of minutes for the April 7, 2020 meeting. So move. Second. We have a motion by Alderman Hoot. Second by Alderman Jerome. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne. Yes. Alderman Lewis. Yes. Alderman Hoot. Yes. Alderman Jerome. Yes. Alderman Gallagher. Yes. Alman Wheeler. Yes. Alman Flores.

Yes.

That motion carries. Next on our agenda, we have a special guest with us tonight. We have a special proclamation uh that we're going to present just a few minutes. But uh our guest this evening is Khil Benson. And uh Mr. Benson is a South former South Haven High School football player. And um he just finished a little game just a few months ago. He was on the on the winning end of the college football national championship D1 uh for the for Indiana University. So, a pretty big deal. We see him in the audience. So, it's going to be a pleasure to meet you, sir. And before I read the proclamation and say a few words, I just want to tell you that being a former South Haven High School quarterback for three seasons, and this is no knock on my offensive line, I have some talented players, but if I had somebody with your size, I may have played a little bit longer. So, I'm kind of mad that I didn't have you playing back then. So, but we're very proud of you. It's a big deal. Uh that's why we wanted to bring you in public at this meeting. this is the official uh meeting where the business of the city of South Haven happens and we want the people to always know that we have pride in our city and so when we see one of our sons do well we're proud of that. So like I'd never met you before somebody brought it to my attention uh the day like two days before your game that you were going to be playing that game and uh so so many people in South Haven were very excited about that and I I love your story. Um, and so I think it's we're going to read the proclamation, but the thing I love the most about your story is you took the things that you learned in high school that your mom and your dad and your family all taught you. you had um you know you had hurdles to jump throughout like everybody else does and your story of leaving South Haven having you know offers to play college football and you ended up at Indiana University and I don't have to remind you that when you signed with Indiana nobody ever

expected y'all to win a national football championship. You were you you were a basketball school for decades and decades and the the story of Indiana totally what you what your team did and what you did going there not knowing that and being a part of that progression from being a mediocre college football program to be the best in the country. That's a great story and we're very proud of you for that. And uh the only other the other thing I want to share with you is obviously with your talent and with your size, you have great sports opportunities that await you. You're the NFL is out there. We know that you're going to have opportunities there. We're going to be following you. But the advice I want to give you, and remember this, and you've been through it already in high-profile sports, there are going to be a lot of lonely days on the road. It's not always going to be a national championship where you're hosting the trophy up in there. There going to be some days when you want to give it up and come home, but always remember to stick it out and always know that however you do, the people of South Haven are proud of you. So, we're very proud of that. And so, here's your what we prepared um for you to sum up your accomplishments and your career uh are as follows. So, that we're going to proclaim this today. Whereas Khalil Benson at age six began his football journey in Memphis, Tennessee, building a strong foundation in youth athletics. And whereas he continued his development through South Haven Middle School and South Haven High School, where he excelled as a student, athlete, football team captain, and student ambassador. And whereas he demonstrated a strong commitment to community service through volunteer work with the Civil Rights Museum and the Benjamin El Hooks JobCore Center and served as a junior deacon in his church. And whereas his high school achievements earned him numerous honors including first team all state dandy Dozen recognition, captain

of the Bernard Blackwell All-Star game, and being selected to represent the United States in the Team USA International Bowl. And whereas his continued academic and athletic career at Indiana University in the University of Colorado with recognition for leadership, service, and athletic excellence, including honors from the All State AFCA good works team and watch listed for the Shrine Bowl. And whereas in 2025 and 2026, Khalil achieved the highest level of collegiate success, earning a bachelor's in sociology and in contributing to a Big 10 championship, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, and National Championship. And whereas throughout his journey, Khil Benson has exemplified dedication, leadership, integrity, and excellence, bringing pride to his family, schools, and the city of South Haven. Now therefore, I, Darren Musclewhite, by the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of South Haven, Mississippi, hereby proclaim April 21, 2026 as Khalil Benson Day. Let's get a photo. He said, you going to make me look short. Not a lively shirt. Very pleased to meet you. Congrats on everything. Right. Hey, y'all want to circle down? Let's all get the photo. Let's Let's do it like that.

So, we got everybody Awesome. Proud of you, man. Good luck. Okay, next on our on agenda this evening is a resolution for Crimestoppers assessments, city attorney, Mr. Nick Manley.

Uh yes, Mayor Board. This resolution is based on the um previous issues that we've had with Crimeolvers. who've discussed the issues that that have been out there. Um there was local and private legislation that was previously or passed this past session uh for allowing each individual or each city individual city or entity um participate into its own uh crimes stoppers. Uh so at this point what we're wanting to do and talking with the police chief is look at how we want to structure ours and then once we figure out how we want to structure it um add that assessment back to the tickets. for now, take the assessment off for any the $1 assessment that we have for Crimestoppers on our uh our previous our tickets that we issue now. And the tickets that we are outstanding that have not been collected, that $1 that's collected will go to the state's public safety or the public department of public safety. Um and so they'll be held escro for the city once we decide how we want to proceed with our crimes stoppers. So tonight, this resolution lays out that process and that authority so that we can move forward um with that um proposal.

