Local songwriter Brenda Davenport Taylor was provided a resolution of appreciation by the Picayune City Council for her song, “My Hometown of Picayune” during Tuesday’s meeting.
According to the resolution presented to her, she got the idea to write the song in 2010 to share her sense of loyalty and dedication to the current and past residents of the city.
Before receiving her resolution, she performed the song for the audience.
The Council also approved a motion to accept the donation of 23 concrete planters from Picayune Main Street to the city. Planning and Zoning Director Diane Miller said the city has already received and installed 10 of the planters throughout the city, with the remaining 13 to be delivered soon.
The Council also discussed a matter concerning empty lots in the Berrywood Estates, located off of Sycamore Road.
Code Enforcement Officer Tom Milar said the city was notified by residents in the area that several empty lots were not being maintained and mowed. The city checked into the matter, discovering the heirs to the estate were not maintaining the property because they thought the homeowners association was doing it. However, a committee had not been established by the HOA. Milar said discussions took place with the heirs, who have now split the responsibility of maintaining the lots.
But, there is still the matter of a ditch between Berrywood and the adjacent subdivision.
It was the understanding of the heirs that the ditch had been accepted by the city years ago. Milar said his research into the minutes determined that the city actually declined the ditch, leaving its maintenance up to the owners. As such, the growing trees and other vegetation has caused drainage of the area to slow, leading to the ditch becoming clogged and creating a place for mosquitos to breed.
Milar said his next course of action will be to determine why the previous Council chose not to accept the ditch, and decide what to do next. Discussions with the heirs made it clear that should the city decide to accept the ditch, they will need an easement to access it to conduct maintenance, and if they decide not to accept it, it will be up to the heirs to maintain it.
In other business the Council:
— Approved a motion to change the name of Clarenda Street to Katie Beck Dees Street.
— Approved a request from Dedra Ketchens for a home occupational license for her e-commerce business.
— Accepted a donation of a bench seat from Henleyfield Volunteer Fire Department to be used in a city vehicle.
— Approved a motion to advertise for sealed bids for the lease purchase of a full sized track hoe, mini track hoe and a backhoe to replace existing equipment. Current equipment will be sold.
— Accepted a motion to purchase a utility easement from Mark Gibson for $1.
The next Council meeting will be July 5 at 5 p.m. in the Council chambers of City Hall.