Holly Springs board notes
The meeting of the Holly Springs Board of Aldermen was conducted by Vice-Mayor Dexter Shipp, with the required three aldermen present to conduct business.
Mayor Charles Terry turned the reins over to Shipp as he was scheduled for hip replacement surgery in Tupelo the following day, April 22.
First business on the agenda was to hear a request from Engineer Larry Britt to fast-track a grant application to support cast-iron gas lines with polyvinyl chloride. The replacement is mandatory and the project has languished with lack of funding.
Holly Springs is one of a few municipalities in the state that has not competed replacing old cast-iron with PVC or steel.
The grant application is due May 22.
Britt said he would meet with the installer of the marquee at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Highway 7 North. The installer will be in town May 4. The purchase of the Marquee was made by the Holly Springs Board of Aldermen under the previous administration led by Mayor Sharon Gipson.
Originally, the board of aldermen intended the marquee to be installed at the entrance to the Multi-Purpose Center, but under Mayor Terry’s administration, the decision was made to install the marquee at one of the main entrances to the city.
Water/Wastewater Systems Operator Eddie Jefferson sat with Britt to discuss how a problem with a lift station on the north side of Holly Springs could be repaired.
Jefferson said a bypass pump is in need of repair at a lift station on Highway 7 North.
Britt said all the parts are on hand to make the lift station “as good as new.”
Three quotes were obtained to refurbish the lift station:
• Argo - $83,435
• Mid-South Plumbing - $98,786
• Fortis Construction - $42,350
Jefferson recommended the board approve the quote of Fortis at $42,350.
Britt reported on the status of repair of the West Street restoration project north of Cuman’s.
He said a main waterline located near the shoulder on the west side of the street will have to be addressed by the water department. He said the rails to be installed on the east side of the street have been acquired. An electric department truck will be required to put the posts in the ground where rails will be attached. Street Supervisor Anthony Jones will have to wait until a truck becomes available to install the posts, Britt said.
In other business, the Board of Aldermen:
• authorized payment of $29,291 to Debris Tech for monitoring debris removal from the winter storm.
• approved payment of $187,797 to Looks Great Services for removal of winter storm debris.
• accepted bid tabulations for debris removal and monitoring in the city.
• accepted bid tabulations for debris removal and monitoring for the Holly Springs Utility Department.
• authorized City Clerk Jerrica Jones and Accounting Manager Chawanna Harris to serve as applicant agents for Disaster 4899MS. Jones represents the city and Harris represents the HSUD.
• approved refund of $42.50 for a person who made an overpayment on a court fine.
• approved payment of $1,205 to Commerce Bank on a loan to tide the City over until 2025 ad valorem taxes came in.
• authorized a quote, not to exceed $5,000 for repair of a drain/ditch on Withers Avenue and West Street.
• approved purchase of baseball uniforms from Champion Promotions at $1,795. Parents registration fees will pay for the uniforms.
• approved a motion to approve 220 Athletes to showcase a camp for children in July. Registration for the camp is $50.
• authorized collaboration with Rust College to host a tennis camp in May. The camp will be conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the month of May.
• approved a motion to hire Mikiya Vaxter as part-time officer with the City of Holly Springs Police Department.
• approved purchase of 1,000 refurbished electric meters to replace meters with faded windows. Meters will cost $25 each and an additional $20 each to be installed.
• authorized Water, Gas, Sewer Superintendent Tracy Reynolds to attend MarieCo Training Product Days in Leeds, Ala.
• approved City Bills and Claims of $72,291.
• approved City Utility Bills and Claims of $5,540,925.
• went into executive session to discuss personnel issues.