1. Opening the Meeting
   1. Call to Order.
   2. Adopt the agenda for the meeting.
   3. Mayor’s Report
2. Regular Agenda: Financial Administration Office
   1. Request permission to approve the minutes of the Regular Board of Aldermen meeting on April 7, 2026. (Leslie McCormick)
   2. Request approval of the accounts for all city departments. (Leslie McCormick)
   3. Request approval of Emergency Purchases made as a result of Winter Storm Fern, which occurred January 23-26, 2026. (Rhonda Burchett)
3. Consider the consent agenda
   1. Fixed Assets Management
      1. Request permission to declare equipment from the Oxford Fire Department as surplus and authorize its disposal. (Joey Gardner)
      2. Request permission to declare equipment from mTrade Park as surplus and authorize its disposal. (Brad Freeman)
      3. Request permission to transfer equipment from the Building and Grounds Department to the Park Commission. (Mike Grant)
      4. Request permission to transfer equipment from the Development Services – Engineering Department to the City Shop. (John Crawley)
      5. Request permission to declare equipment from Oxford Utilities as surplus and authorize its disposal. (Rob Neely)
   2. Miscellaneous:
      1. Request approval to refund an adoption fee for the Oxford Animal Resource Center. (Kelli Briscoe)
      2. Request permission to approve donations on behalf of the Oxford Animal Resource Center. (Kelli Briscoe)
      3. Request permission to approve the water and sewer adjustments in accordance the Oxford Utilities Adjustment Policy. (Rob Neely)
      4. Request permission to approve Charles Hassler as a driver for Local Bike Taxi, LLC. (Jeff McCutchen)
      5. Request permission to accept a donation of $1,200.00 for trees for the Environmental Services Department from the Keep America Beautiful’s Greenest Greens project. (Amberlyn Liles)
      6. Request approval of a proclamation celebrating the 100th Birthday of Annie Lee Driver Williams.
   3. Travel Requests:
      1. Request permission for one employee from the Oxford Conference Center to attend the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College to be held May 31, 2026, to June 5, 2026, in Macon, Georgia, at an estimated cost of $1,873.58. (Micah Quinn)
      2. Request permission for one employee from the Oxford Conference Center to attend and sponsor the Council of Association Executives Lunch and Learn on May 13, 2026, in Montgomery, Alabama, at an estimated cost of $424.13. (Micah Quinn)
      3. Request permission for two employees from the Oxford Police Department to attend the Trey Howze Speaking Event on May 19, 2026, in Flowood, Mississippi, at no cost to the city. (Jeff McCutchen)
      4. Request permission for one employee from the Oxford Police Department to attend the Advanced Roadside Impairment Expert Training to be held May 19–20, 2026, in Columbus, Mississippi, at no cost to the city. (Jeff McCutchen)
      5. Request permission for three employees from the Oxford Police Department to attend the FAA 107 Drone Test Preparation Course to be held May 5– 7, 2026, in Desoto County, Mississippi, at no cost to the city. (Jeff McCutchen)
      6. Request permission for one employee from Oxford Utilities to attend training in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 23, 2026, at no cost to the city. (Rob Neely)
      7. Request permission for seven employees from the Environmental Services Department to attend the MS SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America) Spring Conference to be held May 18–21, 2026, in Biloxi, Mississippi, at an estimated cost of $1,904.00. (Amberlyn Liles)
   4. Human Resources:
      1. Request permission to amend a previously approved personnel action for the Environmental Services Department from the April 7, 2026, Board of Aldermen Regular meeting. (Braxton Tullos)
      2. Request permission to hire nine concessionaires and to promote one concessionaire to grill cook for mTrade Park. (Braxton Tullos)
