Board of Aldermen - Regular Meeting

Thanks. So, first we will have our Pledge of Allegiance. We will stand for that. We have a communication about all the bonds.

Thank you so much. Almighty, all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful, seeing, hearing, understanding God. Father God, we just want to thank you so much. We thank you for your angel watch over us all day long as we've grown out to our daily occupation and daily routines. We thank you for allowing us to come back to this appointed place. Lord, will you allow the citizens to put us in its position? Now, Father God, we ask you now that you would direct our thoughts and our hearts. Lord, a lot of things may mean for evil, but we know that you mean for good. Lord, just let us make the best decision, the best, wisest decision for these citizens, the ones that are going for us. God, we thank you. Lord, we ask you that you would please forgive us of all our sins, Lord, those that have known and unknown sin and our sin and blot out our transgressions. Now, God, I pray that you would just bless the ma'am, the vice-ma'am of the board, Father God, and all our department heads and city employees. Father God, we'd be concerned about this city. Father, we give praise and honor and glory to you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

No, ma'am. Thank you. No, ma'am. Thank you. No, ma'am. Thank you.

No, ma'am. Thank you.

No, ma'am.

Thank you. No, ma'am. Thank you. No, ma'am. Thank you. No, ma'am. Thank you.

All right. In that case, could I get a motion to approve the official agenda with the conceded items?

Make a motion. Second.

