Driving through Magnolia, it’s not unusual to see someone at the corner of East Bay and West Railroad streets selling produce, but that’s about to change with more restrictions being put in place by aldermen.
The city’s farmer’s market takes place from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, although vendors set up just about every day — and some of them don’t contribute sales taxes.
Mayor Anthony Witherspoon said the market is open to local farmers and nonprofits such as churches.
Witherspoon said vendors will now be required to obtain a permit from the city and display it. He said vendors selling without a permit will be fined $25.
Aldermen came to this decision because some vendors are coming from Louisiana and selling produce.
Police Chief Ray Reynolds asked what would be done if people continued to operate after the rule has been enforced.
“I know, in some instances, they give people a 30-day notice to stop,” he said.
Alderwoman Mercedes Ricks said officers could give two warnings, after which the vendor will be asked to leave.
In another matter, aldermen learned the North Street infrastructure project and work to fix a water leak at the First Baptist Church are both nearing completion.
New sewer lines, water lines and fire hydrants have been placed along North Street to Cunnigen Street, and Witherspoon said work recently began from Center Street to Quinlivan.
Aldermen approved payments for the grant-funded project, with $123,739 going to Greenbriar Digging, $46,326 going to Neel-Schaffer Engineering and $5,900 to grant administrator The Ferguson Group.
Witherspoon said new water lines have been put in place to replace the leak at First Baptist Church.
Aldermen agreed to reimburse a neighbor living next to the church for termite extermination after the leak led to a termite infestation.
In other news, the board:
• Approved a request by Marla Elmer for the Magnolia Civic Association to hold a “spay-ghetti” fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 29 at the Magnolia Community Center to raise money for spaying and neutering of pets in Magnolia. Elmer said at the June 30 work session the organization wouldn’t give money to one specific organization. They would issue the money out on a case-by-case need.
• Promoted Patrick McArthur from probationary to full-time employee in the public works department.
• Approved travel for Alderman Joe Cornacchione to attend the Tree City USA Conference July 28 and 29 in Gulfport and tabled an ordinance making the city of Magnolia a Tree City USA community.
• Tabled approval of a city flag design.
• Agreed to apply for a $165,000 Small Municipalities and Limited Populations Counties Grant from the Mississippi Development Authority, with the city matching $15,000, to build a new farmer’s market pavilion.
• Approved changing deputy clerk’s title to Deputy Clerk I and the billing clerk’s title to Deputy Clerk II, with no change in salaries.
