Hattiesburg public meetings in 2022

City Council

The City Council will vote on a zoning change for properties at Vernon Street and Magnolia Avenue from residential to multi-family, as petitioned by William Carey University and others. It will also decide on several conditional use and variance requests, including a gravel storage space, a restaurant without drive-through, and a billboard variance. Additionally, the council will consider contracts for animal shelter management, emergency roof repairs, and multiple construction bids for park and roadway projects.

• Rezone properties at Vernon St & Magnolia Ave from R-1A/R-2 to R-3 (Multi-Family) — William Carey University petition
• Conditional use for gravel outdoor storage at 5566 Old Highway 42 (B-3 zone)
• Conditional use for restaurant without drive-through at 1001 Main St (B-2 zone)
• Variance for billboard at 5032 Hardy St to reduce spacing from 1,000 ft to 690 ft and side setback to 0 ft
• Accept $24.3M bid from R&J Construction for Hall Avenue West Phase II Roadway Project

The City Council approved a $24,292,480.68 contract for the Hall Avenue West Phase II-Roadway Project. The council also authorized several park improvements, including a $1.05M parking project and a $734,750 improvement project at Jaycee Park. Additionally, the council approved various zoning changes, variances, and municipal agreements.

• Approved $24,292,480.68 bid from R & J Construction, Inc. for Hall Avenue West Phase II-Roadway Project (5-0)
• Approved $1,049,620.17 bid from J. W. Chain Contractors, Inc. for Jaycee Park Parking Improvements (5-0)
• Approved $734,750.00 bid from Phoenix Construction, LLC for Jaycee Park Improvements (5-0)
• Approved rezoning of properties at Vernon Street and Magnolia Avenue to R-3 Multi-Family Residential (5-0)
• Approved $175,000.00 purchase of property at PPIN # 19211 (5-0)
• Approved conditional use for restaurant at 1001 Main St with dumpster location condition (5-0)
• Approved agreement with Southern Pines Animal Shelter for management services (5-0)
• Approved $219,240.00 Mississippi Arts Commission grant for theatre renovations at 825 N. Main Street (5-0)

General

The Hattiesburg City Council will consider accepting a $24,292,480.68 bid from R & J Construction, Inc. for the Hall Avenue West Phase II Roadway Project. The agenda also includes standard items such as call to order, agenda adjustments, review, citizens' forum, and recess.

• Accept bid from R & J Construction, Inc. for Hall Avenue West Phase II Roadway Project at $24,292,480.68
• Authorize Mayor to execute contracts and related documents upon MDOT concurrence

The City Council adopted a resolution to direct the City Attorney to seek the permanent abatement of VFW Post 5397 as a public nuisance in court. The council also reviewed a bid for a roadway project and held an executive session regarding potential litigation.

• Adopted Resolution #2022-146 to bring action in Forrest County Chancery Court to abate VFW Post 5397 public nuisance (4-0)
• Entered Executive Session to discuss strategy or negotiations regarding potential litigation (4-0)
• Exited Executive Session with no action taken (4-0)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on five petitions: a rezoning request by William Carey University for properties at Vernon Street and Magnolia Avenue from single-family and two-family residential to multi-family residential; a conditional use request for a restaurant without drive-through at 1001 Main Street; a conditional use request for gravel outdoor storage at 5566 Old Highway 42; a request to close and vacate a portion of Hill Street; and a city-initiated amendment to adopt the Longville Village in the Avenues Master Plan and replace the Midtown Form-Based Code with a new Hattiesburg Form-Based Code. The meeting also includes approval of the agenda and minutes, plus building and planning reports.

• Rezoning of unimproved properties at Vernon Street and Magnolia Avenue from R-1A and R-2 to R-3 (Multi-Family Residential)
• Conditional use for restaurant without drive-through at 1001 Main Street in B-2 zone
• Conditional use for gravel outdoor storage at 5566 Old Highway 42 in B-3 zone
• Vacation of a portion of undeveloped Hill Street near Old Highway 42
• City proposal to adopt the Longleaf Village in the Avenues Master Plan and replace the Midtown Form-Based Code with a new Hattiesburg Form-Based Code

Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing on two variance petitions: one from Estacado Interests, LLC for a billboard and pole sign at 5032 Hardy St, and another from Michael Kent Myatt for outdoor storage at 5566 Old Highway 42.

