WINONA – The Board of Aldermen awarded the bid for the city’s $1.2 million bond bill to Trustmark Bank. Trustmark submitted the lowest net interest rate of the three bids at 2.695269 percent.
Brad Davis with Jones Walker Law Firm in Jackson, the attorney handling the city’s general obligation bond issue, was present at Tuesday’s meeting of the board to answer any questions regarding the bond process.
“Interest will be $185,165 over the 10 year life of the bonds,” Davis said. “The first payment [from the city] should be due on December 1, 2020.”
Alderman Mickey Austin made the motion to accept Trustmark’s bid, and the board voted 4 to zero behind an Alderman Travis Johnson second. Alderman David Ware was chairing the meeting as vice mayor, with Mayor Jerry Flowers absent Tuesday.
The general obligation bonds in the amount of $1.2 million will go toward the cost of installing artificial turf on the ball fields at the Winona Recreational Park and the purchase of street paving equipment for the Winona Street Department.
In other city business:
• The groundbreaking celebration for the Stribling Equipment and Empire Truck dealership will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at 11 a.m. at the development site located on the southwestern corner of Highway 82 and Interstate 55.
• Water Superintendent Frank Faulkner presented two bids to the board for the purchase of a vacuum trailer, a device that will allow the city to vacuum dirt from a hole instead of digging, which could lead to a cut gas or fiber line. The quotes were $45,650 and $46,507, and the cost of the equipment would be split between the water and street departments, per the current city budget.
No action was taken on the measure at Tuesday’s meeting.
• Winona Fire Chief Brad Mooneyham informed the board that the new self-contained breathing apparatuses have been delivered to the fire department.
• Chief of Police Tommy Bibbs informed the board that the Winona Police Department was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to purchase equipment needed for a possible active shooter situation.
• The board accepted the resignation of Ana Banks. They voted to hire Tracy Woods, a former Winona Police officer, who is returning to Montgomery County.
• Alderman David Ware announced that longtime city attorney, Ray Baum, will be retiring from the city at the end of 2019.
• The board voted to fund a Shop Winona advertising campaign with The Winona Times and WONA.
• The board voted to allocate $1,000 to the Winona Christmas Parade planning.
• The board voted to pay $400 expenses from the Winona Fall Festival for candy, prizes, and a bounce house for kids.
• Ware told the board that the Winona Community Center on Powell Street needs a new roof, and so far bids to replace the roof are around $16,000. However, there is rotted wood and decking, and Mayor Jerry Flowers will be getting additional bids that will cover the cost of replacing the rotted wood.
• The board voted to pay $1,000 for annual dues to Mississippi Main Street. According to Sue Stidham, director of Winona Main Street, membership comes with assistance with grants and other funding exclusive to members of the organization.
• The board voted to pay another installment on the walking track project at the Winona Recreational Park. There is one additional payment remaining on the project which is nearly complete.
