Olive Branch meeting: Dream Center expansion, Freedom Fest, Windshape camp and multiple infrastructure approvals

Olive Branch’s Board of Aldermen on April 7 heard a series of community updates and approved several administrative and public‑works items.

Community announcements: Jenna Kerna, director of the Soda County Dream Center, told the board the organization purchased a building in Olive Branch to expand services and outlined its four pillars—food, clothing, education and healthcare—highlighting that more than 4,600 students in Olive Branch are considered low‑income. She asked the city to partner on the new location and distributed an impact packet.

John Wilson of Light the Way Ministry described the Freedom Fest Independence Day celebration scheduled July 3, said the event drew about 14,000 people at its peak last year, and confirmed the festival remains free to attendees thanks to private donors (he emphasized the artists cost north of $200,000 and said the event is not funded with city dollars). He showed a short promo and asked for ongoing partnership.

Lisa Clark, representing Windshape camps, requested the city amplify camp registration via official social media. She said the camp will run June 29–July 3, the capacity is 300 campers and 123 were already signed up; she noted the organization has scholarshiped 438 children over eight years and indicated a sponsor cost of $225 per camper.

Board approvals and contracts: The board approved an amendment to Renaissance Group’s contract for Olive Branch Fire Station No. 6, increasing the not‑to‑exceed amount by $3,000 (from $238,000 to $241,000) to cover telecom/design items. The board approved multiple change orders for Lehman Roberts Company related to annual surface treatment, striping and full‑depth reclamation (individual change orders recorded in the meeting packet totaled roughly $2.1 million, $111,393.77 and $2.15 million respectively), which staff said are part of an overall resurfacing program of about $6 million for the year.

The board accepted Pickering Firm Inc.’s proposal (not to exceed $45,000) to develop a water system facilities plan required for certain loans and long‑range planning; staff clarified the plan covers the water system but not wastewater. The board tabled the Craft Road raw water production facility item because bids arrived late and staff needed more time to analyze them.

Recognitions: The mayor presented a monthly mayor’s award and $250 to utility clerk Terry Green for recognizing signs of a possible stroke in a customer and summoning emergency help. The board also recognized Center Hill’s state soccer champions and state powerlifting champions.

The board later recessed into an executive session to discuss multiple personnel matters across departments, acquisition of property and pending litigation.

Vote and procedural notes: Several items were approved by motion; explicit roll‑call tallies for most votes were not recorded in the transcript. Where the transcript records a specific outcome, such as the minutes approval, it notes the motion carried with one abstention (individual who abstained not identified in the recording).