Public Meetings - Southaven, Mississippi

The Southaven Board of Aldermen met on May 19, 2026, with the Mayor presiding. The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The board addressed a series of routine approvals, contract amendments, and policy decisions, all of which were passed unanimously unless otherwise noted. The mayor also delivered a comprehensive report on city projects and the ongoing XAI noise mitigation efforts. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes of the May 5, 2026 meeting. - Approved a contract amendment with TK Elevator Corporation for elevator maintenance at the lease precinct at Silo, adding $315, bringing the monthly cost to $1,195.02. - Authorized a sole source purchase from Clearview AI for facial recognition software (patent granted in 2022) for the police department. - Approved MML travel and named Alderman Hoots as primary delegate, Alderman Lewis as secondary. - Ratified an emergency expenditure of $7,315.30 for repairs. - Approved a service agreement with Unity Solutions for improved connectivity and reliability at city water treatment facilities at $3,640 per month. - Approved a resolution declaring police department surplus property (rifles, suppressors, shotguns, etc.) for disposal through licensed dealers. - Approved a change order for Fire Station 3 of $7,996 to use wooden trusses instead of metal trusses for enhanced fire resistance. - Approved a court department agreement with Best Vending to place a vending machine in the new court building. - Approved an agreement with Dr. Joe Hiley (Emergency Medical Resources PLLC) for EMS medical director services at $1,500 per month through June 30, 2029. - Authorized a sole source purchase from NeoGov for PowerDMS software: $8,844 for year one and $10,918 for year two. - Approved the SCADA software license renewal: a three-year quote billed annually at $19,080 for seven licenses. - Approved a resolution to clean private property; no public objections were raised. - Accepted a $315 donation from Lucky Dog to the animal shelter. - Approved the personnel docket as presented. - Approved the utility billing leak adjustment docket. - Approved the claims docket in the amount of $2,533,273.16, including demand checks. (Note: The transcript reads "$2,533, $273.16," likely a transcription error.) Discussion Items - Tabling of Turf and Right-of-Way Contracts: The board discussed an amendment to the master facilities contract for Hummingbird Garden maintenance. Initial bids for phase one and two were approximately $30,000 per year. Staff are exploring performing some maintenance in-house to reduce costs. Additionally, an amendment to Premier Turf for Nail Road median and right-of-way maintenance was questioned for its $7,250 per month cost. Both items were tabled for further review; staff will bring revised scope and cost details to the next meeting. - Planning Commission Appointment: The board agreed to amend the ordinance to allow aldermen to replace planning commissioners at any time, not just at term end. Following that change, Alderman Lewis nominated Ginger Bacon as Ward 1 Planning Commissioner; the appointment was approved unanimously. - Mayor's Report: The mayor provided updates on several city initiatives: - The new court building is nearly complete and will be occupied within a few weeks. - Recommended the purchase of a street striping machine ($250,000) to allow in-house striping with thermoplastic material; no action taken but will be revisited. - State Line Road has been resurfaced from Highway 51 to the interstate; the MDOT patch under the interstate is still pending. - Star Landing-Sweeney and Mill Branch-Town & Country roundabouts are going to bid soon. - Consideration of medians on Mill Branch north of State Line; staff noted right-of-way and parking constraints that may affect feasibility. - State Line Road west widening project is designed, awaiting resolution of railroad crossing issues. - Central Parkway to Church multi-use trail approved for construction later this year. - Airways resurfacing from Goodman to Nail Road approved with MPO funds. - XAI noise mitigation: The mayor reported that XAI has installed three sound walls and is more consistently keeping decibel levels below 50, though not always. Permanent turbines are expected by the end of the year to further reduce noise. The mayor emphasized ongoing monitoring and responsiveness to citizen concerns. Key Outcomes - All consent calendar items passed unanimously. - Two contract amendments (Hummingbird Garden maintenance and Premier Turf right-of-way) were tabled for further cost analysis and scope refinement. - Ordinance changed to allow aldermen to replace planning commissioners at any time; Ginger Bacon appointed to Ward 1. - No action taken on the street striping machine; it will be revisited. - The board entered executive session to discuss claims and litigation involving public works, police and fire departments, utilities personnel, economic development, and interdepartmental personnel, with no action expected.

