Exactly three months after the City of Brookhaven installed its first-ever Code Enforcement Officer, the position has been vacated.

Former Brookhaven Police Department certified officer Shardae Oatis was hired by the Board of Aldermen to take the CE position, and began the role Aug. 1. In addition to code enforcement, Oatis was to serve as a Municipal Court bailiff and maintain certification as an officer.

Oatis submitted her resignation on Oct. 25. On Tuesday, Nov. 1, the Board of Aldermen accepted the resignation, effective immediately, during its regular meeting. No official reason was given for the resignation.

In the code enforcement role, the officer is to oversee and enforce local building codes, zoning laws and city ordinances. The office is part of the Public Works Department, headed by director Keith Lewis.

The main responsibilities given to the officer are in regard to structures that need to come down; lots where grass needs to be cut; abandoned or junk vehicles; and any other lot cleanup issues.

 

In other business:

• Residents may see some brown water temporarily as the fire department flushes fire hydrants around the city.
• Engineer Mike McKenzie of WGK said the KDMC well project shut-off switch should arrive around Dec. 1. Start up will be performed on valves next week, to prepare for emergency use should the well be needed prior to the part’s arrival.
• Concrete foundations will be poured along Brookhaven Boulevard beginning Nov. 7 for new signal cabinets, according to McKenzie.
• The board approved the low bid of $12,100 from Greenbriar Digging Service to extend the main water line on Brookway Boulevard from in front of Verizon to the front of Adele’s. Water Department Superintendent Kris Xifos recommended the extension to eliminate persistent leak problems in the existing smaller pipes. The only other bid was $14,950, from Mitchell Construction.
• The board accepted the low bid of 4.875 percent from Trustmark National Bank on a $2 million revenue bond for infrastructure needs. Larry Day of Daylight Capital told the board, “This is a very good rate in today’s market. We’re really happy with this.” The only other bid was 5.35 percent, from Pike National Bank.
• Public Works Director Keith Lewis told the board two crews of four men each are working eight jobs across the city, including repair of sidewalks.
• The board voted to approve a contract with Renewable Wood Solutions for burning of wood debris at the landfill. The smoke curtain device is approved by the Department of Environmental Quality and can burn up to 10 tons of debris per hour. RWS will haul off the ash for disposal elsewhere.