During their meeting on Tuesday, May 7, the Louisville Board of Aldermen heard from Winston Partnership Executive Director, Glen Haab, concerning the awarding of a $2M ARC SAAW (Southern Automotive & Aviation Workforce) grant which will be used to enhance the Louisville Rail Park. Phylis Benson of Golden Triangle Planning was also present, and Haab acknowledged the work of that organization. The Board voted unanimously to accept approval of the grant and to authorize Mayor Will Hill as the executive contact to proceed with the grant process.
Concerning capital and recovery projects, Hill reported that a number of these are complete, including: Plywood rebuild, cemetery project, equipment purchases, property acquisitions, public building (old National Guard Armory repairs), drainage project, street repairs and the saferoom project. The traffic signal project should be complete in August.
The park renovation project is winding down. The Board voted unanimously to approve Certificate of Substantial Completion for Great Southern Recreation and authorized a pay application for $49.8K. The Board voted unanimously to authorize a pay application to Site Masters Construction for $170K. The Board voted unanimously to authorize payment in the amount of $15.5K to Avila Construction for sidewalks and batting cages.
The central business district sidewalk repair project is pending, as is the Strand Theater design and renovation, awaiting approval of the Mississippi Dept. of Archives & History.
The MDOT-TAP sidewalk project on North Columbus Ave. is in process. The Board voted unanimously to authorize payment to Neel-Schaffer for professional services in the amount of $3K.
Under unclean properties:
180 West Jefferson, owned by Lavagus Smith, no action was taken.
68 Winston St., owned by Randy Jackson; the Board voted unanimously to grant 30 days to be in compliance.
54 Ward St. and 519 N. Columbus Ave., both owned by Casey Sisson; the Board voted unanimously to set a hearing date for June 4.
In other action, the Board:
Voted 5-0 to authorize payment of claims dockets in the amount of $1332.7K.
Voted 5-0 to authorize payment to PPM in the amount of $6.2K for professional services on the EPA Brownfield project.
Voted 5-0 to authorize payment to Slaughter & Associates in the amount of $7K for the annexation study and planning presentation.
Voted 5-0 to authorize payment to First Security Bank for $178.8K for the 2012 GO Bond to be paid out of B&I Fund.
Voted 5-0 to acknowledge DARE officer Training for Tonya McWhirter on May 20-31 in Montgomery, AL; the International DARE Conference in Phoenix, AZ, June 23-28; and the State DARE Conference in Biloxi, July 15-19. All expenses paid.
Acknowledged the receipt of Fire House Subs grant money and to authorize payment for the Hurst equipment for $31.5K to Municipal Emergency Services.
