The City of Hattiesburg will hold a public meeting Aug. 15 to decide what to do with Mount Carmel Baptist Church, which is in such a dilapidated condition that streets have been closed to protect residents.
The City Council voted 3-2 to set the public hearing, with no votes on the motion from Ward 2’s Deborah Delgado and Ward 5’s Nicholas Brown.
Three roads around the church, which is located at 1101 Main St., are closed because of the building’s condition. Main Street is closed between East Fifth and East Sixth streets. Detour signs have been posted to assist drivers.
The church is currently in litigation with its insurance company over damages from the 2013 tornado. However, Board President Carter Carroll of Ward 3 said something needed to be done before the situation worsens.
“We really need to call an emergency on this and we need to call a public hearing to do that,” he said. “The city needs to take control of the demolition of this property. It is so extensive and it is for the health and welfare of the citizens of Hattiesburg. It is bittersweet to have to tear down a church, but the safety of the citizens comes first. It is in shambles and it could cause serious, serious damage and death. None of us wanted it handed to us, but we will take care of it.”
The roads closed to traffic at 7 p.m. Friday, July 14.
In other action Tuesday, the City Council:
• Adopted 4-1 an Ordinance amending the Land Development Code to read: “7.12.8.3 Paving. Parking shall be hard surface as approved by the Engineering Department. Additional parking may be paved with pervious pavers/pavement as approved by Site and Design Review Committee.” and to amend Section 7.12.10 to read: “7.12.10 Section Reserved.” The Planning Commission voted to approve the move on July 5. Delgado voted against the motion.
• Denied unanimously a petition filed by Terrell Garner on behalf of Garner Properties and Development to request a variance from the minimum buffer of 30 feet and instead allow a buffer of 17 feet for a variance of 13 feet for property located at 4358 Lincoln Road. The Board of Adjustments recommended to deny on July 5.
• Adopted unanimously a resolution authorizing execution of FY18 154 Alcohol Grant for $66,504 from the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety to the Hattiesburg Police Department to reduce the number of alcoholrelated fatalities and alcoholrelated injuries by the end of 2018.
• Adopted unanimously a resolution authorizing Requisition No. 72 from the Project Fund Construction Account in connection with a certain loan agreement, dated October 19, 2013, by and between the Mississippi Development Bank and the City of Hattiesburg.
• Adopted unanimously a Resolution authorizing Requisition No. 7 from the Project Fund Construction Account in connection with a certain loan agreement, dated Aug. 18, 2016, by and between the Mississippi Development Bank and the City of Hattiesburg.
• Approved unanimously an amendment to OwnerEngineer Agreement between the City of Hattiesburg and Shows, Dearman, & Waits, Incorporated for the 2017 Water Improvements Project, changing the agreement amount from $90,286 to $145,785.
• Authorized unanimously Mayor to execute contract between City of Hattiesburg and Warren Paving, Inc. in the amount of $1,036,771 for the Hattiesburg Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport Taxiway A Extension.
• Approved and authorized unanimously Mayor to execute Grant Agreement between the City of Hattiesburg and U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration in the amount of $1,016,850 for the Hattiesburg Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport Taxiway A Extension Project.
• Approved and authorize unanimously Mayor to execute in triplicate a Contractor and Owner Agreement and a Housing Repair Grant Award to Reveita Moore of 206 S. 14th Ave. of not more than $10,000 according to the Housing Rehabilitation and Housing Programs Manual Section VIII (E).
• Approved unanimously the sale of a personal service weapon Glock22 .40-caliber to retired Lt. Jon Traxler.
• Designated unanimously the 2017 El Grito Latin Festival, to be held Saturday, Aug. 19 in Town Square Park as part of the city's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, as a cityapproved event.
• Ended unanimously the State of Emergency occurring as a result of a tornado on Jan. 21.
• Acknowledged receipt of monthly budget report for June.
• Authorized and approved issuance of manual check for CDBG Program Claim.
• Approved the sale of grave spaces per attached memos and receipts.
• Approved claims docket for the period ending July 14.
