Olive Branch Board directs property cleanups, signs off on construction payments and orders sewer study

The Olive Branch Board of Aldermen met July 7 and approved a series of routine and project-related actions, including authorizing abatement of three nuisance properties, accepting final construction payment for new pickleball courts, approving a minor change order and time extension for the public works complex, and hiring a consultant to conduct a sanitary sewer evaluation survey.

Mayor Kenneth R. Adams opened the meeting and led the board through routine business before staff presented several action items. Dr. Song told the board that, of the six properties originally listed in a staff memo, three remained overgrown and in need of attention; staff recommended the city declare those parcels a menace to public health and safety and direct city crews or contract labor to clean them. A resident, Mr. Griffith, told the board his neighbor’s yard at 7090 Fox Creek Drive was “about a foot high” in the front and an overgrown “jungle” in the back and said he contracted poison ivy while removing vegetation near the fence.

On a motion by Mister Wallace and a second from Mister Collins, the board authorized staff to clean the three properties; the motion carried.

The board also approved final payment No. 7 to Alexander Construction LLC for the pickleball facilities at Olive Branch City Park. Staff described the project as complete and requested acceptance of the facilities and release of the $50,774.92 final payment, including retainage; the board voted to approve the payment and accept the courts.

Separately, the board approved Change Order No. 11 for the Olive Branch Public Works Complex, an additive $3,213.79 that raises the contract from $8,836,370.95 to $8,839,584.74 and grants an additional 15 calendar days tied to the work (the change order cites a June 30 completion date that board members noted is already past). Staff said the work — recessing sprinkler heads to accommodate an accordion wall — had not yet been completed and that the 15 days were linked specifically to that task. After discussion about wording and dates the board approved the change order as presented.

On infrastructure planning, the board approved a $264,850 proposal from Pickering Firm Inc. to perform a sanitary sewer evaluation survey using smoke testing to locate uncapped lines and inflow points that admit rainwater into the sanitary system. City staff said locating and fixing those points can reduce sewage treatment costs and recommended bringing results and repair estimates back to the board for budget consideration.

Finally, the board voted to leave regular session and enter executive session to discuss multiple personnel matters across city departments. The board did not take further public action before adjourning into closed session.

Votes at a glance: - Minutes (June 16): approved (motion carried). - Consent agenda: approved (motion carried). - Public hearing date for conditional use permit: set for Aug. 18, 2026 (approved). - Authorization to clean three nuisance properties: approved (motion carried). - Final payment and acceptance, pickleball facilities (Alexander Construction LLC): approved; final payment $50,774.92 (approved). - Change Order No. 11, A and B Construction (Public Works Complex): approved; additive $3,213.79; contract increased to $8,839,584.74; additional 15 calendar days approved. - Pickering Firm Inc. sanitary sewer evaluation survey: approved; contract $264,850. - Motion to enter executive session on personnel matters: approved.

The meeting then moved into executive session to address the listed personnel matters.