City aldermen have declared two more residential properties to be public health menaces and ordered their cleanup.
The action came during a recessed meeting of the Eupora Board of Aldermen on June 19 following public hearings under Mississippi Code Section 21-19-11 and consideration.
That code section outlines the process of communicating with the owner of private property in need of cleaning. It authorizes municipalities to enter upon and clean land that “is in such a state of uncleanliness as to be a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community” if not cleaned by the owner, and to file a lien against the land for the cost.
Public Works Director Odie Avery provided information and updates on the properties at 787 Waterworks Road and 55 W. Gould. No one else asked to speak during either hearing before Mayor Blake McMullan closed them.
Avery said the semi-abandoned property on Waterworks Road is owned by Phillip Bailey, who lives out of town. It is on the south side of town across from The Cross of Christ.
Avery said a structure on the property has an unsound foundation and is leaning, has no electricity or running water, and the property has several vehicles on it. The property owner is interested in selling the property, according to Avery.
The owner of the West Gould property was the late Patsy Gilliland, who died in 2021. Avery described the abandoned property as an eyesore that is overgrown and in poor condition. He said he has been communicating with her son concerning that property.
The board, by unanimous votes, declared each property a public health menace after the respective hearings. Each motion gave the property owners (or family of in the case of deceased owner of the West Gould property) 30 days to clean their respective properties and remove any debris. After that time the city may proceed with cleaning up the properties.
The board declared two other properties as being public health menaces following hearings on May 15, one on Adams Avenue and the other on Maple Drive. Those property owners were given 10 days to appeal.
---------------------------
Consented Items
The June 19 official agenda was approved including these consented items:
Board Business:
• To accept the lowest and best quote of $8,000 for appraisal services o properties located at Eupora Industrial Park, 66 Government Ave. and two parcels adjacent to 605 Hall Road.
• Authorized advertising a bid request for three weeks for the use of office space at Eupora Depot at 855 S. Dunn St.
• Approved a “one-time” beer/alcohol permit for Tapville Social mobile craft beer vendor to sell/consume alcoholic beverages at the inaugural Chainsaws and Art Festival to be held at Spud Stennett Park on Aug 11.
Code Enforcement: to proceed with notifications for the mowing of overgrown lots on recommendation of the public works director pursuant to Mississippi Code Annotated 21-19-11 at these properties in the city:
• 2486 W. Roane Ave.
• 2335 W. Roane Ave.
• 90 Figgatt St.
• 188 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
• 341 S. Dunn
Economic Development: to use Depot Park for the Eupora Farmers Market each Tuesday evening Sept. 5-Nov. 21 from 4:30-7 p.m.
Parks and Recreation: to accept a $250 donation for fireworks from Eupora Mini-Storage for the July 4 celebration at Whites Creek Lake Park and allow the mayor to accept donations for the fireworks show.
Police Department: to accept a $204 donation from Hometown Publishing for police calendar rebate to be used for materials and supplies.
Finance and Administration: to authorize the city clerk to obtain information on the process of terminating internet service with C Spire at City Hall and to obtain information to change to NT Spark.
----------------------------
Other Business
The board approved three motions concerning the respective departments:
Parks and Recreation: to table until July 3 approval of an estimate from Mississippi Communications LLC to install a public Wi-Fi system at the Whites Creek Lake campground, park and pavilion at a cost not to exceed $5,000 to be paid from lake park capital improvements funds. The matter had been tabled from June 5.
Police Department: to table until July 3 consideration of updated policy and procedure for department personnel. This was the third time the matter has been tabled.
Water and Wastewater: to decline a $350 donation from Metropolitan Compound Inc.
During public appearances, Reginal Upton of Globe Life Insurance made a presentation to the board about benefits it can offer city employees
McMullan mentioned four upcoming town hall informational ward meetings for city residents, which he said should last about an hour each. The first two were held June 22 and 29 at the Community Center.
The next two will also be held there at 6 p.m. July 6 for residents of Ward 3 and July 13 for residents of Ward 4. However, residents of any ward may attend either meeting. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss issues that matter to them, and share their ideas and suggestions. City officials said the meetings, in part, will provide information concerning the special tourism tax election set for July 18.
McMullan presented a resolution of the mayor and board to Sarah Grace Ware congratulating her accomplishments and titles received at the 2023 Our Little Miss Preteen Pageant. This had been tabled from June 5.
----------------------------
Executive Session
Before adjourning, the board met in executive session for 20 minutes for the purpose of personnel. Cpl. Beau Powell and Officer Phillip Wilson of the Police Department remained in the boardroom during part of that time.
Afterwards, the board voted to accept the resignation of Officer David Fair, who was hired in December as a full-time officer The motion was made by Billy Tabb (Ward 2), seconded by Junior Shaw (Ward 1) and approved 4-0. All five aldermen were present but Jerry Gary (at-large) left the Community Center, where the board was meeting, before the vote was taken. City Attorney Joey Hood was not present.
