The Vaiden Board of Aldermen gathered for its February meeting, kicking off the meeting with the approval of both the meeting agenda and the minutes from the previous month. The Board followed by authorizing to pay the Docket of Claims of $18,637.69.
Guest speaker Jermarcus Williams then spoke about using the Vaiden gym for the Vaiden Legends Basketball Organizations practices and a tournament coming up in March. His plans are to hold an event on Feb. 25, to introduce the Legends, and also hold a basketball tournament on March 30-31. These dates are subject to change.
“I do appreciate you bringing that back,” Alderwoman Lesia Hemphill said. “I applaud your efforts to further our youth.”
The Board then discussed liability insurance, rent, and dates for the Legends Basketball Organizations practices and tournaments. Williams is going to meet with Mayor Stella Washington Bell and City Clerk Raven McCoy to discuss specific dates for practices and events and finalize the cost of rent for the upcoming events.
In other business during the Monday, Feb 5, meeting, the Board:
• Agreed to seek three quotes for the PW 67 (Water Department) and PW 1559 (old fire station) PA-04-MS-4697 in the amount of $17,984.94 and accept the lowest bidder for the procurement/FEMA.
• Discussed the Water Infrastructure $2.5 million project plans and land acquisition. To get this project under way, Vaiden must acquire land around Well #2 and the well behind City Hall. This land is crucial for the construction of an underground pool, which will serve as a dumping station for water. The town plans to explore the possibility of purchasing the required land with landowners. The Board has authorized discussions with the landowners surrounding the wells.
• Authorized the Resolution Declaring Intent to Levy Tourism and Economic Development Tax. Two percent will be earmarked to the businessowners. Every four years, this must be completed.
• Approved a resolution requesting Gov. Tate Reeves to proclaim a State of Emergency on Jan 12-15, 2024, in Carroll County due to the impact (or imminent threat) of the winter storm.
• Approved for the Town of Vaiden and Holmes County Bank & Trust Resolution for a checking account for all Grant funds to be deposited or transferred to this account until the project start date and/or request for cash is issued. The resolution from the Holmes County Bank & Trust establishing Mayor Stella Washington Bell as an authorized agent. Retaining Vice Mayor Lesia Williams-Hemphill, Raven E. McCoy to this Federal Grant authorized agent, retaining Vice Mayor Lesia Williams-Hemphill, and City Clerk, Raven E. McCoy to this account for Grant Funds holdings.
This is to keep grant money separate from the other accounts.
• Approved for Grinder Drilling Services to drill at City Well #2. This is to diagnose what exactly is wrong with the well.
• Approved to have a contractor or engineer replace the check and gate valves at the lift station on Greensboro St.
• Authorized Alderman Theodore Purnell to speak with MDOT to approve a street sign with the town’s logo on it, as part of a CCDA tourism grant.
The last subject on the agenda was discussion of grants that the town has been awarded, the Homeland Security Grant in the amount of $20,000 and the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Grant in the amount of $10,000. The Homeland Security Grant funds will go towards fencing and exterior lighting at the gym, as well as walk through scanners for City Hall. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Grant funds will go towards laptops, cleaning supplies, trainings, and personal protective equipment.
To close out the meeting Mayor Washington Bell encouraged the Board to think of a strategic plan for the use of the $2.5 million Water and Environmental Program (WEP) Grant that Vaiden recently received.
“Some of this money we have allocated to well filtration, water lines, and more,” she explained.
Mayor Washington Bell added that she wants these funds to benefit the community to the fullest. Her goal is to improve the town’s water infrastructure and circumvent issues like the ones they had during the winter storm.
