City Council hears and approves numerous items

The Picayune City Council took care of numerous items on Tuesday after hearing an update on use tax and BP settlement funds.

The council made an appointment and reappointment to the Picayune Housing Authority during Tuesday’s meeting. Terry Givens was appointed, and J.P. Burns was reappointed as members of the board.

Also, during the meeting, the council approved a request to renew the software maintenance agreement for the Police Department’s from PTS Solutions in the amount of $6,350.00. PTS is used by the dispatch and administration personnel in the department.

Public Works Director Eric Morris made a request to the council for emergency repairs on the city gas system at Telly Road and Bales Ave. Morris said there was approximately 3,000 feet of steel gas pipe that was left with limited or no protection on it from a gas main project back in the 1980s. Due to the corrosion of the line happening faster than expected, Morris told the council it was now time to take action to avoid any possible problems. Morris said two contractors are preparing quotes for the work.

(L-R) City Mgr Jim Luke, Mayor Ed Pinero, Councilmember Tammy Valente

Morris said there are known leaks at this location and they have been monitoring the concentration levels of the soil. Morris said this pipe was programmed (on the schedule) for future replacement.

Jonathan Hickman, representing the City Engineer’s office, presented a Memorandum of Understanding with MDOT that basically says that the lights to be put up on Highway 11 will match the lights currently on Hwy 43. Once the Hwy 11 widening is complete and the lights are installed and validated as working properly, the city will be responsible for maintenance of the lights.