All right. I have a motion from Alderman Warren and a second from Alderman Polk. No discussion. All right. and I will read the consent agenda items. First, we have the minutes. Consideration of the minutes of the August 14th, 2026 work session of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Starkville. Second is consideration of the minutes of the August 18th, 2026 recess meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Starkville. Under community development and planning, we have discussion and consideration of FP 26-09, request for final flat minor subdivision, Approval for lots 1B and 2B, College View Subdivision No. 2, located at 200 Herbert Street in a TN-E zoning district. In return is discussion and consideration of FP26-10, a request for a final flat minor subdivision approval for the Adelaide Phase 3A subdivision located at 215 and 225 Ryan Avenue in a TN-N zoning district. Under Engineering, we have one consideration of approving permission to apply for the 2026 Mississippi Main Street Revitalization Grant in partnership with the Starkville Main Street Association. Under D, it's human resources. Number one is request approval for city departments to participate in the Starkville-Octopahaw County School District's SOCSD 21st Century Grant Program internships for Starkville high school juniors and seniors spanning 2026-2027 school year with reimbursement for actual hours worked and the city to pay for fringe benefits. Two is request authorization to hire Joshua Lane as an electrical engineer in the Starkville Utilities Department. Three is request authorization to hire Preston Gregg as police officer pre-academy in the Starkville Police Department. Four is request authorization to hire Stone Saltzman, Messiah Wilson, and Trace Helms as firefighters, non-certified, and Sam Suggs as firefighters certified in the Starkville Fire Department. Five is request authorization to hire Stephanie Walker as a driver, residential two in the Sanitation and Environmental Services Department, retroactive to August the 27th, 2026. Six is request authorization to hire Mark Nance in the position of building official in the Community Development Department. Under Parks, we have number one, request authorization to accept the lowest quote and purchase recreation soccer uniforms from Houston Print Company, LLC, at a cost of $7,145. Two is request authorization to accept the lowest bid for Mason Sand from Ronnie Jones Construction, Inc. for $11,020. Under police, we have request approval to enter into a new motorcycle lease agreement with Harley-Davidson Leasing, Inc. and Redstone Harley-Davidson for one equipped police motorcycle at $801.43 for 36 months. The first month payment due upon lease signing of $1,001.43 includes $200 acquisition fee, title, license, and first payment. Included are all department requested accessories financed through H-D Financial Service Commercial Lease Division. Two is request approval for the Starkville Police Department to convert abandoned property firearms to sell in order to purchase sighting and light devices. Items will sell to the Southern Connection, which provided the highest of two bids for $19,530. Remove from the city inventory the attached serial number list for abandoned property. 3 is move approval to declare the list forfeited vehicle as surplus property and dispose of as scrap due to low monetary value the 2001 Mercury Marquis four-door red and color VIN number 2MEFM75WX1X609473. Ford is moved to declare the listed Starkville Police Department vehicles as surplus and advertised for sale to the highest or best bidder on govdeals.com, discard or sell directly to a scrap dealer. 2017 Ford Explorer, VIN number 1FM5K8AR4HGC07162 and 2021 Dodge Charger 2C3CDXAT9MH523011. Under code enforcement, we have one is under code annotated 21-19-11-2 and is adopted by the City of Starkville Board of Aldermen. The following properties are found in violation of said ordinance and are in such a state of uncleanliness as to be a menace to public health, safety, and welfare of the community and are therefore placed on the property mowing cleanup list. 66 Boyd Road. Under Utilities Department, number one is approval of a work authorization 24-2. Engineering Services, the Influent Pump Station Rehabilitation Project. Two is request authorization to accept the emergency purchase in accordance with Mississippi State Statute 31-7-13 from Hydro Service, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $12,567.74 for the pump repair needed for Clarifier 3 and rental for the Influent Lift Station construction at the wastewater treatment plant. Four is request authorization to accept the load quote from Turner Farms and Trailer Sales in the amount of $9,900 for a dump trailer for water distribution. Four is consideration of accepting the sold source quote from Central Pipe Supply, Inc. in the amount of $5,746.19 for a badger meter assembly kit to replace parts for a 10-inch water meter. And five is request authorization for Utility Maintenance Specialist, Inc. to provide professional services associated with substation maintenance and testing services for the electrical substations. And that concludes... see if i make sure i roll myself into the new part of the agenda so i believe i believe i'm there um first we we have mayor's announcements and comments and i want to make sure that i get this correct our labor day garbage schedule so the 7th of september is labor day and all but um well the emergency services will obviously be working our sanitation department will be closed but there will be a citywide pickup the next day which is going to be the that tuesday the 8th so um I think that's out there on the website and all residents should be aware of it. But if not, we'll say it again and probably put it out again, won't we, Mr. Smiley? All right. Thank you so much. And then tomorrow we have Get Swept Up, which is the kind of the tradition in getting ready for our first football game, our first Mississippi State football game for the season. And so that being on the 5th, which is coming up. We have the partnership gathers them all together. I see Ms. Creasing is really spends a lot of time doing that and is very helpful. And I see her in the audience there. So Get Swept Up will be tomorrow. I believe our utilities department is participating. I'm not sure who else other than obviously sanitation maybe because I haven't asked about teams. But for those of you who are wanting to help, it will be tomorrow morning. I believe they start at about 730 and they have garbage bags and all this. accessories to help clean up the town. So I encourage everyone to participate. Um, and then I do want to make, I do want to make an announcement. I think it's, it's very, very significant for us. And I want to, um, want to acknowledge the work of our police department. For those of you who may not, or who may recall or may not recall, uh, in 2022, we had a young man who lost his life tragically being, being, um, the victim of a extortion, sextortion, they call it. And so since 2022, our police department, along with the FBI, the Attorney General's office, have been working on this cybercrime and have resolved it, at least as it relates to one individual, and that man was last Friday arraigned, I believe, up in Oxford. Chief, you were participating in that press release associated with that, and I just want to commend you and Sergeant Chris Jackson, the FBI agent is Blight and Sheriff Eddie Hawkins. In the coordination of all of that, I think that's something that is remarkable. And I really appreciate those cross-district lines and working through that. So if you have anything you want to share, you're certainly welcome to do that. But I wanted to make sure that that was... highlighted as some extraordinary police work and the cyber crime element of that was very complex and I think your people did a wonderful job and so I did want to make sure everyone knew how much we appreciated that work because I think it's critical that we have the ability to do that and that's part of being a very safety oriented community, which I think we are. So thank you very much for all your work in doing that and that leadership that goes with it. Thank you. And that is all for me. For Olin Vaughn, anything? No, ma'am, ma'am. Thank you. Vice Mayor Perkins?

No, ma'am, ma'am. Thank you.

Olin Popo? No, ma'am. Thank you.

Yes, just let everybody know we had a successful Sturgis bike rally this year. There's still counting numbers. We won't know for. For some time, but I do know the city helps it kind of I mentioned several times before with the garbage and I especially want to thank. Mr. Smiley and his crew, and especially Antonio Hill for what you guys did. I'll take care of that, but when I got up Saturday morning, I say that we had a lot more a lot more garbage. We had to get, but the numbers were up significantly. I think the. The actual ride through the bike ride where they come through start will and go click village and make the round was was about 260, 70 bikes where last you had, like, 95. And all the campsites were. Full of a lot of dry campers and stuff. But anyway, it was very successful and I think that all the surrounding communities did benefit from it. And I appreciate again what the. What our group did to help put that on.

