McComb selectmen finalized the MLK Center rental agreement, but not before making some last-minute amendments to the terms.
The board may also have discussed an ineligible matter during executive session or not announced a valid topic of discussion before the executive was held, as required by state law.
Mayor Quordiniah Lockley recapped the changes seemingly agreed to in recent work sessions: the board voting on whether to sponsor certain events and voting on allowing alcohol at events, as well as having city staff on hand during events.
However, Selectman Ronnie Brock said he still believed staffing should not be necessary for events sponsored and hosted by members of the board, a position he took when the board started discussing rental terms at the center in December, after the city took control from the McComb School District.
Board attorney Angela Cockerham said there is no legal impediment to allowing selectmen to use city buildings without staff present, and Selectman Devante Johnson made a motion to put that into effect.
The motion passed 4-1, with Selectman Ted Tullos opposed and Selectman Michael Cameron absent.
Cockerham cautioned the board that the rule should be written clearly, so that members of the public trying to rent the facility know that the rule carves out an exception for selectmen.
“Is that clear?” Brock asked Recreation Director Ron Kessler.
Kessler said it was, but “staff would still have to be there to open and close, since selectmen don’t have keys or access codes.”
“We’ll get to that later,” Brock said.
Indeed, after an executive session at the end of the meeting, Lockley announced that selectmen had voted 3-2 to have keys and access codes made available to board members. Tullos and Selectman Shawn Williams voted no, while Brock, Johnson and Donovan Hill, attending the meeting by phone, voted yes.
Lockley had announced three legal matters and two personnel matters would be discussed in the executive session after the board’s closed determination, but the justification for discussing the building access for selectmen in the executive session was unclear.
The board also voted to stop adding to the number of city buildings for the time being, rescinding approval of a $47,000 bid from Able Building Company of Magnolia to build two restroom facilities in Edgewood Park and at the multipurpose field in the McComb Sports Park.
The buildings were put on hold after selectmen complained about the condition and arrangement of a similar facility under construction in Baertown Park by the same company.
Selectmen learned in last week’s work session that the company was working from a rough design by Kessler, and not from an architect’s plans. The board asked its architect on retainer, Steve Cox, to develop a more complete design.
The board renewed its annual agreement with Cox at the rate of $150 per hour.
Selectmen also:
• Learned the city could not purchase Chevrolet Tahoes for the police department, because they were removed from the state contract because of transmission problems.
Police Chief Damian Gatlin recommended buying Dodge Durangos on state contract instead, at a slightly lower cost than the Tahoes would have been. Two Durangos at $38,181 total $76,362. Selectmen unanimously rescinded the previous order for Tahoes and approved the Dodges instead.
• Postponed the granting of a utility easement.
Cockerham said the agreement reads as though the city is selling property or a permanent easement, rather than granting a temporary easement for utility installation. She said she would amend the easement or draw up a new form.
• Noted terms will soon end for one member each on the city’s contractor licensing board, planning commission and school board.
Brock asked if incumbent members would be proposed first, particularly for the school board position. Lockley said incumbents would be put to a vote first “if they want to continue.”
• Passed resolutions in honor of Municipal Government Week and School Choice Week.
• Approved a regional law enforcement meeting at the MLK Center Feb. 21.
• Approved registration, lodging and travel for the Mayor’s Youth Council to the statewide youth leadership summit in Oxford, for no more than $2,500.
• OK’d travel for Lockley and other city officials to the Governor’s Workforce Summit.
• Received the annual railroad museum report.
