The City of Indianola made it official this past Monday night to retain Chadwick Mask as legal counsel regarding all things related to Mississippi Home Corporation grants.
After a brief early executive session, the city also fired South Delta Planning & Development District as its grants administrator and hired Brown & Associates for that role.
The city had voted to engage with Mask a few weeks ago. The vote on Monday was 3-1, with Ward 1 Alderman Gary Fratesi voting nay, because he said that it was not clear what Mask’s compensation would be.
Ward 3 Alderman Ruben Woods, Ward 4 Alderman
Marvin Elder and Ward 5 Alderman Sam Brock voted in favor. Ward 2 Alderman Darrell Simpson was not present.
City Attorney Derek Hopson seemed to allude to the fact that Mississippi Home Corporation, the quasi-governmental agency at the heart of the Spencer Construction payout debacle, is in the process of possibly unfreezing the grants that had been halted in 2023 ahead of the city’s $40,000 payment to Spencer, which was later deemed improper by the state auditor’s office.
“It resolves everything,” Hopson said, suggesting that hiring Mask would help to “end the fiasco.”
Woods, Elder and Brock were all issued demands by the auditor’s office for their portion of the $40,000 and were ordered to pay it back to the city. That was followed by a lawsuit filed in Hinds County by the attorney general’s office.
South Delta Still in the Doghouse
Alderman Fratesi’s attempt to pay South Delta Planning & Development District dues, totaling around $4,000, fell on deaf ears on Monday night.
He noted that he did not intend for SDPDD to write grants but rather to continue community programs like feeding the poor and others.
Alderman Elder objected, stating that SDPDD would remain a pariah with the city until all litigation related to Mississippi Home Corporation is resolved.
Red Tape
A $15,000 check written by the City of Indianola last year for the Sunflower County Transitional Shelter for the Homeless still has not made it to the shelter’s coffers.
This, despite House Bill 1801 apparently passing during this year’s legislative session, which would allow the county to give more than its previously capped $40,000 to operator Sunflower County Ministerial Alliance Counseling Services.
It is likely that bill will not officially become law until July 1.
The city at first sent the check to the county, which then returned it back to the city. Now, it appears the check will go back to the county, but it remains unclear whether it may be cashed prior to July 1.
Four Way Madness
The city did discuss the offset four-way stop by the post office and possible solutions to some of the traffic dysfunction there.
The Enterprise-Tocsin reported last week that Postmaster Ric Grant reported multiple incidents there involving postal employees. He said that it was a hazardous intersection.
City Engineer Ron Cassada said on Monday that multiple studies have been done over the years, with few viable solutions offered.
There’s not space enough for a standard roundabout, he said.
He did suggest that the city could remove some parking spaces in front of the post office, which he said would alleviate some hazards, as some people currently back out into traffic coming from Catchings onto Front Street.
“Bottom line, it’s a four-way stop,” Cassada said, noting that courtesy and following the law would help there.
Dorsett Street Drainage
City Engineer Ron Cassada agreed to visit Dorsett Drive near the Dorsett Drive Christian Church to get a better idea of what may be causing poor drainage during rain storms.
Rev. Jim Woods brought several pictures to show the board that during heavy rains, the entryway to the church is often covered with water, making the main entrance inaccessible.
Armed Guards
Mayor Ken Featherstone told the board of aldermen this week that the city needs to employ an armed guard at city hall and perhaps in the lobby of the police department.
“We need an armed guard at city hall. We need an armed person at municipal court, and we need an armed guard right here,” he said.
Featherstone said that a couple entered city hall one day last week with a bag in tow and engaged in a verbal altercation. The couple later visited the police department, and after another verbal exchange, the man made a violent threat and reached for his bag.
IPD Chief Ronald Sampson said that he was able to get the bag away from the man with the help of another officer.
Inside the bag was a loaded 9mm handgun, about 13 knives and brass knuckles, the chief said.
City Attorney Derek Hopson suggested that there be a comprehensive plan drawn up to secure multiple areas that may be vulnerable.
