Southaven aldermen approve series of ordinances, contracts and awards; council lists planning approvals

The Southaven Board of Aldermen approved a slate of resolutions, contracts and administrative items on April 1, including changes to the property maintenance code, authorization to negotiate an energy-savings contract for Snowden Grove lighting, the award of a $301,718.26 resurfacing bid for the Field of Dreams, and approvals on planning and subdivision items.

Below are the key actions from the meeting and the outcomes recorded in the official minutes.

Votes at a glance

- Property maintenance code — trampolines and similar backyard structures: Motion to amend the property maintenance code so that trampolines and similar equipment may be located behind the residence without a fence requirement was approved (mover: Alderman Flores; second: Alderman Payne). Officials said the revision responds to practical enforcement concerns and that the change will be reviewed after several months.

- Property maintenance code — blighted property definition: Motion to amend the blighted property definition so a single violation may trigger the blighted-property violation procedure (to make the definition consistent with the violation provision) was approved (mover: Alderman Flores; second: Alderman Gallagher).

- Snowden Grove lighting energy services: City parks staff reported only one proposal was received (Path Lighting); the board authorized city staff to negotiate a contract and allow Path Lighting to conduct any necessary audits (mover: Alderman Flores; second: Alderman Wheeler). The motion carried.

- Rockwell SCADA contract (monitoring/city meters): The board authorized a contract signature for SCADA/monitoring services with Rockwell in the amount of $6,191 (mover: Alderman Hoot; second: Alderman Jerome). The motion carried.

- Surplus firearm (Southaven Police): The board approved a resolution to surplus the firearm of Captain Brett Lagosino and paid tribute to his years of service (mover: Alderman Jerome; second: Alderman Hoots). The motion carried.

- Utilities agreement amendment with Payette (credit-card minimum charge): The board approved an amendment to return the minimum credit-card convenience fee to $2.00 (from $2.50) consistent with the original contract (mover: Alderman Flores; second: Alderman Payne). The motion carried.

- Bank Plus Amphitheater sponsorship: The board accepted a $6,620 sponsorship from Dominic Distillery for terrace tables, website logo and parking passes (mover: Alderman Flores; second: Alderman Gallagher). Motion carried.

- Parks child-safety policy amendment: On recommendation of the city’s insurance carrier, the board approved an update to the parks’ child-safety policy covering employees, contractors, volunteers and vendors who work with minors (mover: Alderman Gallagher; second: Alderman Kelly). Motion carried.

- Donation (Southaven Police / Special Olympics): The board approved a $200 donation by the Southaven Police Department for a Special Olympics 5K (mover: Alderman Payne; second: Alderman Jerome). Motion carried.

- Field of Dreams resurfacing bid award: The board accepted the low and best bid for the Field of Dreams resurfacing from "Grinder, Taper, and Grinder" in the amount of $301,718.26 and authorized the mayor to sign associated non-contract documents (mover: Alderman Hoots; second: Alderman Wheeler). Motion carried.

- Resolution to clean private property: The board adopted a resolution granting authority to clean private property as presented (mover: Alderman Payne; second: Alderman Kelly). Motion carried.

Planning, design and subdivision items (approved)

- Planning item 1 (rezoning / PUD concept): Board approved conceptual rezoning for either the residential development (56 townhomes) or a park expansion (see separate article for full coverage).

- Planning item 2 (Angel Commercial Subdivision — commercial portion): Approved as presented (mover: Alderman Jerome; second: Alderman Flores).

- Planning item 3 (residential portion of Angel Subdivision): Approved; staff reported revisions for architectural design and builder selection consistent with the PUD (mover: Alderman Jerome; second: Alderman Flores).

- Planning item 4 (design review for five-bay commercial tenant space): Approved; planning staff supported the revitalization project with recommended lighting and landscaping details (mover: Alderman Kelly; second: Alderman Hoots).

- Planning item 5 (conditional use permit for barbershop in Town Center Loop): Approved for one year with a four-year extension pending compliance (mover: Alderman Jerome; second: Alderman Flores).

Administrative and financial dockets

- Personnel docket: Approved as presented (mover: Alderman Payne; second: Alderman Hoots).

- Recycling notice: City attorney noted a recycling-fee increase (48¢ monthly) required by state law for those who opt to recycle; staff said the change does not affect sanitation rates for all customers and the required notice was authorized.

- Amphitheater contracts: The board authorized the mayor to sign contracts for scheduled amphitheater performers (Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, Dwight Yoakam, Teddy Swims) as presented.

- Utilities billing leak adjustment docket: Approved as presented (mover: Alderman Payne; second: Alderman Hoots).

- Claims docket 1 ($3,680,503.30) and claims docket 2 ($20,900.39): Both approved (motions by Alderman Payne; seconds by Alderman Flores).

Executive session

The board voted to enter executive session to discuss claims and litigation involving police, utilities, public works and the city, economic development, and interdepartmental personnel matters; no action was taken in open session on these items.

Notes and clarifications

- Roll-call counts: The official minutes record roll-call tallies for each motion; the meeting transcript records repeated individual yes votes during roll call but does not provide a single consolidated per-item roll-call list for every motion in the excerpt. The motions and outcomes above are taken directly from the meeting record and minutes reported aloud during the session.