Thursday’s Interview with State Representative Toby Barker addressing Redistricting, Animal Cruelty and Texting and Driving.
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Tentative Agenda for Lamar County Board of Supervisors Meeting for Thursday Feb 17
Board of Supervisors
Of
Lamar County, Mississippi
Board Meeting
Date: February 17, 2011 Time: 9:00 A.M.
Bid Opening:
- Annual, legal and depository bids. Receive and enter Proof of Publication. (10:00 am).
Subject Matter:
- Reading of Minutes for Correction and Approval
- Approval of the February 7, 2011 board minutes.
- Personnel Matters
- Approval to transfer 10 hours of vacation time from Jimmy Breazeale to Stephen Pierce.
- Approval to transfer 10 hours of vacation time from Gary Holston to Stephen Pierce.
- Approval to transfer 20 hours of sick time from Joey Walker to Stephen Pierce.
- New Hire: Trey Wood, tax office at $18.50 per hour as of February 14, 2011.
- Terminated: Joshua Delancey, multipurpose center as of February 14, 2011.
- Approval of the following county personnel handbook revision: In the event of a dismissal or delay of the work day, all employees that report to work will be compensated for the entire day, not to exceed each employee normal current daily work schedule of hours.
- Road Department Matters
- Approval of the request from the City of Purvis to remove seven big trees located off Highway 589.
- Bids and Claims
- Approval to award the bid of 35 replacement doors to 10 fire stations to Overhead Door of Hattiesburg in the amount of $61,181. The cost breakdown: $50,681 for doors, $7,000 for labor and $3,500 removal fee. (The board finds the bid of Underwood Sales failed to meet bid specifications).
- Approval of a check in the amount of $12,442.30 made payable to MDA for payment of a fire truck. (Payment is due March 1, 2011).
- Approval of a $2,500 disbursement to the City of Purvis to assist with recreation needs. (To be paid from Fund 012 District 2 Parks and Recreation).
- School Board Matters
- Sheriff Department Matters
- Approval to retire K9 dog Mikey from active duty and allow him to remain with Lt. Brad Weathers for the remainder of his retirement.
- Approval to pay the lawful expenses of Matt Henderson and Christopher Regan to attend North American Sniper Competition, March 20-25, 2011 in Southaven, Mississippi.
- Planning Matters
- Approval to pay the lawful expenses of Tara Coggins to attend the 2011 Association of Floodplain Managers Conference, April 26-29, 2011 in Natchez, Mississippi.
- Approval of a lot line change for Lot J-6 of Bellegrass, Neighborhood J. (The driveway was partially built on the adjacent property; therefore, they have to move the lot line 500 feet).
- Discuss changes in the Site Plan Ordinance.
- Fairground Matters
- Fire Coordination Matters
- Approval to pay the lawful expenses of George Stevens to attend Deerfield Wage & Hour Youth Employment Seminar (to assist with Jr. Volunteer Firefighters), March 8, 2011 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
- Approval to pay the lawful expenses of George Stevens to attend the Mississippi Association of Public Fire Safety Educators Conference, April 27-30, 2011 in Jackson, Mississippi.
- Approval to pay the lawful expenses of George Stevens to attend the National Volunteer Fire Council Conference, April 3-6, 2011 in Alexandria, Virginia.
- Approval to pay the lawful expenses of George Stevens to attend the National Fire and Emergency Services Seminar, April 6-7, 2011 in Washington, DC.
- Emergency Management Matters
- Approval to transfer a 2005 Ford Truck from Hinds County to our inventory. The vehicle to be used by the local Homeland Security personnel.
- Economic Development Matters
- Report from the Area Development Partnership/Lamar County Economic Development District.
- Additional Matters
- Approval of changes in Assessments per attached as submitted by the Tax Collector/Assessor.
- Approval of changes in Homestead per attached as submitted by the Tax Collector/Assessor.
- Approval of Tax Sale Cancellations per attached as submitted by the Tax Collector/Assessor.
