During Tuesday’s Brookhaven Board of Aldermen meeting, local rental property owner Gail Onesi called upon the board for help enforcing state statutes concerning animal cruelty. Onesi said she came across at least one severe case of animal hoarding that would most definitely fall under state felony statutes which city attorney Joe Fernald said the city adopted.

Onesi said she followed up on a tenant who had around 10 dogs that they could not afford to feed. After those dogs were removed, Onesi went back to ensure the tenant had no dogs in the house and was moving out per her request, when she found a second set of around 10 dogs the tenant was, again, starving to death. She said during this removal process, someone from the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League, the city’s two animal control officers and two police officers were present, yet no tickets were written.

Police Chief Bobby Bell said that after an animal control officer or police officer responds to a case such as this, they speak with the person and if the issue is not resolved, the animals are seized on the second visit. Onesi said her concern is that there are not repercussions that deter these offenders from simply getting animals over and over again.

It was the opinion of several members of the board as well as Fernald that the best action to take in this case would be to sign an affidavit and take it through the judicial system. The board shared in her concern, and Mayor Joe Cox said there should be some investigating into this issue.

The board also approved a motion posed by Alderman Ward 4 Shirley Estes to order 10 additional trash cans to be placed by current recycling bins, pending the budget allows.

In other business, the board of aldermen:

– Received the March 2015 Privilege License Report showing revenue of $3,956.65. Received the March 2015 Revenue and expenditure report submitted by the clerk. They also receive the March 2015 Municipal Court Report showing revenue of $65,953.12 ($30,258.36 goes to State).

– Approved beer permit for El Dorado Real Mexican Grill to sell beer for consumption.

– Re-appointed DeeDee Wallace Henning for another five-year term to Brookhaven Park Commission beginning July 1.

– Approved to advertise for the sale of surplus property of the city of Brookhaven Solid Waste Department.

– Approved for Dwayne Brumfield to attend Vehicle Extrication Class levels I and II at the State Fire Academy in Pearl, Mississippi from May 4 to 7. Cost of the class is $400 with the city paying registration and expenses.

– Approved for Nic Gamble, Eric Smith and Dwayne Brumfield to attend Rope Rescue II class at the State Fire Academy in Pearl from May 18 to 21. Cost of the class is $68 each, with the city paying registration and expenses.

– Considered a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute those documents and agreements required in connection with the application for the Drinking Water System Improvements Revolving Loan Fund Program through the Local Governments and Rural Water System Improvements Board and naming the mayor as the authorized representative for the city of Brookhaven.

– Considered a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute those documents and agreements required in connection with the application for funding through the Water Pollution Controll Revolving Loan Fund.

– Approved to advertise the Section 3 notice for the CDBG project as required by the grant.

– Approved the lower quote of Paul Jackson and Sons, Inc. for the acoustic panels for the FEMA building in the amount of $22,000. The other quote was from Shivers Construction in the amount of $24,500 and revise budget by $6,500.

– Approved the lower quote of F. L. Crane and Sons, Inc. for the acoustic spray for the FEMA building in the amount of $34,350. The other quote was from NDI Construction, Inc. in the amount of $38,185.

– Approved the Bond Resolution authorizing and directing the issuance of $2.5 M combined Water and Sewer System Revenue Bonds, series 2015.

– Approve the hire of Rufus Byrd and Mike Loving in the Cemetery Department and Melissa Ritchey.

– Accepted retirement of Bill Beeson from the Fire Department as of April 15, with 33 years of service.

– Approved the following promotions in the Fire Department effective May 1: Buddy Thibodeaux from captain to shift captain; Aaron Welch from lieutenant to captain; Dennis Barrett from firefighter to lieutenant.

– Approved the following promotions in the Police Department effective May 1: Michael Harvey from master sergeant to lieutenant; Louis Calcote from master sergeant to lieutenant; Marzell Brooks from master sergeant to lieutenant; David Johnson from lieutenant to captain; Mahundis Brice from patrolman to corporal; Joshua Nations, Paul Rejon and Jonathan Buie have completed the Police Academy and have six months of experience.

The board went in to executive session for contract negotiations.