      3. Request permission to hire four seasonal landscapers for the Buildings and Grounds — Landscape Services Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      4. Request permission to approve the resignation of one employee from the Development Services Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      5. Request permission to approve the resignation of two employees from Oxford Utilities. (Braxton Tullos)
      6. Request permission to hire one employee for Oxford Utilities. (Braxton Tullos)
      7. Request permission to approve the lateral transfer of one employee from the Oxford Fire Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      8. Request permission to approve the promotion of two employees from the Oxford Police Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      9. Request permission to approve the change of one employee from full- time to part- time status in the Oxford Police Department. (Braxton Tullos)
4. Regular Agenda: Other Departments
   1. Consider extending the Local State of Emergency. (Shane Fortner)
   2. Request permission for the Mayor to sign the Certifications and Assurances for the 2026-2027 Rural Transit 5311 Grant. (Donna Zampella)
   3. Request permission to authorize the Mayor to sign MEMA Public Assistance State and Local Disaster Assistance Agreement (FEMA-4899) for Oxford Utilities to receive FEMA/MEMA reimbursement for expenses associated with Winter Storm Fern. (Rob Neely)
5. Regular Agenda: Police Department
   1. Request permission to approve a parade/assembly permit for the Country Club of Oxford to host a fireworks event on July 3, 2026 (with alternate weather days July 2 or July 5, 2026) from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Jeff McCutchen)
   2. Request permission to approve a parade/assembly permit for the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council to host a Kids’ 4th of July Parade on July 4, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Jeff McCutchen)
   3. Request permission to approve a parade/assembly permit for the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council to host an Annual Second Line Parade and Celebration for Ron Shapiro on August 27, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Jeff McCutchen)
   4. Request permission to approve a parade/assembly permit for the End of All Music to host the Music in the Park Event on May 3, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Jeff McCutchen)
   5. Request permission to approve a parade/assembly permit for the Destination Oxford Car Show to host a car show on May 16, 2026 from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Jeff McCutchen)
6. Regular Agenda: Development Services-Planning Department
   1. Request approval for Case #3240, Plat Amendment for ‘Lots G, H, I, J, K & L Tallahatchie Oxford Baptist Assoc., First Amendment’ requested by Charter Hospitality, LLC (Chan Patel) for property located at 130 Slack Road (PPIN #9203). (Kate Kenwright)
   2. Request Final Plat Amendment for Case #3329, Plat Amendment for ‘The Oaks at Oxford Commons, Phases 19 & 27’ requested by Oxford Commons Lots IV, LLC (David Blackburn) for property located at 2118 Woodbine Drive (PPIN #43036). (Ben Requet)
   3. First Reading of a Zoning Map Amendment request (Case #3341) by Capstone Development (Mac Monteith), to amend the Lamar TND regulating plan for property located on Main Street (PPIN #41103). (Robert Baxter)
7. Regular Agenda: Special Projects
   1. Consider bids for the Development Services Annex Project. (Mark Levy)
   2. Consider Change Order with ER Assist for Disaster Grant Services. (Mark Levy)
   3. Request permission to apply for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant and authorization of professional services contract for grant writing and administration. (Mark Levy)
8. Regular Agenda: Development Services-Engineering Department
   1. Request permission to advertise for reverse auction bids for a new dump truck with a snowplow attachment. (John Crawley)
   2. Request permission to accept all construction and infrastructure associated with the new roundabout at Molly Barr Road and Chickasaw Road. (John Crawley)
9. Regular Agenda: Closing the Meeting
   1. Consider an executive session.
   2. Adjourn.

