The results of a fireworks survey initiated quite a bit of discussion on Sept. 10 among McKenzie Council members before a decision was reached on how the present ordinance should be changed to better suit the city’s citizens.
In the survey results, 76.25 percent agreed that fireworks should be allowed within the city and 74.92 percent said they should be allowed on a person’s own property.
In the end, council members agreed that ten days between June 26 and July 5 would be adequate for fireworks to be shot and sold up until 10 p.m.
Mayor Jill Holland said an amendment to that affect would be drawn up and added to the present ordinance and presented at the Oc.t 8 council meeting.
During the discussion, council member Charles Pruneau said 10 p.m. is adequate to conclude selling and shooting fireworks.
The mayor said the time of night that fireworks were being shot was the main objection by citizens.
“There’s no need for dogs and people suffering for a month,” said council member Debbie Riley.
Council member Brian Winston said he felt there were extra fireworks this year because a lot of stimulus money was flooding the economy.
Council members approved the Police Department’s Grooming Standards Board which consists of police officers from the local department. There are now certain standards on beards and tattoos that must meet the approval of this board. If there are any changes made it has to come before the council.
Council member approved a resolution that refinances an Energy Savings Loan. The resolution authorizes the execution terms, issuance, sale and payment of not to exceed $2,648,995 in General Obligation Refunding Bonds.
The 2019 loan was entered into for the purpose of financing all or a portion of the costs of energy saving improvements throughout the city, including LED street lights, energy saving devices and equipment, safety technology for city owned property and buildings, and electronic water meters and drive by readers for the water department.
On another matter, the 2019 CDBG sewer system rehabilitation project bid was granted to low bidder Insituform Technologies LLC of Plant City, Florida that has offices in Lavergne. The company bid $497,550.50. There were seven bidders with the high bid being $879,287.50.
In other business, council members:
• Passed the second and final reading on the ordinance to establish a maximum rate of $50 for court costs.
• Passed the second and final reading on an ordinance that added grass as a material that could obstruct, limit or interfere with the use of public ways such as streets or sidewalks.
• Suspended the rules in order to recognize Lanier Mabry’s 105th birthday. She is a resident of AHC- McKenzie. She taught at McKenzie Elementary School for 39 years.
• Heard the mayor announce that a neighborhood meeting will be held at the Park Theatre Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. on the Cares Funding Act.
