McComb officials agreed Tuesday to enter into negotiations with the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance for management services at the sports park.
The 6-year-old organization is now recognized as a political subdivision of the state, thanks to a law passed by the Legislature this year.
That means “we can do things that we couldn’t do in the past, as far as economic development, facilities management and tourism,” executive director Joseph Parker told city board members.
Parker noted that the organization also is in talks to manage Quail Hollow Golf Course and the Bogue Chitto Water Park, and might more efficiently handle all three entities together.
“We could offer packages for people who are coming to events at the sports park and say they can rent a cabin at the water park and, oh, by the way, don’t forget your golf clubs,” Parker said. “The community component is real. You (member governments) are Scenic Rivers, and we will promote this area as one unified alliance.”
Selectman Albert Eubanks asked how the community could get greater access to the park.
“Can we get leagues, church leagues, to use it at no charge?” Eubanks asked. “The people should be able to use it at no charge, because they’re already paying for it.”
Parker said arrangements could be made for such. Also in answer to a question from Eubanks, Parker said if Scenic Rivers hires city employees at the sports park, their status would be “equal or better” than current conditions.
Selectman Donovan Hill asked Parker whether Scenic Rivers would take ownership of the park, and whether the city might save any money by reaching an agreement with the organization.
Parker said Scenic Rivers would just manage the park, not take ownership.
Monetarily, “we will work to ensure there are savings, and that should free up some city funds,” he said.
Selectman Ted Tullos said Scenic Rivers is a great achievement for the region.
“Through Scenic Rivers, isn’t this the first time for Southwest Mississippi to speak with one voice in the Legislature?” he asked.
“I think it will be beneficial, and it’s been very well received,” Parker replied.
Later in the meeting, Mayor Whitney Rawlings asked the board to amend the agenda for a discussion and vote on entering into negotiations with Scenic Rivers about the sports park. Rawlings sought authority for himself, City Administrator Kelvin Butler and board attorney Wayne Dowdy to meet with Scenic Rivers representatives to draw up a management agreement for city and Scenic Rivers boards to consider.
That motion made, Eubanks offered an amendment to add himself to the city’s negotiating team. Both the amendment and the main motion passed unanimously.
In other business, the board:
• Proclaimed April as Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month and recognized April 10 as Go Orange Day. Animal Control Manager Michelle Lombas said baskets of orange ribbons will be available at City Hall for citizens to pick up, and ribbons will distributed among the city’s departments for employees to wear. Wreaths with orange ribbons will be hung at city hall. Lombas invited the board and the public to visit the shelter’s open house, 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 26.
• Noted 10 years of service by dispatcher Ashley Ross and five years of service by water treatment technician Adrian Sawyer.
• Hired Trenten Boggs and Matthew Wheat as probationary firefighters.
• Received a $100 donation to the animal shelter.
• Set the pay rate for poll workers at $100 per day, plus $12.50 per hour for training. Receiving and returning managers will receive an extra $20 as travel allowance for picking up ballot boxes and other materials from Election Central in Magnolia.
• Awarded a contract for replacing water Well No. 5 to Griner Drilling Service of Columbia for $670,000.
• Authorized Neel-Schaffer engineering firm to advertise for bids on Parklane Road improvements. The board split 3-3, with Rawlings breaking the tie to allow the advertisement. None of the board members commented on the item during the meeting.
• Ratified Rawlings’ travel expenses to Jackson for a meeting on establishing opportunity zones. The zones can cover areas considered low-income and offer extra incentives for businesses to open or expand there.
• Approved demolition or cleanup of numerous properties, including 1008 Apache; 615 and 619 Avenue B; 104 and 108 Desoto; 521, 525 and 529 Elmwood; 331 Frank Mingo; 231, 232, 303 and 328 Holmes; 120 Lincoln; 329 Louisiana; 511 N. Broadway; 601 Dyson; and 916 Third St.
• Denied requests to Contribute $500 each to the One Goal Scholarship Fund and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce’s Mississippi Scholars Program. Selectman Ronnie Brock placed both items on the agenda.
• Approved paying more than $23,000 for easements for the Northwest Interceptor sewer line project. Brock voted no.
• Heard a request from Eubanks that department heads seek comments from employees on their insurance plans. He said he had heard complaints that some medications are not being covered by BlueCross BlueShield.
• Noted that city hall will be closed for Good Friday.