Absolutely. Thank you. I appreciate your involvement, your continued involvement in that. So, yeah, it's a great event and we all do benefit from it. So, thank you.

No, ma'am. Thank you. No, ma'am. Thank you.

All right. Thank you very much, everyone. We will move next to citizens' comments. Anyone wishing to give us three minutes of your thoughts, we'd be delighted to have them. Concerns, complaints, and compliments are welcome. Mr. Turner, always lovely to see you.

Good evening to everyone. My name is Alvin Turner Ward 7. to the mayor, to the police chief, to the fire chief, to the sanitation, and to the NAACP president, Reverend Jerry Jefferson. Uh, uh, because of that, we, I had a real grim situation some years back where a lady killed another lady over a man. She did 18 years, day by day. But the weed is kind of like that. got over that, but still we stand and fear that the generation that is now, they don't realize the fear that they can do whatever whenever it don't matter. But on the weekends, the office be closed and we have people that want to slip and smoke weed. All that stuff stinks. And people with health department, health Probably we have to go on the inside because it's so poor. And with the new street and all that, the buses is kind of wide and we don't want to have all the money that we have put in making the street look good. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Turner. And they're smoking, is this at the housing authority?

Yeah, well, it's guys that know that housing is closed. So they slip in.

Okay. All right. Thank you, sir. Anyone else under citizens' comments? Anyone else? All right. Seeing none, I will close it to citizens' comments. And we have public appearances. Ms. Creasing is here to present something on the OSERV's first responders' blood drive. So you were, well, she said she needed more than three, but less than 10, so somewhere in there.

Three minutes is just not in the making any longer in my life. I have an assistant with me today also. Thank you. First, let me say this. Good evening, Mayor Spruill. Good evening, Vice Mayor Perkins. Good evening, all the women. Good evening, all the men and city attorney. Also, good evening, city division leaders and all those attending tonight. Let me first also apologize for turning my back to you years ago and Gracie Hicks. Mandatory personal appearance 101. One of the top three rules was never ever turn your back on someone. They'll feel excluded. They might say something about you. And she would also say sidelink. Your backside is usually not the best side, so I apologize. So what we're here for tonight, usually I am here after the fact to present the award the last two years to the Starkville Police Department for being the winner of the first responders blood drive. This year we're coming, oh, you're doing great. beforehand because we have a severe crisis here. Let me read something from MPB on July 29th. First responders blood drives happening in the nick of time to address the statewide crisis. According to a recent Mississippi public broadcasting report, Mississippi's blood supply has reached critically low Levels as a national shortage continues to strain hospitals and donations centers across the state. The American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis for the 2nd time in its history and organizations in Mississippi say nearly all blood types are now on high demand. The type O blood remained the most urgently needed across Mississippi hospitals. Kat Nocke, Senior Account Manager with Vitalant Blood Services, reports, We have to import blood from other locations like Texas, California, and Colorado because we don't have enough people donating in North Mississippi to support our hospitals and patient needs. Those locations have more than enough because more people are donating blood. I talked with her this morning. We're doing a little bit better, but they're still shipping quite a bit of blood in. And when I spoke to another group, someone hesitantly looked at me and they said, isn't that considered foreign blood? Don't we just need Mississippi blood here? So with that, this is all about commitment. Eight teams for all the first responders have committed. We had a luncheon for them back early August, and I can't really tell you what was said. The last message was, what happens in the back room will walk on, stays in the back room will walk on. But they are all committed. The bottom line was at the end, They were here to protect, serve, and save lives. This is all about saving lives, and they are totally committed. Knock on wood, Ms. Deeds, who's the coordinator of the blood drive, told me this morning that it looks like with the commitment so far, we're going to have to have Vitalant either expand time or have some additional seating for the number of people. Last year, we did 60 units. We're committed to trying to do 80 units this year, if not more. Each unit usually can save four lives. Another thing Vitalant has committed to that they've already started, once you donate your blood, they will call you when it is utilized and let you know what type of service it went to. Also, they have designed a special shirt for every donor for us. It's called the patriotic shirt that you'll receive. Also, $20 gift card of your choice among 20 to 30 different ones to choose from. Sweet peppers just came on yesterday. They will have a gift card for everybody. But that's just, everyone wants to do this because they know it's important. We also have from Vitalant, if all the spaces are filled, don't give up. If you get there before 5 o'clock, they will stay as late as possible to service and get everyone's donations. And also, we have a commitment from Saturday at Community Market. This wonderful, young, respected woman is used one of the little slips that I've given to everybody. And she said, I hope this is a lot easier than in the past. And it was. And she signed out and she says, now, are you going to throw the gauntlet to my fellow board people? And I said, well, yes. So Mayor Spruill has thrown the gauntlet to each of you to sign up.