- Approval to surrender old vehicle tags per attached as submitted by the Tax Collector/Assessor.
- Approval of the attached asset deletion list and sell as surplus at auction.
- Approval of the attached asset transfer list.
- Approval to pay the legal expenses of Frankie Glennis, Molly Goff, Marvin Pittman, Chance Curry, Tangi Carter, Prentiss Harrell and Matthew O’Quain to attend the Mississippi Association of Drug Court Professionals annual training conference, May 4-6, 2011 in Biloxi, Mississippi.
- Approval to pay the lawful expenses of Michelle Martin to attend HR Training (certification credit), March 29-30, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Approval to pay the annual dues of $50 to the Mississippi Recycling Coalition.
- Update: The County received a $23,544 grant from InterAct Funds. (Helps pay a small portion of the dispatch upgrades).
-
Under Advisement
- Approval to accept the roads for maintenance in Dandridge Subdivision, Phase 4. (May 3, 2010).
- The purchase of 35 replacement fire department doors. (January 20, 2011).
- The recommendation of the Planning Commission to fine owners of a mobile home located on Cole Road. (February 7, 2011).
Next Board Meeting: Monday, March 7, 2011
Future Board Meetings:
Thursday, March 24, 2011 (4th Thursday)
Monday, April 4, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Dupree Appointed to National League of Cities Committee
Washington, DC – National League of Cities President James Mitchell, Jr., has announced the appointment of Mayor Johnny L. DuPree to the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2011 Community and Economic Development Policy and Advocacy Steering Committee.
This Committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC federal policy positions in the areas of community and economic development, financial institutions, international trade, housing, land use, and recreation. Mayor DuPree was also reappointed to the NLC’s Council on Youth, Education, and Families (YEF) for a second year.
“I have been an active part of NLC for several years, and it is an honor to be selected to serve on both of these committees. NLC
has provided a number of development opportunities for the City of Hattiesburg. It has facilitated interactions with other cities and mayors from around the country, focusing on best practices that we can bring back to better our community,” commented Mayor Johnny L. DuPree.
has provided a number of development opportunities for the City of Hattiesburg. It has facilitated interactions with other cities and mayors from around the country, focusing on best practices that we can bring back to better our community,” commented Mayor Johnny L. DuPree.As a member of the Community and Economic Development Policy and Advocacy Steering committee, Mayor DuPree will play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions, while advocating on behalf of America’s cities and towns on Capitol Hill, with the Administration, and at home. The Youth, Education, and Families Council remains unique among NLC standing committees.
In addition to local elected officials, national policy experts and youth leaders also serve as full and active members of the Council, where they oversee and support the work of the NLC’s YEF Institute.
The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.
Southern Miss Student Government President Picked for Russian Visit
Student Government Association (SGA) President Kasey Mitchell will soon be able to add the title “world traveler” to her list of
accomplishments during her tenure at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Mitchell, a senior from Picayune, Miss., is one of only 45 SGA presidents from across the United States selected to travel to Russia in March as part of the Open World Leadership Center’s Kremlin Fellows program. Mitchell, the only Mississippian selected, was nominated by U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss. Wicker is one of the so-called founding fathers of Open World Leadership. The organization is a federal agency within the Library of Congress. It was begun as a means for Russian leaders to witness first-hand the workings of the American government, and is now a reciprocal program with student leaders making the trek to foreign soil.
“I am so excited, I can’t believe this,” exclaimed Mitchell. “It’s a great opportunity to represent this university and the state of Mississippi.”
“Kasey has demonstrated qualities that are essential to leadership, and she will represent Mississippi well,” said Wicker. “This is an important opportunity for Kasey and students from around the country to learn more about the complex relationship between the United States and Russia. Developing an understanding of our increasing global interconnectedness is critical for our future leaders.”
The Russians government looks to build an open dialogue with future American leaders, explained Chang Suh who is the senior advisor at the Open World Leadership Center. He explained his Russian counterparts are aware that former presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Regan and Bill Clinton were all campus leaders during their college careers. For that reason they requested students visit their country to build an understanding of their government’s inner workings.