The Southaven Board of Aldermen met on May 5, 2026, to consider a range of administrative and operational items. The board approved several contracts and resolutions, tabled one item, and received a report from the Mayor on recent city projects and events. Recognition of Graduating Seniors - The Mayor recognized 14 graduating seniors from the Mayor's Youth Council representing Southaven High School, DeSoto Central High School, and North Point Christian School. The Mayor offered personal advice on not letting others define their limits and pursuing their unique purposes. Consent Calendar - Approval of minutes from the April 21, 2026 meeting – unanimous. - Resolution for sole source purchase of a SWAT armored vehicle (bear cat) from Linco at a cost of $413,270 – unanimous. - Rejection of bids for the police department generator transfer switch improvement project (bids: $187,000 and $190,842) and authorization to rebid in the next fiscal year – unanimous. - Contract with Final Touch Security for fire alarm inspection, testing, and monitoring at SPD East Precinct for $1,080 – unanimous. - Sponsorship agreements for Bank Plus Amphitheater: A&B ($60,000/year for four years), Old Dominion ($6,620 for one year), and Clark Beverage ($20,000/year for two years) – unanimous. - Final change order for Cherry Valley bike pump track and skate park – decrease of $26,951.25 – unanimous. - Utilities contract with Smart Sites for SCADA system alarm notifications ($10,000/year, subscription-based) – unanimous. - Engineering work authorization for Mill Branch and Town & Country roundabout not to exceed $103,000 – unanimous. The Mayor noted the project is funded by a $750,000 state allocation and will improve traffic flow and deter criminal fleeing. - Contract with ADP for electronic onboarding and employee surveying ($11,000/year, prorated first year) – unanimous. - Fire department affiliation agreement with EMS Training School LLC allowing paramedic student clinicals – unanimous. - Amendment to agreement with DeSoto County Convention and Visitors Bureau allowing the city to renew for an additional year at its discretion – unanimous. - Contract with Murphy and Sons for fire station 3 addition – $288,150, 210 calendar days – unanimous. - Resolution to clean private property as presented – unanimous. - Donations docket: $3,105 to the animal shelter from Walk-On and other donors – unanimous. - Personnel docket – unanimous. - Utilities building leak adjustment docket – unanimous. - Claims docket: $3,393,349.36 including demand checks – unanimous. Tabled Item - Contract amendment for Michael Hatcher and Associates landscape maintenance (hummingbird garden) was tabled. The Mayor requested more information, citing an unusually high estimated increase of $27,000/year. Mayor's Report - The Mayor reported that Springfest was successful with no major issues, crediting changes made in previous years. - State Line Road resurfacing is underway (the first road paved twice under this administration). The section under I-55 overpass (MDOT property) is pending MDOT approval. - Rasco Road between Tulahoma and Getwell has undergone full-depth reclamation and is now complete, resolving failures caused by increased traffic. - The city has budgeted $7 million for street resurfacing this season; work will continue after current projects. Executive Session - The board voted to enter executive session for discussions on litigation involving police and fire departments, economic development within the city, and interdepartmental personnel, with no action anticipated.

