Board discusses holiday lighting

Mayor Andre’ DeBerry and the Holly Springs Board of Aldermen discussed the city’s Christmas lighting at the meeting last week.

DeBerry said he will discontinue the lighting on buildings in the business district, try to fix the lights on court square and put up fixtures on light poles.

The strings of lights on the edges of buildings are too old to be continually repaired and cost too much in labor, he said.

“The cost of maintaining the old system is expensive in terms of manpower,” he said. “We have to restring every building and replace bulbs and fixtures. Then there are safety issues.”

Alderman Nancy Hutchens suggested the city buy new lighting, if only enough for a street at a time, yearly, and build the stock up slowly.

Alderman-at-large Tim Liddy said the city should go to work on repairing and replacing burned-out bulbs earlier, that vendors are probably low on stock by now.

DeBerry said the city could buy some fixtures but a replacement of the whole system could get into big money.

Utility department manager John Collins said the city has purchased a new stock of replacement bulbs of better quality that he thinks won’t blow out so readily, for lamps around the square.

Some of the Christmas decorations in storage were destroyed by a fire this fall at the old police station.

Collins said he will attempt to install as many utility pole decorations as can be made operable.

As a postscript to the discussion, Liddy and Hutchens fussed that there is not enough planning for projects in off seasons. Liddy named the failure to have the press box at the football stadium rebuilt in time for the season, the unresolved issue about the repair or fill in of the swimming pool on West Valley Street, and the lighting issue as examples.

They said the project needs should be addressed well ahead of schedule so things can be ready when needed.

Liddy said the city should plan for lighting several months ahead of the season and that plans for the football pressbox should begin in January next year.

Alderman Garrie Colhoun asked whether the city was using its new knuckle boom to pick up old furnishings, carpet and items left out on the curbs.

The new leaf vacuun is doing a good job with leaf removal but residents should not mix limbs and leaves, DeBerry said.

The city will no longer pick up discards like old couches, since the city does not get paid a sanitation fee, the mayor said.

That leaves the resident two choices - either take old discards to the county dump or call ASCO Sanitation which will charge a fee, he said.

“We will do an insert in the utility bill for fee rates and a number to call to get stuff picked up (by ASCO),” DeBerry said.

Citations will be issued for stuff left on the street that is not household garbage or leaves and debris, he said.

“The majority of folks will carry their stuff to the dump,” DeBerry said. “No if’s and but’s about it. We don’t have the equipment or financing to do it.”

In park matters, Lemon Phelps lodged a complaint about safety at the park on Maury Street beside the primary school, which he said has been a hangout for “lover’s lane” type activities.

He said individuals are driving upon the park grounds and this affects the children who see things that are thrown out.

DeBerry said the city has considered turning the playground over to the school district to supervise and maintain - that the area is one of several in the city where lovers hang out.

passed a motion to proceed with the award of a contract to W.G. Construction for work on the Martin Street project.
approved a request from Lund Technologies to pledge their leasehold to Tennessee Valley Authority to negotiate a loan. The monthly lease contribution to the city for payoff of the building will not be affected, according to board attorney Ki Jones.
approved a request for $5,000 for the operation of New Hope Village (homeless shelter). Alfred Moore, representing the board of directors of the village, made the request and reported that a shelter grant from the Mississippi Development Authority has dwindled from an appropriation of $65,000 last year to $45,000 for the current year. He said Marshall County has contributed $2,500 this year but promised to raise its contribution next year to $10,000. The remainder of operating costs comes from fundraisers, he said.
discussed the need to look into the animal ordinances which Johnson said do not have a provision for handling the problem of dangerous dogs (pit bulls).

Johnson said concern was raised due to a resident being attacked by a pit bull recently. He said the owner was allowed to keep the dog.

took under advisement some quotes for gravel, plumbing and electrical work needed to get the shop at the Information Technology Center ready for forklift and welding classes. The renovations need to be made ready for classes in January, according to IT director Ken Robinson.

DeBerry said there will be a charge for the classes. Northwest Community College will be providing instruction and help with equipping the shop.

discussed an audit of Vista III Media cable company’s contract with the city to see if the city is owed money for the cable service agreement and for pole attachment fees.

DeBerry said Vista had made an offer to settle for a sum of money. The mayor and board decided to stick with its decision to execute its contract for an audit of Vista III Media’s accounts in the city.

The company is seeking to sell its business and transfer its contract with the city to the buyer.


Thursday, November 29, 2007
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