The days may be numbered for residents who have failed to affix a noticeable house or building address number to their properties.
Alderman Sam Brock raised the issue after he said he has had difficulty locating certain homes over the past few weeks.
"As we ride around and look, it's kind of difficult sometime to address some of the problems that we're having because we can't get house numbers," Brock said. The outcome of the resulting discussion was that the leaders unanimously approved to submit advertisements in order to help make citizens aware that it is a punishable violation if their properties are not properly numbered.
According to a city ordinance, a refusal or failure by the owner, occupant or person in charge of a house or structure to put numbers on their building within 30 days of being notified is considered a misdemeanor that is punishable by a fine of no less than $10 and no more than $25 per day, for each day that they are out of compliance.
The order applies to any structure inside the city limits of Indianola. It also states that no utility company should furnish services to any new structure until a notification address form has been furnished and the information pertaining to the address has been provided.
The ordinance also calls for any mailboxes located on the streets to be marked with the house number and if a structure is not visible from the street and no mailbox is there, then a sign or number should be posted where it can be read from the street.
The document states that it is the responsibility of the city clerk, which Indianola currently does not have, to work in conjunction with the county’s E-911 director to assign numbers to each building in the city.
City Inspector Elvis Pernell said he typically notifies the current residents and any new homeowners, when he does the inspection, that they have to have a number issued and visible on their homes.
At Monday's meeting, Pernell stated that he would get with the E-911 director to discuss the matter and see if there's a stronger law/penalty since Rosenthal said he wishes there was something else from a higher up government agency with a stronger fine.
Monday’s discussion also raised concerns about longer than necessary emergency response times to the citizens whose residences and businesses are not properly numbered.
In addition, the city fathers gave their approval for Parks and Recreation Director Carolyn O'Neal to apply for a 2021 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant. The grant requires a 50 percent match from the city.
O'Neal also originally suggested that the city hire the firm of Brown and Associates to complete the grant, but after questions arose about filing and consulting fees, grant administrators and the type of grant being sought, the matter was tabled until more information could be gathered.
“Since we are part of South Delta Planning and they do grants, do they have a fee?” asked Alderman Sam Brock. Rosenthal said typically they do not, but stated that if a grant provided a fee South Delta would collect it; however, if the grant did not provide for a fee then they would not send the city a bill.
"I think sometimes we need to kind of look at how we can save the city some of these funds and then execute from that particular ideal," Brock said.
Alderman Darrell Simpson voiced a similar concern. "I just think we need to give somebody else a chance to look at it," he said.
Also, Alderman Marvin Elder attempted to present a candidate for the city clerk's position, but Rosenthal stated that that was against policy because he had not received an application/or resume from the person and that he/she needed to make a formal submission, which sparked a short exchange between the two.
However, in an attempt to squelch any further back and forth between Elder and Rosenthal, Attorney Kim Merchant interjected that the person had submitted the documents by email shortly before the start of Monday’s session and that Rosenthal was copied on it.
"At this point, the board does not make recommendations. I make recommendations and the board can either say yes they approve or no they do not," said Rosenthal. However, Alderman Ruben Woods opposed the mayor's take on that and stated that the aldermen can also make recommendations.
“I agree, we’re very much concerned about a city clerk. I am in conversation with two other candidates right now. But I do have a certified clerk internationally and through the state of Mississippi who is somewhat interested at this point. If I can work it out with her, I will make you aware," said Rosenthal.
Rosenthal said that he would review the newly submitted application and set up an interview. "If y'all think he's a good candidate, I'll be glad to look at it, but I don't want to go around the system like you're trying to do there, when we've got 25 other people. Y'all are going to get us in trouble that way," he said.
A new work-management software system presented by Rosenthal for the public works department failed to get immediate approval and a decision was tabled after it was suggested that more information was needed.
So, after a discussion, Rosenthal recommended that the aldermen view a 30-minute webinar that explains the process.
The purported annual cost to the city for the IWORQ system would be about $6,000.
Also, the approval to contract with Local Government Services, LLC, to use them as a negotiator for cable and fiber franchise agreements, was tabled after Elder suggested that they contact other nearby cities to see what those cities are doing.
Although Rosenthal said the cities of Madison and Greenwood are currently contracted with the service Elder said, "I'd like to talk with (Mayor Erick) Simmons to see what they got going on in Greenville, what did they do."