• Variance to reduce required distance between billboards from 1,000 to 690 feet at 5032 Hardy St
• Variance to reduce side setback for a billboard from 15 feet to 0 feet at 5032 Hardy St
• Variance to reduce minimum frontage for a pole sign from 150 to 120 feet at 5032 Hardy St
• Variance to increase outdoor equipment storage from 50% to 64% of allowed area at 5566 Old Highway 42

City Council

The Hattiesburg City Council will consider several financial and infrastructure items, including a $1,008,000 contract for seven buses, a $60,000 affordable housing rehabilitation grant, and a $15,000 emergency roof repair program. The council will also vote on lighting agreements for multiple streets and declare surplus police equipment.

• Approve minutes from November 21 & 22, 2022 meetings
• Adopt resolution declaring equipment surplus for Police Department
• Authorize requisition for loan construction account
• Approve engineering services agreement for Heatherwood Area Infrastructure Improvements
• Approve lighting agreements with Mississippi Power for Country Club Road, J.C. Killingsworth Road, Francis Street, Florence Street, and Old Highway 42

The City Council approved the purchase of seven buses from Transportation South and awarded 2023 demolition and lot clearing contracts to MSP Enterprises. The council also authorized funding for infrastructure improvements and affordable housing rehabilitation.

• Approved $1,008,000 purchase of seven buses from Transportation South (5-0)
• Awarded 2023 Demolition Services contract to MSP Enterprises
• Awarded 2023 Lot Clearing/Grass Cutting Services contract to MSP Enterprises
• Approved engineering agreement with Shows, Dearman and Waits, Inc. for Heatherwood Area Infrastructure Improvements (5-0)
• Approved up to $60,000 HOME Grant Agreement with Breakthrough Community Services, Inc. for 104 Donald Street (5-0)
• Approved Emergency Roof Repair Initiative agreements not to exceed $15,000 per project (5-0)
• Adopted Resolution #2022-144 to dispose of surplus Hattiesburg Police Department equipment (5-0)
• Adopted Resolution #2022-145 authorizing Requisition No. 89 from Project Fund Construction Account (5-0)

General

The Hattiesburg City Council will hold a work session to discuss a master plan for Longleaf Village in the Avenues, presented by Orion Planning. They will also hear a presentation on potential investment opportunities from Raymond James and discuss shootings in Hattiesburg over the past year, as requested by Councilwoman Deborah Delgado. The meeting includes a citizens' forum and agenda review.

• 2022-925 Master Plan for Longleaf Village in the Avenues
• 2022-923 Potential Investment Opportunities presented by Raymond James
• 2022-924 Discussion of shootings in Hattiesburg during the last year

The City Council conducted a work session featuring presentations on investment opportunities and the Master Plan for Longleaf Village in the Avenues. The meeting also included a discussion on shootings in Hattiesburg and a citizens' forum. No formal votes or decisions were recorded.

City Council

The City Council established a new Code of Ordinances and approved several zoning variances and infrastructure contracts. The council also authorized the purchase of a property for $42,000 and approved budget amendments for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023.

• Adopted New Code of Ordinances (5-0)
• Renamed Eagle Drive to Newhaven Drive (5-0)
• Approved parking lot expansion at 205 S 28th Avenue with sidewalk condition (5-0)
• Approved budget amendments for FY ending Sept 30, 2023 (5-0)
• Approved $3,171,114.08 contract for Longleaf North Infrastructure Improvements (5-0)
• Authorized purchase of Parcel #2-038B-15-279.00 for $42,000 (4-1)
• Approved $20,760 agreement with Hattiesburg Arts Council (5-0)
• Approved $176,855.17 for Lamar Boulevard Reconstruction lighting (5-0)

General

The agenda for this meeting consists of procedural boilerplate. No specific legislative items, contracts, or ordinances are listed for decision or discussion.

The City Council conducted an agenda review and a citizens' forum. No substantive decisions were made during this session, and the meeting was recessed until November 22, 2022.

