The city's building official may have a dual role as a city fire inspector under a proposal being considered by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
Fire Chief Pierce Clark told aldermen last week that an inspector would benefit the fire department in a number of ways, in addition to helping maintain or improve its class rating with the state Ratings Bureau, he said.
Under his dual role as fire inspector, building official Jay Eakes' main responsibility would be to inspect buildings and equipment to detect fire hazards and enforce state and local regulations, Clark said.
Mayor James Young voiced support for the new position, saying it would be a second wing of the administrative staff of the fire department.
"We are not changing the way we do business, we're just doing it better with more emphasis on communications and working together," Young said. "This will be part of our overall disaster planning for both the city and the county."
Young saw a need for a fire inspector during a recent disaster drill that involved both the police and fire departments along with other first responders.
"We had the disaster drill and because of how things have been done in the past, the city building official and city hall were not notified," Young said. "We need him to be a part of all of our planning, including disaster planning. So, he will be more active in that role."
The fire inspector will identify corrective actions necessary to bring properties inside the city into compliance with applicable fire codes, laws, regulations and standards and explain these measures to property owners or their representative, Clark said.
He will also be required to inspect properties that store, handle and use hazardous materials to ensure they are in compliance, among others duties.
Eakes would continue to work out of his current office in City Hall, the mayor said.
Aldermen were expected to address the issue at their next meeting at the recommendation of the mayor.
In other action last week, aldermen:
• Accepted the resignation of police officer Robert Smith.
• Accepted the resignation of police dispatcher Lawonna Harris.
• Employed Bill Cox as a sergeant with the police department.
• Paid $300 in fees to the Mississippi Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.
• Approved several officers attendance at a training session at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy.
• Purchased two Ford Crown Victorias at $24,300 each from Watson Ford which was at state contract price.
• Paid Brandon Russell $1,820 for landscaping.
• Set a hearing on a petition to rezone a portion of property off Mississippi 16 west from residential to commercial at the request of Gaston Barrett, owner.
• Passed a resolution in support of the city participating in the 2010 Census by encouraging residents to return their questionnaires when they are mailed early next year.
• Rejected all bids on the parking lot project at the new senior citizens center under construction.
• Permitted AT&T to bury a cable on St. Francis Drive.
• Paid Workman's Compensation premium for the Park Commission.
• Approved $200 petty cash for the police department; $250 for the city clerk's office; and $500 for the drug enforcement unit of the police department.
• Passed a resolution authorizing the city to apply for a Small Municipalities Limited Population Grant to help fund a new water tower on Mississippi 16 west.
• Passed an order that allows only the Shriners to set up roadblocks on city streets to collect donations.
• Accepted a quote from Norman Enterprise to repair the roof on Fire Station 1.
• Authorized firefighter Terry Franklin to attend a two-day training session.
• Promoted Roshawn Dupree and Darnell Dawkins to Level II firefighters.
• Employed Colby Pope and Quentin Stephens as probationary firefighters.
• Employed Jeremy Shields as a driver for the fire department at the rate of $10.05 an hour. Shields had 14 years of experience as a firefighter.
• Hired Howell Electric to replace the air conditioning unit at Fire Station 2 at a cost of $2,700.
• Rented a bulldozer from Puckett Machinery for $5,900 a month to do work at the landfill. The city will be reimbursed by the Department of Environmental Quality.