“This is the second year in which American students will travel to Russia, while Russian leaders have been coming to the United States for the past 11 years,” said Suh. “We have an alumni association of 17,000 Russians who have come to America. Kasey Mitchell is one of only 60 Americans in two years who have the opportunity to meet Russian government leaders, civil rights leaders, civic leaders and student leaders.”
Mitchell’s new adventure began with a trip to Washington, D.C., where she met the other student leaders in her Fellows class. She explains the Washington trip was just as important to her as the Russian trip because she was able to network with her contemporaries from across the country. She believes it is all a part of the “big picture” of her life.
“Being able to experience Russia, to meet with government officials and student leaders, to network and realize we are not all in individual bubbles, that’s important,” she declared. “When you have a goal and an opportunity to meet that goal you just jump in, and I’m jumping in,” she said with a smile.
While excited about the trip and the opportunities ahead, Mitchell said it’s important to be humble, to remember where she came from and where she wants to be. After her expected May graduation from Southern Miss, she is looking to enter the Mississippi College School of Law.
Hattiesburg City Council Agenda for Tuesday February 8th Meeting
PROPOSED AGENDA
HATTIESBURG CITY COUNCIL
4:00 P.M. FEBRUARY 7, 2011
I. Call to Order
- Call to Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
- Agenda Order
- Approval of Minutes of January 4, 7, and 18, 2011
V. PRESENTATION AGENDA
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- POLICY AGENDA
1. APPROVE or DENY the petition filed by Cellular South Real Estate, Inc., on behalf of Martin W. Garrick Trust, owner, represented by Joe Gordy, to allow a Use Permit Upon Review for a Telecommunication Tower, Article 4, Section 62.03 (6) in a B-5 (Regional Business) District, for certain property located at 116 W. Park Drive (parcel #51P-11-027.001, PPIN 31886, Ward 3); Hattiesburg Planning Commission recommended to DENY on December 1, 2010.
2. APPROVE or DENY the petition filed by Cellular South Real Estate, Inc., on behalf of Martin W. Garrick Trust, owner, represented by Joe Gordy,
- To vary from Article 5, Section 98.06 (3A) which states that the tower shall be set back the height of the tower on all sides from the tower site’s property lines and from any public right-of-ways, and instead allow setback of twenty-five (25) feet on the north for a variance of seventy-five (75) feet,
b. A setback of thirty-one feet eight inches (31’8”) on the south, for a variance of sixty-
eight feet four inches (68’4”), and
c. A setback of twenty-three feet seven inches (23’7”) on the east, for a variance of seventy-six feet five inches (76’5”), and
- A setback of fifty-three feet four inches (53’4”) on the west, for a variance of forty-six feet eight inches (46’8”), and
- A setback nineteen feet (19’) on the Eastern Right-of Way of W. Park Drive, for a variance of eighty-one feet (81’),
for certain property located at 116 W. Park Drive (parcel #51P-11-027.001, PPIN 31886, Ward 3); Hattiesburg Planning Commission recommended to DENY on December 1, 2010.
3. Adopt Resolutions determining the following properties are in such a state of uncleanliness so as to be a menace to the health and safety of the community and providing a specified period of time as recorded on the Resolutions to remove violations per the recommendations of the Code Enforcement Manager. (See attached list.)
4. Adopt Resolutions adjudicating and directing the placement of cleanup costs as an assessment against the following properties, in accordance with state law. (See Attached List)
5. Adopt a Resolution approving the request for a tax exemption filed by HTR Development for ad valorem tax exemption, except school district ad valorem taxes, for property located in the downtown central business district at 127 Buschman Street, in the amount of $203,060, for a period of seven (7) years, beginning January 1, 2010 and ending December 31, 2016.
6. Authorize execution of the HUD Form 1044 “Cooperative Agreement” for the HUD/DOT TIGER II Planning Grant “Mid-Town Master Plan for Mixed-Used District.”