City Council

The City Council is reviewing several infrastructure engineering agreements and public works projects. The body is also deciding on funding for community arts, emergency roof repairs, and a loan for drinking water system improvements.

• Loan of $1,511,937.00 from the Drinking Water Systems Improvements Revolving Loan Fund
• Change order for Jaycee Park Field Improvements increasing contract by $147,528.94
• Agreement with Art Makes Art, Inc. for theater and art programs not to exceed $15,000.00
• Emergency Roof Repair Initiative agreements not to exceed $15,000 per project
• Engineering agreements for 12th Avenue, South 40th Avenue, and 16th Avenue/Concart Street

The City Council approved a $1,511,937.00 loan for drinking water system improvements and several engineering contracts for infrastructure projects. The council also condemned four properties as health and safety menaces and approved various street lighting agreements.

• Accepted $1,511,937.00 loan from Drinking Water Systems Improvements Revolving Loan Fund (5-0)
• Condemned properties at 107 Plantation Place Dr, 200 Chesterfield Rd, 307 4th Ave, and 410 Weathersby Rd (5-0)
• Approved $147,528.94 change order for Jaycee Park Field Improvements (5-0)
• Approved Task Force Agreement between Hattiesburg Police Department and DEA (5-0)
• Approved $15,000 agreement with Art Makes Art, Inc. for theater and art programs (5-0)
• Approved Emergency Roof Repair Initiative agreements up to $15,000 per project (4-1)
• Confirmed appointment of Charlie Johnson to the Civil Service Commission (4-1)
• Approved Right of Way Agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway for Hall Avenue West Overpass (3-2)

City Council

The City Council will hold a public hearing to determine if four specific properties are menaces to community health and safety. The body will also consider a Right of Way Agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway Company.

• Public hearing on property cleanliness: 107 Plantation Place Drive
• Public hearing on property cleanliness: 200 Chesterfield Road
• Public hearing on property cleanliness: 307 4th Avenue
• Public hearing on property cleanliness: 410 Weathersby Road
• Right of Way Agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway Company for the Hall Avenue West Overpass Project

The Council held a public hearing to determine if four specific properties are menaces to community health and safety. No formal votes on the properties or the Right of Way Agreement were recorded before the meeting recessed. The Council entered and exited an executive session regarding personnel matters with no action taken.

• Held public hearing for properties at 107 Plantation Place Drive, 200 Chesterfield Road, 307 4th Avenue, and 410 Weathersby Road
• Entered Executive Session to discuss personnel matters (5-0)
• Exited Executive Session with no action taken (5-0)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will hold public hearings on three petitions. These include a request to rename a street, a conditional use permit for a hospital parking lot, and a flood variance for a historic structure.

• Petition to rename Eagle Drive to Newhaven Drive
• Petition by Forrest General Hospital to expand a parking lot or garage at 205 S 28th Avenue
• Flood variance request for 102 Walley Street

Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing to consider three petitions for variances from the Land Development Code. These requests involve setbacks and distance requirements for proposed developments in Ward 3.

• Variance request for 8-foot front setback reduction at 3104 Hardy Street
• Variance request to allow a drive-through restaurant 47 feet from residential use instead of 300 feet at 3606 Hardy Street
• Variance request for 20.9-foot front setback reduction at 3706 Hardy Street
• Variance request to allow a 6-foot front yard fence instead of 4 feet at 3706 Hardy Street

City Council

The City Council is deciding on zoning reclassifications and variances for properties on Oak Grove Road and Hardy Street. The body is also reviewing grant awards for roof repairs and police equipment, as well as property acquisitions for roadway improvements.

• Zoning change for 2703 Oak Grove Road from B-3 Community Business to B-5 Regional Business District
• Setback variance request for a new building at 3300 Hardy Street
• Emergency Roof Repair Initiative Grant Awards not to exceed $15,000 per project
• Grant application to Georgia Pacific Foundation for 2 patrol vehicles estimated at $110,000
• U.S. Department of Justice grant providing $12,400 for police bulletproof vests

General

The City Council is meeting to review agenda items and hold a citizens' forum. The primary action item involves the approval of plans for parking improvements at Jaycee Park.

