BSL Council Update - February 16, 2021

Councilman at Large Gary Knoblock reports on the honoring of two long-time Bay St. Louis employees, Main Street repairs, new vehicles for the city and more.  Congrats to retirees Patricia Time and Clementine Sheppard! 

Shoofly file photo of the Old Bay St. Louis City Hall, pre-Zeta damage.

The BSL City Council met on Tuesday, February 16 -  as scheduled despite the cold weather we have been experiencing. 
 
First on the agenda were the reading of two Proclamations honoring the retirement of two long-time city employees.

Patricia Tice held the honor of being the longest serving city employee. Ms. Tice worked for the City for 41 years and served in the Finance, Payroll and Utilities Departments. There is no doubt that this is a well-earned retirement. Thank you Ms. Patricia Tice for the years of dedicated service. 

It is also with great honor to announce Ms. Clementine Sheppard's retirement after 24 years of dedicated service to the City of Bay St. Louis. Ms. Sheppard worked in the Police, and Court Departments. Thank you Ms. Clementine Sheppard for the many years of dedicated service to the City.

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Mayor's Report

• Ms. Janet Freeman was nominated to serve on the Bay Waveland Housing Authority Board. Council voted 7-0 to approve the nomination. Welcome Ms. Freeman on your appointment!

• City Engineer James Chiniche was awarded the Sunset Drive to Dunbar avenue gravity sewer line replacement project. This is a long-awaited sewer upgrade/repair. Council approved motion 7-0.

• The Mayor presented a bid to remove several large trees that were blown over in the Cedar Rest Cemetery. There were several points in the contract that needed clarification, so we recessed this meeting and will reconvene on Monday night (Feb. 22) at 5pm to review the final bid.  The city received two bids one from Mapco services for $17,375.00 and Ashbritt Environmental for $ 23,040.00.  Again, we will meet on Monday for final determination and bid award.

• Council approved and authorized the Mayor to execute an equipment lease purchase agreement with The Peoples Bank for two 2021 Dodge Durango's for the Police Department. Motion passed 7-0. Note we approved the purchase of the vehicles a few meetings prior.

• Council authorized a lease purchase contract with the Peoples Bank to finance a 2021 Kenworth Dump Truck for 60 months at 1.92% interest. Motion passed 7-0
• Motion to designate Dana Feuerstein as our applicant agent for public assistance for Hurricane Zeta ref Federal Disaster # FEMA-4576-DR-MS. Motion passed 7-0.

• A related motion was made to enter into State-Local disaster agreement between the State of Mississippi, MEMA, and the City of BSL for Hurricane Zeta- # FEMA-4576-DR-MS. Motion passed 7-0

• The council voted 7-0 to purchase a second Dump truck from Truckworx in the amount of $88,900.00. This truck is for use in the Utility Department. The Council approved to pay cash from the Utility Capitol Maintenance fund to avoid finance charges.

Council Business

There was not much discussion with the council this meeting. No citizens signed up for public forum.

Engineers Report

• First, approximately 300' of roadway on Main Street will be replaced and repaired starting on Monday, Feb. 22nd. The section of road will be in front of the BSL Fire Department. A second section of road will be repaired and replaced with concrete at the end of Spanish Acres Blvd.

• Main street will be completely blocked for about a week until the concrete can cure. 

• Also, Phase Two is ready to be awarded and Mr. Chiniche presented a spread sheet to award the contract. The lowest bidder does not have all the proper certifications needed to do the work. This motion was placed on the recessed agenda for Monday, February 22nd for a final discussion and vote.

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• I inquired when the Easterbrook/St. John Drainage project will start. Mr. Chiniche stated that he is waiting for an environmental study which should be ready within the next four weeks. Hopefully, work can commence shortly thereafter.

Consent Agenda

• Council approved an amended Emergency Sick Leave police which was spread on the minutes.

• Michael Reeves, Architect's contract was spread on the minutes for the Depot Grounds renovation, Bay St. Louis payroll in the amount of $163,332.51.

• Comptrollers Cash Certification letter dated Feb, 16, 2021, Cash balances report dated February 12, 2021, amount $8,880,412.18.

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• Approved the Revenue and Expense report, and the BSL grants, rebates, and Donation Revenue detail GL year to date report. Motion passed 7-0.

Comptrollers Report

Three items were voted on:
 

• Payroll for an individual in amount of $1,488.00. Motion passed 6-0, Councilman Zimmerman recused himself.

• The BSL Docket of Claims #21-005 Dated February 16, 2021 in the amount of $322,659.65. Motion passed 7-0.

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• Motion to accept and authorize Mayor to execute election support contract from Election Systems & Software in the amount of $6,297.00 per each election date for 2021 City elections plus.34 cents for each printed ballot. Council passed motion 7-0.

I recessed the meeting until this coming Monday at 5pm.
 
Remember the City Municipal Primary election is April 6th.
 
Thank you.  I will update on the results of Monday’s meeting.
 
As always, Your Councilman At Large,
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Gary Knoblock