The city Board of Aldermen stayed busy Tuesday night at its mid-month meeting with the meeting lasting for more than two hours.
Larry Kirksey appeared before the board to request adding a restroom to his shed on a lot he purchased a couple lots away from his home on Nathan Street. Mike McDaniel of the water department denied the request because the shed was considered a portable building.
“In the past we have never put water to a portable building,” McDaniel said.
However, McDaniel said it was up to the board. He really did not see an issue with it, but the way the ordinance is written, he interpreted it as to say it was not allowed.
Kirksey said there is an existing slab on the lot that is plumbed for water and sewer. His shed was anchored down on the concrete so the structure he felt was no longer portable. He said he was previously told he could and was given a cost he would have to pay. Yet when he went to pay it, he was denied.
“All I want is a bathroom?” Kirksey asked the board.
Mayor Justin McKenzie asked Building Inspector Carrie Thornhill if she had been out to the property, and she said she had. She said the lot has been zoned two family-residential.
“It is not a residence so it can’t have a bathroom?” Alderman-at-large Edward Hough asked.
Thornhill said that is how it is written in the city.
Hough asked Kirksey if he was planning to live in the shed. Kirskey said no.
“How can we deny a man a bathroom?” Hough asked.
Kirksey provided pictures of the property. He said he is willing to pay for it, and all he wants is a commode and a sink.
After discussion among the board, including with City Attorney Lawrence Hahn, the matter will go to the Board of Adjustments for their recommendation and then come back before the board in December.
Fire Chief Jeff McKenzie talked about the breathing air compressor system. There were four bids on the system. Chief McKenzie recommended and the board approved the bid of CATS, Inc. for the Mako brand in the amount of $42,500. The bid was not the lowest, but it met all the requirements, which the lowest bid did not. He said the Mako brand is the current system the department uses, but it is 30 years old.
“Mako has proven itself, and it is very reliable,” Chief McKenzie said.
Chief McKenzie said the department received a $42,000 grant last year that will help pay for the new system.
Chief McKenzie also discussed getting a washer/extractor and a dryer for the department. With turnout gear, it cannot be washed like normal clothes because it will cause the protective layer to deteriorate. The extractor pulls the contaminants out of the gear and doesn’t just put it in the water like a washing machine. He said turnout gear could cost up to $3,000 per fireman. He is currently working on a new grant, and if the grant is approved he is hoping to be able to purchase more turnout gear so each fireman could have two suits.
President of the Marion County Development Partnership Lori Watts approached the board about rezoning the variety wholesale building on Mississippi 13 North. Currently it is not zoned to be a warehouse or for any industrial use.
“It would make our marketing much simpler if we could zone that as an M-2, which is what the property north of that (the former Orleans furniture) is currently zoned,” Watts said.
The board approved moving ahead with the zoning request, including a zoning hearing.
“I think this will be a step in the right direction to get that corrected,” McKenzie said.
Hahn said with the Columbia School District moving forward with a newly renovated football stadium, the district is requesting that Park Street, the little side street off of Branton Ave. in front of the current football stadium, be permanently closed. If the board closes the road, the property will automatically revert back to the school district property because the road is on the district’s property.
“Part of the plans has the facility being pushed further out to Park Street,” Hahn said.
McKenzie said to make the track regulation size, the facility would have to expand into Park Street.
Hahn recommended the board hold a public hearing on the matter, and the board agreed.
Thornhill provided an update on the renovations at City Hall. Bids were solicited for the new water department drive-thru. G. H. Farding & Son provided the lowest bid of $4,900, which the board approved. The new air conditioner unit bid from Scott Mobley for $7,800 was approved. Thornhill said none of the bids included the electrical work, but recommended Mobley do the electrical work as well.
Police Chief Michael Kelly requested for Chris Rogers to go from reserve to part-time non-certified police officer and for Mary Smith to become a part-time animal control officer. The board approved both requests.
