Columbus public meetings in 2024
21 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The council will discuss and approve awards to the lowest responsive bidders for Propst Park tennis court rehabilitation ($423,250 to Weathers Construction, Inc.) and fencing ($81,000 to Paradigm Contractors, LLC). It will also approve memoranda of understanding to allocate $100,000 of ARPA funds for a blight elimination program and $400,000 for vehicles and equipment. Additional items include hiring a maintenance technician for Recreation and a custodian for Police, both pending testing.
- Award contracts for Propst Park tennis court rehab ($423,250 to Weathers Construction, Inc.) and fencing ($81,000 to Paradigm Contractors, LLC)
- MoU to obligate $100,000 of ARPA funds for the Blight Elimination Program
- MoU to obligate $400,000 of ARPA funds for vehicles and equipment
- Discuss/approve hiring a Maintenance Technician for the Recreation Department (pending testing)
- Discuss/approve hiring one Custodian for the Columbus Police Department (pending testing)
City Council
The Columbus City Council will vote on a consent agenda including personnel resignations and a webmaster payment, then consider policy items such as a $30,000 TVA grant for Propst Park lighting, an MDOT grant for the CLCA Hangar, and a memorandum of understanding with the VA police. The council will also fill several board vacancies, including three seats on the City Planning Commission and one on the Zoning Board of Adjustments & Appeals.
- Approve $30,000 TVA grant for Propst Park Lighting Project
- Discuss/approve applying for MDOT Strategic Multi-Modal Investments Fund grant for CLCA Hangar
- Discuss/approve MOU between Columbus Police and VA Medical Center Police
- Discuss/approve hiring one entry-level and three certified police officers plus one Public Works laborer
- Fill vacancies on Columbus Housing Authority, Golden Triangle Regional Waste Management Authority, City Planning Commission, and Zoning Board of Adjustments & Appeals
City Council
The council will consider consent items including training expenses and tourism tax disbursements, hear monthly department reports, and take up policy items such as a $975,000 fire truck purchase, awarding bids for softball field conversion at Propst Park, and approving a derelict property docket.
- Approve purchase of Rosenbauer Commander Aerial Fire Truck for $975,000 using state and city funds
- Award bids totaling $445,400 to Weathers Construction, JZS, and Beckwith for Propst Park softball field conversion
- Approve $205,032.62 in tourism tax disbursements to Lowndes County, Golden Triangle Development LINK, City of Columbus, and Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Discuss/approve derelict property docket
- Authorize USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services to trap and remove beavers and dams
City Council
The Mayor and City Council are deciding on several infrastructure payments and event permits. The body is discussing funding for the Senator Terry Brown Amphitheater and watershed infrastructure, as well as park lighting retrofits.
- MOU for $1,000,000 for completion of the Senator Terry Brown Amphitheater
- Bids for Propst Park Field Lighting Retrofit: Hattaway Electric ($249,880) and Consolidated Electrical Distributors ($153,100)
- Payment of $103,543.89 to Tabor Construction and Development of MS, Inc. for Airport Box Hangar Construction
- MOU for $190,808.00 for watershed infrastructure
- Payment of $23,100 to Ingram Equipment Company for debris airburner rental
City Council
The City Council will consider several consent items, including tourism tax disbursements and event permits. The body will also discuss the derelict property docket and the sale of the old Fire Station #4.
- Tourism Tax payments totaling $223,478.20 to Lowndes County, Golden Triangle Development LINK, City of Columbus, and Columbus Visitors Bureau
- Sponsorship of the Columbus Bassmaster Opens in the amount of $15,000
- Permit for 3rd Annual Fall Festival on October 19, 2024, at 810 Fir Street
- Proposed sale of surplus property (Old Fire Station #4) via broker Jeffrey Carter
- Discussion and approval of the Derelict Property Docket
City Council
The council will consider a range of items, including event permits, travel reimbursements, and staffing requests. They will discuss hiring two entry‑level firefighters and four entry‑level police officers, pending required testing. A purchase of two Stalker Lidar Handheld Radars for $5,165 will be reviewed. Additional topics include leadership plaza improvements and unallocated paving funding.
- Approve purchase of two Stalker Lidar Handheld Radars for $5,165 using state grant funds
- Approve $1,202.70 travel payment for Landfill Supervisor to attend SWANA Fall Conference
- Approve $877.77 travel payment for Public Works Assistant Director to attend MS811 Summit
- Discuss and approve hiring of two entry‑level firefighters pending exams and drug screen
- Discuss and approve hiring of four entry‑level police officers contingent on testing
City Council
The City Council will discuss several infrastructure and policy items, including the repair or demolition of 161 Maple Street and paving on Cooper Road. The body will also review various event permits and professional development expenses for city staff.
