Downtown Magnolia Decorated for Fall

On Tuesday, September 27, the Working Session for October City Board meeting was held at City Hall. Four of the five Aldermen/Alderwomen were present, with the exception of Darrell Pounds. Mayor Tammy Witherspoon presented 8 agenda items.

The state is offering two-for-one matching grant for ARPA funds that have been received by cities. The city of Magnolia has acquired $546,000 in ARPA funds that “may” be applied towards this grant. The city must hold a special meeting before Friday to pass a resolution and submit an application for the grant. Any applications submitted after the Friday deadline will only have the option of receiving a one-for-one funding match. The grant is being provided from the MCWI (Municipality and County Water Infrastructure) monies. It was unclear during the meeting what the specific requirements were related to this grant.

City Editor’s Note: I did a little research on “MCWI” and found the following. “The MS Municipality and County Water Infrastructure (MCWI) Grant Program, as set forth in Senate Bill 2822 and managed by the MS Department of Environ-mental Quality (MDEQ), provides the opportunity for grant funding for counties, municipalities and public utilities that are not regulated by the Public Service Commission for qualifying drinking water, wastewater and/or storm water projects. The MCWI program will require the county, municipality or public utility to match the MCWI grant funds with local ARPA funds.”

So, it appears that these funds must be used for specific projects related to water, sewer, and drainage projects. I expect the city Board will research and understand the requirements as they allocate the ARPA funding received to date.

During the meeting several training requests were discussed. The Mayor and Board will be attending the 2022 Small Town Conference in Flowood, MS on October 12-14. City Clerk, Erica Brown, and Deputy Clerk, Priscilla Thompson, will be at-tending the Fall Municipal Clerk Training in Hattiesburg, on October 26-28. Hershal Mike Milholen will attend a refresher course at the Columbia Law Enforcement Training Academy on Oct. 24 and continuing for 4 weeks. Police Chief, Sonya Woodall, stated that the Law Enforcement Training cost will be reimbursed to the city.

Business owner, Mercedes Ricks, from the La Mariposa Restaurant addressed the Board requesting permission to sell alcohol from her food truck in selected areas of the city. As of July 1 the State allowed food trucks to sell alcohol along with food. There are specific requirements associated with the selling of alcohol from food trucks that must be adhered to. Ms. Ricks highlighted that adding alcohol to her food truck menu will enhance sales, be used primarily for festival events, and be mindful of the city’s culture and safety concerns. Ms. Ricks, also noted that for every dollar of alcohol sold 18 cents is contributed to the city and state’s revenue via a tax.

Business entrepreneur, David Wills also addressed the Board with his plans to open a coffee shop and Music Hall in the building next to the Pizza Hut Take-out business on Railroad Street. Mr. Wills also highlighted the recent visit by movie producers to the city to develop a documentary/ series on the city. The documentary is currently being marketed to A&E and Netflix networks. Mr. Wills also discussed with the Board options for expanding the use of the Farmers Market Pavilion to allow for booths similar to the way the French Market is set up in New Orleans.

The City’s Ward Lines are being redrawn. As a result of the 2020 census there has been a significant populate loss and redistribution over the past 10 years (since the 2010 Census). This population shift requires Ward Lines and associated voting districts be redrawn. A consultant was hired who developed three options for the new Ward boundaries. Earlier this month the Board decided on the “Plan A” Ward map. Each of the three maps had pros/cons relative to the distribution of the population and demographics. The proposed and new Ward map has been presented to the public through a public hearing earlier this year and through recent public notices in the local newspaper. I’ve included the Plan A map for your review. Please be aware that this will affect some of the city’s residents in that their Ward Alder-man/representative may change.

Tuesday’s meeting was a “working session” and the official decisions and votes will be taken during the October Monthly City Board meeting on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 5:30pm at City Hall.