Council members heard from participants of a sign committee who concluded that while some changes are needed to the ordinance, enforcement is key.

Planning and Zoning Director Diane Miller said recently three observations of the city, two by Mississippi State students and another by the Mississippi Development Authority, determined that the city has the proper ordinances in place, but they need to be enforced.

One of the problems Miller noticed is that the city is missing out on revenue from the signs, even though the ordinance states a permit fee should be collected.

“To me that’s one of our biggest problems, they never come to us first to get a permit,” Miller said.

Fr. Jonathan Filkins said he was appointed to the sign committee by City Manager Jim Luke to gather information and form an opinion on the current ordinance. Filkins said he has noticed a number of signs in the city look as though they are in need of repair. This situation is not due to the lack of ordinances, but from their lack of enforcement.

Filkins compared the look of the city to the type of clothes a person would wear to a job interview.

“The question to ask when looking at the city is, ‘will you hire us?’” Filkins said.

Another thing Filkins noticed about the city’s ordinance is that it needs simpler language. No action was taken on the matter.

During the meeting the council was introduced to the city’s new Parks and Recreation Director, Heath Stevens. Stevens said his goal is to promote the city’s parks as prime locations for sporting tournaments, which will bring in tourism dollars to the city’s restaurants and hotels. So far he has been able to schedule a total of nine tournaments for Friendship Park. Beautification and Grounds Director Daryl Smith said the effort will also work to broaden the types of tournaments, everything from soccer to tennis.

“We’re not just looking at three sports,” Smith said.

The council also approved a motion to grant conditional use for the old Picayune Tire location on Ruby Street. The agenda states the property will be converted into a business that offers an indoor electric go-cart course, mini golf and games and concessions.

During the public comments segment of the meeting, Karen Jones thanked the Picayune Police Department for their work in recovering her niece who ran away to Texas. Assistant to the Chief of Police Jeremy Magri said the success of the effort was due to teamwork within the department.

In other business the council;

— Approved a motion to surplus four vehicles in the Public Works Department.

— Approved a request to authorize Police Chief Bryan Dawsey to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Alchohol and Tobacco for ATF to provide investigative services at no cost.

— Approved a request to allow Dawsey to enter into an MOU with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement for expense reimbursement.

The next meeting is set for 5 p.m. April 22.