- Application for Department of Justice's Byrne Equipment Grant in the amount of $1,873,500
- Payment of $10,800 to Falcon Contracting for the repair of the 5th Street void
- Discussion on the repair or demolition of the property at 161 Maple Street
- Proposed paving of Cooper Road at Burford Electric Service, Inc.
- Permit requests for events including a 'Fall Fest Block Party' at 324 Fifth Street South
City Council
The City Council will consider and vote on several policy items, including awarding major construction contracts and accepting state grant agreements. They will also act on personnel matters, permit requests for downtown events, and routine approvals such as minutes and insurance renewal. Additional items include hiring for recreation and community outreach, and a promotion within Fire and Rescue.
- Approve award of CLCA Runway Pavement Rehabilitation contract to APAC for $1,877,861.40
- Approve award of CLCA Box Hangar Construction contract to Tabor Construction & Development for $1,063,775.58
- Accept MDOT AIP Matching Grant Agreement for $103,379.00 for the runway pavement rehabilitation project
- Approve permit for the "Downtown Art Walk" on Main Street and Fifth Street on September 28, 2024
- Approve hiring of three entry‑level police officers and one certified police officer contingent on testing
City Council
The Mayor and City Council will discuss accepting two FAA grants for runway rehabilitation and hangar construction. The body is also considering the purchase of storm shelters and the installation of speed humps on several streets.
- FAA AIP Grant of $1,860,805.00 for CLCA Runway Pavement Rehabilitation
- FAA BIL-AIG Grant of $448,000.00 for CLCA Box Hangar Construction
- Purchase of 11 concrete storm shelters for $69,795.01
- Payment of $20,000 to Bostick Construction, LLC for Regal Hall Exterior Renovations
- Speed hump installations on Hemlock Street, 26th Street North, Fallwood Drive, and Williamsburg Road
City Council
The City Council will consider several infrastructure projects, including a street overlay contract and storm water improvements. The meeting includes discussions on police recruitment, redistricting, and various municipal funding agreements.
- Awarding 2024 Bituminous Hot Mix Overlay & Street Improvements project to Falcon Contracting Company, Inc.
- Hiring six police officers contingent upon successful testing
- $8,500 appropriation request for Columbus Lowndes County Emergency Management
- $3,000 expenditure for National Night Out on Crime sites
- Permit for Townsend Park Blues Festival on July 5 & 6, 2024
City Council
The Mayor and City Council will review various departmental reports and several consent agenda requests. The meeting includes discussions on derelict property, a Public Works promotion, and the purchase of bulletproof vests.
- Payment of $2,123.76 for four Fire and Rescue personnel training
- Estimated travel expenses of $1,325.86 per person for Mississippi Policy Conference attendance
- Estimated travel expenses of $1,319.04 per person for Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Conference attendance
- Request to purchase bulletproof vests with 50% reimbursement via federal partnership
- Acceptance of three Fire and Rescue firefighter retirements effective June through July 2024
City Council
The City Council will consider several personnel requests including hiring new police officers and laborers. The meeting also includes discussions on purchasing fire safety gear and amending ordinances regarding beer and wine consumption in parks.
- Request for Columbus Fire and Rescue to purchase boots and turnouts for $35,930.18 plus freight
- Proposal to hire two entry level Officers and one certified Sergeant
- Proposal to hire three Laborers
- Payment of $37,891.38 for ESCO Project Debt service
- Amendment to allow beer and wine consumption in parks smaller than 11 acres under specific conditions
City Council
The council will discuss grant applications for runway and hangar rehabilitation at CLCA. The agenda also includes advertising for upcoming street paving projects and the hiring of two new police officers.
- Grant applications for CLCA runway pavement and hangar rehabilitation
- Proposal to hire two certified Columbus Police Department officers
- Advertising for upcoming street paving projects
- Sale of municipal surplus property at 249 Airline Road
- Swearing in of eight new Columbus Police Department officers
City Council
The Columbus City Council will consider various permits and personnel changes, including firefighter and police officer resignations. The meeting also includes discussions on updating city ordinances and reviewing environmental services for a housing initiative.
