ELLISVILLE - The Ellisville Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the purchase of a vehicle for one department while approving some staffing changes in others.
In the absence of Ellisville Mayor Lynn Buckhaults, the five-member Board of Aldermen handled several items during this week’s meeting.
Ward 3 Alderman Aaron Heidelberg, who presided over the meeting, said the mayor had an emergency and could not attend.
With a unanimous vote, the board agreed to purchase a 2019 extended cab, four-wheel drive Nissan for the city’s Public Works Department off state bid at a price of $22,000. According to officials said, the department’s current vehicle is old. The “engine is just wore out on the other truck,” Heidelberg said.
The board also voted to authorize the mayor to purchase a truck from surplus for the Street Department to replace the city’s old truck used for mosquito spraying. The cost should not exceed $1,500.
In another matter Tuesday, the board approved Otis Walters’ request for some partial street closures on May 4th between the hours of 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Walters said he is working with a group in an effort to have a city-wide block party in front of the mission in Ellisville and the closure would allow for parking for those attending the event. Walters asked the city if it would close North Street in front of the mission and East Street from McManus Street to North Street.
The board agreed to support the request provided that attendees park where they do not obstruct the passage of emergency vehicles, if needed.
In a separate matter, the board appointed Clarence Putnam as the city’s animal control officer and voted to allow Putnam to attend basic animal control officer certification classes in Hattiesburg on June 3-7, 2019 at a cost of $550.
In other business, the city approved some changes in the Police Department and the Fire Department and discussed the Ellisville Farmers Market.
The board, upon the recommendation of Police Chief Bruce Russell, accepted the resignation of Randy Pitts, who did not complete the Police Academy.
The board also approved a 50 cent pay increase for Perri Housley with the police department, bringing Housley’s pay to $11 an hour.
The board also approved the removal of seven people from the Ellisville Fire Department part-time firefighter list. Fire Chief Ronnie McGilberry said those persons are being removed from the part-time list because they have not responded to the department’s calls for help when needed.
In a separate matter, the board approved a new agreement with Cintas for public works uniforms. According to officials, the department’s current contract is expiring and the city wants to continue using the service. The price for the service will remain $55 a week, of which half is paid by the city and the other half by the employee.
City Attorney Freida Gunn Collins reminded the board that they cannot guarantee any contract beyond their term in office. The approved agreement with Cintas is a five-year contract. However, Collins said, the new city board of aldermen, following the city elections, will have the power to cancel the contract, if needed.
Also, as a part of the contract the city will change its public works uniforms from green to charcoal gray.