The South Haven City Board met on April 21, 2026, to conduct regular business. The meeting opened with a prayer led by Alderman Gallagher and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman-at-Large George Payne. Key actions included approval of multiple resolutions, a special proclamation, and discussion of upcoming Springfest events. All votes were unanimous unless noted. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: Approved minutes from the April 7, 2020 meeting. Motion by Alderman Hooks, second by Alderman Jerome. Unanimous roll call vote. - Resolution for Crime Stoppers Assessments: Authorized removal of the $1 assessment from city tickets and holding of funds for future city crime stoppers program. Motion by Alderman Hooks, second by Alderman Payne. Unanimous. - Tax Exemptions for Three Businesses: Approved 10-year personal and real property tax exemptions for Mel Foods Sales LLC, XL Inc. DBA DHL Shipment Supply Chain, and MG8A Mississippi Memphis Distribution LLC. Motion by Alderman Hooks, second by Alderman Jerome. Unanimous. - Sole Source Purchase for Parks: Authorized purchase of proprietary slow-release fertilizer from Galaxy for city parks. Motion by Alderman Wheeler, second by Alderman Gallagher. Unanimous. - Final Change Order for Court Renovation: Approved final change order reducing project cost by $5,110.68, closing out the court renovation project. Motion by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Jerome. Unanimous. - Bid Award for Fire Station 3 Addition: Awarded bid to Murphy and Sons for $288,150 for a bed hall addition at Fire Station 3. Motion by Alderman Gallagher, second by Alderman Wheeler. Unanimous. - Resolution to Clean Private Property: Adopted resolution granting authority to clean private property as presented. Motion by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Hooks. Unanimous. No public comment from interested parties. - Planning Agenda Item 1 - Barbershop Conditional Use Permit: Approved conditional use permit for a barbershop at 230 Goodman Road, Suite 101 (amended from originally requested two suites). Motion by Alderman Jerome, second by Alderman Hooks. Unanimous. - Planning Agenda Item 2 - Breeding Shop Conditional Use Permit: Approved conditional use permit for a breeding shop at 9200 Highway 51 North. Motion by Alderman Lewis, second by Alderman Hooks. Unanimous. - Planning Agenda Item 3 - Lot Vacation: Approved vacation of two lots from Rayburn subdivision to clean title for the new Kia/Honda dealership. Motion by Alderman Flores, second by Alderman Wheeler. Unanimous. - Donation Docket: Accepted two donations from 10th Inning Barn Grill to the animal shelter ($208 and $275). Motion by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Hooks. Unanimous. - Personnel Docket: Approved personnel documents as presented. Motion by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Gallagher. Unanimous. - Utility Billing Leak Adjustment Docket: Approved leak adjustment docket as presented. Motion by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Hooks. Unanimous. - Claims Docket: Approved claims docket in the amount of $3,980,351.44 including demand tax. Motion by Alderman Payne, second by Alderman Hooks. Unanimous. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made during the meeting. Discussion Items - Proclamation for Khalil Benson: Mayor Muslewite presented a proclamation declaring April 21, 2026 as "Khalil Benson Day" in honor of the former South Haven High School football player who was part of Indiana University's national championship team. Benson's achievements included a degree in sociology, a Big Ten championship, and participation in the Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, and National Championship. The mayor praised Benson's story of perseverance and community service. - Generator Failure at City Hall: The mayor informed the board that a generator failure at City Hall during the ice storm necessitates a replacement costing approximately $250,000. A temporary rental may be required. Funds will be transferred from overages in other budget areas, avoiding a budget amendment. - Mayor's Report on Springfest: The mayor highlighted the city's 46th birthday celebration, noting the Springfest carnival is underway, a dual-sanctioned barbecue contest (KCBS and MBN) is fully booked with a waiting list, and a city hospitality event will be held Friday evening at the Snowden House lawn at 6 p.m. The mayor emphasized Springfest as a small-town reunion tradition. - City Attorney's Legal Update: Attorney Nick Manley noted that the contract to purchase land on Malone Road (previously owned by the Racket Club) is being entered into the minutes and will close this week. Key Outcomes - All motions on the consent calendar passed unanimously with roll call votes. - The board approved entering executive session for litigation against the South Haven Fire Department, economic development within the city, and interdepartmental personnel matters with no action. Motion by Alderman Gallagher, second by Alderman Wheeler to determine need; motion by Alderman Hooks, second by Alderman Lewis to declare executive session. Both carried unanimously. - No budget amendment was required for the generator expense; funds will be reallocated internally. - The Springfest celebration continues through the week of April 21, 2026.

