City of Picayune council members approved a motion to bring in a special prosecutor for two cases.
Mayor Ed Pinero said the reason the outside prosecutor was requested was because both municipal judges and the city attorney have recused themselves from the cases.
City Attorney Nathan Farmer said the cases involve family members of city employees, so he and both judges and know at least one of the parties involved.
The council also approved the mayor signing off on the design and construction phase of the second phase of the Main Street parking project.
When complete, the project will add between 16 to 18 additional parking spaces along North Main Street similar to the spaces recently constructed across from PJ’s Coffee.
The council also approved a home occupational license request by Laura A. Ewald to establish a publishing company at her home on Magnolia Lane. Ewald told the council that she offers proofreading and other literary services over the Internet, and no customers would be visiting her home.
During the council member’s concerns portion of the meeting Tammy Valente addressed what she called derogatory media coverage of the grades local school districts received recently.
She said while the school system does have room for improvement, the Picayune Memorial High School received a grade of B.
“That should push the elementary and junior high to do the same,” Valente said.
Council member Larry Breland added that the problems at the schools begin at home.
Breland also asked City Manager Jim Luke about the state of Jackson Landing, which he said needs to be repaved. Breland said he has received a number of calls from citizens about the road’s condition.
Luke said he will speak with his department heads to determine any possible course of action.
Pinero took a second to remind everyone that the annual Blues and Heritage Festival is set for this Saturday beginning at 3 p.m.
In other business the council:
— Approved extending the maintenance agreement with Fuel Master for the fuel farm at the Municipal Airport for another year.
The next council meeting will be Nov. 4 at 5 p.m.