Aldermen set public hearings for several properties and address other city business (7-7-2026) -

Seated left to right:

Franita Farr – Ward 3
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 read a copy of the agenda by clicking here and view a 14 minute video of the meeting below, courtesy of our videographer Kim Davis.

(Timestamp 1:40) Bill Mattox from Lights Gas & Water presented several agenda items. The first was a request to raise the city’s maximum contract with Looks Great for debris removal from the ice storm. The initial contract was set not to exceed $900,000. Mattox asked that it be raised to $1 million and the board approved it.

(Timestamp 5:10) Mattox also provided an update on some recent emergency repairs. The mayor had authorized an emergency declaration for repair of Walmart’s sewage lift station. A new pump was needed and was purchased from J.R. Stewart in West Memphis for $20,000. Other repairs inside the lift station were performed at a cost of $3700.

The second emergency involved the Wesson Tate water well. The pump had been ruined during a lightning storm and a new one was procured from AMD construction at a cost of $14,000

(Timestamp 6:25) Police Chief Chris Robertson informed the board about an emergency hire. NAPD has hired Montre Mason who was born and raised in Ripley but has now lived in New Albany for several years. The board had already approved the hire but did formalize their approval with a vote.

(Timestamp) Mark Whiteside from NAFD didn’t have any business before the board this month. Mayor Olson expressed his appreciation for the Fire Department’s assistance with a recent fire at the land fill. Whiteside said the guys appreciated Olson being there and providing them with things they needed. Olson said he had just provided some pizza and Whiteside said “well apparently that was all they were looking for” which elicited some laughter from the room.

(Timestamp 8:12) Building Inspector Eric Thomas asked for public hearings to be held on August 4, 2026 at the next aldermen meeting for the following properties:

503 Hwy 30 West (request to rezone from SN-8 to SN 5)
500 Clarke Street – property clean up
116 Tate Drive
706 Shady Grove Road

(Timestamp 10:00) The Mayor asked for an emergency declaration from the board to cover emergency contractor work to help mitigate a fire that broke out at the landfill. The board approved the request.

The board also set a time and date for a special meeting on Tuesday July 21. The board set the time at 5:30 pm.

The board then recessed until Tuesday, August 4, 2026.