On February 21, Scouts from five states convened on the Ole Miss campus for a one-day Merit Badge College. The event, in its fifth year, drew a record attendance of 244 registered Scouts and Scout Leaders. 

Bruce Pike, an undergraduate majoring in Exercise Science, leads the Personal Fitness merit badge in the Indoor Practice Field at the Manning Center.

“It is amazing how fast the Merit Badge College has grown. In the five years since we started, it has grown by 208%. We had 65 Scouts registered for our first Merit Badge College in 2022. And all of those Scouts came from within our own Scouting Council which represents Northeast Mississippi. This year Scouts came from five states and eight Councils,” said Ben Pharr, director of the University’s Mississippi Center for Supercomputing Research and one of the event organizers.  

 The Merit Badge College represents the successful coming-together of the Scouting and University communities for a fun day of learning and new experiences. “It just makes sense to use the resources Ole Miss and Oxford have to offer these youth,” added Pharr.

The Scouts signed up for morning and afternoon merit badge classes. 19 different merit badges classes included: AI and Cybersecurity, Climbing, Aviation, Weather, Photography, Chess, Personal Fitness, Chemistry, Emergency Preparedness, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, and Environmental Science.

Fin Cole gets harnessed up for the Climbing merit badge at the South Campus Rec Center.

Instructors for the Merit Badge College were drawn from a wealth of talent and expertise found within the Oxford area and the University. Instructors included undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff members. Dr. Jason Ritchie, a recipient of the Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award, taught the Chemistry merit badge. Emmy-Winning Meteorologist and Tupelo area celebrity, Matt Laubhan, taught the Weather merit badge. Other instructors who gave of their time included local vets, a physician, pilots, an attorney, UM alumni, and area professionals.

An opening ceremony began the day for the Scouts. Cadets from the University’s Army ROTC presented the nation’s colors. Provost Noel Wilkin, the University’s Chief Academic Officer, welcomed the Scouts to the Ole Miss campus. In his remarks Wilkin, an Eagle Scout himself, urged the Scouts to live up to the scouting motto: “Be prepared.”

Local pilot Dr. Will Dabbs is ready to take Scouts Andrew Colby and Dylan Carlisle for an areal view of Oxford for the Aviation merit badge.

Gary Wilson, chair of the event, thanked the instructors for giving of their time. He noted that many of the instructors were still dealing with damage from Winter Storm Fern, but found the time to teach.  

“For so many of these Scouts it may be the first opportunity that they have had to visit a college campus. It is a chance for the Scouts to get a feel for what it may be like to attend college…and Ole Miss is making a great first impression,” Wilson said.

Indeed, Scouts could be found going to classes in multiple University buildings across campus. The Scouts ate lunch at Rebel Market and attended classes in the Indoor Practice Facility at the Manning Center, the Duff Center STEM facility, the South Campus Rec Center, Bishop Hall, Coulter Hall, and the University/Oxford Airport.  

Scouts ate on campus at Rebel Market. Here Penny and her local Emmy award winning weatherman father, Matt Laubhan, share some father/daughter time. Matt taught the Weather merit badge for the one-day Merit Badge College.

Scouting America, formally Boy Scouts of America, is a premier youth leadership organization for girls and boys ages 11 to 18. The merit badge program is a core Scouting experience. Earning merit badges helps a Scout advance in rank and experience.

Merit badges introduce Scouts to a wide range of knowledge and skills including sports, crafts, and hobbies; outdoor skills; trades and future careers; citizenship; and STEM fields. More than 135 merit badges are available.

Scouts up their game in the Chess merit badge.

It was a successful day for the Scouts who attended the Merit Badge College and it was another successful day in the life of the University of Mississippi fulfilling its mission to foster learning.

Authored by Jason Bouldin, a local artist and scout leader.