• Approval of plans and specifications for the Jaycee Park Parking Improvements Project (2022-814)
• Authorization to advertise for bids for the Jaycee Park Parking Improvements Project

City Council

The City Council is deciding on infrastructure funding for the Midtown Montevista Project and a sidewalk project. The body is also reviewing several grant applications and zoning changes.

• Proposed issuance of tax increment limited obligation bonds up to $2,850,000 for the Midtown Montevista Project
• Acceptance of $1,883,504.40 bid from RJM McQueen Contracting, Inc. for the FTA Sidewalk Project
• Zoning change request for 4 Willow Pointe from B-2 Neighborhood Business to B-3 Community Business District
• Grant application for $325,000 from MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation for Jaycee Park fields
• Grant agreement for $83,853.64 from the MS Department of Public Safety Office of Highway Safety

General

The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the Tax Increment Financing Plan for the Midtown Hattiesburg Project. The meeting also includes a request for a closed session to discuss a litigation matter.

• Public hearing on Tax Increment Financing Plan Midtown Hattiesburg Project (amended/restated August 2022)
• Closed session request for a litigation matter

City Council

The City Council is holding a special called meeting to consider the adoption of the city budget. This budget covers the fiscal year from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023.

• Resolution 2022-677: Approval of the budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2022

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will hold public hearings regarding a zoning classification change and a city interpretation appeal. The body will also review building and planning reports.

• Zoning change request for 4 Willow Pointe from B-2 Neighborhood Business District to B-3 Community Business District
• Appeal of front setback interpretation for a proposed propane filling station at 3706 Hardy Street

City Council

The City Council will hold public hearings on the 2023 budget, tax levies, and the Motor Vehicle Assessment Schedule. The body is also deciding on several high-value construction contracts and property condemnations for uncleanliness.

• Bid acceptance for Water Plant #1 Rehabilitation-Phase II from Hemphill Construction Company, Inc. for $1,605,000.00
• Bid acceptance for Midtown Green Park Drainage Improvements from Myers Underground Utilities for $266,127.00
• Public hearing to determine if properties on Golf Course Road, Ellis Drive, Plantation Place Drive, and Hwy 49 are unclean menaces to health and safety
• Proposed ad valorem tax levies for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2022
• Grant application to MDEQ for $75,000.00 for a Household Hazardous Waste program with a $25,000.00 city match

City Council

The City Council will review an amended grant agreement for the BUILD Grant regarding downtown railroad grade separations and connection tracks. The meeting also includes budget presentations from the Administration and Urban Development departments.

• Amended and Restated Grant Agreement for BUILD Grant: Hattiesburg Downtown Railroad Innovation

City Council

The City Council is reviewing several large infrastructure bids and funding requests for recreation and road projects. The body is also deciding on property sales, interlocal agreements, and departmental budget presentations.

• Contract with J. W. Chain Contractors, LLC for Jaycee Park Field Improvements in the amount of $4,080,927.25
• Bid from Warren Paving, Inc. for the Lincoln Road Paving Project in the amount of $1,539,552.90
• Proposed General Obligation Bonds not to exceed $5,500,000 for recreation related projects
• Funding grant requests for Midtown infrastructure ($1,750,000), Dabbs Street ($250,000), and Gordon's Creek flood control ($250,000)
• Fire Protection Agreement with University of Southern Mississippi for $95,652.00

City Council

The City Council will hold a work session to receive an update on the American Rescue Plan Act and review a draft golf cart ordinance. The meeting also includes budget presentations from the Water, Police, and Public Works departments.

• American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) update
• Golf Cart Ordinance draft review
• Water Department budget presentation
• Police Department budget presentation
• Public Works Department budget presentation

City Council

The agenda for this meeting consists of procedural boilerplate. No specific legislative items, contracts, or public hearings are listed for decision or discussion.

General

The City Council is holding a special called meeting. The primary item on the agenda is the receipt of the city's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021.

• Receipt of Audited Financial Statements for fiscal year ending September 30, 2021, from Topp, McWhorter, Harvey, PLLC (Item 2022-473)