8/26/2009 6:02:00 PM Aldermen press developer over accepting streets
By LEAH TOLBERT Staff Reporter
The city engineer was hired last week to determine if two privately owned streets off Holland Avenue have been brought up to city specifications by the developer.
Dr. Walt Willis asked the city to take over Airpark Road and the new Pilot Drive last month, but was told by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen that they first must meet the city's street specifications.
Willis pleaded his case before the board again last week, noting that the two streets provide access to medical, optometry and rehabilitation centers along with a new assisted living facility off Holland Avenue.
Airpark Road intersects Holland Avenue near Airpark Medical Clinic. The new Pilot Drive, off Airpark, runs behind the medical clinic and leads to the newly constructed Atwood Personal Care Home.
Willis developed Airpark Road about 1994 while Pilot Drive is relatively new. Both are part of his personal property.
He told aldermen last week that the streets were now up to city specifications, pointing out that he had placed top soil on the shoulders, adjusted their widths and smoothed out potholes.
He also noted that a turnaround had been added at the end of Pilot Drive because the city could not accept a dead-end street.
"I cant maintain this my whole life," Willis said. "Who is going to take care of it after I'm gone?"
Ward 4 Alderman Joe Tullos, however, voiced concern.
"It's not right for us to take taxpayers' dollars and maintain personal property," Tullos said. "It should be self-supported by the property owner in my opinion."
Tullos described Pilot Drive as a dead-end, hazardous street which holds no future for development at this time.
It would be a liability to the city if it's adopted, he said.
Tullos also expressed concern about setting a precedent for others who build roads for other new businesses or facilities, and later expect the city to accept them.
Ward 1 Alderman Roy White, who serves as street commissioner, pointed out that the city was already short a needed $700,000 to maintain the current city streets.
Willis responded.
"When y'all gave me the chance to come up here in July, nothing was mentioned about taxpayers' dollars or anything," he said. "I was told to do an overlay. I did what I was asked. Now you guys are changing the rules," he said.
After a lengthy discussion, White made a motion to employ engineer Tom Wallace Cox to test the two streets and report his findings to the board. Tullos abstained from the vote.
In other action, aldermen:
• Promoted Michael Evans to battalion chief and granted a pay increase of 30 cents an hour effective immediately.
• Removed four auxiliary firemen from the fire department.
• Allowed the city clerk to attend an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act workshop Sept. 3, in Starkville at no cost except travel.
• Transferred $472,075.19 from city's general fund to TIF fund to pay bonds on park improvements.
• Paid $2,491 in annual dues to the Mississippi Municipal League.
• Accepted a quote of $10,990 for a 2008 Chevrolet Impala for the police department from Tolbert Chevrolet. A second quote of $13,810 was obtained from Southern Chevrolet. The purchase will be paid from money seized in drug cases.
• Placed a half page color ad in The Neshoba Democrat's 2009 football preview publication.
• Placed a street light at the intersection of Carter Avenue and Gum Street.
