Fire station expansion goes to bid

The City of Holly Springs is advertising for bids for the expansion of the Holly Springs Fire Department, a project that has been downsized and postponed due to the estimated cost of construction. The project was envisioned under the Kelvin Buck administration.

Expansion of the fire department was included with some other changes proposed including the Holly Springs Annexation Plan, which was put on hold by the current administration.

Quotes for uniforms for the Holly Springs Utility Department employees were discussed by the board of aldermen and Annie Mason, accounts manager, and general manager Donald Warren.

Uniform Masters, Aramark and UniFirst quotes were discussed.

Mason said lightweight shirts and pants offered by UniFirst were a favorite of employees. The uniforms were less restrictive to movement and more comfortable, while still offering flame resistance. The employees think the uniform will be more comfortable in summer and winter coats were also offered at a 25 percent discount.

Mason said the employees liked the dark grey colors that won’t show stains.

Contract agreements were offered for five years, but aldermen and Mason thought a two-year agreement would be preferred.

Alderman Bernita Fountain suggested the contract should not be for five years because employees will want a shorter trial period.

The service price will include cleaning and care of the uniforms.

Alderman Dexter Shipp asked if the board could look at samples. Warren said HSUD has samples in his office.

He recommended UniFirst because the rental price was the best and employees like the product.

“These guys came in with a better presentation and pricing,” Mason said.

Fountain asked if there was a contract or just a verbal agreement.

Mayor Sharon Gipson said city attorney John Keith Perry will draw up an agreement.

UniFirst offered lightweight pants and shirts at an annual price of not more than $48,339 or a weekly rate of $929 for a two-year contract.

The board approved entering in a contract with UniFirst.

The USDA Cast Iron replacement project, which has been inactive, was discussed.

Perry said Mid-South Engineering out of Collierville wanted out of its contract and would settle for $12,038 in pipe that was not used that is stored at the HSUD warehouse.

Engineer Larry Britt has asked to rebid the project which is partly completed.

Perry said USDA has changed forms.

“He’s (Mid-South Engineering) saying in June delays were causing him a financial burden,” Perry said. “Cost increases for materials was making it prohibitive.”

Perry said Mid-South was paid for 95 percent of work done and the $11,012 balance is for out of pocket expense.

“How can you renege on your contract?” asked Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather.

Teel said if a company bids on a project which takes a year to get moving before it is approved, inflation can skyrocket the price to do the work.

“He can’t afford to do it,” Teel said.

“My concern is his just dropping the job,” Merriweather said.

“They pull out due to market fluctuations,” Perry said. “It has exceeded the (material cost) in June and now it’s well beyond at that point. Until Melanie Balducci with USDA gives approval it can’t move forward.”

“If we don’t do anything else, we need to advertise for bids, right?” Teel asked.

Several payouts on the project on work done included an Oct. 2021 claim for $92,400 and a Nov. 2021 claim for $37,157.

Teel made a motion to advertise the project for two weeks and it passed by vote of 4-0 with alderman Andre Jones absent.

Shipp made a motion to pay the $11,012 for unused pipe to Mid-South Engineering to include 3.5 percent in Mississippi Contractor’s use tax. The motion passed 4-0.

Other items discussed included:

• a request from Gipson to ratify the use of Christmas Lights loaned by Thelbert Lesure to the city. Gipson said she just wanted it in the record. Shipp made a motion and Fountain seconded the loan ratification and it passed 3-1 with Teel voting against the measure.

• received no motion on a request from Gipson to authorize payment of $1,000 to Byers Law Firm for legal services rendered Nov. 10.

• approved street closures and police escort for a Dec. 12 procession sponsored by Saint Joseph Church at 5:30 p.m.

• approved payment of city general bills and claims by a vote of 3-1 with Teel voting against the measure. The board also approve a motion to pay city utility bills and claims by a vote of 3-1 with Teel voting no on the measure.

• held a discussion of street signs.

• heard a report/discussion from the board of aldermen led by Shipp because Gipson left the meeting.

Fountain expressed concern that repair of a drop off at 1814 West Street should be taken care of.

“It’s getting dangerous to go to Parker and if a car comes down they can’t pass. The traffic cones keep blowing down and erosion is getting deeper,” Fountain said.

Gipson said street department supervisor Curtis Fitts will get with county road manager Mario Jeffries to discuss safety concerns.

Teel reported a request for power at 752 Jeffries Road in Potts Camp for a year has gone unanswered by the Holly Springs Utility Department.

Teel asked if city services bids have been received. City clerk Jerrica Jones said the bids have been advertised.

“Do we need to readvertise?” Teel asked. “They have been approved to advertise.”

Merriweather asked for an update on drainage on Rising Star Road and Hudsonville Road and at Star Lite on Salem Avenue.

“Do we need lights on Salem Avenue Bridge?” she asked.

It was unclear if the Mississippi Department of Transportation was going to set lights on the railings of the bridge.

The board approved a motion to adjourn.