McComb selectmen will meet Friday to try to pay the bills for work on the Martin Luther King Center gym after two measures died for a lack of a second at Tuesday’s board meeting.
The first item was to pay contractor MitchCo Construction of Hattiesburg $260,474. The other was to pay M3A Architecure of Jackson $1,650.
Selectman Shawn Williams made motions to approve both items, but they died for lack of a second.
A special meeting has been called for 5:30 p.m. Friday to vote on both matters.
City Administrator David Myers said the project was expected to cost an estimated $1.6 million and should take approximately one year to complete.
“It’s under construction,” Myers said. “Right now, they’re doing some plumbing work. Then, after they get the plumbing done, they will be pouring the foundation for the MLK.”
There is still time to make the payments.
“The process is still ongoing,” Myers said. “This was a payment. Any invoices for payment that we get in, we have at least 40 days to pay those invoices.”
Williams, who made the motions for both items, he believes the project fills “a need for the community.”
“I’m supportive of the Martin Luther King Center,” he said.
Selectmen Ted Tullos and Michael Cameron oppose the rebuilding of the gym for financial reasons.
“The City of McComb cannot afford to maintain a gymnasium,” Tullos said, adding that he has never voted for payments of a new gym. “I don’t think we can afford that.”
Cameron agreed.
“I’ve never been in favor of that gym,” he said.
Cameron questioned why selectmen Ronnie Brock, Donovan Hill and Devante Johnson did not make a motion to make the payments.
“I’m confused as to why they didn’t vote to pay the company for the gym they’re in favor of,” Cameron said.
Brock said he didn’t notice the items when they came up for vote, but he supports the project.
“I just missed those,” Brock said. “I guess everybody did.”
Johnson declined to comment. Hill, who participated in the meeting by speakerphone, could not be reached for comment.
