The Eupora Board of Aldermen heard a blight update at its April 2 meeting.
Aldermen had authorized city attorney Jacqueline Meek in October to issue letters to notify property owners in violation of Eupora’s blight ordinance of the need to clean up their property.
Meek reported in February that she had spoken with specified property owners and had determined that they had plans on cleaning up their property. She recommended giving them 60 days to clean up before the legal process begins.
The board also instructed her to speak with another person about the property he owns on Adams Avenue and for him to respond within 30 days with a plan of what he intends to do with the property.
Of the nine property owners receiving courtesy letters from Meek about their property being a concern, Stacie Britt of East Roane Avenue was the only person who appeared before the board last week as requested.
She said the front of Britts’ property had been cleaned, and aldermen told her it looked better and thanked her for coming before the board to see if anything else needed to be done.
Afterwards, following discussion with Meek, the board authorized her to issue hearing notices to the owners of two vacant houses on Adams Avenue.
Tilsatec repairs
Additionally, The Enterprise Director Lara Bowman gave an update on proposed repairs to the HVAC system at the city-owned Tilsatec building.
Bowman said she is awaiting figures from Tilsatec on the total investment it plans to make, and is looking into the city applying for public grants related to job creation for the project.
Sgt. Lawrence “Q-Dell” Caradine represented the Eupora Police Department during department head reports. Police Chief Gregg Hunter was attending a special meeting of the Webster County School Board that evening concerning security.
Caradine mentioned the March 28 drive-by shooting via dirt bike on West Clark Street near the Eupora High School band hall. An 18-year-old man has been charged with drive-by shooting in connection with the incident, in which no one was injured.
Caradine said the Police Department thanks surrounding and outside agencies for their quick response to EHS and, along with the community, their support and cooperation that led to the quick arrest of the person identified as the perpetrator.
Park Director Rusty Bowen reported that 216 youths had signed up for summer ball, which is about 30-35 more than last year. He also said sponsorships and signs at Gary Park were at $6,600.
Bowen said 6U and 8U ball tournaments are scheduled for June, adding, “We're not going with Dizzy Dean.”
Other business
In other business April 2, the board voted to:
• approve a $5,000 administrative invoice from the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District on the grant-funded lagoon stabilization project.
• adopt a proclamation declaring April as Fair Housing Month, a requirement of the HOME Grant awarded to the city. George Crawford of the PDD gave updates on the lagoon and HOME projects.
• increase the boat launch fee at Whites Creek from $2 to $5 and the annual pass from $25 to $40. The money will be used for improvements at the lake.
In related developments, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has proposed changes to fishing regulations at the lake. The slot limit on black bass will be removed and replaced with a 15-inch minimum length limit. The daily creel limit will be reduced to five bass per angler.
Crappie will be managed with a 10-inch minimum length limit and a daily creel limit of 15 fish per angler. In addition, the daily creel limit on bream will be reduced to 25 per angler. MDWFP is accepting comments on the proposed changes through Tuesday.
• remove the remaining speed bump on Waterworks Road close to Highway 9 and the sewer lift station. The board voted in February to remove two other speed bumps closest to the curve on Waterworks Road, and leave the aforementioned one and place the “Speed Bump Here” signs next to it so one would be able to drive around it.
• table a request from a resident at 1517 Adams Ave. to install a speed bump in that area.
• end the city’s contract with Scott Cooper for monthly water monitoring because Guy Barnett of the Water Department has since been certified as a water operator.
• surplus an old Ford F150 Street Department truck and ballpark Gator, and advertise them for bids.
Robert Gibbs (Ward 4) distributed copies of sample job requirements for the park director.
