The Mayor and Board of Aldermen want to cover a drainage ditch on Ninth Street and Prentiss that has long been considered an eyesore.
“It is pretty much a dump for that community,” said Ward 4 Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. “It’s a hazard for kids, especially when the water backs up.”
Mayor Diane Delaware said the first step is to learn how the ditch can be covered and what it will cost.
“We need to have our engineer take a look at this and give us some proposals on the best ways to consider solving the problem,” Delaware said. “That would help us consider the costs of closing the drainage ditch off.”
The board agreed to have city engineer Wayne Morrison study the ditch and recommend the best ways to cover it.
Another drainage ditch was the subject of discuss during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Hillard Sanders, who lives at 1501 Park Avenue, said that the ditch near his home is eroding. Sanders said he also fears that children will get hurt while playing around the ditch.
“Kids are playing near it, and someone is going to fall in and break a leg,” Sanders said. “If they sue the city my taxes will go up, and I don’t want that.”
In other business during the Monday meeting:
The board passed a resolution authorizing the city to enter into an agreement with Lilli Evans Bass appoint her to serve as city attorney while continuing to serve as municipal judge.
The board named Alton Lewis of JSW Architecture as the architect for the roof repair at City Hall being financed by a grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
JoAnn Adams, a member of the Jerry Clower Festival Planning Committee, asked the city to consider making a contribution to help provide activities for children at no cost. Adams showed the board a sign that would recognize the city’s sponsorship. The board agreed to consider the request.
The board approved a high bid of $250 from Yazoo Recycling to purchase some scrap metal from the fire department.
