The Brookhaven Board of Aldermen extended its moratorium on new portable buildings, and approved a committee structure in its most recent regular meeting.

The temporary prohibition against erected new portable buildings within the city limits expired, City Inspector David Fearn said, so anyone who wanted one could apply for one in the Public Works office if the moratorium was not extended.

Fearn asked city attorney Bobby Moak how many times it could be extended. Moak said the law does not place a limit on how many times it may be extended, at 90 days each time. The board voted unanimously (6-0) to continue the “temporary” ban. Ward 2 Alderman Shannon Moore was not present. This was the fourth time the moratorium has been extended.

Alderman-at-Large Don Underwood proposed creating one or more committees of aldermen, to reduce the amount of time spent in bi-weekly meetings on certain in-depth issues.

“I think we need to operate on some kind of committee structure so we don’t spend hours and hours in here discussing things that could have been determined ahead of time,” Underwood said.

After a few minutes of discussion in which other board members said they liked how temporary committees had performed over the past year, Underwood made a motion to create three committees — Long Range Planning, Zoning, and Budget — each to be populated by three aldermen. Ward 1 Alderman James Magee Jr. seconded the motion, and the board voted 6-0 to approve.

“We will lay out the committee assignments,” Mayor Joe Cox said. “This can help expedite these board meetings.”

Engineer Ryan Holmes gave updates on two bridge projects. He said the Brignall Road bridge project is lagging because, “Well, it’s been a rainy month.” Work is continuing as much as possible. We’ve got to have good weather. For the North Jackson Street bridge project, Holmes said they hoped to be ready to advertise by the next board meeting.

“It seems to be getting a good bit of interest,” Lincoln County Emergency Management Director Chris Reid about applications coming in for new E-911 dispatchers. “We’re trying to start training in mid-March, and shooting for June to be in the building. We’re moving forward.”

Inspector Fearn gave updates on four local building or expansion projects. Tractor Supply was set to pour its foundation Thursday, then begin the erection of its steel structure, with a goal of being open by May, Fearn said.

Blue Sky on Brookway has its retail building just about ready to go, and is working on fuel tanks. On Hwy. 51 North, Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders has its framing up, but has been delayed by the weather, Fearn said.

AITX should be done with its expansion “in about a month or two,” he said. “There’s a lot going on out there.”

 

In other business

The board voted to opt in to Round 2 of the opioid lawsuits. The first round of suits was against “Big Pharma,” Moak said. City Clerk Samantha Melancon said the city received approximately $16,000 from that settlement. Round 2 will focus on smaller pharmacies, such as Walgreens, CVS and Walmart.

The off-road diesel bid was awarded to James Case Oil at $3.499 per gallon.

Approval was given to advertise for bids on a Solid Waste Debris truck.

The lower bid from Farmbelt Equipment was approved for the purchase of a Kubota skid steer at $60,494.50. The other quote was for $68,654.84 from Equipment Inc. Bobcat of Jackson.

The lower bid from Farmbelt Equipment was approved for the purchase of a Kubota excavator at $65,490.02. The other quote was for $66,135.76 from Equipment Inc. Bobcat of Jackson.

Code Enforcement Officer Justin Posey was approved to attend the MACE Educational Conference in Tupelo on Feb. 17. City will pay hotel and registration, and reimburse for meals and mileage, if applicable.

Travel reimbursement, mileage and per diem was approved for Seth Morris and Marlon Dixon who attended Engine Company Operations at the State Fire Academy in Pearl.

The board approved the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Mississippi Municipality and County Water Infrastructure Grant (ARPA funds) agreement.

The WGK Professional Services Agreement for Community Development Block Grant was approved.

The board accepted the resignation of Brookhaven Fire Department firefighter Darius Calvin, who moved, effective Feb. 7.