I have one minute, 1.30. So I look forward to seeing y'all.

And for those of you that do not really like to donate blood, no fear we have an answer for you too i mean if you have another commitment or a medical restriction or you suffer from prickophobia all you have to do is take the sheet i gave you and share it with someone else and say please please donate so with that said i know i will see every one of you there on the 9th We will greet you. And also, most importantly, you will vote for your favorite responder. There's another gauntlet that's been thrown between the Starkville Fire and the Starkville Police. Jonathan Wade so excitedly called Friday and then committed to it this morning. They already have 25 staff signed up. All right. Ballard later this afternoon said, we will be there and we will do what we did last year. So we have that one going on, and the other six have secret ingredients that they said, oh, we have no problem. Well, we're going to put them to shame. So as our president, Carol Moss Reed, says, roll up the sleeves and save a life. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Candy. We appreciate all you do, and personally, I go for the cookies afterwards, so that's my...

Thank you. And thank all you do for the city. I saw the mayor this morning as we were walking down the sidewalk, and she asked about my day. Bless her heart. She asked some challenging questions sometimes. I was telling her, goodness gracious, I said, isn't it amazing the city we live in is so committed to taking care of each other? And y'all, some of the leaders challenging that.

Thank you.

All right. All right.

Well, we appreciate you. Thank you. All right. Next, we move into our public hearings. Our first public hearing is the second public hearing on the tax millage and budget for the city of Starkville for fiscal year 2026-2027. And so I will, if there's no objection from the board, the first thing I will do is open it as a public hearing. And seeing none, so I will do that. I will open this as a public hearing on the tax millage and the budget for the city of Starkville for fiscal year 2026-2027. in 2027. We had a special call session last Tuesday, and so we are ready for potential adoption of these, but we still have an opportunity to hear from the public. Mr. Turner.

Good evening again. Let us convince taxpayers because we really is up in arms about what is going on and we know a little bit about what's going on. There's some people with deep pockets somewhere and they're keeping the quiet. But anyway, as long as we can keep the head above water, we understand that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Turner. Anyone else? Anyone else? Anyone else? Seeing none, I will close it as a public hearing. And we have the opportunity this evening to consider a resolution for the tax mill to set the tax millage and also for adopting the budget. Again, we had that special call meeting last Tuesday and for purposes of. Just having a quick statement about that, I think it was very useful for us. I think it was very open and available to everyone to see what we did and how we did it. The 34 mills is where we sit currently. And I think that the additional revenue that we have from the reassessment is going to all the places that matter greatly, which is our police department. For police officers for police equipment for cars and for fire, additional fire personnel, and for our streets. And I think those are the things that are expected of us. And I am very pleased that the board, I think, got there at our special call in terms of understanding that those items are critical to. who we are and who we want to be and how we want to represent ourselves to those who visit us, those who live here, whether temporarily or permanently, but most certainly to our residents. And so safety is a primary factor for us, public safety. And that would be our police department. That would be our fire department. And, of course, our streets are critical as well. That's how people see us first is basically our streets and how we represent them. And so I'm pleased with the outcome. And so having said that, do I have a motion?

I would like to move that we set the fiscal year 2027 tax millage at 34 mills.

Okay. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. I have a second from Alderman Moreland. Discussion? Discussion? All right. Seeing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed?

Nay.

All right. Motion carries. Thank you. All right. Next, we have consideration of the resolution adopting the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget for the City of Starville. I have a motion from Alderman Moreland. Do I have a second? Second. Second from Alderman Cistern. Reversing roles. Thank you, ladies. Any discussion?

