Debris cleanup from a storm on May 9 is ongoing, and the city of McComb is likely to be on the hook for all of the cost.
Public Works Director Alice Barnes said at the board of selectmen’s Tuesday work session that the city received bills totaling more than $150,000 for cleanup so far — $33,261.90 from monitoring firm Debris Tech and$121,380.10 from collection contractor Land Company Development.
Those bills are on today’s agenda for payment approval and require a budget amendment.
Meanwhile, City Administrator Kelvin Butler said the state seems unlikely to meet the $4.5 million threshold of storm damage to qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement of cleanup costs.
“I think they’re about $1 million short,” Butler said.
Whatever the cost, “it’s our responsibility to clean up the city,” Mayor Quordiniah Lockley said.
Former Pike County supervisor Lexi Elmore asked where crews have been picking up, and Lockley and Barnes assured her that Land’s crews have been operating all over the city.
One place where crews will be unable to go, however, is Cedar Ridge Road east of U.S. Highway 51 near the intersection with Veterans Boulevard.
Barnes presented a request from residents on the private road for crews to enter the neighborhood and gather debris, which they said was neatly bundled and ready for removal.
Board attorney Angela Cockerham said the city cannot spend money on private property, including for storm cleanup. Lockley said the city would haul debris away if the residents can get it to Highway 51.
In other business, the board:
• Heard incumbent member Gregory Partman and Melvin Joe Johnson had applied for a McComb Housing Authority board seat, and Karen Hart asked for reappointment to the city’s historic preservation commission.
• Considered renewing a contract with Municode for keeping city ordinances online and updated.
• Noted insurance renewals for sports participants at the recreation department and property insurance citywide. The participation insurance is expected to rise with the McComb Ravens football program coming under the recreation umbrella, while Butler said the property insurance would go down about $22,000 to $147,183.
• Heard a payment request of $32,123.30 from M&P Construction for the Hollywood Cemetery offices and break room.
• Passed consideration of a redrawn contract with M3A Architects to the next work session.
• Received a draft of a ordinance detailing penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana and postponed consideration while Cockerham adds a preamble and consults with municipal Judge Brandon Frazier.
• Considered a generator maintenance contract with Taylor Power Systems.
• Heard a request from Amtrak for $250.
• Noted they would discuss the city’s legal proceedings against Code Red Dynasty Divas Dance Studio in executive session today.
