City leaders, by a split vote, have approved an offer for property needed to build an access road for a local factory.
Gov. Haley Barbour, as reported June 22, informed the Webster County Board of Supervisors last month that the Mississippi Development Authority had approved its application for a Rural Impact Fund grant on behalf of the city of Eupora.
The $88,450 grant will be used to fund construction of a controlled-access road between Highway 182 and the parking lot behind the city-owned Hawkeye Glove Manufacturing building. The county has also applied for a $77,200 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for this purpose.
In April, city aldermen had authorized board attorney Hugh Gibson, Mayor Tommy Lott and Ward 3 Alderman Ricky Newton to offer up to $15,000 in writing to JaCo Foods to buy the old Sonic Drive-In property in order to build the road at that site. The motion stipulated that the difference up to appraisal value was a donation to the city, with a response expected within a week.
The three officials were then authorized to pursue other land available through consultation with Calvert-Spradling Engineers to proceed with the project and to accept the grants if offered.
At the regular monthly meeting of the Eupora Board of Aldermen on July 6, Lott informed the board of the grant approval and indicated that negotiations with JaCo for the old Sonic property had been unsuccessful. Also, Flowers said ample space was available for a road on Jane Love's nearby property.
Ward 2 Alderman Dan Burchfield then made a motion that, pending the final engineering report, the city offer to purchase Love's property at the asking price of $13,000. Newton seconded the motion, which was approved by a 3-2 vote. Burchfield, Newton and Henry Flowers (Ward 4), voted aye, while Alderman at-large Jack Haney and Robert Calvin Mays of Ward 1 voted nay.
Following the vote, attorney Gibson agreed to write a letter to Hawkeye Glove officials asking that the company either purchase the land and turn it over to the city or donate money to the city toward its purchase.
Street Repaving
Also last week, the board authorized Calvert-Spradling Engineers to make a final application for a loan-grant combination (65/35 percent) from USDA Rural Development for repaving of additional city streets.
Such funds were awarded the city under the previous administration to repave some streets and Burchfield, who made the motion, said the city needs about $150,000-$175,000 more to finish paving all needed streets.
The package would also include $60,000 to go toward lighting along Highway 9 at the Highway 82 bypass, he said. That money could then be used to match a grant that the Board of Supervisors has applied for on behalf of the city for lighting the intersection.
Burchfield asked that the board consider a 2-mill increase in the next budget, which he said should generate enough money to pay for the projected loan.
Policies Tabled
Haney distributed copies of a proposed comprehensive drug testing policy, which includes a motor vehicle policy. Fellow board members commended him for his research but tabled the matter until Aug. 7 to give them time for review.
Also taken under advisement were policies drafted by Gibson concerning use of cellular phones while on duty/at work, and copy and information requests.
Other Business
Lott informed the board that the city had been awarded a $19,500 Homeland Security grant for a portable generator to furnish power to City Hall, and the police and fire stations.
Aldermen voted to accept the grant and advertise for bids, which will be opened Aug. 7. The system, when installed, is to operate automatically when power is lost and shut down automatically when power is restored.
During department head reports, Park and Recreation Director Collin Ray said the Gary Park project closed June 30 as scheduled. An inspection is set for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Also, Street Department Director Charles Ray issued a reminder that any limbs placed at curbside for collection should be no more than 4 feet long. Otherwise, he said, Golden Triangle Waste Management will not pick them up.
Upon a motion made by Burchfield and seconded by Flowers, the board voted to donate $250 to the Eupora 12-Year-Old Baseball All-Stars for the express purpose of advertising the city. The team, which won the Dizzy Dean district tournament and was state runnerup, will play in the Dizzy Dean World Series in Moody, Ala., beginning Saturday. Newton is the team's head coach.
Aldermen also authorized participation in the Prairie Opportunity Work Program. The program will provide an employee to work at least six weeks for city (street and park departments) at no cost to the city, which can request that the worker's employment be extended after the initial period.
The board voted to delete a 2003 Crown Victoria from inventory by releasing it to the insurance company and pursue a USDA Rural Development grant for a new vehicle. The police patrol car was declared a total loss after an officer struck the rear of an unoccupied car parked in a street at night on June 13.
Action following an executive session that aldermen entered into for personnel matters is scheduled for publication next week in the Progress-Times. The board recessed until 1 p.m. Wednesday for a budget work session.
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