1. Opening the Meeting
   1. Call to Order.
   2. Adopt the agenda for the meeting.
   3. Mayor’s Report
2. Regular Agenda: City Clerk’s Office
   1. Request permission to approve the minutes of the Regular Board of Aldermen meeting on February 3, 2026. (Leslie McCormick)
   2. Request permission to approve the minutes for the Special Board of Aldermen Meetings on January 25, 2026, January 28, 2026, January 30, 2026, and January 31, 2026. (Leslie McCormick)
   3. Request permission to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting on February 10, 2026. (Leslie McCormick)
   4. Request permission to approve the accounts for all city departments. (Leslie McCormick)
   5. Request approval of Emergency Purchases made as a result of Winter Storm Fern, that occurred over January 23-26, 2026. (Rhonda Burchett)
   6. Request permission to accept Tree Fund donations. (Rhonda Burchett)
3. Consider the consent agenda
   1. Fixed Assets Management
      1. Request permission to declare two pieces of equipment from the Municipal Courts Department surplus and authorize their disposal. (Nickie Denley)
      2. Request permission to declare one piece of equipment from the Oxford Fire Department surplus and authorize its disposal. (Joey Gardner)
      3. Request permission to declare one piece of equipment from the Oxford Police Department surplus and authorize its disposal. (Jeff McCutchen)
   2. Miscellaneous:
      1. Request permission to approve the water and sewer adjustments as per the Oxford Utilities Adjustment Policy. (Rob Neely)
      2. Request approval of a sole-source purchase from Insight LPR for data hosting software for the Oxford Police Department. (Jeff McCutchen)
      3. Request permission to approve donations on behalf of the Oxford ARC. (Kelli Briscoe)
   3. Travel Requests:
      1. Request permission for twenty-five employees from the Oxford Police Department to attend the Holos 1 Day Reset Training on March 20, 2026, in Oxford, Mississippi, for an estimated cost of $9,200.00 for registration. (Jeff McCutchen)
      2. Request permission for five employees from the Oxford Police Department to attend the Phlebotomy Certification program in Waco, Georgia, on April 27–29, 2026, for an estimated cost of $2,871.52 for lodging and meals. (Jeff McCutchen)
      3. Request permission for thirteen employees from the Oxford Police Department to attend the Standardized Field Sobriety Training on March 17-19, 2026, in Oxford, Mississippi, at no cost to the city. (Jeff McCutchen)
      4. Request permission for three employees from the Oxford Police Department to attend MLEOA 2026 Lawdog Seminar and Certification on March 10-12, 2026, in Batesville, Mississippi at no cost to the city. (Jeff McCutchen)
      5. Request permission for the 405D Alcohol, Drug, and Impaired Driving-Training Coordination Grant employees from the Oxford Police Department to travel to the locations on the designated dates to host ARIDE & SFST Classes, in accordance with the requirements of the grant. (Jeff McCutchen)
      6. Request permission for two employees from the Oxford Fire Department to attend MSFA for the Mississippi Executive Fire Officer on March 24–26, 2026, May 19–21, 2026, July 14–16, 2026, and November 16–19, 2026, at an estimated cost of $1000.00 per employee. (Joey Gardner)
      7. Request permission for two employees from the Oxford Fire Department to attend the Mississippi Fire Service Instructors Conference on March 24– 27, 2026, in D’Iberville, Mississippi, at an estimated cost of $1,072.00. (Joey Gardner)
      8. Request permission for two employees from the Building Department of Development Services to attend the Code Academy Class on April 20–24, 2026, in Mobile, Alabama, at an estimated cost of $4,600.00. (Johnathan Mizell)
      9. Request permission for an employee from the Oxford Utilities Department to attend the TVPPA Annual Conference on May 17–20, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky, at an estimated cost of $1,803.00. (Rob Neely)
   4. Grants
      1. Request permission to apply for an AARP grant for the Emergency Management Department. (Shane Fortner)
      2. Request permission to apply for a grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for the Emergency Management Department. (Shane Fortner)
   5. Human Resources:
