Aldermen hear Boys & Girls Club request to turn old tennis courts into basketball courts (3-3-26) -

Seated left to right:

Parks Smith – Ward 1
Drew Horn – Ward 2
Keith Conlee – Alderman at Large
Will Tucker – Ward 4
Jeff Olson – Mayor
Megan Kirk – City Clerk
Regan Russell – City Attorney

You can view a copy of the agenda by clicking here and a 36-minute of the meeting below, courtesy of our videographer Kim Davis.

Personal appearance from Marquel Conner of Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi

(Timestamp 1:25 – 9:37) Mr. Conner proposed turning converting one of the little-used tennis courts between the Middle School and Golden Gate Cathedral Church into a basketball court to benefit the children in our community that he works with. Parks and Recreation Director Chase Jeter also added his support to the idea, saying that it would be the best place to accommodate new courts. Mr. Conner’s unit serves over 100 children a day and said the court would be a great place for the children he serves to enjoy some outdoor time. Ward 2 Alderman Drew Horn also said he supported the idea and said they would like to get some community feedback on the plan, and that there was also consideration for revamping Shady Dell Park which is nearby. The board said they would discuss the matter further with Mr. Conner

New Albany Lights Gas and Water

(Timestamp 9:37-18:10) Bill Mattox from New Albany Lights Gas and Water first asked and received the board’s approval to advertise for professional services for engineering work to replace a central gas main (Public Works item 1 on agenda).

(LGW items 1 and 2 with Public Works item 3) Mattox then asked to combine these three agenda items into a single action item for community development block grants. He said the plan was to apply for a $750,000 block grant requiring 10% matching funds ($75,000 will come out of water department funds). With this money, Mattox wants to change out the oldest water mains on North Side. To do this, he needed the board’s approval to apply for the block grant, set a public hearing for the project at 5:30 PM on April 7, 2026, at New Albany City Hall, and a recognition that the matching funds are available. The board approved the request.

(LGW item 3) Mattox then updated the board on emergency purchases made due to the ice storm, totaling $1,276,863.57 so far.

(LGW item 4) The city contracted with two companies for debris removal services and consulting on an emergency basis following the ice storm. This is allowed under FEMA guidelines on an emergency basis. However, the city must now advertise for bids to continue the work. The board approved advertising for bids.

(Public Works item 2) Mattox sought permission to advertise for bids for construction services on electric line repairs following the ice storm.

(LGW item 5) Mattox explained that they are applying for a TVA bridge loan to cover all invoices related to ice storm recovery and repair until FEMA reimbursement comes through. Mattox proposed using the existing 2023 NALGW Improvements Fund to place the loan funds into, renaming the account 2026 Ice Storm Recovery Account. Signatures on this account will be: Andy Dillard, Christy Davis, Valerie Watts, Bill Mattox and Jeff Olson.

(Public Works items 4 and 5) City engineer Will Denton asked to board to authorize payment of $223,044.80 to Double S Construction for construction work and $41,133.00 to Cook Coggin Engineers for engineering services for on the East NA Well Project. The board agreed.

Community Development

(Timestamp 18:11)Billy Jean Stroud discussed a program to pair high school technical students with local businesses to better prepare them for the local workforce when they graduate. She also mentioned that Randy Woods would be evaluating sites in New Albany that could do with revamping. Shady Dell park was one of the sites to be evaluated.

Stroud said New Albany has been invited to join the Rock-a-billy Heritage Foundation for potential tourism development. The local America 250 celebration is scheduled for June 27, 2026 offering a full day of family activities. Planning is underway for Riverfest which will be September 26.

Union County Heritage

Jill Smith from the Union County Heritage Museum discussed a collaboration with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to create a North Mississippi Mounds trail. This would mark all the ancient Native American mounds throughout the area.

Smith said the literary competition is now accepting submissions for novels, poetry, short stories plays and other literary works.

The Oxford-based musical and literary program Thacker Mountain Radio will be broadcasting from New Albany on April 17 at 6pm.

Smith said that the museum has been donated a collection of trench art. This is art created usually by soldiers or prisoners of war during war time, often by engraving artillery shells.

Parks and Recreation

(Timestamp 25:38) Chase Jeter from Parks and Recreation reports that most of the city’s athletic facilities have been cleaned up and repaired since the ice storm. Jeter requested approval for a piece of John Deere equipment which is a new version of the equipment approved by the board two months ago. John Deere has discontinued the model originally approved before the order could be fulfilled. The new model costs $1000 more, which will come from the Parks and Rec budget. The board approved the purchase.

Chris Berry has requested to host his annual car show Sunday, July 5, 2026. The board approved the request subject to NAPD Chief Chris Robertson’s approval of their security arrangements.

Other department business

(Timestamp 30:17) Mark Sides from NAFD asked that the board approve full time employment for an employee who was previously hired conditionally. The new member will replace an employee who has recently resigned from the fire department.

(Timestamp 32:48) Building Inspector Eric Thomas said the zoning board recently approved a request for conditional permit for an assisted living facility.

(Timestamp 33:18) The board approved City attorney Regan Russell’s request to approve a new contract with a collections company.

(Timestamp 35:30) Mayor Olson provided an update on ice storm clean up. He said that so far 42,000 cubic yards of debris has been collected. The contractor believes he is about 45% done.

The public meeting then concluded and the board moved to executive session.