Gautier proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month; council approves contract renewal and construction change orders

Gautier — At its April 1 meeting, the Gautier City Council read a proclamation designating April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and approved its docket of claims and a six-item consent agenda that included a contract renewal and multiple construction change orders.

Mayor Casey Vaughn read the proclamation on behalf of the city, noting pinwheels placed in front of City Hall to represent children in foster care. "Now, therefore, we, the mayor and the city council for the city of Gautier, Mississippi, do by virtue of authority vested in me, do hereby proclaim April 2025 as child abuse prevention and awareness month," Vaughn said. The mayor and presenters said the pinwheels were intended to raise awareness of children in foster care; the transcript alternately records the number as 106 and 206 in successive remarks.

The proclamation recognized Casa of Southeast Mississippi and the national Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) association for work on behalf of abused and neglected children. The mayor encouraged volunteering and directed residents to follow Casa on Facebook for information about volunteer opportunities.

On routine business, the council approved its docket of claims after a motion by Councilman College and a second by Councilman Jackson. Councilman College spoke when making the motion: "Make a motion we approve the data claims by that all entries there are true, correct, properly entered and not fraudulent." The motion carried.

The council then approved the consent agenda, items 1 through 6, in a single motion. The consent package, moved by Councilman College and seconded by Councilman Galat, included: receipt of the February 2025 privilege license report and the January 2025 finance reports (items 2 and 3); the annual renewal of the contract with Singing River Services for the Life Care Plus program (item 4); and approval of change order number 3 decreasing the contract amount for the Highway 90 sanitary sewer and water line — Singing River Mall property project (item 5) and a separate change order number 3 decreasing the contract amount for the sanitary sewer rehabilitation phase 2 projects on College Park, Galapville Road and in the Valleywood subdivision (item 6). The council voted "Aye" and the mayor announced the motions carried.

Citizens' comments included one signed speaker, Charles Moore; no substantive policy proposals were recorded during public comment. Council members offered brief remarks, including questions about temporary roadblocks in Hickory Hills that a council member said may be related to a drainage project. The council recessed to a meeting on April 15 at 11:30 a.m.

Votes at a glance

Agenda approval: Motion to approve agenda order and corrected minutes. Mover: Councilman Gillette. Second: Councilman Alvin. Outcome: approved (motion carried).

Docket of claims: Motion to approve docket of claims. Mover: Councilman College. Second: Councilman Jackson. Outcome: approved (motion carried).

Consent agenda (items 1–6): Motion to approve consent items including contract renewal with Singing River Services (Life Care Plus) and two change orders decreasing contract amounts for Highway 90 sewer/water work and sanitary sewer rehabilitation phase 2 (College Park, Galapville Road, Valleywood). Mover: Councilman College. Second: Councilman Galat. Outcome: approved (motion carried).

Recess: Motion to recess until April 15 at 11:30 a.m. Mover: Councilman Jackson. Second: Councilman Galat. Outcome: approved (motion carried).