Aldermen return solar grant funding

Aldermen last Tuesday proposed returning a $100,000 grant allocated for the PowerUp Solar project.

This grant, part of the $6.7 million Energizing Rural Communities Prize from the Department of Energy, was initially awarded to PowerUp Philadelphia, MS, along with 66 other communities and organizations.

These funds are intended to increase the knowledge of solar and help assist rural communities in implementing solar technology.

Will Shirley, CEO of Sundial Solar Power Developers in Jackson, addressed the Mayor and Board of Aldermen in November to outline the plan. 

Ward 1 Alderman Justin Clearman expressed concern about the legitimacy of the program.

“After that meeting, I got the feeling that this program isn't as legitimate as it sounds,” Clearman said. “I asked Mr. Shirley twice for the names of municipalities similar to Philadelphia that have taken advantage of this program. He failed to provide an answer and simply moved on to other speaking points supporting the program.”

He added, “The research I performed on this company returned with no useful information. Nothing on Google or LinkedIn. I can't recall finding anything through the Better Business Bureau either, so given the lack of data I felt this program is not something we need to be a part of and would rather return funding to the sender.”

Following deliberation, the vote resulted in a 3-2 decision, with Aldermen Jim Fulton, James Waltman, and Clearman opting to return the funds, while Shaun Seales and James Tatum opposed returning the money.

In other action, aldermen voted to:

• Approve a motion to renew property, casualty, and liability insurance with Philadelphia Security Insurance. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to pay Ammon Roofing $950 out of Bond B bank account for roof repair at the Boys & Girls Club building. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to pay Allen Engineering invoice totaling $809 and another invoice totaling $1,045 for services on the Runway Taxiway Seal Coat Airport Project. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to pay Allen & Hoshall invoice totaling $2,500 for services on the Lagoon Erosion Repairs in conjunction with the WCWI Grant. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to allow a government-to-government transfer of Philadelphia Utilities vehicles to the Street Department: 2017 Ford F-150 for $9,000 and 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 for $11,000. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to rezone 258 B Lewis Ave from R1 to R3. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept the resignation of Stephanie Scott from Court Services effective Dec. 7. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to approve the resolution requesting financial assistance for the procurement of a new firetruck in the amount of $500,000. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to enter into MS Transportation Commission Airport Federal Matching Grant Agreement for fiscal year 2023 Seal Taxiway Pavement Project and allow the mayor to sign. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to move Courtney Stephens from part-time to full-time with Animal Control. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to pay Griffis Motors $52,000 for vehicle cost for the Police Chief’s truck. The motion was approved unanimously.