McComb officials predicted a two-hour parking restriction in the city’s Depot District would cause a few problems when selectmen passed the measure in October.
The city board, minus Mayor Whitney Rawlings and with Mayor Pro Tem Tommy McKenzie presiding, received comments regarding the issue from Salvation Army Capt. Darlene Boone and volunteer Barbara Roberts at Tuesday’s board meeting.
Both expressed concern regarding parking tickets issued to senior citizens attending Thursday afternoon worship services and to a Salvation Army vehicle regularly parked on Third Street.
“(In the past), we never got a ticket. We never knew it was two-hour parking,” Boone said. “We’re asking for some kind of pass or temporary parking on Thursdays.”
The board established two-hour limited parking in the downtown area, except for locations along Front Street that have been waived and declared as unrestricted and resident parking.
“We’re definitely proud of the Salvation Army,” McKenzie said. “We will definitely take the matter into consideration.”
In an unrelated matter, the board accepted a $489,455 bid on the Pearl River Avenue-South Locust Street traffic signal and overlay project from Dickerson & Bowen Inc.
Selectmen also approved a contract between the city and Neel-Schaffer Inc. for construction, engineering and inspection services for the project for $99,965.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation will foot about 80 percent of the total cost of the project, making the city’s share about $97,890. The city will pay its portion from a fund set up two years ago for the traffic light project that contains $307,593.
The project is expected to wrap up in June 2012.
Selectman Melvin Joe Johnson, who is employed by the MDOT, abstained from both votes.
• Recognized Monica L. Winston for five years as a deputy municipal court clerk.
• Recognized McComb Public Works vehicle maintenance superintendent Jeremy G. Greer for 20 years with the department.
• Reimbursed Rawlings for his attendance to an October conference with Rick Duke, director of the Trent Lott Center for Economic Development at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.
The board also approved Rawlings’ trips to the International Conference of Shopping Centers in Atlanta this month and the Small Town Conference in Vicksburg this month.
• Authorized the renewal of the city’s liability pool coverage through the Mississippi Municipal Liability Plan effective Jan. 1, 2012, through Dec. 31, 2012, for $199,012.
• Authorized the renewal of a service contract with Otis Elevator Co. effective through October 31, 2012, for $1,859. The price reflects a $205 increase.
• Authorized the renewal of a $13,725 lease agreement for copiers with Office Automation retroactively from July 18 through July 17, 2012.
• Authorized advertising for proposals for selection of the city’s bank depository for 2012 and 2013.
