The Newton Board of Aldermen unanimously asked Mayor Murray Weems to add the roundtable discussion back to the agenda of each meeting.
Alderman Eric McCalphia brought the item up after it didn’t appear on the agenda of the first two meetings of the new board. Under former Mayor David Carr, each alderman would have an opportunity to discuss anything that they wanted regardless of whether it was on the agenda or not.
“Sometimes there may be a case where something comes up on Monday,” said McCalphia. “Sometimes, there are things that come up that we just need to discuss that just can’t be added onto the agenda.”
McCalphia also said that the board should be the ones who make the decision about whether the roundtable discussions are held and not the mayor.
Weems, who is a former alderman, said he felt like the board should stick to discussing only items that are on the agenda.
“You can’t make any decisions during that discussion time,” Weems said. “I wasn’t trying to run over anybody because I know y’all are the ones who make the decisions. If y’all are for it, I’m fine with it… I think it shouldn’t be discussed unless it’s on the agenda.”
However, the board voted 4-1 to keep Weems’ ban on adding items to the agenda. McCalphia was the only no vote.
Alderwoman Linda Wash said she didn’t want to have amendments to the agenda because she thinks that those who want to be on the agenda have ample time to call ahead.
“I think that’s a good idea because they have time to get on the agenda,” Wash said.
Alderman Bob Bridges echoed Wash’s sentiments, adding that anyone who wants to be on the agenda should call by the Thursday prior to the meeting to be added to the agenda.
“I don’t want to be caught off guard by someone who walks in and asks to be added to the agenda,” Bridges said.
Weems was concerned that someone might come in and ask to be added to the agenda.
“You might only have five minutes to make a decision when you really need to take more time to think about it,” Weems said.
In another item, McCalphia asked for the Citizen’s Forum to be added back to the agenda. However, other aldermen were concerned about having an open “town hall” discussion at the meeting.
“They’ve got to be on the agenda to be able to speak,” Weems said.
McCalphia made a motion to add it back to the agenda, but the action died for a lack of a second.
In other business: the Board:
• Received an annual contract from Board Attorney Robert Logan for review. The board will take action at a future meeting.
• Added Weems name to the city bank accounts.
• Cancelled the city credit cards in the name of former Mayor David Carr and former City Clerk Ann Mapp.
• Agreed to apply for a grant from the Mississippi Home Corporation for dealing with dilapidated housing.
• Approved Aldermen Michael Hillie, Ray Payne, Wash and McCalphia to join the Mississippi Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials as regular members at $50 apiece.
• Will notify the State of Mississippi about closing the street near Smash Fitness, which is asking for the road closing. The state owns property on the affected street.
• Sent Robert Boyd a courtesy letter in reference to high grass at 320 E. Sixth St.
• Approved paying $36,707.32 to Layne Christensen Company for the water well replacement project when funds become available.
• Will give the owner of a dilapidated structure at 311 High Street time to tear the building down.
• Asked Parks and Recreation Director Jay Powell to get another quote for financing of a new 2017 Dodge Ram pickup.
• Adjusted the amount of the quote from $513.60 per vest to $548 for purchasing bulletproof vest for all Newton Police Department officers. Of the $7,124 needed to outfit all 13 officers, the grant would cover $2,824.80 with the city paying the remaining $4,299.20.
• Approved applying for the VOCA grant, which the city would only be responsible for 20 percent of a new employee’s salary and a new vehicle. The employee would help victims the navigate through the recovery system.
• Gave Justin McKinion a 50-cent per hour raise after completing EMT training.
• Will begin fire hydrant testing later this month.
• Paid bills totaling $170,295.87.