So move second. We have a motion of Alderman Hoots. Second Alderman Payne. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne. Yes. Alderman Lewis. Yes. Alderman Hoots. Yes. Alderman Jerome. Yes. Alderman Gallagher. Yes. Alman Wheeler. Arman Flores. Yes. That motion carries. Next on our agenda are resolutions for tax exemptions.

Yeah, there are three tax exemptions tonight. Um the first is Hormell Foods Sales LLC. Um that was for 10 years for personal and real property. Then you have one for XL Inc. DBA DHL ship supply chain. And then MG88 Memphis Distribution LLC. That one's for 10 years of personal property. And then the XL is for 10 years of personal property. There three entities in one building. So that we had to have three separate um resolutions for three separate entities. It has been recommended by the set of economic council and approved by the supervisors yesterday um as presented. So tonight we need authorization for all three of these resolutions. You can do them all together separately, however you want to do it, but um just need there'll be three separate resolutions um that'll need to be approved for the tax abatements or the tax exemptions as recommended.

Sure. M three. Yeah. Okay. Second all three. Okay, we have a motion to approve all three. Alderman Hoots, a second Alderman Jerome. Is there any discussion on any of them? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne. Yes. Alderman Lewis. Yes. Alderman Hoots. Yes. Alderman Jerome. Yes. Alderman Gallagher. Yes. Alderman Wheeler. Yes. Alman Flores.

Yes. That motion carries. Next on the agenda is a resolution for a soul source purchase by our parks department. This resolution authorizes sole source soul source purchase from Gal XC. It's the proprietary slow release um fertilizer that we've used in the past. Um so they are the only one who has the required uh slow release and then the certain nutrients that are required for the turf that we use. So tonight I need authorization for the soul source um for galaxy at um the city parks. Make that motion. Second. We have a motion by Alderman Wheeler, second by Alderman Gallagher. Is there any discussion

hearing? None. Roll call. Alderman Payne? Yes. Alderman Lewis? Yes. Alderman who? Yes. Alderman Jerome? Yes. Alderman Gallagher? Yes. Alman Wheeler? Yes. Alman Flores? Yes.

That motion carries. Next on our agenda is a final change order and closeout for our court renovation project. This is their notice the final change order and final close out um for that project, the core renovation project. Um the project is complete. The final final change order does reduce the cost of the property or the cost of the project by $5,110.68. So this will um reflect all prior change orders and all prior um um like ex I mean change orders along with deductions in the um contract. It also closes the contract out. Um, so tonight need authorization for the mayor to sign the contract, close out in the reducted amount of or reduced amount of $5,11068.

I'll make that motion, mayor. Second. We have a motion Bman Payne, second Alderman Jerome. Uh, only thing I'll add for discussion is u good job of Dylan Brink, our facilities director, and everybody for having a project like that. when you go into renovating an existing building, it's hard for even the architects to know put a price tag on that. So, you know, we we went through a lot of work to uh make sure that we stayed under budget. So, that was a great effort by by Dylan and everybody involved. Any other discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne? Yes. Alderman Lewis? Yes. Alderman Hoots? Yes. Alderman Jerome? Yes. Gallagher, yes.

Alman Wheeler, yes. Cardman Flores. Yes, that motion carries. Next on the agenda is a recommendation for a bid award for fire station number three addition. Yeah, this bid is for the project were previously open and reviewed by Urban Arc. Um based on review urban arcs recommendation that the lowest and best bid go to Murphy and Suns in the amount of $288,150 um less any alternate options. Um this is for the uh bed hall addition project at fire station 3. So need authorization to award the bid to Murphy and Suns in the amount of 288150 and authorize the mayor to sign the contracts. So move second. We have a motion by Alderman Gallagher, second by Alderman Wheeler. Is there any discussion?

Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne. Yes. Alderman Lewis. Yes. Alderman Hoots. Yes. Alderman Jerome. Yes. Alderman Gallagher. Yes. Alman Wheeler. Yes. Arman Flores.

