The site selection committee named to determine a site for Vicksburg’s proposed sports complex has until June 29 to make its recommendation.

Mayor George Flaggs Jr. set the deadline at the close of Monday’s meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, saying he’s not interested in spending any more money on a sports complex until he gets a recommendation. He said the site recommendation would be discussed at the board’s June 29 work session.

He said after the meeting the deadline was at the request of Diamante Global/JCI Holdings LLC, the city’s consultant for the sports complex site, which wanted to know if the city had any other sites under consideration for the sports complex.

“I refuse to spend any more money on a site until the committee has vetted everything and given a recommendation, whether it’s one, two sites, or no site. It’s time to close the gate. People have a right to know what they’re voting on (the) Jan. 12 (sales tax referendum), and they should have time to have clarity on Jan. 12. It’s time to pull the trigger on it.”

Presently, the committee, which is composed of Aldermen Michael Mayfield and Willis Thompson, Warren County Supervisors John Arnold and Bill Lauderdale and county administrator John Smith, is considering four sites — at Mississippi 27, U.S. 61 North south of Merit Health River Region Medical Center, the Vicksburg Municipal Airport off U.S. 61 South, and property on Ring Road, southeast of the airport.

The airport came under consideration June 8 when Flaggs mentioned it as a possible site for the complex. The properties on 61 North and Ring Road, Thompson said, are in the county.

Flaggs in April appointed the committee to examine other possible sites for the sports complex after a public meeting on the sports complex in which Diamante Global recommended the city’s Fisher Ferry property as the most feasible site to build a sports complex. He gave the group 60-days to name a site, but rainy weather has prevented committee members from getting on the properties.

Mayfield said later it would take about three days of dry weather before committee members could make the site visits. And any visits would have to be done this week if a selection is to be presented June 29. City officials will be at the annual Mississippi Municipal League Conference in Biloxi next week. Thompson said he would try and arrange a meeting later this week.

“If we have to get hip waders on, let’s get in there,” Mayfield said.

In May 2014, Flaggs appointed a committee to examine the city’s recreation program and the need for a sports complex for the city. The committee in December released a report recommending a multipurpose recreation complex on 270 acres of land featuring baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts, walking trail and a multipurpose building with an indoor swimming pool.

Flaggs has set a $20 million budget for the project, and has discussed doing a lease purchase venture with a private company to build and manage the facility, which would eventually be owned by the city.

The Legislature in March approved a local and private bill allowing the city, with voter approval, to levy up to a 2 mill hotel and food and beverage tax to fund the complex. A referendum on the tax is tentatively set for Jan. 12.

 

In other action, the board:

• Recognized the following employees on their anniversaries with the city: Michael Walker, Derrick Stamps, Andrew Rodgers and Dorothy Bowman, fire department, 20 years; William Nettle, TV23, five years.

• Recognized Vicky McMillin on her retirement after 20 years.

• Received an update for the Civil Air Patrol, which received the Southeast Squadron of Distinction Award.

• Received the April-May crime statistics, which will be placed online and on TV23.

• Approved a request from Vicksburg Catholic Schools to close streets for a 5k run/walk and 1-mile run/walk Oct. 31.

• Approved a request from Kathy Holden to block Military Avenue between Halls Ferry Road and Franklin Street for the Marcus Bottom Reunion July 12 from noon to 6 p.m.

• Approved filing liens on the following properties, 1409 Lane St., $187.50, Geneva Lewis Dorsey; 2938 Park Ave., State of Mississippi, $225; 2714 Drummond St., State of Mississippi, $220.

• Authorized Community Development Director Victor Grey-Lewis to cut and clear property at 2511 Cedar St.

• Adopted a resolution authorizing Mayor Pro Tem Willis Thompson and City Clerk Walter Osborne to sign city checks in the absence of Mayor George Flaggs Jr.

• Authorized Flaggs to sign an interlocal agreement with Warren County for the $21,178 Justice Assistance Grant. The grant funds are divided between the Vicksburg Police Department and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.