The Monday night, July 8, Duck Hill Board of Alderman Meeting was extensive, and much information was covered. After the invocation given by Alderwoman Cynthia Brown-Kountz, the Board began their business agenda by addressing Town Engineer Joe Sutherland’s report. Starting off, Engineer Sutherland updated the Board on the project in the grove, explaining some supply chain issues that are being addressed before the work can begin. Sutherland stated that he relayed the importance of the completion of the work prior to the town’s annual Bogue Creek Festival in September. Despite the delays, Sutherland assured the Board he still expects the project to be completed prior to the festival and as such, he does not expect it to interfere with the festival at all.
Next in Engineer Sutherland’s report, he made public his pending plan of retirement, stating that ideally, he would retire within the week. He then introduced a representative from Cook Coggins Engineers, President David Long, who expressed interest in the role of Town Engineer. Long explained the capabilities of Cook Coggin Engineers’ personnel and received a strong business and credibility reference from Engineer Sutherland as a capable replacement. In addition, he explained the company’s familiarity with water and sewer grants available.
Following the discussion of Cook Coggin Engineers, Alderwoman Shernell Evrett-Brown brought up her concern of the Board possibly needing to advertise for the position of Town Engineer, to which Board Attorney Adam Kirk stated that he did not know of any such requirements.
“I think that as a Board we need to at least entertain [other options]. I mean, it can be one, two, or three days, just give them a chance. If not, if they don’t send anything in, then we’ll know where to go,” Alderwoman Evrett-Brown explained, wanting to ensure that the Board was properly conducting business and giving fair consideration and opportunity to the role.
“I feel like Mr. Joe’s served our city well and if we’re going to retain him by using this company that he’s invested his time and given his clients to and is willing to put on his back and keep him in the city he’s been working in then we should,” Alderwoman Morgan Eskridge stated her position on the subject.
“I understand, but I think, on our part, we still need to entertain another group. Even if they don’t do it, we still will have that in the books,” Alderwoman Evrett-Brown replied.
The final decision of the Board after lengthy discussion was to allow for other groups to submit resumes but retain Cook Coggin Engineers as a possible applicant.
Next on the agenda a resident shared concerns with the Board about a pack of three white wolves that had been spotted in the area of her property on Highway 404 West. She reported that two of the pack seemed to have moved on, but one lingered around her property and had been caught on her Ring Doorbell Camera. She stated that she had reported the sighting and supplied the pictures to animal control officials in Winona, but as Duck Hill was within the county and outside of Winona City Limits, they could not help. The official she spoke with reportedly did confirm her suspicions that the animal was a wolf. The Board and Police Chief Tim Gholston advised that she contact the Mississippi Wildlife and Fishery Department about the sighting, but that the town was not equipped to directly handle the issue as it was outside the city limits. As of the meeting time, the resident had yet to contact Wildlife and Fishery, as she was still being advised on the issue.
As the final matter of business in the meeting, Board Attorney Kirk updated the Board on recent condemnations that took place, stating that he will try to get in contact with property owners via telephone in addition to posting notices at City Hall, and on the property as well as mailing the notice to the physical address of the owner. Issues of ownership of the building by the caboose continue, as Attorney Kirk cannot personally get confirmation on the owner of the building. Resident Kim Cooley shared information obtained through individual investigation (done by Resident Jennifer Wetterich) into the matter with the Board, stating that Gulf Atlantic Railways is the owner of the land the building is on but they were not aware of the building being constructed on their property. Cooley relayed that a representative of Gulf Atlantic Railways had been in contact with Wetterich and stated that they were supportive of having the illegally constructed building demolished, but that they did not have the funding to institute its removal. Attorney Kirk stated that he had been advised to get in contact with someone at Grenada Railroad regarding the issue.
“I’m gonna talk to them and get in contact with their [Grenada Railroad’s] lawyer and their operator and see what they want to do. Unless y’all [The Board] want to do something different. That’s the way I’ll proceed with it,” Attorney Kirk stated, needing to confirm the right-of-way ownership of the property.
In other news, the Board:
• Accepted the agenda.
• Approved the minutes of June.
• Received Police Chief Tim Gholston’s monthly report.
• Approved a request to use the gym on July 17 and 18.
• Approved a request to use part of the park on Benford Avenue for the Bogue Creek Festival.
• Agreed to the use of the gym for August 10 for National Night Out from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Heard issues about garbage pick up on Lancaster Circle and advised delayed pickup due to low power lines.
• Went into executive session to discuss an undisclosed legal matter, no action was taken at this time.
• Heard concerns from Alderwoman Brown-Kountz regarding a low live wire and agreed to submit a service report with Entergy regarding the issue.
• Discussed business to be conducted with Onyx Development Group involving grant consulting services.
For those interested in viewing the full Duck Hill Board of Aldermen meeting, a recording of the livestream is available on the The Winona Times and The Conservative’s Facebook page.