Yes. That motion carries. While we're talking about facilities, uh this project was budgeted, as y'all know, in our uh renovation, our facilities renovation, uh budget line, and so we did have a situation uh that I want you to be aware of during the ice storm. We had a generator failure here at city hall. Uh with the current market, we're having a tough time getting our hands on a new generator. Um so, we may have to rent one temporarily. We can't go one day safely without. We got to have a generator here at city hall. So, by the time we buy a new generator and have to rent one temporarily until we do, it is going to be a significant expense. It's going to be about $250,000. So, y'all need to know about that. Um, not something we expected. Uh, the good news is we we're not going to have to have a budget amendment for that. We do have money we can transfer. We have overages in other areas, so we're going to make it all work. It's not necessary to do a a budget amendment. Just wanted you to know as you see that that you're going to see some numbers that are different from what we expected, you know, on day one of the budget. Another reminder when you go through, you know, budget this size for 12 months. You know, we're we're a little over halfway through the budget right now. Uh things happen in a city that's moving as fast as this city is, we have things that happen throughout the middle of the budget year. So, we have to be quick on our feet, make adjustments when we can. But anyway, the good news, we're going to have that handled uh and we're going to be okay. Um, no other discussion about uh that. We'll move on to a resolution to claim 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 by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Hoots. Is there any discussion among the board hearing? None. Is there anyone in the audience who has a financial interest in any of the properties who would like to speak? Hearing or seeing none. Roll call, please. Alderman Payne, yes. Alderman Lewis, yes. Alderman Who? Yes. Alderman Jerome, yes. Alderman Gallagher, yes. Alderman Wheeler, yes. Alman Flores, yes. That motion carries. Next on our agenda is our planning agenda. Miss Whitney Cook, our planning director.

Yes, sir. We have three items on the agenda tonight. The first one is a request for a conditional use permit uh to allow a barber shop to be located at 230 Goodman Road in suites 101 and 103. This is going to be uh one of the multi-story office buildings um on the north side of Goodman Road, kind of set back off the road over by Hueies. Um there's three office buildings in that complex. Um per ordinance, they have to meet a certain distance um from another two uh barber shops. they have met that distance. However, the one thing that we did have an issue with on this one, as you can see in the application, he did request for two suites. Normally, if they're situated right next to each other, you know, separated by a firewall or something, they can expand the site. We don't have an issue with that. However, the pictures associated with this one will show you that 103 is on one side of an internal lobby of an office and the other one's on the other side of the lobby. So, they don't connect. So, uh the planning commission required that he picked one or the other. uh he agreed to that and selected to uh amend the conditional use approval request to go in suite 101. Uh after that request was put in place, uh planning commission did vote unanimously in favor of it.

Mayor, I'll make the motion to approve item number one on the planning agenda as presented. Second. On item one, we have a motion by William uh by excuse me, Alderman William Jerome, second by Alderman Hoots. Is there any discussion? Which office is it actually going in? I can't What? What are you looking at? Oh, never mind. Never mind. I see it. Okay. You got an arrow. So that I do. I put Yes, there's an arrow on my map. Any other discussion on item one? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne? Yes. Alderman Lewis? Yes. Alderman Hooves? Yes. Alderman Jerome? Yes. Alderman Gallagher? Yes.

Alderman Wheeler? Yes. Yes, that motion carries. Our second application is a request for a braiding shop to be located at 9200 Highway 51 North. Uh it's also under a conditional use and has the distance rules uh as the previous application did. Uh you can see in the report, it does meet that minimum distance. Uh so it is compliant with the rules set forth in the ordinance. This is going to be in a multi-tenant retail building that's going to be on the east side of Highway 51 north of Stateline Road up close by Forest Drive. Um, again, it did meet all the criteria. There were no stipulations placed on it. Other than that, planning commission did vote unanimously in favor of it.

Mr. Mayor, I'd like to um ask for approval on item number two of the planning agenda. Second. On item two, we have a motion by Alderman Lewis, a second by Alderman Hoots. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne. Yes. Alderman Lewis, yes. Alderman Hoot, yes. Alderman Jerome, yes. Alderman Gallagher, yes. Alderman Wheeler, yes. Alman Flores, yes.

That motion carries. our final application. Uh if you'll recall at the last meeting, we had a request to vacate some lots out of an existing subdivision uh that actually got included in a new platted subdivision. And I don't know if it's that the Dotto Chancery Clerk's office are maybe cleaning up their plats and their files. Um they did identify another one. Uh you'll see highlighted right there in the orange. Uh this is going to be the back parking lot of where the new Key and Honda dealership are. Uh when we reszoned that property, they needed more acreage than just those front parcels. So, they captured a couple out of the Elmore Road subdivision and they captured these two lots out of the Raven subdivision. Uh, we went forward, we approved their subdivision with a request to vacate. Uh, they did their site plan process, but when they went to record it, they had not actually done the formal vacate here at this. Um so what we need here is um a request and an approval to vacate Raburn two lot subdivision uh in the northeast quarter section 31 township 1 south range 7 west um just to clean up that title work

mayor make a motion that we approve item number three on the planning agenda as presented tonight. Second on item three we have a motion by Alderman Flores, second by Alderman Wheeler. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne. Yes. Alderman Lewis. Yes. Alderman Hoot. Yes. Alderman Jerome. Yes. Alderman Gallagher. Yes. Arman Wheeler. Yes. Arman Flores. Yes.

