Perry to represent city in TVA lawsuit

The Holly Springs Board of Aldermen, at the May 6 meeting, approved its city attorney, John Keith Perry Jr., to represent the city in litigation filed by the Tennessee Valley Authority in U.S. District Court in Oxford.

Perry will respond to the lawsuit filed by TVA charging breech of contract regarding its handling of the Holly Springs Electric Department and he also was authorized to file a counter complaint.

The board of aldermen also passed a motion to authorize the utility department to seek a line of credit of up to $3 million or access CDs due to the pending emergency matter with automated meters not working and due to existing litigation.

The board also authorized Mayor Sharon Gipson to negotiate with GE (General Electric) to close out the contract for providing automatic metering infrastructure for HSUD. The current contract with GE provides for metering of electricity, gas, and water.

The board also passed a motion to authorize Perry to submit a demand letter to Watkins Auditing Firm. Gipson said state auditors are demanding that the letter be sent to Watkins Auditing Firm.

After discussion of a motion to pay IMS Engineers $23,718 for engineering and design services on the drive-thru Kiosk to be constructed at the Holly Springs Utility Department, the board approved the payment by a vote of 2-1.

Ward 2 alderman Andre Jones made the motion to pay IMS and Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather seconded the motion which passed 2-1 with Vice Mayor Dexter Shipp voting against the measure.

The next step in the project will be to advertise for bids for the work, said Gipson.

White Construction and Associates in Byhalia was sole bidder on a project to mitigate erosion in a ravine at Hill Street/Cuba Street.

Several easements were needed before the work can begin, according to Larry Britt, with Elliott and Britt Engineering that is overseeing the project. He was called into executive session to discuss the easements. A number of offers to pay for easements were approved.

White Construction bid $367,893 and the engineering estimate was $460,080, Britt said.

The board of alderman approved White Construction as the contractor to repair the ravine.

Britt said the project was authorized as an emergency and over 13 inches of rain fell in the month of April.

Britt was also asked to get quotes on the West Valley Street washout. He said he will take quotes May 20.

Gipson said she wants Britt to get quotes from local contractors, too. Britt said he will do that and also submit quotes from those who respond to an advertisement.

Stormwater undercut the sidewalk and part of the street at the location near the intersection of West Valley Street and Memphis Street.

Gipson asked for an executive session to discuss the TVA claim filed in Federal District Court against the city and to discuss potential litigation against HSUD and land matters.

The board approved hiring four meter readers at the HSUD – Courtney Mack, George Harden, Anthony Jones and Armand Echols at $15.50 an hour.

Eddie Jefferson brought forward two quotes to repair a pump at the bottom of treatment plant #1 on Spring Street. Donald Smith Company was approved as low bidder at $21,224. A second quote for $23,000 was offered.

IT director Derrick Jefferson asked to travel for training in software engineering, networking, cybersecurity and upcoming threats at the Cisco Conference in San Diego, June 8-12.

He said Cisco is the leading cybersecurity firm in the world and constantly updates its members and partners in Microsoft software engineering. He said he wants to attend the conference to gain more knowledge and network with leaders in the industry that is constantly changing, so he can bring that technology to the city.

Registration is $895, hotel is $2,795 and Jefferson said he would pay for his flight.

Merriweather said, with the new administration coming in July 1, the new mayor and board should decide on his request. She asked if another conference is available later.

Jefferson said he has passed up going to Cisco for training for two years and it is the only conference that offers certification and the opportunity to network with industry leaders.

“How will this benefit the city?” vice-mayor Dexter Shipp asked.

“By gaining more information about cybersecurity,” Jefferson said. “I'm trying to get the necessary training so I can free us (from concern regarding cybersecurity threats).”

Jefferson's request did not get a motion.

Holly Springs fire chief Rodney Crane presented Miles Moore for promotion to lieutenant.

Crane said Moore has worked five years with the department and a position opened with the retirement of Tracy Jeffries. The board approved the promotion.

Police Chief Darryl Bowens asked to attend the annual chiefs conference June 15-20 in Biloxi.

Merriweather said with the new administration coming in in July she wanted to wait.

Bowens said the training is mandatory for police chiefs. No motion was made on his request.

Gipson asked for an executive session to discuss litigation in the police department.

Detective Bobo and attorney Francis Springer were invited into executive session to discuss litigation. No motion was announced after exiting executive session.

Gipson called for a motion to close the meeting.

At that juncture, assistant police chief Falando Marion walked up to the board and verbally resigned.