Oak Grove alderwomen approve ordinances, contracts, appointments and spending; multiple votes unanimous

Oak Grove’s Board of Alderwomen on March 18 approved a package of ordinances, appointments, contracts and spending items — including two municipal-code updates, new vendor agreements for park credit-card processing, a revised pool fee schedule, and the purchase of an outdoor warning siren.

The board adopted two ordinances updating municipal-court language and operator-license charge codes, approved several mayoral appointments and board agreements, authorized a five-year credit-card processing contract for parks, approved a revised pool fee schedule for 2025, and approved a $42,659 purchase to replace an outdoor warning siren damaged on Southwest 30th Street. The board also approved a multi-jurisdictional hazard-mitigation plan and a nonbinding property-tax-rate resolution required by state law, and authorized staff to apply for federal community project funding for the White Road bridge replacement.

Why it matters: The ordinances bring city code into compliance with state court reporting requirements and with state charge codes used for enforcement and reporting. The contracts and fee changes affect how residents will pay for park and pool services, and the siren purchase restores an outdoor warning point in a portion of the city. Grant applications and the hazard mitigation plan preserve access to state and federal funds for infrastructure and mitigation projects.

Most important actions - Adopted ordinance (Bill No. 25-02) revising sections of Title 1, Chapter 130 concerning municipal court procedures following a state audit and the Office of State Courts Administrator recommendations. (Roll call recorded: Pam Pope, Tracy Newcomer, Sierra McMichael, Melissa Johnson, Kelly Neto, Rachel Kilmer — all “yes.”) - Adopted ordinance (Bill No. 25-03) adding and amending sections of Title 3, Chapter 390 to separate state charge codes for driver-license offenses. (Roll call recorded: Pam Pope, Tracy Newcomer, Sierra McMichael, Melissa Johnson, Kelly Neto, Rachel Kilmer — all “yes.”) - Approved appointment of Shane Stevens to the Jackson County Board of Equalization (motion passed by voice vote). - Approved appointment of Anthony Smith and Jacob Swysgood to the Parks Board (motion passed by voice vote). - Approved an agreement with Anita and Chad Tilton for the 2025 food-truck nights (third Wednesday of each month April–October) (motion passed by voice vote). - Authorized a five-year agreement with Forte for the Parks Department credit-card processing platform (motion passed by voice vote). - Approved the parks department’s amended 2025 pool fee schedule and related changes to registration and pool-party payment rules (motion passed by voice vote). - Authorized purchase and installation of an outdoor warning siren for Southwest 30th Street at a quoted cost of $42,659 (motion passed by voice vote). - Adopted Resolution 25-04 approving participation in the 2025 multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (motion passed by voice vote). - Approved staff application for FY2026 Community Project Funding through the congressional office to replace White Road bridge (motion passed by voice vote).

Discussion and context: Council members and staff said the municipal-court ordinance updates were primarily technical, required by the state court system audit. The parks and pool changes were explained as responses to rising personnel and operating costs — staff described minimum-wage increases and higher chemical and supply prices as reasons for the adjustment. Council members requested clearer resident messaging on the pool changes and on the forthcoming credit-card processing changes. Public-safety staff described the damaged siren pole as 27 years old and said lead time for the replacement could be four to six months; council members asked staff to increase resident outreach about alternative warning channels (NOAA weather radio and the Nixle/Everbridge phone alerts) until installation is complete.

What’s next: Ordinances become city code after formal adoption; the hazard-mitigation plan draft will be submitted to FEMA for review and later final adoption. Staff will continue public outreach on pool fees, park payment changes and the siren timeline, and will pursue the White Road bridge funding through the congressman’s office.

Ending: The meeting concluded with a schedule of upcoming park and community meetings; the alderwomen adjourned following unanimous voice votes.