Alderman Brooks. If I could, just for a second. Certainly. Just a few thoughts on this. So our budget, it's some $2 million additional revenue. And we just discussed it's not from additional millage, but it's from the appraised value of our property going as real estate professional amounts. Alderman here also in a test, you know, the city of Starville and. Countrywide that matter, we've, we've all seen a significant increase in property values really since code just just. Significant increases I've seen properties increase 25% anybody anyone has bought or sold in the last 4 years. I know that can attest to that also, especially on the buying side. But if you were on the 7 side, you probably reach that benefit also. I have, I've made the call to the tax office and I know what my, my personal home, the value it has gone up some 27% with this new. Appraisal that we've done and. And still, I wouldn't sell it what it's appraised for, but that's going to increase my taxes without the additional homestead. A significant amount to make some 1500 dollars. That, you know, I don't take that amount like, and I know that's a drop in the bucket to some, maybe more than some, you know, probably I'm in the middle of the road and still, it's something that. I will feel that. But of that, if we talked about before, you know, some 22% is all really that goes to the city of that. So 330 dollars of that. And if I look at it that way, I think, well, you know, probably getting a bargain. In some ways, because, you know, along with some 26,000 other people here, you know, I've chose to make this city my home and I see a benefit of living here. And I think that everyone does, and I think we've got a lot to offer people, but as we grow, it just takes. More to provide for our citizens as the mayor police and fire and all the stuff that goes along with that and the streets. And, you know, even the parts, you know. And, you know, during our work session, we went through just a litany of items and and the board. Discussed, you know, every 1 of those items and and the majority of the board felt that, you know, they should all. Remain in there and and again, those items, as I said, were things like police and vehicles and. And all those items we kept, I think will be a benefit to our citizens. Now, people know me consistently my 5 years on this board and voted against tax increase. Um, every, every 1 that's come up so far. But it's my understanding that the county in the school don't stay the course and unfortunately for our citizens, you know. For us to make any impact on your overall tax bill at that 22%, it would really. It would really be a detriment to our citizens and it would be a detriment to our budget and what we can provide for our citizens. With again, with the services we talked about, so. even though I've always voted against that stuff, against our tax increases. In this particular case, I think that this is something that we've gone over this. Costs have increased across the board. And for us to provide for our citizens as we want to do, as they expect from us living in this great city that we live in, I am in favor of this budget, Mayor. Thank you.

Thank you all. Anyone else? Anyone else? All right. Seeing none, I have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Nay. All right. Motion carries. 5-2. All right. Thank you very much. Next, we move to the 1st, public hearing to adopt a chronic nuisance property or we will have 2 hearings on this on this matter. And so, unless there's some discussion to begin with, I'll go again. Yes, ma'am. Okay.

I would like to make some changes if possible or suggestions. Okay. All right. Then you find them out where it's got up to 100 dollars. I would like that to be a minimum minimum of 100 dollars.

There are 2 locations in which that there's several, but at least 2. But at a minimum of 100, 100. Okay.

And then I don't the other section that I did have a question about and that was where the city attorney. Determined whether it was civil or criminal. I don't know. Is that necessary for that? Because the criteria are all criminal actions. I don't know why that would. Need to go back to the city attorney if it's in the court separate you want to answer that.

It just gives me discretion to look at that. I have not studied it, but as far as that authority goes, I'm comfortable with it and can handle it.

Those issues as they arise and my question is not you at all, which, you know, that it's just a process and slowing it down by having to come to you before that was my only problem. It's not that I don't trust your judgment.

I don't anticipate small in the process. Okay.

And in accordance with the vice mayor's request from last time, I made a couple of changes to include. the board of alderman in two parts of the process so um that has that has changed from the first one to the second one and um we can certainly look at making that a minimum of 100 for uh in accordance with all of new orleans wishes so we can certainly do that anyone else All right, seeing none, I'll open it as a public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak to this matter now is your opportunity. Again, this is our first public hearing. We will have a second public hearing at the next board meeting, at which point in time, then the board might will be in a position to adopt it. So anyone wishing to speak on this matter now will be the top. All right, seeing none, I will close it as a public hearing. And again, I have asked one of the changes that I believe is in here. If if this. Ordinance passes and it is unanimous. I have included in this that if it passes unanimously that it would take effect immediately because it is a public health safety and welfare item. So I did do that. So just so the board is aware of that and we will take that up at the next meeting.