The Southaven Board of Aldermen convened on April 7, 2026, for a regular meeting covering a wide range of routine and significant items. The meeting began with a prayer and pledge of allegiance, followed by unanimous approvals of minutes, contracts, resolutions, and multiple agenda items. Mayor’s report highlighted key legislative victories and ongoing projects. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: Unanimously approved the minutes from the March 17, 2026 meeting. - Parks Contracts: Approved renewal contracts with Rose Calisack (softball tournaments at Greenbrook) and Mid South Sports Productions (tournaments at Snowden), both extending through December 31, 2029, with no material changes. - Texas Gas Letter of No Objection: Authorized the mayor to execute a letter allowing the city to construct a fence on city property near City Hall over a Texas gas easement. - Emergency Utilities Repair Resolution: Ratified a $5,120 expenditure to CD Construction LLC for emergency repairs to an emergency line on Debbie Drive and Donna Cove. - Emergency Generator Rental Contract: Ratified an emergency rental agreement with Thompson for a backup generator at City Hall, as the existing generator has a failed alternator. - Community Bank Easement: Authorized the mayor to sign a revised easement from Community Bank, reducing and relocating the previous easement needed for utility relocation on Goodman Road (I-55 widening project). - Court Department Contract with TransUnion: Approved a three-year renewal (at $230/month) for cloud-based software to locate defendants who fail to appear, with 500 transactions per month. - IT Department Contract with Civic Plus: Approved a contract for ADA compliance monitoring of the city website, including PDF-to-speech capabilities, with first-year cost of $17,703 (with discounts on audio and doc access). - Resolution for DeSoto County Economic Development Council Sponsorship: Approved sponsorship for the economic council’s “Loot Industry” event. - Police Department Surplus Property Resolution: Declared surplus two categories of property—city-purchased vehicles/equipment and forfeited property through circuit court—per Mississippi Code 17-25-25. - Final Change Order for Nell Road Extension Project: Approved a $11,969.34 increase (total change order) to ACUF, closing out the project with Civil Link’s recommendation. - Resolution to Clean Private Property: Adopted a resolution granting authority to clean private property; no audience members with financial interest spoke. Planning Agenda (Discussion and Voting) - Subdivision Application (7381 Getwell Road): Approved a variance to allow subdivision of 1.31 acres into two lots (7.73 acres and 0.5+ acres) to match existing separate addresses and residences. Unanimously approved. - Hotel Design Review – Silo Square (Home2 Suites): Approved the design review for a three-story Home2 Suites hotel on the south end of Silo Square. The plan includes brick facade, painted accents, pilaster columns, adjusted landscaping, and reduced access points near the roundabout. Unanimously approved. - Vacation of Lot 2 – Angels Subdivision: Approved vacating Lot 2 of the Angels subdivision to correct a platting overlap with the previously approved Centerbrook PUD, allowing recording of residential lots. Unanimously approved. Mayor’s Report – Key Legislative Updates - Washington D.C. Congressional Briefing Trip: Mayor reported productive meetings with Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker, and Congressman Trent Kelly, focusing on the Desoto County sewer disconnect from Memphis (deadline 2031). Secured commitment to explore federal and state funding for the $260 million problem. - Mississippi Legislative Session Recap: - Tourism Tax (Restaurant Tax): Successfully extended (removes repeal date every four years). - Municipal Jail Fees: A bill to remove caps on daily jail fees charged to cities was stopped. Mayor reiterated opposition, arguing city residents already pay county taxes. - HB 1664 (Telecommunications Authority): Bill that would strip city control over streets was amended satisfactorily. - HB 4045 (Economic Development Tax Cap): Bill to cap tax value for large developments (over $2B) and divert revenue to state was killed. Mayor called it “most socialistic piece of legislation.” - Annexation Bill (Mandatory Referendum): Bill requiring referendum for annexations was killed. Mayor explained the court-based system works. - DeSoto County Sewer (DeCrua): Received $10 million from the state, adding to $30-40 million secured; $260 million total needed. - Sales Tax Diversion Correction: Discovered 65 businesses in Southaven were not receiving proper sales tax diversion from the state; corrected issue and recovered $2.3 million (three-year lookback). Legislation passed for a study to prevent future errors (authored by Rep. Rodney Hall). - West End Redevelopment: Received $750,000 in state funding for the original business district. - School Residency Proof (Vehicle Registration): Billboard requiring auto registration as proof of school residency did not pass this session but will be pursued again. - Star Landing Swing Roundabout: Motion carried to authorize the project to go to bid. Donations, Personnel, and Financial Dockets - Donation Docket: Approved donations from Lucky Dog and Castle Retail Group to the Animal Shelter. - Personnel Docket: Approved as presented. - Utility Billing Leak Adjustment Docket: Approved as presented. - Claims Docket: Approved in the amount of $2,829,590.64, including demand checks. Executive Session - Motion carried to enter executive session for claims and litigation against utilities and the fire department, economic development, and fire personnel/interdepartmental personnel (no action expected on the latter). Key Outcomes - All votes were unanimous (7-0) on every item, with roll call votes recorded for each action. - The board authorized multiple contracts, expenditures, and planning approvals as described. - The mayor’s report communicated significant legislative wins and ongoing fiscal priorities. - The meeting concluded with the board entering executive session.