Meeting of May 9, 2022
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen met in a Regular Scheduled Meeting with the following members present: Mayor Maurice Harris, Alderwoman Veronica Hill, Alderwoman Cherise Gougisha, Alderman Sam Watson, Alderman Jerome Martin and Alderman Clarence Wiley. Also present were Jacob Waguespack, CPA and Town Attorney Gerard Morgan.
Roll Call: Mayor Harris opened the meeting with a Roll Call, Prayer and Pledge.
Audience Comments: None
Announcements: Mayor Harris reminded the Board that the Ethics Tier III is due May 15, 2022.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Alderwoman Gougisha to approve the minutes of the April 11, 2022 meeting. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Hill and unanimously approved by the Board.
NEW BUSINESS: Tony Ruiz reported his findings on the 9-30-21 audit. There was only 1 finding where the CPI’s were not updated on the rates. This has been corrected and our new utility billing company are aware to put these in on the first of each year. He found no major issues in the other fields.
The gas contract for Cypress Lumber was discussed and finalized. Contract will be for 20 years at 115%. Alderman Watson made the motion to accept this, Alderman Martin seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by the Board.
Attorney Morgan reviewed the Contract from Avenu Insights & Analytics and advised the Board that there were no changes from the previous contract. A motion was made by Alderman Martin to approve the contract. Motion was seconded by Alderman Watson and unanimously approved by the Board.
Alderwoman hill introduced the Ordinance to Amend and Reenact Sections of the Code of Ordinances. Ordinance will be posted in the Post South and on the agenda for a public hearing at the next meeting.
A motion was made by Alderwoman Hill to appoint Post South as our Official Municipal Journal. Motion was seconded by Alderman Martin and unanimously approved by the Board.
Old Business: Jacob Waguespack presented the financials for March to the Board. All items look at or below Budget. He advised the Board that expenditures are at budget at this time. He feels everything is going in the right direction with no major problems.
The applicants we have for the Custodian position were interviewed and Alderman Watson has made his recommendation that Shelia Green be employed to take this position.
The Delinquent accounts that need to be written off was tabled until next meeting.
FIRE: Chief Stanley Washington reported a total of 20 calls in April.
MAINTENANCE: Mr. Butler advised the Board that water samples are collected weekly. Mr. Butler advised the Board that we have two contractors here last week working on the Clarifier at the Sewer Plant.
POLICE: Chief Hosea Anderson advised the Board that he has an application for a prospective officer. Alderwoman questioned him as to how many tickets are being written now by the full-time officer we have
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
FINANCE: Alderwoman Hill had noting new to add.
UTILITY: Alderwoman Gougisha had nothing.
BUILDING & GROUNDS: Alderman Wiley had nothing to report.
STREETS,ROADS & DRAINAGE: Mr. Butler informed the Board that we have had to cut several trees on 3rd. Street.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by a motion from Alderwoman Gougisha, seconded by Alderman Wiley and unanimously approved by the Board.