7. Authorize Mayor to execute duplicate original contract between the City of Hattiesburg Parks and Recreation Department and the Noon Day Optimist Club, to develop and promote Dixie Boys Baseball for Hattiesburg Residents from October 1, 2010 through September 20, 2011. (Nunc Pro Tunc)
8. Authorize Mayor to execute duplicate original contract between the City of Hattiesburg Parks and Recreation Department and the Hattiesburg Youth Soccer Association to develop and promote soccer programs for Hattiesburg residents from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. (Nunc Pro Tunc)
9. Approve and authorize the execution of a Subrecipient Agreement with Hattiesburg Area Habitat for Humanity to provide Basic Rehabilitation in connection with the City’s CDBG/HOME Housing Rehabilitation/Reconstruction and Repair Grant Program. {Entitlement}
10. Approve and authorize the execution of a Subrecipient Agreement with the Hattiesburg Housing Consortium, a partnership between Hattiesburg Area Habitat for Humanity, Community Connections, Housing Alternatives in Hattiesburg, and R3SM (Recover, Rebuild, Restore Southeast Mississippi) as lead agency, to provide Basic Rehabilitation in connection with the City’s CDBG/HOME Housing Rehabilitation/Reconstruction and Repair Grant Program. {Entitlement}
11. Approve Public Service Grant Award to AIDS Services Coalition in an amount not to exceed $13,208 and authorize the Mayor to execute triplicate original Subrecipient Grant Agreements in connection with the same. {Entitlements}
12. Approve Public Service Grant Award to The First Tee of the Pinebelt in an amount not to exceed $15,000 and authorize the Mayor to execute triplicate original Subrecipient Grant Agreements in connection with the same. {Entitlements}
13. Approve Public Service Grant Award to Pinebelt Community Services in an amount not to exceed $12,000 and authorize the Mayor to execute triplicate original Subrecipient Grant Agreements in connection with the same. {Entitlements}
14. Approve Public Service Grant Award to Forrest General Hospital’s Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services in an amount not to exceed $15,000 and authorize the Mayor to execute triplicate original Subrecipient Grant Agreements in connection with the same. {Entitlements}
15. Approve Public Service Grant Award to United Way of Southeast Mississippi in an amount not to exceed $10,000 and authorize the Mayor to execute triplicate original Subrecipient Grant Agreements in connection with the same. {Entitlements}
VII. ROUTINE AGENDA
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-
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- Acknowledge receipt of the monthly budget report for the month ending January 31, 2010, on permanent file in the City Clerk’s Office.
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2. Acknowledge receipt of two-bid purchase docket report for period of December 23, 2010, through January 31, 2011, as provided for in Section 31-7-13 (B) of the Mississippi Code of 1972.
3. Acknowledge receipt of letter from the Mississippi State Tax Commission granting the requested ad valorem tax exemption to Rexam Closure Systems, Inc. for a period not to exceed ten (10) years, commencing on December 31, 2009 and ending on December 31, 2019, with a total true value of $17,707,188.00; and adopt a final order granting and allowing same.
4. Acknowledge receipt of the 2010 Hattiesburg Dixie Boys Baseball financial report from the Noon Day Optimist Club.
5. Acknowledge receipt of the 2010 Hattiesburg Youth Soccer Association financial report from the Hattiesburg Youth Soccer Association, Inc.
6. Acknowledge receipt of a check totaling $493.00 from the State of Mississippi to the Hattiesburg Police Department, and authorize monies to be placed in the Hattiesburg Police Department’s Forfeiture Fund.
7. Acknowledge designation of Justin Heskew, Historic Preservation Planner, as Certified Local Government (CLG) Coordinator and submittal of a Certified Local Government Coordinator Agreement to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
8. Authorize Mayor to execute renewal of annual maintenance agreement with ITC Deltacom for telephone system equipment at the Police and Fire Training Academy in the amount of $450.00.
9. Authorize Mayor to execute renewal of annual maintenance agreement with ITC Deltacom for telephone system equipment at City Hall in the amount of $2,264.00.