That motion carries. Thank you. Next on our agenda is our mayor's report. Just want to remind everybody this is a special week in the city of South Haven. Uh we're celebrating our 46th birthday as a city. Um so at Springfest that celebration is underway tonight. So the carnival is up and going. So, we obviously have like we've had in previous years, we have the carnival. Uh we have the dual sanctioned barbecue contest with with KC BS and MBN and uh both are full. So, the barbecue um contest is is full. We've had uh some that drop out at the end and we keep a waiting list. So, we have people waiting to get in this thing. So, uh it's one of the best um barbecue uh cooking competitions in the southeastern part of the United States. So, we're very proud of that. U and it's a lot of fun. It's a great tradition. Like I was telling the media earlier this week when they asked me what's special about Springfest and not just because it's the time of year, but I've noticed over the years and I remember going to Springfest when it started. Uh I was just a a young teenager back then, the first one. Uh but it's it's always had that same feel for for whatever reason. We even though our city has grown tremendously, Springfest has been that little small town celebration where it's like a reunion of the people. Like when you go there, I know I see people and I laugh about it. I was like, "Hey, it must be Springfest. Haven't seen you since this time last year. I'll see see these people one time a year and uh we have time to catch up and talk about, you know, good memories of the past." And I know that, you know, Springfest is special for so many people like that. And and the other thing is just again time of the year, you know, leaves are coming out on the trees. You got fresh cut grass and it's just a a time when people are, you know, kicking winter behind them, you know, getting excited about springtime in the summer. So springfest is just a a superh special time of the year. So I hope everyone uh

gets a chance to get out and enjoy some springfest. We do have the city um uh hospitality event on Friday night at the Snowden House lawn at 6:00. So, got a lot to look forward to and enjoy this week at Springfest. That's all I have this evening. Next on the agenda, uh we have a donation docket. Have two items uh from 10th inning. We want to thank them for that and they uh want to donate uh make two donations to our animal shelter. Mr. Mayor, I I move we approve the donation docket from the uh 10th innings bar and grill to the animal shelter. One check for $28 and one for $275. Second.

We have a motion. Bman Payne, second Hoots. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne. Yes. Alderman Lewis. Yes. Alderman Hoots. Yes. Alderman Jerome. Yes. Alderman Gallagher. Yes. Alderman Wheeler. Yes. Alman Flores. Yes. That motion carries. Next on our agenda is our personnel docket. Mr. Ray, I move we approve the personnel docket as presented on the state. Second. We have a motion by Alderman Payne. Second by Alderman Gallagher. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne? Yes. Alderman Lewis? Yes. Alderman Hooves? Yes. Alderman Jerome? Yes. Alderman Gallagher? Yes. Alderman Wheeler? Yes. Alman Flores? Yes.

That motion carries. Next on our agenda is our city attorney's legal update. Mr. Nick Manley. Again, just one item, no action. Just noting that we're entering the minutes for the uh contract to purchase the land on Malone Road, um which was uh owned by the Racket Club that was named entity. So, that will be closing this week, but just entering that contract into the minutes. Thank you, Andrea. Got that? I got it. Okay. Next on our agenda is our utilities billing leak adjustment docket. Mr. Mayor, I move we approve the utility bill leak adjustment docket as presented on the statement.

Second. We have a motion by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Hoots. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne. Yes. Alderman Lewis. Yes. Alderman Hoots. Yes. Alderman Jerome. Yes. Alman Gallagher. Yes. Alman Wheeler. Yes. Arman Flores. Yes. That motion carries. Next on our agenda is one claims docket. Mr. Mr. Mayor, I move we approve the claims docket in the amount of $3,980,35144 including demand checks. Second. We have a motion Payne. Second Alderman Flores. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Alderman Payne. Yes. Alderman Lewis. Yes. Alderman Hoot. Yes. Alderman Jerome.

Yes. Alderman Gallagher. Yes. Alman Wheeler. Yes. Alman Flores. Yes. That motion carries. Next on our agenda is the purpose of determining the need for executive session. I'll make that motion. Second. We have a motion. Berman Gallagher, second by Alderman Wheeler. All in favor say I. Any oppose? Say no. Eyes have it. Motion carries. The needs this evening or litigation against the South Haven Fire Department economic development within the city and interdep departmental personnel with no action. Is there now a motion to declare executive session? To move. Second. We have a motion hoot. Second Alderman Lewis. All in favor say I. I. Any oppose say no. Eyes have it. Motion carries. The mayor and board will now enter executive session.