WINONA – A representative from the Mississippi Blight Elimination Program spoke to the Winona Mayor and Board of Aldermen about an option in cleaning up abandoned residential properties in Winona.
Ben Mokry said the Blight Elimination Program is funded through the U.S. Treasury from money left over from the 2008 Economic Stimulus Program passed by Congress under President George W. Bush. The program offers funding to local governments from $500,000 to $4 million to purchase residential properties that currently fails local codes. The property must be vacant and abandoned, uninhabitable, and non-commercial.
Mokry told the board that the purpose of the program was to turn blighted property into viable real estate by selling it to neighboring residents, a contractor who wishes to build another home, used as a city park, or given to a non-profit.
Mokry told the board that if approved for the program, the city can spend up to $15,000 to purchase the property, with the title being held by a partnering organization or business.
“The program allows up to $500,000 per applicant at a time up to $4 million,” Mokry said.
The board tabled the matter until a later date.
In other city business:
• Winona librarian Wendy Rushing and Assistant Librarian Patricia Nail came before the board to report library happenings for the last quarter as well as submit its budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year.
According to Rushing, the FY2017 library budget, adopted by the Montgomery County Library Board in April, includes an increase in funding from the local level. The city’s request for the new year is $69,432, including an increase of $10,732 to fund a part-time library clerk.
Rushing said the increase is required because of a $12,430 cut from the state level.
“If increases are not met, we will have to cut book budgets and non-personnel items,” Rushing said.
• The board approved a 20x65x65 Race/Walk sponsored by Family Health Care Center on Front Street on August 12, 2017, at 7 a.m. in celebration of Health Center Week.
• The board approved a feasibility study for high-speed wireless Internet be conducted on top of the Simpson Drive water tower. Jeff Ellis asked for permission to use the tower with the hopes of opening his own high-speed Internet company.
The board approved Ellis’ request but required him to provide proof of insurance on the equipment, and he must sign an agreement with the city.
• The board accepted the resignation of Nick Nester from the Winona Water Department, and they approved hiring Ron Alderberry.
• The board began condemnation proceedings on 1021 Burns Street.
• Youth soccer and football registration will begin in the coming weeks, according to Parks Director Mike Narmour.
• The first fall baseball tournament will be held August 5-6 at the Winona Recreational Park.
• The Winona Police Department will hold field sobriety training this week at the Winona Montgomery Municipal Airport.
• Street Superintendent Tony Palmertree informed the board that he finished patching streets damaged in the sewer improvement project. Next up for the Street Department is overlaying Gamble Street.
• Alderman Kelvin Winbush and Alderman Mickey Austin will serve on a committee with Mayor Jerry Flowers to work to develop a city-owned distribution center. Flowers said he plans to meet with the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors to seek its help in developing the center.
• The board voted to relocate the existing garbage bins near the Winona City Barn and move them inside the gate to stop garbage from being spread around the neighborhood. The board voted to hire someone to oversee the bins during operating hours, 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The bins will also be available to Winona residents on Saturday, but the times have not yet been established.
