Once again, Alderman Sam Brock is attempting to drive home his point that restrictions on overnight parking are much needed on some city streets.
At Monday night's Indianola Board of Aldermen meeting, Brock presented a list of a dozen streets that he felt should be restricted to parking between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Brock said some of the streets have vehicles that have been parked there for months and the city inspector and police have failed to tag or ticket the autos for removal.
He said they present a hindrance to emergency response, to public egress and city workers trying to do their jobs. “On Garrard Street, we almost have a junkyard,” Brock said.
After a discussion and consulting with the City Inspector Elvis Pernell and Police Chief Edrick Hall, the city lawmakers voted to table the issue until Hall and Pernell could investigate the matter further and come up with a plan that works for everybody.
During the dialogue, Mayor Steve Rosenthal called for Pernell to explain the current provisions with regard to overnight and long-term parking. Pernell said he has been working with the police to identify vehicles that have been left parked for a while in order to get them moved.
Hall questioned how imposing the time restraints would affect the nightclubs since there is a current ordinance that allows them to remain open until 2 a.m. He also questioned how it would affect events held at the high school that last past 10 p.m.
Brock said his request would not affect the clubs downtown or special events.
He cautioned that his plan should not be eliminated, but simply modified to meet special concerns. “Because if we eliminate it we’re going to go back into traffic jams all over the city,” Brock said.
The streets on Brock’s list are Roosevelt Street from Alexander Street to B.B. King Road, Hannah Avenue from Jefferson Street to Mill Street, Oak Street from Garrard Avenue to B.B. King Road, Garrard Avenue from Wiggins Road to the railroad crossing, Jefferson Street from Garrard Avenue to B.B. King Road, Church Street from Jefferson Street to Mill Street and Westside Avenue from Front Street Ext. to the city limits.
In addition, he also suggested Alexander Street from Roosevelt Street to Westside Avenue, Sunflower Avenue from Second Street to U.S. 82, B.B. King Road from Wiggins Road to Second Street, Broadmoor from B.B. King Road to the Scattergood Apartments and Wiggins Road from Kinlock Road to B.B. King Road.
In other business,
After emerging from a closed executive session, the city lawmakers announced the hiring of a full-time and a part-time worker for the Hough-Dement Animal Shelter.
They also announced that public work’s employee Steve Scott was handed a 3-day suspension without pay.
He is also ordered to pay a balance of $30 and was assigned a 6-month probationary status. That passed 3-1 with Brock voting no because he said they had agreed on a 3-month probation. “Well his motion is his motion, it’s been made and seconded, all in favor say I,” said Rosenthal.
The motion was carried out. No reason was given for the action.
A request by Brock to erect some type of barricade in two locations in his ward that he felt represented unsafe areas was tabled until the public works department and the city engineer can investigate them.
The city leaders also decided to cut the use of tire shine on City vehicles. Brock challenged the notion of paying for tire shine when vehicles are missing headlights.
The board voted to submit a resolution in support of Marsy's for Mississippi law.
They also discussed and adjudicated several properties and two homeowners were given 60-day extensions after protesting the order to adjudicate for demolition.
They also approved the annual homecoming event for the Gentry High class of 1983.
They discussed installation of a streetlight in Grove Park. Rosenthal said he would consult with the Entergy engineer and see if it can be done and if so, at what price.
