Southaven aldermen approve routine agenda items, authorize court renovation bidding and schedule executive session

The Southaven Board of Aldermen approved a series of routine and substantive items on its agenda and authorized staff actions ranging from intern affiliation agreements to bidding for a court renovation; the board also declared an executive session to discuss potential and ongoing litigation.

Key actions approved by the board included: minutes for the March 4 meeting; a resolution authorizing transfer of a firearm to a retiring Southaven police officer, Lance Weems; acceptance of a continuing disclosure previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission related to the city's outstanding debt; an affiliation agreement with Arkansas State to place a parks department intern; and authorization for the city to accept $8,423.04 from Sedgwick to reimburse ambulance repairs from a motor vehicle accident.

The board voted to reject unsatisfactory bids for the Goodman Road utilities relocation project and authorized re-advertisement after staff said only one bid was received. The board approved two Comcast service agreements: a broadband backup connection for Fire Station 5 and a high-availability, static-IP connection for the Southaven Police Department East Precinct. The Comcast contracts were presented with a one-time fee and a recurring service fee (numbers quoted in the meeting minutes; see clarifying details).

Other approvals included a resolution to surplus certain kitchen equipment from the Southaven Fire Department, a resolution authorizing the city to participate in and provide local support for the DeSoto Economic Development Council—undraising "Salute to Industry" golf tournament (the mayor referenced Mississippi code authorizing such donations), and a budget amendment to move $53,979 in restricted FY24 police funds into the FY25 budget.

A sanitation-assessment resolution approved at the meeting authorized the city to place assessments and, if unpaid, liens for sanitation charges. The board also approved personnel changes on the personnel docket, a utilities billing leak-adjustment docket, and two claims dockets: docket 1 for $2,764,144.06 and docket 2 for $41,767.96.

In his mayor's report, the mayor asked the board to authorize advertising for bids for a renovation of the former Fred's building to house municipal court functions; the board approved moving the project to the bidding stage. The board also approved a simple agreement with Memphis in May to promote the city's spring barbeque contest and to provide an incentive for the contest champion.

City Attorney Nick Manley briefed the board on the continuing disclosure filing; staff and aldermen asked for routine signatures and placement on the minutes. Department staff presented the Sedgwick release for ambulance repair reimbursement and asked the board to authorize the mayor or Human Resources Director Melanie to sign the release.

Finally, the board voted to enter executive session to discuss potential and ongoing litigation involving the fire and police departments, economic development matters and interdepartmental personnel issues. The motion to declare executive session was made by Alderman Hoots and seconded by Alderman Jerome; aldermen recorded "Ayes have it" and the mayor and board entered executive session.

Copies of the approved claims dockets and the budget amendment will be included in the city minutes. Several items were approved by roll call; the board announced approvals verbally and recorded votes as part of the meeting minutes.