- $211,925.77 in 2% Tourism Tax payments to several local entities
- Permit request for Victory Tabernacle Block Party at 324 Fifth Street South
- Contract to recodify City Ordinances in the Municipal Code Book and website
- Waggoner Engineering, Inc. Task Order No. 1 for environmental review services
- $1,955.00 for CPD personnel training in New Orleans
City Council
The Columbus City Council will review a derelict property docket and discuss street improvements that may affect local access. Members will consider accepting a $40,000 state safety grant, awarding a $99,000 bypass cutting contract to S & S Landscaping & Nursery, LLC, and hiring an interim IT director from Interel Technologies, LLC at $6,698 per month. The council will approve festival funding totaling $45,000 through the 2% Restaurant Tax Agreement and review permits for several upcoming street closures that will temporarily block local roads.
- Discuss/accept FY2024 Safe Streets and Roads For All Grant with a $40,000 match
- Award bypass cutting contract to S & S Landscaping & Nursery, LLC for $99,000
- Approve $15,000 each from the 2% Restaurant Tax Agreement for Market Street, Juneteenth, and 7th Avenue Heritage festivals
- Review derelict property docket and handrail installation on the 500 block of 2nd Avenue North
- Consider permits blocking sections of Championship Loop, 20th Street North, and Third Avenue North for upcoming events
City Council
The City Council will consider various items including festival funding, police hiring, and a $3,000,000 transfer for the Burns Bottom project. The meeting also includes several departmental monthly reports and requests for professional training expenses.
- $15,000 each for Juneteenth Festival, 7th Avenue Heritage Festival, and Market Street Festival
- $3,000,000 transfer for the Burns Bottom urban renewal project
- $148,572 bid for cemetery grounds maintenance by BAM LLC
- Hiring of two entry level and two certified police officers
- $40,000 Safe Streets and Roads For All Grant
City Council
The City Council will consider several police department requests for uniforms, holsters, and vehicle mounts. The meeting also includes discussions on fire and rescue personnel promotions, hiring, and accreditation standards.
- Police purchase of computer mounts from Jackson Communications, Inc. for $15,876.00
- Police purchase of uniforms from The Southern Connection for $25,830.00
- Police purchase of holsters from The Southern Connection for $10,917.84
- Police purchase of gun lock cage mounts from Acme Window Tinting for $12,750.00
- Fire and Rescue personnel training and certification expenses totaling $2,450.00
City Council
The City Council will consider several personnel matters, including fire and police promotions. The agenda also includes various event permits for street closures and monthly departmental reports.
- $400.00 for Fire and Rescue Haz-Mat training
- Street closure permit for St. Patty's Day Pawty at Zachary's Restaurant
- Street closure permit for National Day of Prayer at Lowndes County Courthouse
- Street closure permit for Black History Month Event on 2nd Ave
- Promotion of two Fire and Rescue personnel to Certified Firefighter
City Council
The City Council will consider several policy items including a handgun trade for the police department, fire department grants, and property management for CLCA's hangar. The meeting also includes discussions on drainage improvements, municipal court amnesty, and the transfer of ARPA funds for a blight program.
- Trade of 109 Glock 23 handguns for 70 Glock 45 handguns for $31,620.00
- Transfer of $450,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for the Blight Program
- AFG grant of $21,000.00 for fire department washer and dryer purchase
- Drainage improvement change order for Beech Street in the amount of $3,500.00
- Hazard Mitigation Grant Program agreement for storm shelters estimated at $15,031.19
City Council
The Columbus City Council will consider several personnel actions, including police hiring and a resignation. The meeting also includes approving tourism tax payments and festival funding.
- Distribution of $195,615.67 in 2% Tourism Tax payments to various entities
- $15,000.00 funding request for Townsend Park Blues-Southside Festival
- Proposal to hire one full-time officer and two certified police officers
- Permit request for the 'Catfish in the Alley' event on April 6, 2024
- Amendment to the City's Substance Abuse Policy
City Council
The City Council will consider several personnel matters, including firefighter promotions and the swearing in of new officers. The council will also discuss a grant application for the Columbus Police Department regarding traffic services.
- Police Traffic Service Grant application: ~$207,000 for FY24 and ~$400,000 for FY25
- Fire and Rescue training and registration expenses totaling $1,219.00
- YMCA Centennial Celebration Block Party permit request for April 26-27, 2024
- Swearing in of one Fire & Rescue Firefighter and two CPD Officers
- Filling vacancies for the Golden Triangle Regional Waste Management Authority, Columbus Housing Authority, Board of Adjustments & Appeals, and City Planning Commission