10. Authorize Mayor to Enter Into Agreement between the City of Hattiesburg and MBI for annual monitoring of alarm system located in the Hub City Transit Department in the amount not to exceed $300.00, beginning November 1, 2010.
11. Acknowledge receipt of bids received on January 20, 2011 for demolition services and accept a bid of J & J Construction at a total cost of $27,000.00, as the lowest and best bid received that meets the city’s advertised specifications. {Entitlements}
12. Acknowledge receipt of the bids received on January 20, 2011for Saferooms, Project No. 1235-045 and accept the bid from Nobles Contracting, LLC of Hattiesburg in the amount of $172,000.00 as the best and lowest bid.
13. Authorize publication of the “Request for Proposals” for the HUD/DOT TIGER II Planning Grant “Mid-Town Mixed-Used District Master Plan.”
14. Approve Specifications and Authorize Publication of Advertisement for Term Bid Items #13 and #14 for the Hattiesburg Water Department for the period beginning April 1, 2011, and ending September 30, 2011.
15. Approve Specifications and Authorize Publication of Advertisement for Term Bid Item #29-Rehabilitation of Manhole Interior Surfacing Systems for the Public Services Department for the period beginning April 1, 2011, and ending March 31, 2013.
16. Approve Specifications and Authorize Publication of Advertisement for Term Bid Item Numbers 36 and 37 for the Public Services Department for the period beginning April 1, 2011, and ending September 30, 2011.
17. Approve the City’s purchase of one (1) grave space located in the North Half (N1/2) of Lot 4, Section 25, Highland Cemetery, recorded at MB 1982-2/200 in the amount of $175.00 from Jerry and Jobie Ainsworth, and authorize a manual check for the same.
18. Approve the City’s purchase of one (1) grave space located in the North Half (N1/2) of Northeast Quarter (NE1/4), Lot 53, Section 26, Highland Cemetery, recorded at MB 1994-3/410-411 in the amount of $175.00 from Sherry McKenzie Andrews, and authorize a manual check for the same.
19. Approve the City’s purchase of one (1) grave space located in the South Half (S1/2) of Southeast Quarter (SE1/4), Lot 39, Section 26, Highland Cemetery, recorded at MB 1994-3/409-410 in the amount of $175.00 from Jenice McKenzie McBeth, and authorize a manual check for the same.
20. Approve and authorize issuance of manual checks for HOME Program claims per attached memorandum. {Entitlement}
21. Approve and authorize issuance of manual checks for HOME Program claims per attached memorandum. {Entitlement}
22. Approve and authorize issuance of manual checks for CDBG Program claims per attached memorandum. {Entitlement}
23. Approve Claims Docket for the period ending January 31, 2011.
Hattiesburg City Council Work Session Agenda for Feb 7th
WORK SESSION AGENDA
HATTIESBURG CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 7, 2011
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
A-1 Garbage Trucks – Delgado
A-2 Cottage Overlay District — Mayor
UPDATE AS NEEDED TO KEEP COUNCIL INFORMED:
B-1 Electronic Technology-Assessment
B-2 Recycle Program-Status Update
B-3 CHDO Report
B-4 Mississippi Development Bank
B-5 Report on conferences, seminars, etc.
DuPree urges PRCC students to extend bridges of past
HATTIESBURG – Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree today advised Pearl River Community College students to extend the bridges built by those who came before them.
DuPree was guest speaker for the Black History Month Observance at the PRCC Forrest County Center.
He cited Rosa Parks, Vernon Dahmer and his mother as bridge builders who helped make possible the educational and other opportunities today’s students enjoy.
“You should be bridge extenders,” DuPree said. “Don’t stop where they did. Make that bridge longer, put some more lanes on it.”
Parks’ refusal to give up her seat to a white person on a Montgomery, Ala., bus led to a boycott, the emergence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as president of the Montgomery Improvement Association and a U.S. Supreme Court making segregated facilities unconstitutional.
