Hayti council meets

The Hayti City Council met in a rescheduled session on Wed., Oct. 11, with the following members present: Alderman Wendell Lockridge, Alderman Gary Moore, Alderman Kathy Sanders, and Alderman Chris Wooten. Also present was City Treasurer Phil Bowen, City Attorney Lawrence Dorroh, Water Supervisor Ben Sweet, Street Supervisor Tim Sumrall, Nutrition Center Administrator Rhonda Green, and City Clerk Karla Laws. The meeting was called to order with Mayor Green presiding.

Six water adjustments were presented for Council approval. After discussion on each, Alderman Moore made a motion to approve the water adjustments discussed, and none opposed.

One liquor license was presented for Council approval. Alderman Lockridge made a motion to approve a liquor license for Denise Wells, Poppy’s Place and none were opposed.

Mayor Green informed the Council proceeds from the auction held on October 7th were $10,824.00.

Mayor Green stated the electricity on the Square used for the Christmas decorations will have to be cut and rolled back before demolition can begin on the old City Hall building; she’s contacted a few people and is waiting on an estimate. Alderman Wooten stated AT&T fiber optic lines will have to be done the same, he would disconnect the plug-in’s on the Square.

Mayor Green asked the Council for any suggestions on phone services since the City pays AT&T such an outrageous amount each month. The Council has had a copy of the AT&T fiber contract to review. Alderman Sanders asked if would do any good to speak with the Public Service Commission. Laws added she contacted MediaCom but they don’t offer phone service in this area. Dorroh added there are several re-sellers of AT&T the City may contact. Alderman Wooten made a motion to table the AT&T fiber contract until the next meeting, with none opposed.

Mayor Green informed the Council that she met with Rural Development and Dille & Traxel earlier in the day; the funding is there, but until the project goes to bid the Corporation won’t receive the loan money. Mayor Green added expenses will continue – architects, consultants, demolition, etc. Mayor Green asked the Council if they would like to proceed with the project with the City paying the fees and waiting to be reimbursed when the loan closes, possibly in 4-6 months. Mayor Green added the demolition will also have to be bid out per project guidelines. Dille & Traxel is to prepare an estimate with respect to any anticipated charges there will be during that timeframe for the Council. Alderman Sanders made a motion to proceed with the City Hall project and expenses, with none opposed.

Code Enforcement Officer Frank Rose updated the Council on properties he’s working on – Idle Hour demolition, 1st and Jefferson clean-up, Stone clean-up, problem with possums and skunks on Reed, vehicle on South 6th. Rose stated he will be attending a Brownsfield seminar in Poplar Bluff next week. A hearing was held on the old dollar store building; there is an order in place for demolition. Dorroh stated the next step will be to advertise for the demolition unless the City is going to perform the demolition; then the City will have to appropriate the funds for the demolition that in turn would be assessed against the property as a lien. Dorroh states it’s possible to get a cost from whoever does the City Hall demolition to tear that down as well.

Fire Chief Glen Whitener informed the Council Fire Prevention activities will be held at the Fire Department Thursday and Friday. Mayor Green asked Whitener if he spoke with anyone at DAEOC. Whitener replied they had contacted him earlier that day. Mayor Green added they’re a school in our town and need to be included. Whitener added they want to do it, but DAEOC just called him today. Whitener stated they’re going to come up with something to do with them that will be of some benefit to them.

Water Supervisor Ben Sweet informed the Council the chlorine booster pump wasn’t able to be rebuilt; a new one will cost $2,603. Alderman Sanders made a motion to approve the purchase of a chlorine booster pump. Alderman Lockridge seconded the motion, with none opposed.

Bobby Watkins addressed the Council regarding the electricity on the Square; the Chamber’s Octoberfest is October 28. Mayor Green replied when she spoke with Ashley Horne, she told her we didn’t know if that date would be in the middle of City Hall demolition or not. The Council agreed not to pull the electricity on the Square until after the Octoberfest. Watkins also asked about two port-a-potty’s brought up for Octoberfest. Mayor Green suggested Watkins contact The Outhouse.