      1. Request permission to hire a full- time patrol officer for the Oxford Police Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      2. Request permission to hire four interns for the Oxford Police Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      3. Request permission to hire a full-time dispatcher for the Oxford Police Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      4. Request permission to approve a merit increase for an employee for the Oxford Police Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      5. Request permission to move an employee to a certified part- time position for the Oxford Police Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      6. Request permission to approve the retirement of one employee from the Oxford Police Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      7. Request permission to approve the resignation of a full- time employee from the Oxford Police Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      8. Request permission to hire a part-time employee for the Oxford Police Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      9. Request permission to hire a full-time employee for Development Services. (Braxton Tullos)
      10. Request permission to hire two full- time employees for Development Services, Street Department. (Braxton Tullos)
4. Regular Agenda: Other Departments
   1. Adopt a Proclamation to Recognize and Express Gratitude to Municipal Utilities Providing Mutual Aid Assistance During Winter Storm Fern.
   2. Consider a Resolution of Intent in connection with proposed emergency borrowing for expenses due to Winter Storm Fern.
5. Regular Agenda: Police Department
   1. Request permission to adopt a retirement resolution for Oxford Police Department employee, Mark Hodges. (Jeff McCutchen)
   2. Request permission for retired officer, Mark Hodges, to purchase his service weapon for $1.00 as allowed by State Statute. (Jeff McCutchen)
   3. Request permission to approve an event permit for Visit Oxford for Third Thursday – Music in the Pocket Park at the Pocket Part next to City Hall from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on March 19, 2026, April 16, 2026, May 21, 2026, and June 18, 2026. (Jeff McCutchen)
   4. Request permission to approve an event permit for Visit Oxford for the Double Decker Arts Festival starting at 10:00 pm on Thursday, April 23 2026 until 2:00 am on April 26, 2026 at the Oxford Square and City Parking lots. (Jeff McCutchen)
   5. Request permission to approve a Parade/Assembly permit for Special Olympics MS to host a Law Enforcement Torch Run on May 4, 2026 from 10:00 am – 11 am. (Jeff McCutchen)
   6. Request permission to approve a Parade/Assembly permit for the U.S. Marshals Service to host Fallen Heroes Honor Run on March 6, 2026 from 6:00 am 7:00 am. (Jeff McCutchen)
   7. Request permission to approve a Parade Assembly permit for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church to host an Annual Mardi Gras Parade on February 17, 2026 from 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm. (Jeff McCutchen)
   8. Request permission to approve a Parade/Assembly permit for Adam Stewart to host of Run of Champions Race on October 3, 2026 from 7:30 am – 11:00 am. (Jeff McCutchen)
6. Regular Agenda: Development Services-Planning Department
   1. Request approval for Case #3319, a Final Plat Amendment requested by Pinelake Church, Inc for ‘Evergreens, Phase 3, Lot 8’, for property located at 5202 Pat Patterson Parkway (PPIN #38562) (Robert Baxter)
   2. Request approval for Case #3321, a Final Plat Amendment requested by Forest Hill Development (John Gallina), for ‘Grove at Grand Oaks,’ Phase 8, Lots 125, 126 & 127’, for property located at 1312 Torrey Pines Loop (PPIN #42062) (Kate Kenwright)
   3. Request approval for Case #3324, a Preliminary and Final Plat requested by Sarah Camp Milam for property located at 433 N 15th Street (PPIN #6162 & #42173) (Kate Kenwright)
   4. Appeal of Courthouse Square Historic Preservation Commission Case #487, a request by Stefano Capomazza to demolish the existing building and build a new building at 1006 Jefferson Avenue (PPIN #5854) (Kate Kenwright)
7. Regular Agenda: Special Projects
   1. Consider Addendum No. 3 from Looks Great Services for a not-to-exceed extension. (Mark Levy)
   2. Consider Second Amendment to independent contractor agreement with DebrisTech to raise the not-to-exceed cap. (Mark Levy)
   3. Consider bids for the City of Oxford Rubbish Site West Expansion project. (Mark Levy)
8. Regular Agenda: Development Services-Engineering Department
   1. Request permission to approve Change Order No. 1 for the Anderson Road Wells No. 3 and No. 4 Contract A Project. (John Crawley)
   2. Request permission for the Mayor to execute the contract agreements from the Anderson Road Water Distribution Improvements Project. (John Crawley)
   3. Consider the request from OIP Investments for a revocable license for 208 South Lamar Boulevard. (John Crawley)
9. Regular Agenda: Closing the Meeting
   1. Consider an executive session.
   2. Adjourn.