Big sewer project bids in

Bids were read into the record, at the September 15 meeting of the board of supervisors, on sewer project Phase 9B, that would extend sewer lines from the Project Poppy battery plant site in the Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park five or six miles to the treatment facility on Barringer Road.

County engineer Larry Britt said sewer lines will be extended to Highway 302 and then on down Barringer.

Engineering estimates for the project was $5.2 million, Britt said.

Bids read into the record from lowest to highest were:

• Eubanks Construction $4,993,629

• A & B Construction $5,081,691

• Southeastern Pipe & Environmental - $5,834,219

• Trey Construction $6,194,154

• Precision Construction $6,216,475

• Argo Construction $6,228,548

• Reese Construction $6,982,913

The board of supervisors approved pay request No. 2 for $378,868 from Ste Bil Grading of Waterford, for work on North Barringer Road. The project widens Barringer to handle traffic flow.

Supervisors approved pay request No. 1 for Phase 8 Poppy Gas project to T.J. Construction Company for $376,477. The project lays a steel gas line from Gateway Global Drive to the Poppy site. The total cost of the gas line project is $2,270,000.

The board authorized a final pay request change order to Lehman Roberts for paving for $176,733.

Donald Smith, the well driller for two wells located on the battery plant site, submitted pay request No. 3 for Phase 2A water well construction for $270,788.

Britt said footings for the elevated water tank are being poured and the tank materials will be brought to the site and assembled. Tank assembly is expected to begin in October, Britt said.

The board authorized funding documents to be signed for the Blackwater Road bridge raise project.

Circuit Clerk report Money Autry, circuit clerk, advised the board of supervisors that absentee voting begins September 22. Lee Seals, the only person who qualified to run for the Marshall County School Board, District 1 seat, will not be on the ballot because he has no opponent. The board of supervisors passed a motion to declare the candidate elected since he had no opponent.

On the ballot are candidates for election to the board of supervisors in District 1 and District 3.

Autry said Marshall County has a homeless situation and a lot of people with disabilities who come to the court square feel free to come through the courthouse to use the restrooms.

“Everybody has family members with disabilities,” she said.

The facilities are available for the public to use but not to just roam and walk freely in the offices, she said.

“It is an ongoing issue,”Autry said.

“I think it is a public safety issue,” said District 1 supervisor Gaston Glover.

“The building is free for anyone to use the restrooms a public building,” Autry said.

Glover asked what could be done legally.

“We’re very limited,” said board attorney Amanda Whaley Smith. “I can do research on it and report back. There’s a lot of limitations.”

Autry said a lot of counties have opted to have one way traffic in and out of the courthouse so two doors do not have to be watched.

“My suggestion is to see how other counties make sure of the security and safety of the courthouse,” Autry said.

District 5 supervisor Ronnie O’Neil Bennett asked if an officer is sitting there (at the table in the entranceway).

“When they don’t see the officer, they come in,” Autry said.

Sheriff Kenny Dickerson said if the Mississippi legislature would address the situation of mental health, it would help.

“That don’t get attention until it affects some of their family,” he said.

Autry said she is very concerned for the safety of employees, it is not just for those with mental issues, including times when court is not being held.

“If an officer would just stay at the desk, even with lunch break,” said chancery clerk Nicole Phelps. “We need somebody there at all times.”

“We want to be proactive,” Autry said.

“We will address that immediately,” said sheriff Kenny Dickerson.

Autry said an incident happened during the 9/11 parade.” Zoning Zoning administrator David Johnson presented clean-up orders. A public hearing was held for a property at 287 Clear Creek Road that had tires moved from the front of the property to the rear.

The board made a motion to rule on the matter at the October 6 meeting to verify tires had been removed.

In another matter, Johnson said Malone Trucking was the company that had multiple trailers parked on county property illegally. The company is cooperating to remove those trailers, he said.

Johnson reported a property at 154 Church of Christ Road that had an R.V. On it that was not being used for a habitation, and several disabled vehicles could be taken off the clean-up list.

He presented a final plat for Cayce Point Phase 2 subdivision, on Cayce Road, that has 40 or 50 lots, for approval. A letter of credit for $115,507 has been submitted as bond money, he said.

Supervisors’ report District 2 supervisor Johnny Walker said there is a speeding problem near Bridgeway Baptist Church on Boswell Road. He asked for speed limit signs. Sheriff Dickerson said there is a similar problem on Red Banks Road and Cayce Road where speeding is bad. Gaston Glover asked for gravel on a school bus turnaround at 786 Garner Road. It is needed for ICS Head Start bus # 23. Attorney Smith said the county does contribute to ICS but she is pretty confident the county cannot provide turnarounds for ICS buses.

Bennett said he wants the county to to fill a big hole on Hudsonville Road, so the City of Holly Springs then can cover it with rock.

Glover and Walker agreed the county should dump soil into the hole and compact it, providing the city come immediately behind and cover it with rock to prevent the site from becoming a mud pit.

Smith said the county can authorize the work because it is a safety concern. The board approved a motion to provide the dirt.

Chancery clerk submitted several travel requests and the claims docket of $1,250,347 for approval.

County administrator Tim Powell presented quotes for radios for fire departments five mobiles, eight hand-held and 14 radioes.

He presented a quote from Landers Auto for two pickups at $55,679 each, the lowest quote.

Road manager Mario Jeffries asked for transmission repair for a Mack truck.

Commander David Cook said a Homeland Security grant to replace 20 hand-held radios, a value of $60,000, has been approved. They replace outdated radios. The grant requires no matching dollars.

Bennett made a motion to accept the grant and purchase the radios.