Bonds to pave streets crosses next step

Published 7:00 am Wednesday, February 6, 2019

The city of Poplarville is preparing to undergo some major infrastructure improvements.

The Board of Alderman unanimously gave final approval Tuesday to authorize the issuance of General Obligation Bonds in the amount of $1.3 million.

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Those funds will be used for constructing, improving or paving streets, sidewalks, driveways, parkways or public parking facilities.

Board members had given first approval during the Dec. 18 meeting, and further passed a resolution because “no sufficient protest against the issuance of the bonds” had been filed by qualified city voters.

Attorney Troy Johnston from the law firm of Butler Snow, LLP, in Jackson, guided the Board through the process.

“You will be paying this from the gas tax you receive from the state,” Johnston said. He added the bond would be retired over a period of 12-years.

Plans are for the city to begin advertising the bond sale Feb. 7 and Feb. 14.

“We will sell the bonds on Feb. 19,” Johnston said. “We will see who has the lowest interest rate and go from there.”

The Board also heard for consideration contractor estimates for the third phase of the abandoned Public Works Annex facility demolition.

Jason Lamb with The Walker Associates, PLLC, the Hattiesburg firm which engineered Phase II of the City Square Park improvement, told the Board he had gotten quotes from local businesses.

Two demolition quotes were turned in late Tuesday afternoon. They were: Sambo’s Dozer Service for $5,300 and

Demolition Holiday for $18,500.

Lamb said planning to build a fence around the property needs to be set once the building comes down.

The bids received for the fence were from United Fence at $4,800 and Can’t Be Beat Fence at $7,390.

He warned demolition is not part of the loan. The fencing and drive-through will be paid for using city funds.

“I think the budget can stand that,” City Clerk Jane O’Neal said.

The Board unanimously approved both of the low bids submitted.

The Board authorized the mayor to execute the close-out report for Phase II of the City Square Project.

The city received two Small Municipalities Grants totaling $268,856 from the Mississippi Development Authority in 2016 and 2017 which were used to purchase the land in the first phase of the project, and for construction of the park in the second phase.

The motion was an administrative procedure to end the grant.

The Board will meet again on Feb. 19, at 5 p.m.