Gautier City Council approves consent agenda including vehicle lease, Shepherd State Park closeout

Gautier City Council on March 11 approved its consent agenda, accepting routine minutes and claims and authorizing a series of contracts and closeout actions, including a lease‑purchase agreement for a 2025 Ford Explorer interceptor and final pay application closeout for the Shepherd State Park RV expansion project.

The measures were taken in one motion after members voted to pull two items for brief questions. Councilman College moved to approve the consent docket; Councilman Alvin seconded, and the motion carried. Among the items approved were: minutes from the recessed council meeting of Feb. 18, 2024; an amendment to a Hancock Bank contract to update safe‑deposit signatures; a waiver of a $200 pavilion rental fee for a Juneteenth celebration organized by a community engagement group at George Martin City Park; approval of change order No. 2 and final closeout paperwork for the Shepherd State Park RV expansion project; renewal of business service with Sparklight for the Shepherd State Park attendant building; and a resolution expressing the council’s support for “Senate Bill 26 77 (Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act),” listed on the consent agenda as item 9.

Council members asked brief procedural questions about two pulled items before returning them to the consent calendar. On the lease‑purchase for a police vehicle, Councilman Jackson asked why the city was leasing instead of buying outright; staff responded that quarterly reimbursements and fleet usage patterns made a lease‑purchase the selected approach. Council members then approved the lease‑purchase agreement for the 2025 Ford Explorer interceptor; the motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman College.

Also on the consent agenda, staff presented change order summaries and final pay documentation for Shepherd State Park’s RV expansion. The council voted to accept the final closeout documents and authorize the final payment application, concluding that project’s contract items listed on the agenda.

Several consent items were approved without further discussion. The council moved on to the study agenda after voting.

Votes at a glance - Approval of docket of claims: motion by Councilman College, second by Councilman Alban; outcome: approved. - Consent agenda (minutes, Hancock Bank amendment, rental fee waiver, Shepherd State Park closeout, Sparklight renewal, resolution supporting Senate Bill 26 77): motion by Councilman College, second by Councilman Alvin; outcome: approved. - Lease‑purchase agreement with Cadence Bank for a 2025 Ford Explorer interceptor: motion by Councilman Jackson, second by Councilman College; outcome: approved. - Authorization to advertise for bids (Belt Building canopy demolition): motion by Councilman Anderson, second by Councilman Alban; outcome: approved.

Ending The council recessed at the end of the meeting and scheduled a continuation for Friday, March 14, at 4:15 p.m.