Picayune’s City Council approved motions for a change order in regard to roof work at the Picayune Police Department and an amendment to the ordinance governing the special use of Crosby Commons for public and private events.

Ongoing roof work at the Picayune Police Department has determined that more work is needed to properly fix the aging building’s uppermost weather barrier.

Brooks Wallace with Dungan Engineering, said the extra work could cost as much as $60,000, in excess of the original estimate of $230,000.

The cause for the extra work was due to a deteriorating layer of soft concrete covering conduits on the roof’s base layer of structural concrete.

The project included replacing three of the facility’s five HVAC systems on the roof. Public Works Director Eric Morris said the other two systems are not very old. Once the project is complete the oldest HVAC system at the facility will have been in service for 3 years.

The change order for $60,000 includes replacing the layer of soft concrete on the entire building. Wallace said that if the entire building does not require the work, then the increase to the total project would be less.

A warranty against roof leaks for 20 years is included in the project.

The Council approved a motion to make that and other budget amendments in the general, utility and economic development funds.

In relation to the special use ordinance change, public and private event rates were set for the use of Crosby Commons.

Code Enforcement Officer Tom Milar said the rate structure varies from $300 to $2,200, depending on if the event is public or private, if it is being held by a non-profit and whether the stage, bathrooms and sound system will be used.

However, if someone just wants to hold a public birthday party where the park will remain open and there won’t be a need for the bathrooms, stage and sound system, there will still be no charge.

Non-profit organizations will need to show proof of their 501-c3 status to get the reduced rate.

Key fobs are still being sold for $25 a year for the public use of the bathrooms at Crosby Commons. Milar said the key fobs are a way to deter vandalism and other crimes at the public facility, while allowing public access to the restrooms on a 24 hour basis.

A key fob can be purchased at City Hall where utility bills are paid, or by calling the number listed on the signs at the entrance of each bathroom.

City Clerk Amber Hinton said that so far, 12 key fobs have been sold.

The Council also approved a request to acknowledge February as National Rare Disease Month to raise awareness of rare diseases such as HLH. Tonya Dawsey spoke at Tuesday’s meeting about her grandson Cade Belsome, who passed away in 2010 from the rare disease. Today, she organizes local events such as Coats for Cade to raise awareness of HLH and other rare diseases.

The next Council meeting will be March 6, at 5 p.m. in City Hall.