Alderman approve transfer of baseball field to LMSDl

Louisville Board of Aldermen batted around several plans and ideas in its first meeting in March and two February meetings.

The board voted in a 3-2 vote to transfer the Ivy Park Baseball field to the Louisville Municipal School District. The idea was first introduced during budgetary meetings last year for the city and was reintroduced Feb. 2 when the school district sent a letter to the city requesting ownership of the field.

Parks and Recreation Director Jody Fulton supported the move and noted that transferring ownership of the field could save the city up to $7,000 a year in upkeep and utilities. Fulton added that field was basically only used by Louisville High School and did not bring in any revenues for the city and was not used by the city at present.

City attorney Taylor Tucker noted, "We are paying everything for the school to use."

Alderpersons Judy McLeod and Francis Ball expressed concerns that the city was transferring over an asset in the middle of the city park and near the other ball fields to another entity when the city might possibly put the field to better use.

"This field is in the middle of one of the Jewels of our community," said McLeod.

Aldermen Eugene Crosby noted that the costs savings made sense.

"If there is no city use and it will cut costs. It makes sense," said Aldermen Eugene Crosby.

Fulton noted that he felt the school district would use the utilities and field more wisely once they had ownership. The city will prepare a transfer similar to the field on College Street which the city deeded to the district a number of years ago.

The full board voted to proceed with a resolution to spend up to $15,000 in matching funds to create a city owned railroad spur in Louisville. The project is awaiting full Mississippi Development Authority approval which may provide up to $85,000 for the project.

In other matters, the board of aldermen:

• Recongized Barbara McMillin for her over 1200 hours of volunteer service in the community. McMillin is the daughter of Lisa and Jamie McMillin and is a senior at Winston Academy. She plans to attend college to study pharmacy and remarked her time spent volunteering helped solidify that career choice. Her mother, Lisa, added that Barbara was very excited and that parents should be involved in helping their children volunteer and help in the community.

• Discussed the upcoming decision on the fire chief vacancy which had been narrowed down to two candidates. Mayor Will Hill noted that he was very appreciative of the three person panel who narrowed down the candidates from 19 applicants to 6 interviewed candidates and then had two candidates for the Mayor to review. Hill noted that he hoped to have a recommendation for a chief before the next board meeting.

• Discussed the Home Buyer's Grant Workshop held recently at city hall with about 30 attendees. See full Home Buyer's Grant article in the March 31 progress edition of the Winston County Journal

• Approved a $65,292 docket of claims. Approved a 1.3 million dollar transfer of school tax funds to the school district.

• Approved annual landfill payments.

• Discussed worker's compensation payments and how the state group program works.

• Gwenita Mays brought up a discussion on Academy Park and getting the volunteer group back out to begin and complete other projects at the park using the rest of the sweat equity grant funds.

• Discussed recent positive attractions in Louisville such as the Coon Hunters' visit to the Jr. Miss fundraiser at the city park.

• Discussed how to help the Chamber design committee to continue positive work in downtown Louisville.

• Discussed getting aldermen and city employees to mark non burning city lights.

Feb. 16

• Advertised surplus deck mower.

• Examined leases on motorcycles and approved canceling the leases at this time in order to save city funds.

• Approved E-911 training at annual conference for two city employees with state standards and training to reimburse costs.

• Extended cleanup time for 148 Baremore Street

• Approve a resolution authorizing Louisville Utilities to administer CDBG grant for public facilities grant for wastewater lagoon.

• Approve JWS Associates for professional testing services of water at the landfill.

• Approve South Church overlay project funded with federal ARRA funds.

• Transfer back $150,000 back to solid waste account the city borrowed earlier in the year.

Feb. 2

• Alderwoman Francis Ball brought up a discussion on adding a green turn light to the light at Church and Main Street. City engineer Kenny Morris explained that MDOT is in charge of the intersection and that they might consider adding a green turn light if the parking spaces near the Church street intersection were closed and became part of the road. Morris emphasized the decision would be up to MDOT.

• Honored Grace, the bull terrier of Mike and Terri Cournoyer for her representing Louisville at Westminister Kennel Club Show in New York.

• Approved the monthly docket of claims.

• Approved payment of $301 to Playworld systems for playground equipment placed at Academy Park. A sweat equity grant paid for the equipment.

• Received a report on all training funds reimbursed from the state.

• Discussed promoting the census.