The Feb. 3 meeting of the Eupora Board of Aldermen included an Industrial Park update from Lara Bowman of The Enterprise.
She presented aldermen with copies of a preliminary concept for Eupora Industrial Park created by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
“We’ve got over $1 million we can spend there,” Bowman said, referring to funds the city had secured for Industrial Park development just west of Plymouth Tube. This includes extending water and sewer lines into the property and building an industrial access road. In December, the board voted to allow her to submit a TVA Invest Prep application on behalf of the city to obtain TVA funds available for the Industrial Park project.
Upon her request last week, the board accepted a quote from Cook Allen Engineers & Surveyors for related survey work for no more than $900 and another for $1,800 from Scott Tenhet for related appraisals.
Following an executive session in December to discuss property acquisition for the city needed for the project, minutes state the board voted to “give the city attorney permission to draft an option asking the property owner the first option to purchase the property at the Industrial Park and transfer it to a company willing to occupy it if the owner decides to sell it, and to proceed with asking Mike Brooks to survey and do an appraisal needed to find the value of the road frontage to be able to extend the road straight into the Industrial Park.”
Also last week, the board authorized the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District to publish a second wetlands notice regarding water and sewer line improvements at Industrial Park West as funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The notice states the proposed activity will have no significant impact on the environment.
Cleanup, Beautification
City Attorney Jacqueline Meek addressed the status of two blighted properties during updates from the Eupora cleanup and beautification committees.
She said Brad Smith, owner of a vacant house at 1295 Adams Ave., had been sent a certified blight notification letter at that address. Meek also discussed the Jake’s Recycling lot on East Roane Avenue, which aldermen declared a public health menace in June. While substantial improvements have been made, she said the full Dumpster there needs removing along with remaining debris.
Meek said she had been informed that owner Jake Rich of Louisville was recuperating from a broken neck, but noted the city had been dealing with the property for well over a year. The board authorized her to send Rich a certified letter to finish cleaning up the property by the end of the month or the city would clean it up and assess the cost to his taxes.
Bruce Walters, chair of the Eupora Cleanup Committee, submitted a list of additional properties he contends are in violation of the city’s blight prevention ordinance. He said only 10% of the people who had been notified of blight offenses had cleaned up their properties.
Walters asked about meeting with the city employee who had been designated to deal with blighted properties/building inspections. Mayor Lamar Dumas indicated that Water Department worker Donald Newton would be putting in time “on this specific project.”
At the request of Beautification Committee Chair Cathy Embry, the board voted to take approximately $400 out of the economic development fund to buy three more planters and plants for the low side of North Dunn downtown
Teresa Ozborn also inquired about the upkeep of the Depot Park.
Police Chief Gregg Hunter said later in the meeting that officers had issued several warnings regarding junked vehicles and appliances. He also said the police department’s first case charging someone under the city’s new litter control ordinance was coming up in court March 3. The department’s monthly report for January shows a person was charged with a litter control violation at 1011 Adams Ave.
“Progress is being made on it and will continue to be,” he said.
During the discussion, Dumas encouraged people to fly the city flag outside their homes or businesses. One may contact City Hall about obtaining a flag.
Shooting Update
During department head reports, Hunter discussed a shooting that occurred outside around 1 a.m. Jan. 26 outside Liberty Lodge 487, which was being rented for a party.
As previously reported, a 17-year-old male was grazed by a bullet after a fight in the lodge’s parking lot off Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Hunter said the Kilmichael youth was released within two hours after being taken to the emergency room for treatment.
No arrests have yet been made but Hunter said the police department was still working on identifying perpetrators.
“After investigating, we determined there were a lot of people from out of town,” Hunter said, specifically mentioning the Winona area.
Hunter said it was his understanding that those renting the building were charging admission.
“We need to regulate if someone’s going to rent a building (they) shouldn’t charge admission,” he said, adding that doing so that night at the lodge contributed greatly to the situation.
“That crowd was too big for small a space,” he also said in recommending that officials look into the occupancy rating of such buildings in regard to the fire code.
Ward 1 Alderman Junior Show, who is an officer with the masonic lodge, said, “We weren’t aware of them charging admission.” He also said the lodge had since been closed and “That won’t happen again.” Asked later to explain, he said, “We’re not going to have any more parties there.”
Other Reports
Hunter also said the police department was assisting with the formation of a Neighborhood Watch in Southwood Acres, which had been requested by Gina Brown at the January meeting. Street Superintendent Will Gary said four Neighborhood Watch signs had been installed in the area.
Park Director Rusty Bowen said signup for youth baseball/softball was to begin Monday and will continue through March 5.
Other Action
Other action taken by the board on Feb. 3:
• Voted to enter into a contract with Meek and Meek Attorneys for legal work on HOME Grant houses as of Feb. 3.
• Voted to advertise for asbestos inspector and lead-based paint inspector for the HOME project.
• Voted to accept the completed city audit for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2017, from Watkins, Ward and Stafford, and to approve an engagement letter with the firm to perform the audit for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2018.
• Voted to open a new bank account to receive money coming into the city as a result of the Mississippi Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2018.
• Voted for the city to join in a resolution request that the federal government adopt a Native American legal holiday.
• Authorized Fire Chief Tyler Bierdeman to have county Fire Coordinator Barry Rushing contact the Mississippi Forestry Commission about obtaining a brush truck for the fire department.
• Voted to advertise for generator bids for Well No. 2.
The board met in executive session about 40 minutes discussing police personnel. Hunter remained in the boardroom the entire time, and Brian Hoffman was called into the boardroom at one point. No action was taken.
