Hearing citizens’ complaints and handling several personnel matters was the order of the day for the Laurel City Council on Tuesday.
There was no discussion needed for council members to unanimously agree to change the city’s organizational structure concerning the city’s ITS Department.
The council officially moved the position of management information systems specialist from the Laurel Police Department to the ITS Department thus changing the city’s existing organizational structure.
Laurel’s Chief Administrative Officer Gary Suddith said the LPD position was originally listed in a separate department because at that time the police department operated under a different system. Since then, he said, the police department has converted to the system being used throughout the city.
On April 30, Charlie Dennis, the city’s Information Technology System Director, retired after 28 years with the city.
Suddith said the organizational move would allow the Police Department’s position to be placed under “the right department.”
Also Tuesday, the City Council was asked to consider extending a four-year contract with USA Pools Management, Inc. for the operation of the city’s Nautatorium.
The city’s existing contract with the company continued through April 18, at the current contract rate. Now, officials are asking that the contract be extended through April 18, 2012 at a lesser rate.
Laurel’s Parks and Recreation Director Elvin Ulmer said the city took bids for the Nautatorium lease and only received one on-time bid and that bid was from USA Pools Management. However, that bid cost is $6,000 less than what the city currently pays, according to officials.
Councilman Johnny Magee questioned the wording of the proposed ordinance.
After some discussion, the council agreed to table the council’s decision until the group’s June 3 meeting and to refer the proposed new contract to the city attorney for review and a recommendation.
Also during the meeting, Thandi Zulu, a local resident, told the Laurel City Council that she has been discriminated against at the Laurel-Jones County Library. Zulu gave details concerning recent visits to the public library and asked the council for assistance in resolving the matter.
Council members asked the city’s administration to check into the matter. Mayor Melvin Mack also suggested that Zulu take her concerns to the Library Board.
Also during the citizens forum portion of the meeting, Mendish Wilson appeared before the council and told about a Nov. 16, 2006 incident where her car flooded on Ellisville Boulevard following a heavy rain.
Also Tuesday, the council adopted the second reading of an ordinance authorizing the lowering of the speed limit on one city street.
The city council on May 6 approved the ordinance to reduce the speed limit on 18th Street between 7th and 5th Avenue, which is located in an area that’s commonly used for pedestrians entering and leaving Mason Park.
The ordinance reduces the speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour.
Also Tuesday, the council approved advertisement for bids on baseball press box/concession stand at the Sportsplex and approved several modifications to the city’s Tree Board.
Local News
Council handles routine matters
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