And it was a 30 day if it didn't pass.

Yes, it is the normal 30 days if it is not a unanimous vote for it. So. All right, so next we have the first public hearing to amend leisure recreation district ordinance, and this is to include specific language regarding the date specific stickers. And to expand the district map, and we need to talk about this a little bit, but just as a refresher, 1 of the things that the chief. She has found in in working the district and making sure that the police have a good idea of what's going on is that the sticker needs to be applied. by the restaurants with a date specific on it so that the police, when they come out into the street as a part of the Go Cup, they can ascertain that that is a legitimate cup and somebody had gone home and done something with it and come back in with it. So that's the element of that. The other is to incorporate an area that now that 182 is in the process of being completed to the extent that we're seeing interest in property, a turnover in property there, Development there that this would include that area in our, in our district. So. That is the, that's the goal on this particular item. So, if there's no discussion from the board, I will open it as a public hearing. We should just speak on this particular item. Now would be your opportunity. We should just speak about the leisure and entertainment district expansion and the go. Seeing none, I will close it as a public hearing. And again, this one will be available for another public hearing at our next board meeting and a vote. So we will set it up for that possibility. And then item D is a public hearing on a property located at 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, parcel number 118P-00-149.00. In such of a state state of the clinics to be a minister, the public health sector, welfare community, such the cleanup of the property should occur. Officer, thank you, sir.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Board Aldermen. I'm here to present to you a 21-1911 at 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive East, Starkville, Mississippi, parcel number zip code 39759, parcel number 118P-00-149.00. The property owner shows in property link as Ava Moore. And here is some photos. The first inspection was taken and done by myself from the roadway on July 10th, 2026. You can see there's a lot of boarded up windows and doors. On this side here, you can see a lot of damage to the roof and defacement of the roof there. It's overgrown vegetation as well as some damaged doors. The letter of violation was sent July 10th, 2026 to the property owner and a warrant was signed by Judge Kelly on August 17th, 2026. That warrant was executed by myself, Sergeant Gillen and building official McMullen on August 17th, 2026. Later that day. Here you can see more pictures of the outside. Here you can highlight, you can see the vegetation growing on the inside of the building. If we open that door, you'll see all the vineage and leafage growing there. There's that broken door behind that overgrown vegetation there. along with more overgrown vegetation on the building. As we enter the building, you can see the photos are upside down, but the roof is, the ceiling has collapsed. I think if I go on the next slide, it might, there it is. The roof is the ceiling is collapsed and there's the overgrown vegetation If you when I turn around in the same room you see more collapsed ceiling Exposed wiring there as well Significant holes in the wall there in that same in that room there that that hole goes into You'll see more collapsed ceiling there as well and just a lot of debris You got exposed wiring and an open electrical box there, more exposed loose wiring here, collapsed ceiling, and what appears to be mildew or mold growing on the walls. Here's the state of the floors. Underneath of the subfloor or underneath the finished floor, you can see the subfloor is being rotted and soft. Another part of the building here, we see a lot of mildew and mold kind of growing on the walls, ceiling being collapsed here. Outside of the building, there's a lot of hazards for people walking outside. There's these significantly deep holes that are here outside of the building that could potentially harm people that are near the building there. Public hearings were posted on the city hall, mailed to the property owner, and posted on the property on August 17th, 2026. A re-inspection of the property was done August 28, 2026 and showed no change to the structure at all on the exterior of the structure. Any questions for me? Did you go down into the lower area there? No, ma'am. The building had a lot of, due to all the debris and all the clutter, it was hard to access a lot of the different areas of the building. So I squeezed in the parts I could and took all the photos I could for you guys.

Any questions of Officer Harvey?

Were there not pictures of the bottom floor where the storm drank? Was that not in the packet?

I didn't see I saw what you saw here now we have. I believe we have people who've been there in the past.

And it might have been the past pictures. Yeah, because I'm pretty sure there's some in the packet.

