[03/12/03]Vicksburg has made it through the first round of cuts in the process of getting federal dollars to clean contaminated properties including the former Ludke Electric building on Howard at Grove Street.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen held a public hearing Tuesday to accept comments on being included in the final step II proposal to the Environmental Protection Agency. The final application must be submitted a week from today and grants are expected to be awarded in June.

The city asked for money through the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in December to get funding through the federal Brownsfields program. The application is for up to $1.2 million for site assessment, a revolving loan fund and cleanup.

Although there was no comment from the public, representatives of Vicksburg Catholic School, Keep Vicksburg Warren Beautiful, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District, Warren County Economic Development Foundation and Vicksburg Main Street program expressed support.

“When a developer comes to town, they can see that we are doing something to better our community,” said Bob Ward of Main Street.

Written comments may be submitted until noon Monday.

The former Ludke building is in the block adjoining St. Francis Elementary and St. Aloysius High School. The one-story factory-type structure has been vacant since the 1970s. Inspectors believe contaminants from transformers, batteries and other devices in the former electrical workshop are on the site or in the ground. No offsite hazard is believed to exist.

The other properties identified in the grant documents are Kansas City Southern Railway property north of Jackson Street between Washington and Levee streets; R&B Auto Repair, 714 Main St.; and the former Vicksburg Laundry site at Walnut and Grove streets.

“This is really taking the lead and very encouraging for our community,” said Holley Simrall with Keep Vicksburg Warren Beautiful.

In other matters the city board:

In a 2-1 vote, approved a request to close streets and suspend the normal midnight curfew for minors until 1 a.m. during Riverfest weekend, April 11-12. North Ward Alderman Gertrude Young voted against the request, citing concerns over the status of Riverfest board’s request to waive the law that allows public drinking. That request now goes to the police chief.

Accepted bids for sewer improvements and for the sale of surplus real property.

Awarded bids for concession stand operations.

Approved a 24-day time extension for work on the secondary digester cover replacement at the waste water treatment plant. Rosemary Bagby, head of the department, said the only work remaining is painting, which was delayed by rain.

Approved a $1,050 ad in the Vicksburg Warren County Community Guide 2003, a supplement to The Vicksburg Post.

Entered an agreement with Hazclean Environmental Consultants Inc. for environmental site assessment on three properties.

Canceled a lease and entered a new agreement for two photocopiers for the police department.

Extended the 1999 HOME program to December 2003. The program is part of the housing project in Kings.

Entered a contract for firefighter training at the state fire academy.

Approved a request by the National Association of Letter Carriers to place temporary banners for the annual letter carriers food drive.

Authorized spending $200 for food for Spring Fling 2003. The teen program will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at City Park.

Approved the claims docket.

The city board will meet again at 10 a.m. Monday at City Hall Annex.