The Eupora Board of Aldermen held the first public hearing for amending the city’s floodplain ordinance during a recessed meeting July 17.
Public Works Director Odie Avery presented a summary of the ordinance in accordance with the language of the state of Mississippi, meeting minutes show. The hearing was closed with no other comments or opposition
Under board business, aldermen approved a request as presented to accept a $2,000 donation from the Eupora Economic Development Committee to be applied to registration fees for underserved youth per a DICKS Sporting Goods grant.
The Board of Aldermen considered these items under the respective departments/areas, minutes reflect:
Economic Development
Aldermen authorized Eupora Economic Development to use space outside the Community Center for chainsaw carving demonstrations Aug. 5-8.
The board authorized Eupora Economic Development to use the Eupora Fire Department generator for the Chainsaw and Art Festival, which was Aug. 9-12. Jerry Gary (at-large), whose son is the fire chief, abstained.
Fire Department
The board approved a request to accept a donation of canned water from the National Volunteer Fire Council. Alderman Gary abstained.
Parks and Recreation
The board approved a request to accept a donation from Plymouth Tube for $1,000.
Aldermen approved a request to reimburse Eupora Economic Development for funds used to purchase All-Star uniforms in the amount of $1,000 (the check was written to the city but should have been written to Economic Development).
Additionally, the board approved a request to purchase four mobile basketball goals for the Civic Center using funds from Weyerhaeuser Corp. at a cost not to exceed $1,100.
Police Department
For the sixth time since May, the board tabled consideration of an updated Policy and Procedure for EPD personnel until the Aug. 7 meeting.
Aldermen also tabled a request to form and appoint a Police Personnel Hiring Committee
Public Works
The board approved a request to advertise for the street overlay department.
Aldermen also authorized to advertise requests for proposals for a city solid waste services contract.
Street Department
The board approved a request to advertise for a full-time maintenance technician for the Street Department.
Wastewater Department
In the bid opening for the reverse auction of a hydraulic sewer jetter (trailer), only one bid was available, minutes state.
The public works director was to check with the state auditor to see if the board could move forward with only one bid. No board action was taken.
Executive Session
The board went into executive session for the purpose of police personnel. No board action was taken after it came back into open session.
All aldermen except Billy Tabb (Ward 2) were present July 17.
Clarifications: A July 28 article should have said Alderman Gary voted nay during the July 3 meeting on a motion to approve the application for a retail beer and package store permit and license for Kountry Boyz LLC. That motion was approved 4-1.
Also, when the official agenda and consented items were approved July 3, Gary abstained because Fire pay was included with the Claims Docket and his son is the fire chief. That motion was approved 4-0.
