City Moves Forward With Development Plan On Lafayette
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WATER VALLEY — The Water Valley Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to move forward with advertising 5.63 acres of city-owned property for residential development, requiring construction of at least 10 new homes within two years of purchase. The vote came during a special meeting on Feb. 17.
The tract, commonly referred to as the former mental health property, was transferred back to the city from the state several years ago.
“We have the property — mental health property — that was given to us back from the state several years ago and we’ve got it rezoned,” City Attorney Daniel Martin told the board. “So we’re ready to put this in the paper and we’ve got in here the term successful bidder shall construct not fewer than 10 residential homes upon the subject property.”
Each home must contain at least 1,200 square feet of heated and cooled living area, and construction must be completed within 24 months.
Mayor Tommy Reynolds was direct about the reasoning behind the sale.
“We need the money,” Reynolds said.
He also noted that once developed, the properties would generate tax revenue for the city.
“One thing, the properties would be paying taxes and you know that would be good,” he said.
Alderman Grant Thompson asked whether penalties were in place if the developer failed to complete construction within two years.
“Well there’s not — so it’s got in here the foregoing development obligation shall not constitute a covenant running with the land but shall be a contractual promise between the city and the purchasers and its successors in title and shall be enforceable according to law,” Martin explained.
Martin said the language is structured to protect the city while still allowing a commercial lender to finance the project.
“You’re not going to get a commercial lender to loan the $2 million dollars that they’re going to need to throw up 10 houses with a provision in there that if they don’t get it done within 24 months we get the land back,” he said.
Instead, the city could pursue legal enforcement.
“We would sue them for specific performance asking the court to order them to do so or they’d be found in contempt and we would ask that damages be awarded based on the loss of ad valorem taxes,” Martin said. “So there are some teeth, but I wanted to make it so that a commercial lender wouldn’t blush at trying to make this loan.”
Reynolds noted the land was acquired at no cost from the state.
The motion passed unanimously and the notice appears on Page 10 of the Herald.
The board then turned its attention to the Water Valley Municipal Airport, where officials said improvements are needed to maintain full operation.
“The airport needs a lot of work done on it, I am told,” Reynolds said.
Airport Manager Michael Scroggins reported the runway’s PAPI approach lighting system is no longer functioning, and the company that installed it is now out of business.
“To replace that unit, you’re looking at roughly $10,000 right now. Ballpark would be around $10,000,” Scroggins said.
The PAPI lights guide aircraft during landing by indicating whether they are too high or too low on approach. Without functioning lights, night landings could be limited.
“There may be no night flying at all. Landing would just have to be a strictly day shoot,” Scroggins said.
“It would be best if we had night accessibility,” Reynolds added.
Scroggins said he is working with Luther Owens of Willis Engineering to pursue grant funding for runway slurry sealing and lighting upgrades. Slurry sealing extends the life of asphalt.
“Slurry is a seal. The seal of the asphalt will give you several years down the road,” he said. “We can’t do a chip seal out there because the rock will come up and hit the propellers and tear up $15,000 propellers.”
He added that the FAA no longer allows chip sealing for that reason.
Winona Municipal Airport has upgraded its lighting system and may allow Water Valley to purchase compatible lights for parts at a reduced cost.
“That would save us for a little bit longer time,” Scroggins said.
He reported increasing use of the airport, particularly during Ole Miss game weekends.
“We had several this year flew in for the ball game and it’s starting to build up a little bit more because Oxford’s getting so crowded up there that they can’t get in,” he said. “I’ve had several people that have called in requesting hangars, but we have none available.”
Alderman Nicole Folson made a motion for the city to apply for all available airport grants, which passed unanimously.
The board also voted to retain Scroggins as the FAA-designated airport administrator and approved a $200 monthly payment for his service.
“Is this a paid position?” Alderman Joe Magnuson asked.
“I don’t do it right now,” Scroggins replied.
Alderman Demetrius Ingram asked about FAA requirements.
“I just had to call in and give them my name and give them the airport and all that stuff,” Scroggins said. “I’m the only one right now that can do that.”
“It’s very important that we keep it open,” Alderman-at-Large Herbie Rogers said. “If there’s an incident where a plane needs to land and he doesn’t know that the airport is not open we’re in for a liability.”
Reynolds agreed.
“It speaks really poorly of the town if you’ve got a 1,500- or 2,000-person town near you and their airport is doing well.”
In other business, the board approved the purchase of a projector and screen for The Civic.
“Y’all should have in your packets three different quotes from vendors,” Jessie Gurner said. “We have been wanting to add other things to The Civic, and one of the things we have wanted to add is a projector and screen so that we can show movies up there and have movie nights.”
The lowest quote was from Vault in Oxford at $32,827. Another proposal was approximately $63,000, and one was in the $40,000 range.
“And Jessie, this is all coming from money that the legislature approved,” Reynolds noted about an earlier allocation from the state to fund renovations at the building.
“And this screen and projector will tie into the sound system that we already have there,” Gurner said. “So it will be the full movie experience.”
The board approved the low bid unanimously.
The board also approved allowing a local resident to cut hay from a field at the Industrial Park.
“There’s a field at the Industrial Park that has tall grass on it,” Martin said. “It costs more for the city to maintain it than its economic value to the city since we’re not in the business of selling hay.”
“If y’all find that fact and declare it, then we can allow Mr. Butch Surrette to go get the hay off of it.”
The lease was approved unanimously.
