Mark Tullos

The Meridian City Council on Tuesday approved the issuance and sale of $20 million in general obligation bonds in support of the Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience being built on Front Street.

Voters in the city in August approved a 2 percent tax on prepared food and beverages that went into effect Nov. 1. The tax is expected to raise approximately $2.5 million per year, according to city officials.

“The approval of the issuance and sale of the GO bonds means that the Arts & Entertainment Center can move forward with the development of the $50 million facility and tourism and sales tax revenues that is going to come to this city,” Meridian Mayor Percy Bland said.

Bland said officials won’t know the percentage rate of the bonds until later.

MAEE President/CEO Mark Tullos said he was pleased by the vote.

“This is another important step completing the Arts & Entertainment Center for Mississippi,” Tullos said. “The bond sale will help meet our obligation to build the new museum and finish it. This vote also puts us on schedule for building completion in the fall of 2017 and opening in early 2018. Part of the mechanics in getting this goal done was approval of the City Council. This is an important partnership with the state, city of Meridian and the Entertainment Center.”

The council approved designating Director of Public Safety for Homeland Security Buck Roberts as grant administrator for the Homeland Security Program and accepted and execution of a cooperative agreement with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Office of Homeland Security, to use federal funding.

The grant is for $75,000 and officers come from throughout the state to use the Lauderdale County Training Facility on Sand Flat Road. At least six classes will  be taught at the facility.

Council members approved a change order with APAC for the street resurfacing project. The change is to address problems with curbs and gutters.

“In an effort to do this right the first time, we asked APAC that they address any curb and gutter issues they come across,” Meridian Public Works Director Hugh Smith said.

The council approved a resolution to move blighted property and approved a memorandum of understanding authorizing Bland to execute the quitclaim deed.

“Mayor Bland and City Council President Kim Houston have worked on this about a year in an effort to bring 22 middle-income housing units to the west end and Kate Griffin areas of the city,” Meridian Chief Administrative Officer Richie McAlister said. “LED lighting was recently put in.”

An order authorizing signage for a site at Bonita Lakes Mall was approved.

“The sign will be placed on South Frontage Road in an effort to draw traffic off the Interstate to the mall and local shopping areas,” McAlister said.

The council approved a 10-year ad valorem tax exemption to Peavey Electronics Corp.

Also, the Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with CertainTeed Ceiling Corp., allowing the company a delayed 90-day billing cycle.

Regarding Public Works equipment, the Council approved a bid for repair of an aerator for $49,990 from Kirk Construction Co. of Collins. The council accepted a bid of $140,153 from Meridian’s Stribling Equipment Co. for a steel wheel roller.

An agreement with LPK Architects to develop a downtown Master Plan was tabled.

“We need authority to move forward with a downtown Master Plan to address the volume of activity, the traffic flow, parking, and other concerns we have because of growth as we develop the Arts & Entertainment Center and Threefoot Building. These two attractions are going to be major draws for downtown and we want to move forward with LPK Architects to develop this Master Plan,” Bland said. “LPK has done great work for the city in the past. They understand the timeline we are under and they’re doing ongoing work to address a lot of issues we will have as a city because of increased traffic activity downtown.”

Six retiring city employees were recognized during the meeting. The employees with their years of service included Public Works Department employees Charles Dean (33 years), Frederick Nicholson (28 years), George Ricky Davidson (32 years), Tommy Davidson (40 years), Herman Harris (42 years) and Meridian Police Department Sgt. David Latting (24 years).

Five Meridian High students who scored 30 or higher on their ACT were recognized. They included Silas Clymer (35), Caleb Harper (33), Muhammad Javed (31), Allan Sanders (31) and Andre Robinson (30).