Rufus W. Jones

The agenda for this session included a Public Hearing for an Abatement Hearing concerning the property at 316 E. Woodlawn Street (Kwalu Building). New Business items consisted of the Town Council's consideration and approval for the Ridgeland Fire Department to purchase rescue equipment, specifically a ladder truck, from C.W. Williams, to be funded by the Local Tourism Fund. Another key item was the consideration and approval of the 12-month renewal for Retail Strategies Retail Recruitment Services, also to be paid from the Local Tourism Fund. The agenda also scheduled an Administrator's Report and a Council Member's Privilege segment.

The meeting commenced with a public hearing and presentation segment which included soliciting public input for the Community Development Block Program (CDBG) regarding Housing, Public Facilities, and Economic Development needs. Other public hearings addressed an ordinance to annex a portion of Tax Map Parcel Number 062-18-06-008 (owned by Clayton Properties Group, Inc. DBA Mungo Homes) and amend its zoning to T-3 Neighborhood General Zoning. Further public hearings concerned an ordinance to modify zoning for Tax Map Numbers 062-00-03-017 and 062-00-03-067 from T3 Neighborhood to SD Industrial Special District: Industrial, and an ordinance to amend the Town of Ridgeland Smart Code regarding building function and architectural standards. The Finance Director presented the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Calendar. Old business involved the second reading of the ordinances concerning annexation, zoning modification, and Smart Code amendments. New business included ranking of Needs Assessments for 2026. The agenda concluded with an executive session to discuss negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements related to the Ridgeland Elementary School Building Draft Letter of Intent (LOI), followed by action on matters discussed therein.

The agenda includes a rezoning application for a property on West Langford Street, requesting a change from T3 Neighborhood General to T4 Neighborhood Core. Another item involves a petition for annexation and zoning designation of T4 Neighborhood Core for a property on East Frontage Road. The commission will also discuss staff and commissioner's comments.

The Ridgeland Town Council meeting included a code enforcement presentation, a public hearing regarding the conveyance of alleyways, and a proclamation declaring November 20th as World Pancreatic Cancer Day. The council considered engaging code enforcement services from Safebuilt and discussed awarding a contract to Raftelis for impact fee assessment and capital improvements planning. A request to move the November 16, 2025, meeting was also on the agenda. Furthermore, the council addressed a resolution to accept an annexation petition from Firefly Investments, and the first reading of an ordinance to annex a specific tax map parcel. A discussion was held regarding a quote from D&D Construction for curbing changes.

The meeting includes discussion of a petition for annexation and zoning designation of Special District-Exit 21 for one lot and rezoning of thirty-one lots to Special District-Nimmer. The Planning Commission's role is advisory to the Council, and action is needed to provide recommendations to the Council.