Valora Lewis

The meeting began with a prayer and acknowledgments for technical assistance provided for the first attempt at livestreaming the board meeting, involving personnel from Crossgates Baptist Church and Tech. Key discussions included allocating approximately $8,000 to $10,000 from unused funds in the Parks and Recreation and Senior Center budgets for the one-time purchase of equipment and software to facilitate livestreaming to multiple platforms. The Board also considered approving the continuation of the local emergency declaration for an additional 30 days, declaring $85,707.10 as forfeited drug seizure funds to be disbursed to the District Attorney and Sheriff's Department, and discussing the reimbursement of $3,000 to the Brandon Garden Club for the emergency treatment of crepemyrtles in city cemeteries. Further agenda items included approving the docket of claims for May, authorizing the hiring of seasonal splash park attendance, approving the extension of a dump truck rental for trail maintenance, accepting the Mississippi Public Service Commission order regarding utility disconnections and late fees, authorizing the purchase of a rotary cutter, and approving the advertisement for bids for the Boys Thompson bike lane project. In a later segment, the Board considered three items related to the police department, which were approved after the removal of one item from the original agenda. Finally, the Board voted to enter an executive session to discuss a personnel matter before adjourning until the June meeting.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and included a discussion regarding the format of future board meetings, including potential work sessions. A representative from the Brandon High School band program provided an update on their annual 5K run fundraiser, noting an increase in participation and discussing elements like the event timing and participant benefits, noting it is a partnership with the city and the Magic of Lights event. Department reports covered personnel matters, including an employee situation, and an update on a successful response to a cargo trailer fire on Interstate 20. Discussions also touched upon housing policy, specifically concerns raised by various associations regarding square footage ordinances and workforce housing definitions across Mississippi municipalities. Water department updates included the failure and subsequent repair timeline for a chamber water well, the expected online status of the Stratford well, and the pursuit of an EDA grant for a new water well, with specific consideration for sites near Sunset Park and the industrial park. Land use items included a quote for clearing land adjacent to the city for street and parking development, and the identification of potential sites for future water wells, noting geological considerations like sand strata depth. School board information highlighted saturated enrollment numbers across elementary schools. The board also reviewed public works metrics, noting that while work order completion is tracked, the volume of incoming work continues to outpace capacity, and a zoning ordinance revision discussion was noted as needing further work sessions.

The work session focused primarily on two topics following an initial discussion regarding maintaining social distancing protocols. The first key discussion involved single-family residential rental homes being rented to individuals with disabilities, clarifying that this use is not classified as a group home, boarding house, or multi-family use under current zoning ordinances. Legal counsel confirmed that the proposed use conforms to zoning and is protected under federal laws like the ADA and Fair Housing Act, with no special permission required, provided there is no clear threat to public welfare. The second major discussion addressed accessory buildings, reviewing the current zoning code which only dictates placement, size, and height, but excludes architectural control regarding materials or colors. There was a request for further review regarding incorporating architectural review standards into the ordinance.

The special called board meeting addressed several items of business due to the extended period since the last regular session. Key discussions included a motion to approve the special meeting notice to be appended to the minutes. The board considered and approved an order setting pay for poll workers, poll managers, and resolution board members, noting changes in state law regarding resolution board requirements for reviewing questionable ballots. Another agenda item involved declaring $428,935 as forfeit funds from drug seizure deposits and authorizing disbursements to the Rankin County Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's office. The board also approved the purchase of event liability insurance, including event cancellation insurance and assured control insurance, for amphitheater events. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the 2020 audit, with auditors present to discuss findings, including the achievement of an unqualified opinion and the health of the general fund balance, which was highlighted as the best in twenty years.

The work session included discussions with visitors regarding critical city matters. One primary topic involved an update on the redistricting process following the 2020 census, detailing the methodology to ensure population equality across wards, referencing the one-person-one-vote criteria, and outlining the expected timeline for receiving necessary census data. Another key discussion centered on a proposal for updating the city's comprehensive plan, which is mandatory for jurisdictions enforcing zoning and subdivision regulations. The presentation highlighted the necessity of updating the existing plan due to high growth, detailing the plan elements (goals, facilities, transportation, land use), and emphasizing the use of advanced GIS and drone technology to create interactive visualizations. Finally, there was a request for action on Transportation Alternative (TA) projects, such as sidewalks and running trails, to allow preliminary analysis to begin before the next fiscal year starts.