The Tuesday evening City of Winona Board of Aldermen meeting drew a crowd that filled the board room. The meeting commenced with a prayer from Ward 5 Alderwoman Linda Purnell followed by the approval of the minutes from the May 7 regular recessed meeting. Mayor Aaron Dees then welcomed the guests, including property owner, Frances Gomiller. Gomiller, the owner of the downtown property where the city plans to paint the mural, was there to discuss and address the legalities of the project.
“The first thing I want to discuss is the verbal agreement. We had a verbal agreement, Mayor Dees. But since then, it's been voted on, someone has already been hired to paint it, and I haven’t even seen the mural,” Gomiller explained. “It was discussed, between you and I, that I would see what was going on the wall before we would move forward on it. But instead, you all moved forward and voted on it.”
Mayor Dees then asked City Attorney Adam Kirk to elaborate on the subject. Kirk explained that the issue relates to not obtaining the easement before securing the bids, as he and Senator Lydia Chassaniol had mentioned at the previous meeting.
“What needs to happen first and foremost is that an easement needs to be granted by you,” Kirk said. “Of course, if you don’t want to do that, that’s your prerogative, you don’t have to.”
Gomiller quickly returned to her main point regarding the legalities of having the mural on her property. She explained her concern about being held liable if something were to happen while the mural is being painted.
“I think the person who’s doing it is bonded and has insurance,” Ward 1 Alderman Mickey Austin said.
Kirk went on to explain that if the building is sold in the future, the easement would be perpetual and remain with the property as long as it exists, unless the city vacates it. Mayor Dees then assured Gomiller that he would arrange a meeting with her, the artist, and himself to discuss the mural and any potential changes.
“I just wanted to make sure that we’re going about it in the proper way. I don’t want to be left in the blind about it. I want to have the legalities straight to know that I’m not responsible if something happens, and there are no ties to my building. That’s it,” Gomiller concluded.
In other news, the Board:
- Approved the payment of regular bills.
- Approved for Officer Kellie Fox and Sergeant Denzil Bigbee to attend the Rural Law Enforcement Initiative on Human Trafficking in Biloxi on June 11 – 12 with room and board and expenses paid.
- Approved all rental deposit reimbursements for the Community Center and Community House.
- Approved the hire of Chance Richardson with the Recreation and Parks Department.
- Approved the hire of Wyatt Boone with the Water Department.
Important announcement:
- The special election for the vacant Ward 3 Alderman seat will be held on Tuesday, May 28.
