Invoices top city board discussions

Unpaid right-of-way maintenance invoices dominated discussion during a recent meeting of the Holly Springs mayor and board of aldermen.

Other financial matters were also brought up during discussions.

Upkeep of right-of-way under the power lines is at a critical stage, according to Michael Gray, who appeared before the mayor and board of aldermen to ask for payment of an invoice for work already completed.

Gray, with Gray Power Supply, is into the second year of a five-year contract with HSUD to maintain the utility’s many miles of right-of-way under power lines.

Gray said in the board meeting he is owed $307,000 for work already completed. That includes an invoice for work completed in October for $120,046, an invoice for work completed in September for $158,462, and an invoice for $29,000 the city has not paid for tree removal on streets.

Gray said he has had three crews working for his company for years and they need to be paid.

“The entire grid is far past (behind in) its vegetation management,” Gray said.

And the maps need to be updated, he said, because some power lines are not on the map.

He explained that HSUD gives him the footage of lines to be cleared under, HSUD employees verify his work completed, and then his company submits the invoice for payment.

“We have been performing this system for 22 months and now we are being stopped for no reason,” Gray said. “It has become a financial burden for my company. We cannot continue to work without being paid.

“The previous administration (under then mayor Kelvin Buck) understood the contract, understood how to verify the work has been completed, and understood contractors don’t work for free.”

Gray requested payment during the public comment portion of the November 2 board meeting. HSUD concerns were also brought up by aldermen during the aldermen’s report/discussion section, which falls at the bottom of the agenda. This included the recent resignation of five linemen at HSUD.

Gray explained that his relationship with the city and HSUD began immediately after the Dec. 23, 2015, tornado to help repair lines brought down in the storm. It was during the Buck administration.

He said he has been called back two or three times to help HSUD restore power. The invoice for $29,000 was for removing 13 trees off streets in Holly Springs. Some of the trees were six or more feet in diameter at the base. The price to remove one tree that size can run from $8,000 to $12,000. Tree removal was ordered during the Buck administration. Tree removal was a city project and not connected with the right-of-way contract with HSUD.

The 13 trees involved three weeks work on the Rust College boundary line on North Memphis Street, in the park and on Randolph Street, he said.

“If you would pay me for what you owe me, I can cancel the contract and we can part ways,” he said.

Ward 2 Alderman Andre Jones said the board had asked for a copy of the contract at the last board meeting (October 19).

“If you do work, I feel like you should be compensated for it,” he said.

Mayor Sharon Gipson said she has started evaluating the situation but would not go into the matter too much as Gray “has turned the situation into legal matters.”

“We cut down 13 trees huge trees – that would justify $29,000,” Gray said.

He offered to show pictures taken of the individual trees.

“We can’t work for free,” Gray said. “We tried to handle this before. Your utility approved what we’ve cut already.”

City attorney John Perry entered the discussion. “There were some separate legal questions regarding the agreement,” he said. “We can have a conversation tomorrow. It is unfair to go into it here. I don’t think anyone here wants you to not be paid. We can talk and if we have to go down the long road, we can. I think we can get resolution in the next few weeks. Just give me an opportunity.” Gray said he went to talk with the general manager (Donald Warren) and was told the manager was told not to talk to him.

“I’ve got to get paid for the work I’ve done and not a penny more,” Gray said.

During the aldermen’s discussion, other HSUD and city concerns were raised.

Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather, said one constituent had expressed concern about sewer overflow on top of the ground in the area of the old Walmart building.

She asked the mayor where the city stands on $1.9 million received under the American Rescue Plan.

Gipson said the city has received about half of it or around $900,000.

“And the $400,000 moved from the CD (certificate of deposit). Where are we at with that in terms of finding those funds?” Merriweather asked.

Gipson said she was scheduled to receive a call to get help with reconciling (the accounts).

“We need to find the $400,000 so we can put that to rest (put the money back into the CD), Merriweather said.

Gipson said it needs to be tracked down. She said specialized auditors are being reached out to for help with tracking the accounts.

“It’s very concerning to us and a priority,” Gipson said.

She said the city is still getting billed for street paving done during the prior administration.

“So, we are about to complete six months in office. There are so many things we don’t know,” Merriweather said. “The $200,000 moved from the contingency fund (into the general city fund) concerns me. The amount of money the city has ­ I want to make sure money we are still trying to find or locate...And the closing on the pavilion?”

Gipson said the engineer has to have a special lift to work on the area of concern on the pavilion (the upper roof areas). Extra fees will be needed.

“One concern I’m still having an issue with is HSUD with the accounts,” Jones said.

He requested information on that as soon as possible.

Gipson said a young lady found employment elsewhere and she hopes to have someone to help soon.

Also, CSA (Customer Service Association) specialists are going to be asked to help see exactly where that department and others in the city need help, Gipson said.

Jones asked if Shelby Drive in the Meadows is approved for paving.

Gipson said Shelby Drive will be added to see what the paving status is.

“Some people said they had not been paid for Gholson and other street (paving),” Gipson said. “We’re looking at the status of those invoices.

“My biggest concern is that CD,” said Ward 3 alderman Colter Teel. “We’re struggling to find the money. And with the pavilion, I’m concerned we need the lift. We should have known on the front end he needed a lift and now after giving us a quote for $3,000. I’m a little confused why it was not stated on the front end.”

Gipson said the structural engineer recommended the person.

“The city has no public works director, building inspector...,” she said.

“I need it on the front end,” Teel said.

“I totally agree,” said alderman-at-large Dexter Shipp.

Shipp added in regard to Teel’s comment on the pavilion, “I sincerely request we find someone else. This has gone on too long.”

He also asked about parking problems on a street and the status of the cemetery road project.

Gipson said she is trying to find out what was authorized in the cemetery.