Senatobia leaders were updated on several city projects and upcoming events at their February monthly meeting.
Jamie Sowell, Community Development Manager for Senatobia Main Street, reported Tuesday, Feb. 4, to the Board of Aldermen dates for the city’s biggest event of the year “Five Star City Fest” are set for May 9-10.
Sowell also said renovations are set to begin soon on a building at 105 and 107 Ward Street which is owned by the city. The site was previously used by a local Boy Scout troop and has housed several different businesses over the years.
The project is expected to cost approximately $900,000 using money from four grants the city received for the project instead of taxpayers’ dollars.
The results of a feasibility study several months ago determined the building was worth renovating and what it would take to make the necessary repairs.
“Our plans are to make it an indoor/outdoor entertainment venue,” Sowell said. “It will also be home to the Sycamore Arts studio.”
Sowell reminded aldermen about Senatobia Main Street’s upcoming event “Beast & Brews”, a wild game cookoff which takes place Saturday, March 1 in downtown Senatobia.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held soon for the highly anticipated Downtown Revitalization project. Sowell said that would occur immediately after the roundabout at U.S. Highway 51 and West Main is complete. MDOT officials have previously stated the roundabout will be finished in March or April.
Sowell said a grand reopening will also take place this spring for newly branded BankFirst Yards, which was previously known as Senatobia Sports Park.
In other business, aldermen agreed to accept a bid of $ 3,190,200 from Caldwell Tanks to construct a new 500,000-gallon elevated water tank near the southeast corner of where Interstate 55 meets the 740 Interchange to prepare for future growth in that area.
The water tower is being paid for using $1.8 million in federal ARPA (COVID relief funds) matched by the state. The money, which did not come from local tax dollars, was designated for water and sewage projects.
The water tower will create a backup system for a water line on Scott Street feeding the industrial park, most of South Senatobia and Back Acres Country Club. Previously, maintenance on the industrial water line wasn’t possible due to the lack of a backup system.
Alderman also authorized the following items on the consent agenda:
• Minutes from the regular mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting Jan. 21.
• Docket of claims 37124 – 37305 for $418,629.13
• Alderman at large Demetrius Garrett to attend the Council of Governments March 2 – 5 in Washington, D.C. and pay registration and travel expenses.
• Public works employee Karah Knight to water certification class April 7-10 at NWCC and pay registration and travel expenses.
• Fire Captain Duane Ross to attend the MS Firefighters and Fire Chiefs Conference May 28-June 1 in Vicksburg and pay registration and travel expenses.
• Hire Sam Suggs as part-time firefighter, pending background and drug screening results.
• Hire Tyler Logan as part-time firefighter, pending background and drug screening results.
• Hire Harvest Ramsey as full-time public works street department employee, pending background and drug screening results.
• Hire Gavin-Lee Waterson as full-time public works street department employee, pending background and drug screening results.
• Hire Michael Bingham as full-time certified police officer at rate of P4, pending background and physical screening results.
• Hire Robert Stewart as full-time certified police office at rate of P4, pending background and physical screening results.
• Resignation from police officer Micheal Mitchell effective Jan. 31.
• Resignation from police officer Victoria Perkins effective Jan. 30.
• Resignation from E-911 dispatcher Lee Ann Caffrey effective Jan. 31.
• Hire Adley Hall as part-time concession worker in parks department.
• Hire Deatrice Rodgers as part-time concession worker in parks department
• Hire Nathan Farrow as temporary part-time animal technician at Senatobia-Tate Country Animal Shelter.
• Surplus and dispose of 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 with VIN 1D7RVXPZVA516676.
• Resolution by mayor and Board of Aldermen declaring support for the preservation of the Federal tax exemption of municipal bonds
• Economic incentives for Jalaram Senatobia, LLC.
• Mayor Graves to sign agreement for engineering services with Elliott & Britt Engineering, P.A., for Project No. ERBR-69(02).
• Police department to purchase a 2025 Nissan Rogue from Cannon Motors for state contract price of $27,870 (paid for with K9 and seized funds).
• Lowest and best quote of $6,953.00 from Zeager Brothers Inc. for playground flooring.
• Public hearing March 4 to rezone 330 N. Heard Street from B2 to R2.
• Surplus police K9 Thor and donate to Marion Police Department.
• Declare the following surplus and dispose of: Two Acer monitors and rolling television stand.