But yes, this particular building has been a problem. We've done 21, 1911 on it before, and we held off because of the 182 project and allowing the 182 project to make its way on. On down the street, so that we could address this. Thoroughly when, when that was when that was completed and so we are now at that point, and I know I've talked to any number of you off and on over the years and I do many years in wanting to get this particular property address. So, um. Uh, the, I believe Mr Moore is here. Anyone wish you to ask me to officer harm any questions at this point? No, Mr Moore here. Yes. Mr. More would you like to address the board? I was never wanting to see you fine. Thank you.

Okay, I had a conversation with you the other day and requested an extension to allow me to get that building demolished. It's my children's concern. They want that land to stay in our name. And what I'm formally asking for is to allow me until the 31st of December this year to get that property taken care of.

Yes, you did speak with me, Mr. Moore, and I believe I shared with you my thoughts on it and that it has been years, and I do mean years, that this has been a problem of property. So I did not encourage you in that regard, but this is strictly a board decision. So any questions of Mr. Moore? Because I'm still going to have to open it as a public hearing. Any questions of Mr. Moore?

Overdome? Yes, ma'am, ma'am. Mr. Moore, you said till December 31st. What guarantees that you're going to take care of that 29 December 31st?

Well, I'm going to put forth every effort I can to see to it that that building gets demolished and the property is cleaned up.

But you know, if it's not done December 31st, the city ain't going to have no other choice but to come in and do the 2119.

Yes, I understand that.

Mr. Harvard, that visit, that vegetation was out front down that line, has it ever been taken care of?

No, sir, not as of the 28th of last month. I explained it with the last inspections online.

I'm sorry, if you're going to, we need to be able to hear you. Sorry.

The vegetation over there.

Yes, sir. I think it was one of the first right there. Yes, sir. It's still, as of the 28th, the log is overgrown like that, sir. All right.

Well, it was actually taken care of by my stepson this past weekend. He cleared that entire area.

Are you here, ma'am?

Okay. Sorry. Thank you. I'll open it as a public hearing. You can step back. All right, anyone wishing to speak to this property and the board's finding, if the board so finds about it being a 21-19-11, which means it is such a menace to the public health, safety, and welfare of the community, such the cleanup of the property should occur. Anyone wishing to speak to this matter?

Mr. Turner. Thank goodness that, but... As we get through with the club, we will take Dr. Conner and all of that down to where it won't be a menace or a hiding place for everything that you can name to go on once we get through with The club we have, the gas station we have, we would take those under consideration after we take care of the club. We have been wanting this for years and we're hoping that we can make things better for everybody.

Thank you, Mr. Turner. Anyone else? Anyone else wishing to speak to this potential finding of the board? Well, I need to close it as a public hearing first. Anyone else? Seeing none, I will close it as a public hearing. Alderman Vaughn, you asked for recognition.

Yes, ma'am, ma'am. Ma'am, since this is his first time and we're asking for a stitch in our time, you know, I would like to make a motion that we do give him to December 31st, because this is his first time ever asking for extension, even though it's been before us a while, but it's the first time I know him asking for extension. So I make a motion that we grant him to December 31st to get it done. And then after that, we have to do what we have to do for 2019, 21, 11.

All right. I have a motion from Alderman Vaughn to provide Mr. Moore until December the 31st to tear the building down and clean the property. Does he have a second?

I'll second that.

Alderman Skinner. A second from Alderman Skinner for the discussion. Alderman Sistrom. Can I ask Mr. Moore a question? Yes. Mr. Moore, would you come back up? Sure.

Given that you knew that this was coming up and that you'd be here tonight and that this was something that was going to have to be torn down, there's no rehabbing it. I was curious, have you contacted anybody about tearing it down? And what sort of time frame did they give you in terms of how long it would take?

Well, I haven't gotten any specific data yet, but it's my intention, as I said, to get the building demolished and the property cleaned up.

Anyone else? Thank you, Mr. Thank you. All right. Any further discussion?

And I would just I would just like to say that knowing how life works. Anything from Thanksgiving to Christmas tends to be difficult to get work done. Would you consider moving that date? Could I ask Alderman Vaughn if he would consider a friendly amendment to make that December 1st as opposed to December 31st?

No, ma'am. Let's stay with the 31st. Give him a chance and opportunity to get it taken care of. And then if it's not there, then we move the way we're supposed to move on it.

