The Pelahatchie town meeting on July 3rd opened with Mayor VanHorn asking alderman Eddie Jones to do the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, and then Mayor VanHorn did a roll call. All aldermen and alderwomen were present. There was no visitors’ or residents’ business, and there was also no department business. The items of new business passed quickly:
1. Approve minutes from the previous regular board meeting, held June 5, 2023. Motion by alderman Jones, seconded by alderman Warren. All voted aye, and the motion carried.
2. Approve the payment of the unpaid claims docket. Motion by alderman Jones was seconded by alderman Harrell. Aldermen Warren, Jones, and Harrell voted aye, while aldermen Harvey and Hill voted nay. Motion carried, 3-2.
3. Approve disbursement of bank draft payment to Morgan and White Insurance ($1,413.10). Motion by alderman Warren was seconded by alderman Jones. All voted aye, and the motion carried.
4. Approve bank draft payment to Blue Cross Insurance ($6,262.89). Motion by alderman Jones was seconded by alderman Warren. All voted aye, and the motion carried.
5. Approve bank draft payment to EMC Insurance ($5,948.36). Motion by alderman Warren was seconded by alderman Hill. All voted aye, and the motion carried.
6. Approval and ratification of payment of payroll for May 2023 - General ($50,447.38), and Enterprise ($32,080.32). Motion by alderman Jones was seconded by alderman Warren. Aldermen Jones, Warren, Harrell, and Harvey voted aye. Alderman Hill voted nay. Motion carried, 4-1.
There was no cause to go to executive session, so Mayor VanHorn moved to Alderman Discussions, beginning with alderman Diane Hill. Alderman Hill asked what the town’s role was in new business coming into town, and whether they decide who comes into town. Mayor VanHorn said no and gave the steps that a business would need to go through in order to set up in Pelahatchie, such as filling out a privilege license tax.
Mayor VanHorn then stated to the room, “Pelahatchie is open for business. We are not going to discriminate against anybody who wants to come to Pelahatchie and do business…. We have a specialty business here in town. It’s the only one like it. Recently, there’s another person coming in with the same type of business, and the business that has always been here has asked that we not allow [that business] to come in. We are not discriminating…. I’m not going to court for it. So, if somebody wants to come in and open a business, they can get their privilege license, get a building…get their water set up, and they’re good to go.”
Alderman Hill’s next question was whether or not the town had an event calendar. There was some brief discussion about the need for one, and it was determined that there was not currently an event calendar set up for the town.
Alderman Hill’s third question was whether or not the town performed inventory counts on the light poles. Again, there was some brief discussion on whether this was the case or not, and it was not clear if that was the town’s responsibility. Attorney Banks said that she would look into the matter.
Alderman Hill’s fourth question was for a timeline on when the streets would be complete, to which the mayor replied that they had just received the items from the county a few days prior. Alderman Hill’s last question was how big a new house has to be when built from the ground up. Mayor VanHorn answered that it was 1,800 square feet. That concluded alderman Hill’s discussion portion of the meeting, and alderwoman Harvey was called on next.
Alderwoman Harvey was adamant that the town should look nice when people come through, such as keeping the grass cut along Highway 80 and the neighboring streets. She remarked that the flowers could be improved, but they were looking nice for now.
Alderman Warren had no discussion or comments.
Alderman Jones remarked on the current and upcoming storms and hurricane season, and how everybody should be aware of the trees around them and take care of those that are at risk of falling. Alderman Harvey then asked about the tree near the town hall, and who was responsible for it. Alderman Jones said that he would get in touch with them to see what they planned to do about it. That concluded Alderman Jones’ discussion portion of the meeting.
Alderman Harrell had no discussion or comments.
Just before adjourning, Alderman Hill asked about an item in their packet regarding the Family Dollar. Mayor VanHorn said it was to let them know that they did have a site plan, and that item was to show it to the board, but they hadn’t moved forward with anything else just yet. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
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