The North Jackson Street Bridge project is nearing completion — at least, another step in the process.

Utilities should be completed relocated within the coming week, with one exception. Some City-owned water lines need to be relocated.

“It’s the last step” before AT&T can move their lines, engineer Ryan Holmes told the Board of Aldermen Tuesday.

Two quotes were submitted for the water line relocations, with the lowest bid at $17,000, from Greenbriar Digging Services in Brookhaven. The aldermen approved going ahead with that bid.

The Brignall-Browns Loop sewer plans are complete and have approval from the Department of Environmental Quality, engineer Mike McKenzie told the board. Beginning Friday morning, city representatives will begin knocking on doors in that neighborhood to request easement access to begin the physical part of the project.

McKenzie also said the city needs to get prices on the repair of a retaining wall at the corner of North Jackson and Court streets. The wall has collapsed, and fell into the street, McKenzie said.

In other business, the board:

• Acknowledged a public hearing on taking down two abandoned homes, scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. The structures are located on Minerva Street and Fulton Street.
• Approved a public hearing on lot grass cuttings for 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14.
• Received and awarded the off-road diesel bid to James Case Oil at $3.56.9.
• Received the September 2023 Revenue and Expenditure Report.
• Received the September 2023 Privilege License Report, with revenue of $5,253.65.
• Received the September 2023 Municipal Court Report showing revenue of $10,278.29 ($3,720.25 goes to the State).
• Approved Claims Docket items for a total of $2,595.892.52.
• Received the September 2023 Fire Department run report showing 28 runs in the city and one run outside the city.
• Approved to recognize Gov. Tate Reeves’ declaration of Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, as the official observance of Veteran’s Day.
• Approved to remove from BPD inventory and scrap a 2016 Ford F 150 XLT Super Crew pickup, as a total loss from a wreck.
• Approved the request by Building Inspector David Fearn to increase vehicle budget from $36,000 to $44,909 due to state contract prices being higher than anticipated.
• Approved Firefighters Cannon Travis and Jason Britt to attend the Firefighter Intervention Rescue Survival Techniques Class at State Fire Academy on Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 2023. City will pay registration cost of $365 each and reimburse for meals and mileage.
• Approved the fiscal year end 2023 Budget Revisions.
• Approved a 15-year anniversary salary increase of $1 per hour for Jody Hammack, a Laborer in the Street Department; pay rate will increase from $13.64 per hour to $14.64 per hour.