All right. Anyone else? All right, well, I'm going to weigh in, because we have been talking about this piece of property for a very, very long time. Mr. Moore has known it's been a problem for a very, very long time, and we have had to beg and plead. And if this was something that was brand new, then I certainly would see December 31st. But I do not see that this is something brand new. And when I spoke with him, he was going to be talking to people. And it doesn't sound as though he's made any effort to talk to people at this point. He said he's going to. And going to just seems to be something that is not happening. And so December 31st is not that far away. And I find that if we are back here, well, we won't be back here again because whatever the board decides, as soon as December 31st rolls around and nothing has happened, I am rolling on it. So, I'm just saying, but I do find that Mr Morris had ample opportunity to do something about it as has chosen not to. So, until we have now pressed him. So that's that is. It is my piece, so anything for all room sister, are you asking for recognition?

Yes, ma'am. If it falls to the city to clean this up, we will no doubt have to go through an RFP process and that sort of thing. Can we go ahead and authorize everything that needs to be done to request those proposals with this motion so that you're ready to do that on December 31st if it's still there? Well, I mean,

I don't know because I don't know that we've looked at it with in mind as to what we're able to do with it. Mr. Black conceivably. Has the equipment to necessarily tear it down? I don't I don't have that answer, but we can certainly appeal to judge Kelly to get onto that property 1 more time to see if there is a possibility of us being able to do that. If the board wants to move forward with the December 31st grace period, then we can certainly get access to the property 1 more time to make that kind of determination. And if so, we can still put out for an RFP. As we roll closer to that time. Okay. So, okay. All right. Anything further? Alderman Brooks.

I'm sure it's not happened, but has anybody looked at whether or not we've got asbestos in there?

That's one of the things that we'd have to do is do an asbestos. And that would be part, to me, of getting access one more time so that we will have that information available to us. And the fire department, either Fire Marshal McCurry or Chief Wade, I understand. It's all going to fall in a hole underneath. It's all going to fall in a hole underneath. Well, we will have to do that, but we'll get Mr. McMullen and fire department to take a look at it with that one last opportunity. We'll pull some asbestos and see how we would go forward on December 31, assuming that would be our role. So, all right. Anything further? Any other comments? All right. I have a motion and a second, and this is to allow until December the 31st. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye.

Aye.

Opposed? All right. Motion carries. Mr. Moore, you understand what we're doing, right?

Yes, I do. All right. Thank you. And I appreciate you giving me this opportunity. Yes, sir. Y'all take care.

All right. Next item is under Mayor's Business, and Mr. Brooks will be recusing himself from this, so he won't speak to us. And Ms. McLaurin, you'll reflect. All right. We have consideration of extending the contract for an additional two years with Pafford Emergency Services, Inc. This will be this additional two years will take us to a 10-year mark. If you recall, we started this back in 2018, I guess it was, and Fire Chief at our work session indicated that he has been very satisfied with them. I think they've met all of the obligations. Mr. Palmer is here if anyone wishes to inquire, but Do I have any discussion? How about, do I have a motion? I have a motion to approve. Okay, I have a motion to approve from Alderman Warren. Second? Second. Second from Alderman Skinner. Any discussion? Any questions? I think they've done a good job. Okay, thank you. With that being said, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? All right, motion carries. Thank you. Would you mind? Yes. And then, last but not least, as it relates to our Agenda, our open agenda, we have the claims docket. Do I have a motion? Move approval. I have a motion from Alderman Popup. Do I have a second? Second. Second from Alderman Moreland. Any other discussion? All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Nay. Aye. Motion carries five to two. Do I have a motion to go into executive session to discuss the need, sorry, closed session to discuss the need for executive session? So moved. All in favor? Second. And second from Alderman Polka. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? All right. If you would please clear the room for us.

We're going to go into a close.

So in accordance with the notice is required under Mississippi Code Annotate 254113, the board will have a work session on Friday the 11th of September 2026 at 11 a.m. That meeting will be held at City Hall, the second floor conference room located at 110 West Main. Notice should be provided at this work session within one hour of this meeting by posting such notice at City Hall. The notice should be made a part of the minutes of the board meeting. The work session will be an open public meeting of the City of Starkville and public and press are invited to attend and the Vice Mayor will be The presiding officer is, I am going to be in Chicago. So all of that being the case. Absolutely. I need a motion for us to recess. Motion from Alderman Baum. Second?

Second.

Second from Alderman Skinner. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All right.

We are in recess. Thank you, everyone. We appreciate your attention.