(Editor’s Note: The unanimous vote at the Nov. 1 meeting was 4 to 0. Alderman Jimma Smith was not present.)
Pontotoc Alderman’s meeting on Tuesday evening (1 Nov.) to consider the city’s new brush-pick-up ordinance that aldermen have indicated they intend to adopt at their November 15 meeting scheduled for 5:00 p.m. There were no comments from residents at the hearing.
Alderman and Commission Attorney Brad Cornelison discussed several aspects of the newly proposed Brush Ordinance.
For years, city officials have tried to stop homeowners who hire tree-cutters from piling up large amounts of branches, brush and debris on curbs, in the hope that the city will clean up the mess for free, with a new brush ordinance. have considered hiring.
“If a homeowner hires or contracts someone to cut down a tree, the new ordinance prohibits it from being piled up on the street,” Cornelison said. “If you leave it on the street, it will be a violation of the city’s cleaning ordinance and will be punished.”
Barry Crawford, head of the Pontotoc Street Division, said contractors could haul out limbs and debris and dump the shipment into the city’s landfill free of charge.
“If it’s cut within city limits, the limbs and debris can be dumped for free, but the contractor must call first and have city officials unlock the landfill gate,” it said. “People were bringing stuff in from outside the city and county, so we had to start locking it up,” Crawford said.
Cornelison said residents who want to remove trees or debris can call city hall and get an estimate for debris removal before the work is completed.
“The city charges $150 per load, but that estimate needs to be pre-approved before anything can be cut up and put on the street,” Cornelison stressed. “That way, if the contractor didn’t take the limb, the homeowner would know what the city would cost to remove the limb.”
“The main point of the proposed ordinance is that the homeowner is responsible for either paying a contractor to carry it or being pre-approved by the city to carry it for a $150 loading fee.” said Cornelison.
City officials said the city will continue to collect limbs and small piles of fallen branches left by homeowners on curbs.
In other new businesses, aldermen are accredited to seek a medical marijuana referendum to allow the sale, manufacture, processing, and distribution of medical marijuana within the city limits of Pontotoc. formally accepted the petition.
Pontotoc Mayor Bob Peoples said Pontotoc business owner Jason Jones submitted a petition of 812 signatures and the required 805 signatures were certified by the Pontotoc County Circuit Clerk.
The board has set the city’s marijuana election for December 15, 2022 at the Pontotoc Community House. Only residents living within the city limits of Pontotok can vote in the December 15 election.
Pontotoc County has set an election to determine medical marijuana issues in the county on December 13, 2022, but outside the city of Pontotoc’s incorporated area. Pontotoc residents can also vote on the county ballot on December 13th.
“Both elections are decided by a majority-plus-one margin,” said Mayor Peoples.
“But city and county residents need to understand that states have already legalized possession of medical marijuana in cities and counties. And if you haven’t chosen to opt out, it’s legal wherever you get it.These two elections will determine whether residents of cities and counties can sell, grow, process, or distribute medical marijuana. You just have to decide.”
Mayor Peoples said he hopes Pontotok residents will vote against the sale or cultivation of medical marijuana within the city limits.
“We believe that pot shops and marijuana growing facilities will change the city for the worse, halting or jeopardizing current growth,” Peoples said.
In other new ventures, the Mayor of Pontotoc unanimously approved an annual funding of $25,500.00 for the firefighters of the Pontotoc Volunteer Fire Department.
In another matter, aldermans approved $5,000 from tourism businesses to pay annual dues for the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance.
“We just completed our first year of membership, and the Historical Society was able to get a grant of about $30,000 to fund the restoration of a Coca-Cola mural, so it’s been a blast. This is the next mural to be painted at First Choice Gateway: an upgrade to the music and art section of the Town Square Museum,” said Mayor Peoples.
Among other projects, the board approved a $1,200 payment to NaviRetail, the city’s retail recruiter, for consulting services outlining motel data.
Mayor Peoples said, “We have a motel here that we’re seriously looking for. This is the data that this motel and other motels can use when looking at Pontotoc.” I can see.”
On another note, city council members voted three to one to approve a proposal from D&O Solutions to help with permit renewal testing and new employee training at the city’s sewage treatment plant for $70 an hour.
“D&O is a consulting firm run by former Sewer City employee Phil Lee, and its services will only be used as needed,” Peoples explained. “You won’t be charged unless you fix the problem.”
Alderman Jeff Stafford voted “no” on the motion.
On another issue, board members heard from West Reynolds Street resident Norma Holmes seeking help with a flooding problem at her home.
Holmes said that heavy rains flooded her property due to problems caused by a gas pipe that was laid on her property many years ago.
Mayor Peoples told Holmes that city officials would come to her house to see if the city was responsible for the flooding problem.
Other new business items approved are:
– Declare filing cabinet #02298 as surplus property.
– Approve Mitchell Sign Sales Regional Homes Sign Variance at 2753 Highway 15 north.
– Increased firefighter Ryan Lee’s salary to $15.52 as of October 24, 2022, as he completed his MS Fire Academy training.
-Use your city credit card to order a $73.81 shipping scale.
– Approved City Thanksgiving holidays November 24-25, 2022, Friday December 23, Monday December 26, and Christmas holidays January 2, 2023.
– Pay Gregory Heating and Air $80 from tourism to pay for community house repairs.
– Notice of termination of lease contract from Point Broadband;
– Increases fees for operations, maintenance and transportation services from $0.32 to $0.44 per MMBTU for Toyota at the end of the December contract, effective January 1, 2023. Renewed for another 15 years.
– Purchased an EZGO golf cart for use at Howard Stafford Park from KB’s Golf Cart Sales for $4,800.
– Pay for $433,560.88 Magnolia Way Natural Gas Expansion Payment #2 and construction engineering fees from ARPA and local funds.
-Payment #4 and technical fees for the ancillary sewerage project of $322,973.57, paid with local funds and CDBG funds.
Approved Consent Agenda Items:
– Effective November 1, 2022, the gas rate is $12.99 based on O&M $4.00 and PGA $8.99.
– Pay October salary totaling $524,182.80.
– Send Chief Randy Tutor and Deputy Chief Bob Poe to the MS Police Chiefs Association Winter Education Conference December 13-16, 2022 in Natchez, Mississippi with hotel and per diem allowance. Travel by city vehicle.
– Pay referee salaries for October totaling $2,907.00.
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