The City of Indianola is getting more recognition for its beautification efforts.
According to Mayor Steve Rosenthal, Indianola will be receiving the Mississippi Municipal Leagues’ Spirit Award for cities with a population of 10,000 persons or greater.
He made the announcement at Monday’s board of Aldermen meeting noting that this is the first time the city has garnered an honor from the MML.
He said it stems from the efforts put forth by the Keep Indianola Beautiful committee and the group that refurbished the Christmas decorations and lights.
In city business,
The city lawmakers rescinded a motion to approve to pay to have the lifeguards certified for the city pool because they have not been officially hired. Alderman Gary Fratesi questioned if it was legal to spend city money on someone who was not a city employee. Attorney Gary Austin affirmed that it was not.
A motion to approve charging a $2 fee to an employee each time the city is required to send a garnishment or child support payment failed 3 to 2. Alderman Darrell Simpson made the motion citing MS Code 93-11-111 as a basis for his request. Simpson said it is a small fee for an employee to pay in order to help recover some of the money the city spends. The city has to pay these bills for the employee, which includes writing the checks, and purchasing envelopes and postage.
Alderman Gary Fratesi seconded the motion but Aldermen Marvin Elder, Ruben Woods and Brock voted no.
In a response to a request by Brock to install a guardrail along a portion of B. B. King Road, City Engineer Ron Cassada stated that the shoulder of the road at the mentioned site is too narrow and putting up guardrails would not be the best application for that area. He said a guardrail would present more of a hazard.
Cassada suggested adding additional warning signs and adding on to an existing pipe and filling it in to possibly make the area safer.
With regards to Brock’s request to replace all of the street striping and markings, Brock asked if that was something the public works department could do. Cassada said the city could, but for longer lasting results a special material was needed so it was best to contract it out. However, it will be expensive.
Rosenthal suggested each alderman select the streets in their ward that need to be done and the city would do a cost analysis. Cassada agreed and said look at all of the roads and see what needs to be done first. “You don’t want to put stripes down on a road that’s falling apart,” Cassada said.
Brock also made several other requests of the public works department including cleaning up overgrown ditches especially a fenced area between Gentry High School and Gentry Drive. Public Works Director Jimmy Strong stood to respond. “First of all, I want to know how many men do ya’ll think we have in public works. It’s no way we’re going to be able to do everything Mr. Brock asked for, we don’t have the men or the equipment.”
Addressing Strong and Rosenthal, Brock said these were things that needed to be done. “Excuses no longer work in Indianola, Mississippi.”
The aldermen made no determination on a transient mobile food-vending ordinance. Rosenthal said he was presenting the information to the board because he feels that it is a missed opportunity for the city. He wants them to consider altering the ordinance because the current one requires the vendor to have connected water and sewer. Citizen David Rushing asked that they have a public forum to allow input before they make a decision.
During the meeting, Simpson volunteered to serve as the voting delegate for the MML, Rosenthal will serve as the alternate and Elder will serve as the flag bearer during the parade of flags.
As part of the departmental reports, Fire Chief Orlando Battle reported 17 fire calls for the month of April with two structural fires that were deemed suspicious and they are waiting on responses from the state fire marshal.
The officials voted to reschedule the second meeting in June to Thursday June 21 at 7 p.m., since the officials will be attending the MML conference.
The board,
Approved the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Boot Drive for Saturday.
Approved a street closure request for a portion of Easy and Carefree streets for Saturday.
Approved a 3K fun run and walk for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Awareness and issued a proclamation in support of the same.
Approved a request allowing supporters of the NV Dancing Dolls group to solicit donations on select streets for two upcoming weekends.
Approved donating surplus bicycles from the police department to the Motor Mouse Motorcycle Club.
After emerging from executive session, the officials voted to advertise for a city clerk, human resource and payroll clerk. They also voted to hire two new public works employees, one with the stipulation that he signs a new payment agreement for fines with the city and upholds that agreement.
Two police officers and a dispatcher were also hired. The Aldermen decided to raise the pay of two firefighters pending completion of state fire academy test results. Lt. Otha James was promoted to the rank of captain; Sgt. William Jones was elevated to the Lieutenant rank and firefighter Willie Rounds was promoted to sergeant.
The city officials also voted 3 to 2 to terminate the employment of firefighter Jamarius Roach. Aldermen Brock and Elder voted no.
