Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Madison mayor and board honor state-champion team, unanimously approve broad consent agenda
Summary
At its April 21 meeting, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Madison honored the Madison‑Ridgeland Academy boys basketball team and unanimously approved a consent agenda that included personnel promotions, procurement and construction authorizations, grant applications and financial instruments.
Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler called the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Madison to order on April 21, 2026, and opened the meeting by recognizing coaches and players from Madison‑Ridgeland Academy after their 2026 State Championship. The mayor presented certificates thanking the team for representing Madison.
The board then moved to a single consent agenda that bundled minutes, claims and payroll approvals; personnel actions; procurement and contracts; and a variety of project and financial authorizations. Alderman Janie Jarvis moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Alderman Tawanna Tatum seconded; the motion carried unanimously.
Key items approved in the consent packet included rescinding an offer to hire Victoria Lawson; a set of fire-department promotions effective May 28, 2026 (Philip Tolstad to Deputy Chief; Ian Bennett to Battalion Chief; Nick Brooks to Division Chief of Training; Kevin Miller to Division Chief of Life Safety; Jordan Blanchard to Lieutenant); rehiring Jahiem Walden as a full‑time water department laborer effective April 22, 2026; and accepting the resignation of Water Operator Zachery Floyd effective April 29, 2026. The board also acknowledged the oath of office for Records Clerk Sylvia T. Davis.
The board authorized staff to apply for the 2026 Safe Streets for All Grant and approved execution of any documents required for that submission. It accepted a donation of fence materials for the Montgomery House and confirmed the engagement of Jeff Ballweber and Bear Strategies, LLC to assist with grant preparation and submission.
On infrastructure and procurement, the board adopted Resolution approving Change Order #2 with Hemphill Construction for Project 161-2-DW-5.15 (City Center water, sewer and drainage improvements); approved invoice #2 with Pickering Firm, Inc. for Madison Avenue widening; awarded multiple quotes to Steve Chisolhm LLC for drainage work and property cleaning; and authorized final payments and invoice packages for sidewalk and overlay projects associated with Pickering Firm and Hemphill Construction. The board also approved purchases of Neptune Procoders meters (single-source vendor authorization), six Ford Explorers and two Chevrolet Traverses for the Police Department under applicable state contracts, and related upfitting accessories.
Council accepted several irrevocable letters of credit from BankFirst, Renasant Bank and Equity Mortgage representing multiple development blocks and phases, and acknowledged Planning and Zoning Commission minutes from March 9, 2026 and monthly departmental reports. The board authorized Building Inspector Billy Dean to attend the Building Officials Association of Mississippi conference June 8–12, 2026, in Gulfport.
With no items removed for separate discussion, the board voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda. Alderman Janie Jarvis moved to adjourn; Alderman Guy Bowering seconded, and Mayor Butler declared the meeting adjourned.
Meeting documentation in the minutes lists exhibits (A–DD) for supporting materials on the items approved; specific dollar amounts and some exhibit details were referenced in the minutes but are not specified in the text of the minutes provided.