“To set the record straight, it wasn’t a bunch of colored people who decided to boycott,” DuPree said. “It was black people and white people who banded together.”
Dahmer, a Forrest County voters’ rights activist, died after his family’s home on Monroe Road was firebombed in 1965.
“All he ever wanted to do was be treated like a first-class citizen,” DuPree said. “He died to make life better for us.”
Pearl River Community College student Tiffany Jensen of Hattiesburg talks with Mayor Johnny DuPree Thursday after the Black History Month observance at the Forrest County Center.
DuPree said his mother, who didn’t finish high school and held down multiple jobs as a domestic to support three children, also was a bridge builder.
“My mama had expectations for us,” he said. “She would come home and say where is your homework. And we’d show it to her. We didn’t know my mama didn’t know anything about algebra or biology, but she made out like she did because she wanted better for us.”
DuPree spoke at the Forrest County Center’s fifth annual Black History Month observance.
“It gave me more knowledge about Rosa Parks,” said student Jessica Silas of Hattiesburg. “I didn’t know all of the story.”
The program also included a performance by The Voices jazz vocal ensemble. Students participating in the program were Geneva Leggett, invocation; Erin Green, Pledge of Allegiance; and Amber Baker, the national anthem.
Forrest County Candidates as of February 2
Here are the candidates running for office in Forrest County as of February 2, 2011.
The file is a PDF and can be accessed by clicking here 2011 fc candidate0127.
Legislators meet with PRCC students, faculty
Folks at Pearl River Community College heard a little good news Monday – they’ll probably get through the school year without losing any more funding.
Eighteen consecutive months of falling tax revenue meant most state agencies, including community college, were asked to cut their budgets more than once in fiscal 2010.
“The good news is five out of the last six months, we’ve met tax projections,” said Rep. Toby Barker, R-Hattiesburg. “I don’t think there will be mid-year budget cuts, but the growth is microscopic.”
Members of the Forrest County Center PRCC Faculty Association and students met with four area legislators, Sen. Tom King, R-Petal; Rep. Larry Byrd, R-Petal; Rep. Harvey Fillingane, R-Sumrall; and Barker.
“I enjoyed it,” said radiography student Logan Holden of Poplarville. “I thought it kind of gave us a bird’s eye view of the state and what’s going on.”
While the state’s economy grows at a snail’s pace, enrollment at the state’s 15 community colleges is booming, said PRCC President Dr. William Lewis.
Sen. Tom King, R_Petal, left, and Rep. Toby Barker, R_Hattiesburg, talk with Pearl River Community College radiology student Logan Holden of Poplarville Monday while Rep. Harvey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, greets another student during an open house at the Forrest County Center. PRCC Public Relations photo
Statewide, 88,000 students are enrolled in a community college this semester, 11,000 more than are attending a four-year institution, he said. Of the state’s freshmen, 70 percent are attending community college and 97 percent of community college students live in Mississippi, he said.
“We have a lot of needs,” Lewis said. “We continue to grow. We continue to need help. These are the folks we can count on.”
The economy downturn appears to have bottomed out but recovery won’t be quick, Fillingane said.
“As far as real solid growth goes, we’ll have to have new jobs,” he said.
King agreed recovery will be slow.
“They’re telling us 2014 or 2015 to get to where we were five years ago,” King said.
Byrd predicted South Mississippi will benefit from reapportionment this year as well as economic factors such as expansion of the Port of Gulfport and the opening of the Stion solar panel plant in Hattiesburg.
“Because of the shift in population, we’ll see more lobbying efforts for South Mississippi,” he said.
DuPree to speak at PRCC Black History program
Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree will be the keynote speaker for the Black History Month Observance at the Forrest County Center of Pearl River Community College.
The program will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, in the multi-purpose room in Building 5 on the Hattiesburg campus.
In addition to DuPree’s speech, the program will include a performance by The Voices, PRCC’s jazz vocal ensemble, and a presentation by the Forrest County Center History and Humanities Club.
The program is open to the public.