By Myra Bean

At last Tuesday’s Sardis City Board member, Engineer David Evans presented an invoice from the contractor for the CDBG project with the cutoff on July 14 of $74,024.30. The board approved.

Evans updated the board on the program which runs from the railroad west to Highway 51. They found the clay sewer pipes are in bad shape and some spots are missing the pipe. They ran a camera where they could to assess all the damage.

There was some damage on Dewberry which Evans said was really bad. They repaired what they could. Dewberry Street is on the list to be overlaid with BP funds. Evans also Gin Street and Center Street were repaired where necessary.

The new lines from Greenhill area are taking on rain water, possibly from run off from the roof. That was noticed since school has been out and a lot of water is going through the sewer pipe. Evans said the city needs to correct that.

Interstate Shrubs

The city discussed a couple of months ago to make the entrance into Sardis from the interstate have more curb appeal. They have discussed putting shrubs. MDOT sent a contract about what the city would have to upkeep.

Public works director Quinn West said they already mow the area near the interstate. They just do not get up on the interstate.

The board tabled the signing of the contract until West can determine how much the city cleans up compared to what is asked in the contract. He will report back to the board at the Tuesday, Aug. 20 regular meeting.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Lula Palmer reported the city has a landscape trainee working with West for 20 hours per week as part of the NCBA-SCSEP program which places senior citizens 55 and older with hosting businesses.

The Red Cross and Fire Department will install alarms Sept. 14 for citizens.

The Public Library complained of trash in the parking lot on the east side of the building. The board discussed putting signs to bar parking after 6 p.m. However, the lot is shared with Heflin House who has events in the evening. There was no action taken on the issue.

David Evans applied for a grant through MEME for $217,750 to protect the sanitary sewer line. The grant is a 75/25 percent matching grant for the line in Oak Creek.

The board will hold budget meeting Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 21 and 22 at 2 p.m. each day.